newspaper references to the carizzo plain 1885 - 1926...
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Newspaper References to the Carizzo Plain 1885 - 1926
Daily Alta California, Volume 39, Number 12982, 29 September 1885
Fourth-Class Postmasters.
Carisa, Frederick R. Noyes
Daily Alta California, Volume 40, Number 13300, 25 January 1886
POST OFFICE GAZETTE.
WeeklySummaryofthePostalChangesorthePacificCoast.SpecialtotheAltaCalifornia,
Washington,January24th.—DaringthepastweekthefollowingordersandchangesaffectingthePacificSlopehavebeenissuedbythePostOfficeDepartment:
Route46412—CarisatoLaPanza.LeaveCarisaThursdaysat2p.m.;arriveatLaPanzaby8p.m.;leaveLaPanzaThursdaysat6a.m.;arriveatCarisaby12m.
Daily Alta California, Volume 40, Number 13429, 3 June 1886
THECARISAVALLEY.
TheSanMiguelMessengersays:Hon.JesseD.Carr,ofSalinasCity,returnedThursdayfromatourofobservationtotheCarisaplains,inthesoutheasternpartofthiscounty.Hehasacquiredatitletosome6,000acresoflandinthatvalleythepastWinter,andwentdowntolookathispossessions.Fromhimweobtainedthefollowinggeneralitemswithregardtotheextentandcharacterofthatcountry:TheCarisaValleyisaboutfiftymileslongandanaverageofsevenmileswide;thereisnooutlettothevalley,buttherearethreesmalllakesofsaltwater.Thereisverylittlealkaliinthesoil,andforthemostpartthecountryiscoveredwitharankgrowthoffiliree,wildryeandbunchgrass.Itisaboutfifty‐fivemilesfromthisplacetotheentranceofthevalley,whichextendsinasoutheasterlydirection.Mr.Carr,whoisamanoflargeexperienceandobservation,andoughttobeagoodjudgeofsoil,thinksitwilldevelopintoafinegrainregion.ThebestpartofthevalleyisownedbyDr.andJamesMcDonald,ofSanFrancisco,whoaredoubtlessholdingitforspeculation.
Morning Tribune & Daily Republic April 1888
ReportedLynching:ASpaniardcameinfromtheCarissaPlainsonlastevening,andstatesthatitwasreportedtohimthatamanbythenameofJamesAGilliam,aresidentofSanJoseValley,wasfoundsuspendedfromatreeattheupperendofthePlainslastTuesdaymorning.Nothingisknownastothecauseofthesupposedlynching.Thefullparticularswillprobablybereceivedtomorrow.
Los Angeles Herald, Volume 30, Number 60, 3 June 1888
C.R.BromleywasdraggedtodeathonCarissaplainsbyawildbroncho.
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 35, Number 26, 30 June 1888
Cuyama Valley and Carissa Plains.
EditorsPress:—TheCuyamaandCarissaplainsaresettlingupveryfast.Itisnotquiteayearsincethefirst;settleronGovernmentlanderectedhiscabinthere,andto‐dayonecancountmorethan20fromMr.Stubblefield'shouse.
TheCuyamavalleyissituatedinthenortheasterncornerofSantaBarbaracounty,theCuyamariverbeingpartlythedividebetweenSantaBarbaraandSanLouisObispocounties.Thesoilisveryrichandseemstobeverywelladaptedforgrowingwheat.Thisshould,inouropinion,besownveryearly—aboutinNovember—soastoallowittotakerootsufficientlybeforethewintersetsin.Itisprettycoldinwinter,which,atanelevationofnearly2000feet,Isnottobewonderedat.
Thereisanabundanceofartesianwaterandgoodsprings,althoughthelatterare,Iamsorrowtosay,nearlyalltakeninbylandgrabbers.Insomespotsweobservedmuchalkali,especiallywherethelandwasmuchdrenchedwithwater.Intheseplacesalfalfagrowstoperfectionwithoutirrigation.Carr&Hagginhavealargeareainalfalfa,whichtheycutfourtimesayearforhay.
Peachesandgrapesdowell,thefirstbeingofPlacercountyflavor.Sofar,ofcourse,verylittlehasbeendoneinfruit‐raisingorcultivation,andfarmingishardlymorethanexperimental.
Inthelowerendofthevalleywoodonthesouthslopesofthemountainsisplenty,mountainoakbeingprevalent.Theupperend,especiallythenorthBidehillsandtheCarissaplains,areentirelydestituteoftrees.Ifwatercouldbeobtained,theCarissaplainswouldbeconvertedintothebestofraisinvineyards.ThesoilconsistsofthereddishsedimentwhichwefoundintheRedlands,nearLosAngeles,andinSonoma.Webelievethatartesianwaterwillbefoundatadepthof150to200feet,asthisplateauliesthatmuchhigherthantheCuyamaandBakersfieldplains,bothofwhichseemtogetthewaterofthemountainrangesinclosingtheCarissa.Well‐waterhasbeenobtained,thoughfurthernorthinthevalley,atadepthor25to30feet(solidadobe)invariousplaces.
Itwouldnow,ofcoarse,beunprofitabletoattemptgrain‐growinghereonalargescale,themarketsbeingtoofardistantandhardtoreach—toBakersfield,onagoodroad,75miles;toSanLouisObispo,andtoSantaMaria,overaverybadone,65milesinthebedoftheSantaMariariver.ButitisonlyaquestionoftimewhenwewillhearthewhistleoftheengineintheCarissaandCuyama;meanwhilethesettlerwillhavetotrytoraisecattleonhis160acres,andwhetherthiscanpossiblybedoneataprofitwithoutwaterandlargemeanswedon'tdaretodecide.
J.G.H.SantaBarbara,June16,1888,
San Francisco Call, Volume 67, Number 162, 1 May 1890
NewCoalFields
SanLuisObispo,April30.—BallaghbrothersareintownfromCarisawithspecimensofcoal,weighingfivepoundseach,ofthehighestgrade.Theyhavelocatedlargeminingclaim.
San Francisco Call, Volume 70, Number 83, 22 August 1891
SupremeCourtSession.
TheStateSupremeCourtadjournedatthecloseofyesterday'ssessiontomeetInLasAngelesonOctober12th.Thelastcasearguedwastheancientcontestof
GeorgeSchultzagainstGeoreeMcLeanforthepossessionoflandnowworth$250,000andlocatedinCarisaValley,SanLuisObispoCounty.FortheyearendingJune1,1891,802caseswerefiledand844casesdecided.Therewere871casespendingonJuly1st,ofwhich257areundersubmission.
Sacramento Daily Record-Union, January 19, 1891, p. 6
SUPREME COURT DECISIONS.
[Filed January 14,1891] Appeal from Superior Court of San Luis
Obispo County—V. A. Gregg, Judge. For appellant. W. H. Spencer. For respondent, W. B. Dillard
DEPARTMENT TWO.
C. J. BRUMLEY, ET AL., execu- tors, etc. Respondents,
vs. No. 13,665. ROBERT FLINT, Appellant.
InDecember,1887,oneChesterR.Brumleyleasedfromtheowner16,320acresofgrazing
landtortheyear1888.BetweenJanuary1andFebruary7,1888,thedefendant'scattlewrongfullyentereduponaportionofthisland,andateup,troddownanddestroyedthegrassandfeedgrowingthereon.InMay,1888,thesaidBrumleydied,andthereaftertheplaintiffsweredulyappointedandqualifiedasexecutorsofhiswill.Theplaintiff's,assuchexecutors,broughtthisactiontorecoverdamagesfortheallegedtrespassesofdefendant'scattleinthesumof$1,000.Thecasewastriedbeforethecourt,withoutajury,andbytheJudgment,theplaintiffswereawardedthesumof$325andcostsofsuit.Fromthisjudgmentandanorderdenyinganewtrialthedefendantappeals.1. AtthetrialC.J.Brumleywascalledasawitnessforplaintiffs,and,afterstatingthat,hewasthesonofChesterR.Brumleyandoneoftheplaintiffs,proceededtotestifyasfollows:
“Iknowthelanddescribedinthecomplaint,andhaveknownitforthepastfifteenyears;itisgrazingland.Iknowdefendant'scattle;theyarebrandedwithastar.Isawdefendant'scattleonthelanddescribedinthecomplaintmanytimesduringJanuaryandFebruary,1888—eight,nine,elevenortwelvehundredofthem—andtheyweretrespassingontheland.Thereweremanyfreshrainwaterpoolsontheland,andthecattlerangedthere.Thegroundwaswetduringthesemonths,therehavingbeenaheavysnowstormandmuchrain,andthecattleinjuredanddamagedthepasturegreatlybytreadingitdownandeatingit.ForthepastfiveyearsIhavebeeninthecattlebusinessnearthisland."
Thewitnesswasthenaskedbyplaintiff’s'counseltostatewhatamountofdamage,inhisestimation,wasdonebythecattleduringthetimetheyweretrespassingupontheland.Thedefendantobjectedtothequestion"uponthegroundthatthesamewasincompetent,irrelevantandimmaterial,asaskingforaconclusionwhichthecourtwastoarriveatfromthefactsgivenintestimony;andfurtherasnottheproperwaytoprovedamages."Thecourtoverruledtheobjection,a.idthedefendantreservedanexception.Thewitnessthenanswered:
"Thedamagefromeatingup,trendingdownanddestroyingthegrassonthelandbydefendant'scattleduringthetimeyoumentionwould,inmyestimation,amountto$700or$800."
Itisnowurgedforappellantthattherulingabove‐mentionedwaserroneous,becausethewitnesshadnotbeen"showntopossesstherequisiteknowledgeofthevalueofthepropertyclaimedtohavebeeninjuredbydefendant'scattle;"andinsupportofthisposition,Reedvs.Drais,67Cal.491,iscited.
Itisnotclaimedthattheanswertothequestion,Ifgivenbyacompetentwitness,wouldhavebeenincompetent,irrelevantorimmaterial,anduponthatquestionwearenotcalledupontoexpressanopinion.Itwilllieobservedherethattheobjectionwasnotthatthewitnesswasincompetent,forwantofsufficientknowledge,totestifyastothedamages,butonlythatitwasnottheproper waytoprovedamages.
Thegeneralruleis,that"apartyobjectingtotheadmissionofevidencemustspecifythegroundofhisobjectionwhentheevidenceisoffered,andwillbeconsideredashavingwaivedallobjectionsnotsospecified."(Peoplevs.Manning,48Cal.338.)
Itistruethatageneralobjectionissufficient,iftheevidenceobjectedtoisabsolutelyinadmissibleforanypurpose.(Nightingalevs.Scannell,18Cal.315.)Butotherwise,toentitletheobjectiontonotice,‐“thepartyshouldhavelaidhisfingeronthepointatthetime.”(Martinvs.Travers,12Cal.243;Cochranvs.O'Keefe,34Cal.558.)
Concedingtherefore,withoutdeciding,thatthewitnesswasnotshowntopossesstherequisiteknowledgetoenablehimtotestifyastothedamages,stillwedonotthinkthepointmadecanbeconsideredhere,forthereasonthatthatobjectiontothequestionwasnottaken.
InReedvs.Drais.supra,themisnothinginconflictwithwhathasbeensaid.Inthatcase.isshownbytherecord,awitnesswasaskedtogivethevalueofcertainland,andthetestimonywasobjectedtoandexcludedbythecourt,"onthegroundthatthewitnessbadnotshownhimselfcompetenttotestifyonthatpoint."Inaffirmingthejudgmentthecourt,amongotherthings,said:"Thereisnodoubtthatawitnessacquaintedwiththevalueofpropertymaygiveanopinionustosuchvalue,buthemustfirstlieshowntopossesstherequisiteknowledge,andthen,althoughsuchknowledgeisnottheresulttoanypeculiarskillinaparticularpursuitorbranchofbusiness,ordepartmentofscience,bemayvetbeheard.Where,however,theknowledgeiswantingtheopinionshouldberejected.Wethink,therefore,thecourtdidnoterrinrefusingtoadmitthetestimony."2. Itisclaimedthattheevidencewasinsufficienttojustifythedecisionofthecourtthatplaintiffsweredamagedinthesumof$325byreasonofthetrespass.Buttheevidencewasconflictingastothenumberofcattlethatcommittedthetrespasses,andastothedamagedonebythem.Onthepartoftheplaintiffstheevidencetendedtoslowthattheywereentitledtoalargersumthanwasawardedtothem.ThefactthatthedeceasedBrumleypaidasrentforalltheleasedpremisesonly$1,000,and,sometimeafterthetrespass,subleasedthemfor$1,500,isnotcontrolling.Wecannotsay,therefore,thatthejudgmentshouldbereversedormodifiedbecausethedamagesallowedwereexcessive.
Wethinkthejudgmentandordershouldbeaffirmed,andbeadvise.BELCHER,C.Weconcur:
VANCLIEF,C.HAYNE,C.
THECOURT.Forthereasonsgivenintheforegoingopinionthejudgmentandorderareaffirmed.
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 45, Number 16, 22 April 1893
HeLassoedaGrizzlyBear.
SaturdaylastGeorgeKenison,whoisintheemployofthecattledepartmentoftheKernCountyLandCompany,wasridingintheCoastRangemountains,nearCarissa,lookingafterstock,whenhecameuponagrizzlybear.Whenfirstseenthebearwassittingonitshaunches.Kenisonmadefortheanimalandgotitstarteddownthegulch.HekeptbehindituntilitcameoutontheCarissaplains;thenheracedquicklyuptoit,firedashotfromhispistolintoitsback,andwhilepassingthrewhislassooveritsneckandthenstraightenedouttherope.Thehorsewasgreatlyfrightenedandtookgoodcaretokeeptheropetaut,butitwasalong‐distancefight,astherewasabout60feetofropebetweenthebearandthehorse.
Kenison,however,kepthishorseunderperfectcontrol.Whenthebearwouldclutchhisriatahemaneuveredwithhishorsesoastobreakthebear'shold.Hecircledaroundandaroundwithgoodhorsemanshipandperfectcoolness,allthetimekeepingtheropetightaroundthebear'sneck,andheactuallychokedthegrizzlytodeath.J.E.Hunter,whohandlestheherdsforthecattledepartment,sawthestrugglefromadistanceandputhishorsetoitsspeedinordertogiveanyhelpinhispower,butbeforehecouldreachthesceneofcombatthebearlaydeadandKenisonhadconquereditsingle‐handed.Thegrizzlyweighs900pounds.Kenisonisasmallmanofslightframe,anddoesnotweighover130pounds,huthebearsthereputationofnotknowingwhatfearis.Hishorseonlyweighsabout900.ItwasKenison'snerve,coolnessandsuperbhorsemanshipthatenabledhimtoperformthefeatoflassoingandkillingagrizzlysingle‐handed.
San Francisco Call, Volume 75, Number 157, 6 May 1894
DICK IN A CELL.
Indicted for Felony by a Grand Jury.
ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT
Bonds Are Fixed at a Hundred Thousand.
OTHER INDICTMENTS TO FOLLOW
Charged With the Taking of Twenty Thousand Dollars From the Pacific Bank
DickMcDonaldliesinacellintheCountyJailindictedbytheGrandJuryforafelonyandwithbondsfixedbyJudgeHebbardat$100,000.
Theindictmentwasreturnedat2o'clockyesterdayafternoon.TheindictmentdeclaresthatR.H.McDonaldJr.onthe23dofJune,1893,whilevice‐presidentofthePacificBankandcontrollingthemoneysatthatbankbyvirtueofthetrustreposedinhisoffice,did,"contrarytosaidtrustandnotindueandlawfulexecutionofsaidtrust,willfully,fraudulentlyandfeloniously,convert,embezzleandappropriatetohisownuseandcausetobeappropriatedthesumof$20,000belongingtosaidbankwiththepurposetodefraudthesame."
SidneyM.SmithhandedtheindictmenttoJudgeHebbard,whoreadthepaperandhandingittotheclerkofthecourtsaid:
"Thepersonisnotatpresentincustody,anditseemsadvisable,therefore,thattheIdentityoftheaccusedshouldnotnowbemadepublic.Letabenchwarrantbeissuedforhisarrestandlethisbondsbefixedat$100,000."
Themagnitudeofthesuretiesaskedtoldthosepresentwhotheaccusedmustbe.InthemorningAttorney‐GeneralHart,JohnF.Sheehan,receiverofthePeople'sHomeSavingsBank,JohnE.Farnum,managerofthePacificBank,SecretaryMinorandBankCommissionerKnightweresummonedbeforetheGrandJury.
TheimpressionprevailedthattheindictmentwasreturnedbytheGrandJuryonaccountofthetransactionintheSwanbergsecurities.Thiswasincorrect.McDonaldwaschargedwithafelonyonamatterentirelyforeigntotbePeople'sHomeSavingsBank.HewasaccusedofembezzlingfundsfromthePacificBank,anditwasthetestimonyofAttorney‐GeneralHartandJohnE.Farnum,managerofthePacificBank,whichledtohisindictment.
JohnF.SheehanwasquestionedwithreferencetotheSwanbergsecurities.ItisnotunlikelythatanotherbillofindictmentmaybefoundagainstMcDonaldonaccountofthattransaction,asthereceiverofthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankandhisattorney,J.A.Watt,statetheirintentiontosecure,ifpossible,theindictmentofallthosewhoweredirectlyconcernedindeliveringupthesecuritiesheldbythePeople'sHomeSavingsBanktoC.O.Swanberg.
DickMcDonaldwasarrestedshortlyafter4o'clockatbisresidenceonSeventeenthstreetHeexpressedaperfectwillingnesstoaccompanythepoliceofficers.TheyfirstwenttotheCityHall,andfromthereproceededtotheCountyJail.
ThefirstcallerwasA.L.Jenkins,afriendofMcDonald'sandadirectorofthebank.AfewotherfriendsandS.M.Shortridge,hisattorney,calledintheevening.
DickMcDonaldtookhisarrestquitephilosophically."IhavenotyetlearnedwithwhatIhavebeencharged,"hesaidinaninterview.WhenthereportoftheGrandJurywasreadbelookedthoughtfulforamomentandsaid:"Ididnottake$20,000.Icouldnothavetakenthemoneyonthedaycharged,forthatwasthedayfollowingtheclosingofthePacificBank,whentheBankCommissionerswereincharge,ifIrememberrightly.Iamquitecertainthebankclosedonthe22dofJune,andthispaperchargesmewithafelony—theembezzlementofbankfundsonthe23dofJune.Idonotunderstandit."
WhenaskedifanymoneyhadbeentakenfromthebankDickMcDonaldratherreluctantlyadmittedthathisbrotherFrankhadstartedEastwithasumofmoney.Thisbedeclaredwaslessthan$20,000,about514.000hethought.Hedisclaimedhavinganythingtodowiththetakingofthismoney.
Whenaskedwhatstepshewouldtaketosecurehisrelease,McDonaldstatedthathehadnotyetseenhisattorneys,andcouldnotsay.Hethoughthewouldbeabletofurnishsuretiesintheamountasked,andthathisuncle,CaptainJim,mightnotbeunwillingtogoonhisbond."IsupposeDelmasandShortridgewillactasmyattorneys,"headded,"thoughIhavenotseenthemasyet."
Dickdidnotseemtotakehisarrestverysorrowfully.Hewasnotparticularlynervous,andbetrayedscarcelyanychangeofdemeanor,exceptonce,whenthenameofShermanwascasuallymentioned.Thenhiseyesflashed.
"Sherman'sturnwillcomeyet,"saidbe."Justwait.If‐‐"
Thenhestoppedandchangedthesubjectofconversation.
Hedeniedthathehaddoneanywrong,andseemedquitehopefulthathewouldsoonbe‐released,andthattheactionoftheGrandJurywouldbenullifiedbythecourts.
Therewasahurryingaroundforbondsmenlastevening.CharlesR.MontgomerycalledinattorneysShortridgeandDelmastodiscussthesituation.
At11o'clockMr.Sbortridgesaid:"Itissolatethatlamafraidweshallnotbeabletoobtainsuretiesto‐night.Mr.McDonaldhasmanyfriends,butseveralwhomwesoughtwerenotathome.ItisalmostImpossibletodoanythingonaSaturdaynight,andItseemsquitestrangethatSaturdayshouldhavebeenselectedbytheGrandJurytohandinitsbillto,JudgeHebbard.
“Thebailisexcessive.WhenFloodwaschargedwithtaking$164,000fromthebankinwhichhewasemployedhisbailwasfixedat$40,000.IhavenotlearnedyetoftheamountwhichMr.McDonaldisaccusedoftaking."Whentoldthatitwas$20,000.Mr.Shortridgesaid:“Thenthebondisdoublyexcessive.Amanmightcommitseveralmurdersandhisbondwouldnotequalthat.Thislookslikepersecution.”ThereasonthatMcDonald’sbondwasmadesoheavyissaidtobethis:TheGrandJurydesirestocontinueitsinvestigation.ItwillbringotherchargesagainstMcDonald,aswellasothersconnectedwiththebank,anddesirestoholdDickuntilitcancompleteitswork.IthadbeenreportedthatMcDonaldhadfledorwasabouttofleefromthecity,buthisfriendsassertthathewouldremainhereunderanycircumstances.
Attorney‐GeneralHart,whenseenat6o’clocklastevening,hadnotheardoftheindictmentorarrest.“McDonaldmusthavebeenindicted,”saidhe,“forthemoneywhichhetookoutofthePacificBanktospendonhismagazine.Whileanofficerinthatbankhetookout$51,000asaloantotheCaliforniaMagazine.”Acommitteeofseven,representingthedepositorsofthePeople’sHomeSavingsBankandconsistingofH.WHutton,E.F.Kendall,ThomasMahoney,T.McCarthy,A.B.Frace,W.HarrisandH.D.Pike,calledonReceiverSheehanyesterdaymorningrequestingthattheybepermittedtoexaminethebooksinordertoreporttothedepositorsatasubsequentmeeting.TheywereassuredbythereceiverthateverycourtesywouldbeextendedthemandwereinvitedtoselectoneoftheirnumbertojoinwithhiminmakinganinventoryMondaymorning.Thisofferwasaccepted.ThecommitteethenhadalongconferencewithAttorney‐GeneralHart,inwhichtheyaskedforanexplanationofthediscrepanciesbetweenthereportonthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankjustissuedandthatmadebytheAttorney‐GeneralinJanuary.Attorney‐GeneralHartenteredintoalongexplanationofthecauseswhichledtothedisagreeingvouchers.HestatedthattheCommissionersbadomitted$70,632ofaccruedinterest,whichhehadfiguredasanassetonthegroundthatiftheloansweregoodtheinterestmustbegood.Hisestimateofthevalueofthesafedepositdepartmentofthebankwasmadeona7percentreturnandexceededthevaluationwhichtheCommissionershadmadeby$8000.TheLosAngelesandthePhoenixstreetrailwaybondswerediscussedandtheAttorney‐Generalexpressedtheopinionthatwhilethebankoughttogointoliquidation,yetinthehandsofagoodreceiverandwithexpenseslimitedto$1500amonthitshouldintwoyearsbeenabledtopaythelastdollarofitsindebtedness.Hedeclaredthattheassetsshouldnotbeappraisedattheirpresentcashvalueonforcedsale,butatwhattheymightreasonablybeexpectedtobringwithintwoyears.Therewassomediscussionoverthetractof16,000acresinSanLuisObispoCountyuponwhichDr.R.H.McDonaldhadsecuredaloanof$147,000.TheAttorneyGeneralhadvaluedthispropertyatabout$10anacre.Whenquestionedbedidnotseemquiteclearastoitslocation,thinkingthatitlaynotverydistantfromthecoast.ThelandreallyliesintheCarrisoplains,adjacenttoKernCounty,andseparatedfromothersectionsofSanLuisObispoCountybyruggedmountainranges.Itislocatedin'anaridregionremotefromrailcommunication,anditisbelievedthatthepresentvalueofthelandhasbeengreatlyoverestimated.IftheCarrisoplainswereirrigatedandhadrailcommunicationthevalueofthelandwouldbegreatlyenhanced.Thisisoneoftheassetsofthebankwhichatforcedsalewouldproveverydisappointing.AttorneyWattstatedthataletterhadbeenfoundinthevaultfromDelmasandShortridgeadvisingthedirectorstodisposeoftheSwanbergsecuritiesaswasdone.D.M.DelmasexplainedthatthisletterdidnotrefertothemeetinglastTuesdayevening,uponwhichthesecuritiesweregiventoSwanberg,andshowedalettercopywhichprovedthattheletterhadbeensentonApril28,withreferencetoaresolutionpassedApril10,inwhichthedirectorsweretoldthattheyhadalegalrighttoexchangeonesetofsecuritiesforanotheriftheyweredeemedofequalvalue,butInthisletterDelmasandShortridgerefusedtoadviseastothe'businessjudgmentofmakingsuchanexchange.ItwassaidatthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankyesterdaythattheroughminutesshowedthatDirectorsMcDonald,MontgomeryandKeeneyandSecretaryGravesandAttorneyPhillipswere
presentatthefinalmeetingwhentheSwanbergsecuritieswererestored.DirectorKeeneydeniesthis,declaringthathewasnotpresentandcanprovehisabsence.C.O.SwanberghasmadeaswornstatementbeforeWilliamS.Wegener,anotarypublic,inwhichhesetsforththeidenticalstatementpublishedinTHECALLofMay4touchingthetransfersofhissecurities.HeassertsthattherewerepresentatthemeetingoftheboardofdirectorsontheeveningofMay1,Dr.E.R.TaylorandE.P.Morey,hisattorneys;CharlesR.Montgomery,HiramT.Graves,A.L.JenkinsandR.H.McDonald,directors;L.E.Phillips,associatecounselofthebank,andH.I.Willey.DickMcDonaldpresided.HestatedthatSwanbergwasjustlyentitledtothesecurities,butthathehaddelayedgivingthemtohimfrommotivesofpolicy.DirectorCharlesR.MontgomerymovedtheadoptionofapreambleandresolutionswhichhadbeenpreparedbySwanberg’scounsel.TheyweresecondedbyDirectorJenkinsandadopted.Theresolutionsdirectedthesecretary,HiramT.Graves,toreturnthenoteofH.W.Westphalfor$40,000indorsedbySwanbergandsecuritiestoSwanberg,andGravesdidsoreturnthesecuritiesandnoteinasealedenvelopeinthepresenceofthedirectors.Swanbergalsoswearsthattheresolutionshadbeenpreparedbyhisattorney,withthesanctionofDelmasandShortridge,attorneysandcounselforthebankanymoneyorbribetoanyoneconnectedwiththebanktoinfluencethereturnofthesecurities.ThefollowingnoteandmemorandumhaveaninterestingbearinguponthehistoryoftheSwanbergsecurities:
SanFrancisco,Sept.28,1893.
To H. W. Westphal Esq., San Francisco, Cal.—DearSir:IbegtoInformyouthatatameetingoftheboardofdirectors,heldonthe27thdayofSeptember,1893,thefollowingpreambleandresolutionwerepassedbysaidboard:WHEREAS,ItappearsthatanagreementwasmadeinregardtotheH.W.Westphalnoteof$40,000andsecurities,datedMarch27,1893,totheeffectthatlettersofcreditonEurope,infavorofC.O.Swanberg,shouldbegivenbythePacificBankInconnectionofsaidnoteandsecurities,butthatIfnomoneycouldberaisedonsaidlettersofcreditthenallsecuritiesshouldbereturnedtoH.W.Westphalandthelettersofcreditreferredtobesubstitutedintheirplace;nowthereforebeitResolved,Thatthisbankagreestomakesomearrangementinthismatteraftertheexpirationofsixmonthsfromdate,eitherbyreturningtoH.W.WestphalthecollateralstockorbyhavingsomeotherunderstandingsatisfactorytoMr.Westphalandtothisbank.Yourstruly,ChrisBellermann,Secretary.Thismemorandumofagreement,witnesseth:Thatthenoteof40,000.signedbyH.W.Westphal,andgiventothePeople'sHomeSavingsBankaboutMarch28,1893,securedbypledgesofcertainsharesofstock,wasgivenandacceptedupontheseterms:ThePeople'sHomeSavingsBankdesirestoreduceitsindebtednessfromthePacificBank;thePacificBankatthesametimedesiredtoraisemoneyuponitsEuropeancredit,itwasthereforeagreedthatthisnoteshouldbegiven;thatacheckofthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankshouldbedrawnforthelikeamountuponPacificBank,thatthePacificBankshouldthengivetosaidWestphal,ororder,lettersofcredituponEuropefor$40,000.
ThatifthemoneycouldnotberaiseduponsaidlettersofcreditonEurope,thatallofthepartiesweretoberestoredtotheiroriginalstatusandthewholetransactioncanceled.
ColumbusWaterhouse,R.H.McDonaldJr.,C.O.Swanberg.
Mr.SwanbergstatedyesterdaythatitwashisintentiontostartforSwedentomorrow."Ihavebusinessinterestswhichcallmethere,"saidhe."IdesiretogiveapublicnoticeofmyintentiontodepartsothatnoonewillmisconstruemymotiveandthinkthatIamrunningaway."CharlesR.Montgomery,a,directorofthePeople'sHomeSavingsBank,madethefollowingstatementlastevening:"IdesiretomakeafairstatementoffactsinreferencetothePeople'sHomeSavingsDankforthebenefitofthedepositorsinparticularandthepublicingeneral.Ifullygrantthatittakesconsiderablenervetodosointhefaceofallthathasbeenwrittenandsaidagainstthebank,butasIhavelivedinthiscityforthirty‐twoyearsandhavedonemysharetowardbuildingitupandhavelivedanhonorablelifeinthecommunity,IthinkIcansafelycountuponthegreatestportionofthedepositorsandresidentsofthiscitygivingmecreditfortruthfulnessinwhatIherestate."IwascalledintothebankaboutthreeweeksagoandaskedifIwouldnotbecomeadirectorandusemyInfluenceandbusinessabilitytogetthebankoutofitstroublesandprotectthedepositorsagainstthelossofmoneythroughthegreatandunnecessaryexpenseanddraftsmadeonitbyattorneysandothers,InthisworkIrepresentedover200depositors,whoarefriendsofmine.Manyofthem.Ihadinyearsgonebyadvisedtodeposittheirsavingsinthebank."WhenIbecameadirectorIstatedthatmyfirstduty,wastowardthebankanditsdepositors,andafterlookingoverthesituationmyfirstworkwastodispensewiththeservicesoffourattorneyswho.haddrawnoutsomuchofthedepositors'moneywithout,inmyjudgment,givingajustequivalentinservicesforthesame."Mynextstepwasthedismissalofanumberofemployees,'who;performedlittleornoservicesandwithoutwhomthebankcouldeasilygeton."DuringmythreeweeksinthebankItriedtofamiliarizemyselfwiththetrueconditionofthebank,witha,viewofputtingthebankonitsfeetbygettinginfreshcapital.Letmeheresaythatafteracarefulinvestigation,withoutfearofpublicopinion,andinthefaceofeveryunjustreportwhichhasbeencirculated,IfindthePeople'sHomeSavingsBanksolvent,andabletopay,withthereformsIhaveinaugurated,dollarfordollar.Iamwillingtogointoanycourtandprovetoeithercourtorjurythisfact."IamnotadirectorinthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankasapartisanofR.H.McDonaldorashisfriend.Hehasneversoughttoinfluencemyjudgmentinanyway.Ihavebeenabankdirectorforfifteenyears,andIthinkImaysayIhavebeenregardedbymyassociatesasbeyondreproachinprinciplesofsoundbusinessintegrity."InreferencetotheSwanbergsecuritiesIwouldsaythatthismatterhadbeenunderdiscussionbeforeIbecameadirector.Ipersonallyinvestigatedhisclaim.ThesurrenderoftheSwanbergsecuritieswasnotmadeatanunusuallylatehour.Ididnotknowoftheproceedingsofthecourtuntilthenextmorning.IknownonothingoftheallegedoysterandwinesupperreportedtohavebeengivenbyMr.Swanbergonthatevening.
"InconclusionIwishtospeakawordforonewhoisdownandwhoisunjustlyblamedandpersecuted.IrefertoR.H.McDonaldJr.InthethreeweeksIhavebeeninthebank,andwiththefullknowledgeofalmosteverytransactioninthebank,Iherestateinthefaceofeveryreporttothecontrary,thatIhavenotfoundasingledishonestorcrookedtransactionofwhichMr.McDonaldcouldbecharged."Hehasstoodhisground,refusingtoleavethecityorState,andmanifestingawillingnessanddesiretomeeteverychargewhichcouldbebroughtagainsthim.Iamnotafraidorashamedtostandbyhiminthishishourofsorrow.IamnotafraidorashamedtohaveeveryactofmineinthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankscrutinizedandmadepublic.TimewilljustifyMr.McDonald'scourse,andalsomakeknownwhoareresponsibleforthepresenttroublesinthebank."Mr.MontgomerywasespeciallysevereuponAttorneyFrankM.Stone.ItwashewhomovedforthedismissalofStoneascounsel.HeregardsthefeeswhichStonecollectedasgrosslyexcessive,beinggreaterbysomethousands,foraboutthreemonths'work,thanthesalarywhichCreedM.HaymondannuallyreceivedastheheadofthelawdepartmentoftheSouthernPacificCompany.ThefollowingletterwassenttotheGrandJuryyesterdayafternoon:
SanFrancisco,May5,1894.
Hon. Sidney AI. Smith, Foreman Grand Jury—DearSir:IthavingbeenbroughttoournoticethattheproprietyofcertainofouractsasdirectorsofthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankhavebeenquestionedbeforeyourhonorablebody,weherebyformallyandearnestlyrequestthatyoupermitustoappearbeforeyouatyourearliestconvenience,confidentthatwecanexonerateourselvesfromanywrong,oranyattemptatwrong,inconnectionwiththe"Swanberg"oranyothermatter.ConcerningtheSwanbergtransferitisproperthatyoushouldknowthatDr.E.R.Taylor,Mr.Swanberg'sattorney,andMr.ColumbusWaterhousecanfurnishyouneededInformation.Verytrulyyours,
CharlesMontgomery,A.E.Jenkins,G.Schultz.
San Francisco Call, Volume 78, Number 135, 13 October 1895
END OF THE FAMOUS SCHULTZ-McLEAN SUIT
It Cost the Latter Ten Years of Litigation and Fees.
FOUR APPEALS TAKEN.
The Original Plaintiffs Were Once Millionaire Minlng Brokers.
ONE NOW IN PAUPER ALLEY.
The Other Tried to Commit Suicide and Now Tends a Small Cigar-Stand.
OutattheSupremeCourtbuildinginthisCityanddownamongthearchivesoftheSuperiorCourtofSanLuisObispoareamassofmustyrecords—complaints,amendedcomplaints,answers,stipulations,ordersofthecourt,decisionsandwhatnotinthelineoflegaldocuments—ailbearingthelegend,"Schultzvs.McLean.''
Theyaretheaccumulationsoftenyearsoflitigation.ItwouldtakeaweekofSundaystoreadthemall,andtheywouldnotrepay,inhumaninterest,thewasteofanhour'stime.
Lastweek,October9tobeexact,theSupremeCourtaddedanotherandtheverylastdocumenttothismustyhoard.ThecaseofSchultzversusMcLeanisended.ThedocumentaddedbytheSupremeCourtispurelyatechnicalone,upholdingthelowercourtinrevokingitschangeofvenue,anddefiningthegroundsuponwhichtherevocationwasvalid.TheopinionitselfhasgonetoLosAngelestobefiledthere,whileacopyofithasgonetotheprinters.Ontheclerk'sbookinthisCitythereisonlythissimpleentry:"Schultzv.McLean,judgmentandorderaffirmed—LosAngeles."
Amostprosaicannouncementthis;almostasdryandcommonplaceastherecordsthemselves,andontheirfaceworthatmostadozenlinesinthedailyprints.Butthereisaworldofromancebehindthemustyrecordsandawealthofhumaninterestinthebarewords"Schultzvs.McLean"tothosewhocanreadinthemtheunrecordedhistoryofthosetenlongyearsoflitigation.
Thedryrecordsthemselvesgivenoinklingofthefactthatthosewhostartedthesuitwereoncemillionairesandarenowverypoormen;theygivebutthebaresthintofthelonelineoffamouslawyersthathaveatdifferenttimesappearedinthecase.TheyaresilentaboutthepersonalenmitiesthedifferentphasesofthecasehaveengenderedamongsomeofthosewellknownatthebenchandbarofCalifornia,aridrevealbutscantglimpsesofthefraudandduplicitythatactuatedandkeptalive,alltheseyears,thecaseofSchultzvs.McLean.
ThreetimesthecourtsofSanLuisObispoCountyhavetriedandadjudgedthecause,andfourtimestheSupremeCourthaspasseduponitsmerits.TherearesevenwrittendecisionsoftheSuperiorandSupremecourtsinthecase,andalmosteveryoneofthemreversesitsimmediatepredecessor.Ifanexampleofthe"law'sdelays"wereneeded—butnoneis.
GeorgeSchultzandHenryVonBargenweretheoriginalplaintiffs,claimingavasttractoflandintheCarissaPlainsofSanLuisObispoCountythatisnowworthabout$200,000.To‐dayGeorgeSchultzisoneofthemanyimpoverishedhabituesofthestockbrokers'bucket‐shops,andcanbefoundalmostanysunnydayinPauperAlley.HenryVonBarrenkeepsalittlecigar‐standoutonHayesstreet.
OncethesetwomenweremillionairesandamongtheleadingminingbrokersofMontgomerystreet.TheyhadimmensedealingsintheComstock,andabalanceintheNevadaBankalmostasgreat.ThatwasbeforethesuitofSchultzvs.McLeanbegan.
Butthecausesthatledtoitwerethenbrewing.TheybeganasearlyasJulyof1878,whenSchultz&,VonBargen,inthecourseoftheirlargedealings,becamepinchedforreadycashandwereforcedtoborrow$10,000fromA.E.Davis.Schultz&VonBargenhadpreviouslyinvestedsomeoftheirsparecashinabigplatoflandinSanLuisObispoCounty.ThiswastheCarissaPlainstract—veryfertile,butremotefromtherailroad.Schultz&VonBargenbought12,225acresattheGovernmentprice.Theyboughtitasaspeculation,andtomakeitsecurefrompossiblecreditorsofthefuturetheydeededittoLouisSchultz,abrotheroftheseniorpartnerofthefirm,whohelditasa"naked"trusteeforthepartners.
AlongcamethestringencyoffundsandtheloanfromMr.Davis.Thelatterwasnotintheloanbusinessentirelyasarecreation,anddemandedinterestandsecurityboth.TheinterestwasneverpaidbySchultz&VonBargen,butbeforetheyobtainedtheprincipaltheymortgagedtheCarissaPlainstracttotheobduratemoneylender.Mr.Davis,foroneconsiderationoranother,turnedoverhisclaimonthelandtoJamesB.Haggin,whohadaranchadjoiningtheSchultz&VonBargenacres.Mr.Hagginhadsheeponhislandandhadnofencearoundit.TheovineswanderedacrossanimaginaryboundarylineandeattheirfilloftheSchultz&VonBargengrass,andthereinlaythebaseforadamagesuitbySchultz&VonBargenagainstHaggin,whichwasneverbrought,butwhichhaseversinceplayeditspartinthedecadeoflitigationinvolvingtheacresofCarissaPlains.
Well,theyearsrolledalong,asyearshaveatrickofdoing.FatherTimepointedhisbonyfingertothemonthofOctober,andtheyearof1881.Schultz&VonBargenwerestillshortofcash.Neitheranyoftheprincipalnorinterestofthe$10,000loanhadbeenpaid.Mr.Hagginhaduseforsomereadycash—ordidhewanttowipeouttheimaginarylinewhichhissheephadcrossed?
Historyhasnoanswertothisquestion,butitrecordsthefactthatMr.Haggin,inthismonthandyear,broughtactioninforeclosureagainstLouisSchultzandSchultz&VonBargenforthesatisfactionofhisclaim,whichnowamountedtonearly$26,000.
NowthenthereentersintothedramaofalltheseyearsCorneliusP.Robinson,whohasbeenfromthebeginningoneofthedefendantsinthecaseofSchultzvs.McLean.Mr.Robinson'sfriendsspeakofhimasagentlemanofOrientalviews.HewasatthattimeoneofthesuccessfullawyersofSanFrancisco.HeisasonofthelateTodRobinson,oneofCalifornia'smostdistinguishedattorneys.HisbrotherisCrittendonRobinson,andhiswifewasasisterofthelateJohnR.Jarboe,andatthetimehewasapartnerofWarrenOlneyandJamesK.Byrne,underthefirmnameofRobinson,Olney&Byrne.Schultz&VonBargendidnotwanttheboundarylineerasedonthemapoftheCarissaPlains,sotheyhiredRobinson,OlneyAByrnetofighttheclaimofJamesB.Haggin.Buttheclaimprovedvalid,andSchultz&VonBargenstoodinafairwaynotonlyoflosingtheirland,butoflosingittotheverymanagainstwhomtheyhadactionfordamages—orthoughttheyhad,becausethosesheepwanderedintowrongpastures.
ItwasbettertopartwiththeirlandtoastrangerandthusretaintheirrightsforactionagainstHaggin.TheyemployedC.P.Robinsontofindthatstranger,andinorderthathemightbebetterpreparedforthistasktheydeededtohimthetitleoftheCarissaacres.
RobinsonfoundthestrangerinthepersonofaGrassValleyminingman,GeorgeD.McLean.AtfirstMcLeanobjectedtoinvestinginpasturelands.Hisbusinesswasmining,hehadbeensuccessfulatitandmeanttosticktoit.ButRobinsonpaintedtheseCarissalandswithalltheglowofhissplendid
imagination,totheGrassValleyminingman,andtheendofitwasthatMr.McLeanpaid$26,000incashfor12,225acresoflandandatenyears'litigationthathascosthimthepriceofsomeofthebestlawyersintheState.
AtfirstMcLeanwaswaryofthetitle,whichwasatthattimeratheramixedquantity,andtostraightenoutthismatterheemployedhisoldfriendfromMissouri,AttorneyFrankAdams,thenanargonautofSanLuisObispo.;Thetitlewasstraightenedout,the,moneypaidtoHagginandthedeedpassedfromLouisSchultzandGeorgeSchultzandHenryVonBargenandCorneliusP.RobinsontoGeorgeD.McLean.ThentheGrassValleymanwentbacktohismines,thesheeptothegreenesthills,thebrokerstotheirComstockdeals,andMr.Robinsontohislargevisionsoffuturegreatness.
Butthingsbegantogrowbadforthebrokers;infact,apeckoftroublewassoontocomeuponallthesebeings,exceptthesheep.Firstcamethetroublesofthebrokers,financialtroubles.AtthesametimetherecamealongtheboominSouthernCalifornialands.CarissaPlainsacres,asprospectivesitesforlargeandflourishingmetropolitancities,assumedfabulousvalues—onpaper—andthenow‐all‐but‐wreckedminingbrokersbegantoregrettheirhasteinpartingwiththeirpasturelands.Theycovetedthosesunnyacresandsetabouttoregainpossessionofthem.
TherebegantobealotoftalkabouttrustdeedsandonethingandanotherinconnectionwiththesaletoMcLean.Schultz&VonBargendemandedofMcLeanareleaseoftheproperty,offering,ofcourse,notonlytopaybackthe$26,000expendedbyhim,butahandsomebonusaswell.McLeanmaintainedthatheheldthelandsinfeesimpleandthathedidnotcaretosellandwouldcertainlynotbebulldozedintoit—thosewerehisownwordsatthetime.Schultz&VonBargenthenofferedhim$200,000toreleasethedeed.
ItisprobablethathadMr.McLeanbeengiftedenoughtoliftthecurtainthathidtheSouthernCalifornialandcollapseof1889from1883,hewouldhavepocketedhisindignationandthe$200,000togetherandletthelandgotothebrokers.
Thelandisworthnearlyasmuchnow,butsomehigh‐pricedlawyershavehadfeesoutofit—notablyW.F.Herrin,JudgeGregg,D.M.Delmas,JudgeMcKinstry,ColonelOsmondandothers—fortenlongyears.
Schultz&VonBargenbroughtsuittoregainpossessionoftheland,claimingthatMcLeanhadobtaineditbyfraudandhelditonlyintrust.Theircomplaintwasfiledin1884atSanLuisObispo.ItwasthesuitwhichgrewoutofthiscomplaintthattheSupremeCourtsettledforeverbyitsdecisionconcerningatechnicalityfiledOctober9,1895.JudgeWaymire'snamewassignedtothisfirstcomplaint,asattorneyforSchultz&VanBargen.AttorneyVanNesswasbehindhimallthewhile,butthisdidnotappearuntilthecasecametotrial.
C.P.Robinsonwasmadeaco‐defendantwithMcLeaninthissuitandthecomplaintopenlychargedboththesegentlemenwiththegrossestfrauds.ItwasallegedthatRobinsonhaddefraudedoneclient—thefirmofSchultz&VanBargen—inordertoenrichtheother—GeorgeD.McLean.
ThecasewastriedbeforeajuryinSanLuisObispo.WhenAttorneyVanNessthenappearedaschiefcounselfortheplaintiffsandconsequentlyastheauthorofthosechargesoffraudinthecomplainttherewere,toputitmildly,consequences.RobinsonandVanNesswereclosefriends.VanNessinfactwasunderobligationstoRobinson,itwassaid,atthetime.AtanyrateVanNesskeptdarkuntiltheverylastmomentandthentherewasanexplosionandalmost,ifnotquite,analtercationwhenthetwolawyersmetinthestreetsofSanLuis.
TheonlywitnessfortheplaintiffswasGeorgeSchultz,whosworethatbeforehetransferredthedeedtoMcLeanRobinsontoldhimthatMcLeanhaddeliveredtohim(Robinson),andthatitwastheninRobinson'ssafe,acontractinwhichMcLeanagreedtoholdthelandonlyuntilapartcouldbesoldforenoughtorepayhisoutlaytoHagginand7percentinterest.Ofcourse,RobinsonneverbadsuchanagreementfromMcLeanandtheSupremeCourthasdecidedthatMcLeanneverevenagreedtomakeone.
ButthefirstjurythattriedthecasegaveaverdictfortheplaintiffsandJudge"D.S.GregoryofSanLuisObispowrotehisfindingstoconformwiththeverdictofthejury.InthistrialRobinsonappearedashisownattorneyandAttorneysAdams,V.A.GreggandJohnT.HumphriesappearedforMcLean.VanNess,Waymire,HagginandDibblerepresentedSchultz&VonBargen.AnappealwastakenandthelateJudgeJ.P.HogeandJohnGarberarguedthemeritsofatechnicalpointbeforetheSupremeCourc.Uponthistechnicalitythedefendantandappellantswonandthecasewassentbackforanothertrial.
Inthesecondcomplaintthechargesoffraudandconspiracywereintensifiedandthepersonalfeelingoftheattorneysandcontestantsranhigh.ThecasewastriedbeforeJudgeJamesF.GreenofHollisterandajuryin1889atSanLuis.Againtheverdictwasfortheplaintiffs.Schultzsworesowellthatthejurybelievedhim.Againanappealwastaken,andagainthehighercourtreversedthelowercourt,butthistimetheSupremeCourtruledonthemeritsofthecaseinsteadofatechnicalityanddecidedthattherewasabsolutelynoproofoffraud.JudgeMcKinstryandAttorneyVanNessarguedfortherespondents,andDelmasandOsmondfortheplaintiffs.JudgeFoxwrotethedecisionofthecourtthedaybeforehewentoutofoffice.
OnatechnicalitytheplaintiffsandrespondentssecuredarehearingofthecasebeforetheSupremeCourt,butagainthecourt,sittinginbankthistime,foundforthedefendants.Itsdecisionwastwofold.Thatistosay,thedecisionoverruledthejudgmentandorderofthelowercourtastothedefendantMcLeanandsentthecasebackfortrial.AstoRobinson'sappeal,thatwastakenunderadvisement.
MeantimeSchultz&VonBargenhadfailedutterlyandthecasewascarriedonbythemoney‐lendersforthebenefitoftheircreditors.VonBargengrewdespondentandtriedtocommitsuicide.Hethrewhimselfintothebayoneafternoon,butwaspulledout.Hetooknofurtherinterestinthecaseandhadnothingatstake,nomatterwhatthefinalverdictmighthavebeen.
ThethirdtimethecasewastriedintheSuperiorCourtofSanLuisObispo—JudgeWilliamsofVenturaCounty—sevenfeethighand340poundsbig,andasdeterminedandasstraightforwardandconscientiousasheishighandbig—triedthecaseinplaceofJudgeGregg,whowasdisqualifiedbyreasonofhavingbeenoneofMcLean'sattorneysbeforehiselectiontothebench.
InordertohavethecasetriedwithoutdelaytheplaintiffsconfessederrorasregardstheappealofRobinsonintheSupremeCourt.ThentheyappliedforachangeofvenuetoSantaBarbaraCounty.JudgeGreggheardthismotionandwasdisposedtograntitbecauseofhisowndisqualification.Hedidgrantitandmadetheorderoftransfer.ThenRobinsoncameinandclaimedthechangeofvenueillegal,becausehehadnotjoinedinitandhadreceivednonoticeofit.OnthisshowingJudgeGreggreversedhimselfandsetthecasefortrialinthatcountybeforethebigVenturaJudge.
Plaintiffsthenappliedforajury.JudgeWilliamsdeniedthis.Herefusedthemfurthercontinuancesandthecasewasheardandsubmittedtohim—thatis,sofarasMcLeanwasconcerned.RobinsonandMcLeanhadbothdemurredtothecomplaint,butuponthedemurrerbeingoverruledRobinsondeclinedtomakefurtheranswer.
JudgeWilliamsdecidedthecaseforMcLean,holdingthattherehadbeennoshadowoffraudinthematteronthepartofthedefendantsandthatMcLeanwastheownerinfeesimpleoftheCarissaPlainsacres.
Thistimetheplaintiffsbecametheappellants.TheywenttotheSupremeCourtonthegroundthatJudgeGregghavingoriginallygrantedachangeofvenuethetrialbeforeJudgeWilliamswasinvalid.W.F.HerrinwasaddedtotheattorneysforMcLeaninthislastproceedingandD.H."WettemoreandWilliamM.PiersonnowappearedforSchultz&VonBargen—neitherofwhomhadtheslightestinterestatthistimeintheoutcomeofthecase.
ItissaidthatagentlemannamedLoupeofthisCityhasbeensupplyingthefundsfortheplaintiffsforthelastfiveorsixyears.Hehaslostaprettypenny,alltold,whetherthatbehisnameornot,whileGeorgeD.McLeanconsidersthathehaspaidafancypriceforthoseCarissaacres.
The San Francisco Call, December 13, 1895, p. 6 M'DONALD ACQUITTED, TheacquittalofRichardH.McDonaldJr.isinaccordwiththeexpectationsofallwhohavegivenanintelligentstudytothecircumstancesoftheremarkablecaseinwhichhehashadthemisfortunetobeinvolved.Theverdictofthejuryisundoubtedlyjust,andsavesaninnocentmanfrombeingpunishedfortheguiltofothers.ItisbeyondquestionthatthewreckingofthePacificBankandthePeople'sHomeSavingsBankwasbroughtaboutbythegrossestrascalityandbydeliberatefraudscarriedtotheextentofdownrightrobbery.Itisclearfromtheevidence,however,thatRichardMcDonaldJr.wasnotthemanonwhomtheguiltyresponsibilityforthesecrimescanbeplaced.Hewassurroundedbyacliqueofcorruptmenwhosewillswerestrongerthanhis,andinwhosedishonestpracticeshisruinaswellasthatofthebankswereinvolved.Heisfortunatetohavefoundajurysufficientlyintelligentandclear‐sightedtodohimjusticedespitethestigmauponhimcausedbytheevilassociateswhodominatedhiminbusiness.Thecaseshouldnotbeallowedtodropatthispoint.Asitiscertainthebankswerewreckedbyfrauds,somepersonorpersonsmusthavecommittedthem.Thelawvindicatedbytheacquittaloftheinnocentdemandsnowthepunishmentoftheguilty.TheoffensesaresogreattheGrandJurycannotaffordtooverlookthem.Ascrutinizinginvestigationoftheclosestcharactershouldbemadeintothematter.ThegangofrascalswhocommittedthecrimesshouldbeindictedwhethertheyareintheStateornot.Iftheyarebeyondourbordersitisprobabletheycanbebroughtbackifdemandedbyourjustice.Atanyratesuchrobberyofthesavingsofhonestpeopleshouldnotbecondoned,andsinceRichardMcDonaldJr.isinnocent,thenextdutyistodiscovertheguilty.July 1896 McNULTY‐OntheCarisaPlains,July18,1896,Mrs.WilburtC.McNulty,aged21years.
1897
OLIVER - At the Carissa, Dec. 5, 1897, John R. Oliver, a native of Azores Islands, aged 42 years.
Los Angeles Herald, Volume 25, Number 199, 17 April 1898
640.BuenaVistaLake,640CarissaPlains,320nearSanMarcosranch,each$2.50acre.
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 64, Number 23, 6 December 1902
SANLUISOBISPO.Carissa'sAdvantage.—ThesoilofCarissaplain,SanLuis"desert,"contains,saysF.R.Wertmuller,agraduatestudentintheAgriculturalExperimentStationoftheUniversityofCalifornia,abouttwenty‐eighttimesasmuchphosphoricacid—arareandvaluableingredientofsoils—astheaveragesoiloftheState.
San Francisco Call, Volume 93, Number 68, 6 February 1903
SANLUISOBISPO.Feb.5.—Fromallpartsoftheinteriorheavycropsareexpected.Thefrostshavebeenlightandthedamagesmall.AheavyfallofsnowisreportedinCarissa,butstockIsnotsuffering.The‐prospectsforheavygrainandfruitcropshavenotbeenequaledforyears.DairymenandstockInterestsarenowassuredofaprosperousyear.
Engineering and Mining Journal, 4 July 1903, p. 27
KernCounty
SeveraloilprospectingrigsareoperatingontheCarissasideofthecoastrange,somemileswestofMcKittrick.
San Francisco Call, Volume 96, Number 43, 13 July 1904
WILL CONSTRUCT OIL, LINE TO PORT HARFORD
RockefellerInterestsPlantoLay
Twelve‐InchPipeFromBakersfieldtoPacific.
BAKERSFIELD,July12.—FromareliablesourceitislearnedthattheStandardOilCompanyismakingarrangementsforthelayingofatwelveinchpipelinefromthemidwayfieldtothePacificatPortHarford,adistanceofabout115miles,acrossthenewCuyamaandCarisadistricts,wherealargeamountoflandhasbeentakenup,butpracticallynoactualworkdone.Surveysforpipelinesoverthisseconddistricthavebeenprojectedfromtimetotimebyanindependentcompanywithoutresult,butitisnowlearnedthattheStandardhasalreadymadecontractsforthehaulingofsuppliesfortheline,althoughthematterhasbeenmanagedsoquietlythatnoknowledgeofitbecamepublicuntilafewdaysago.HithertotheStandardCompanyhasdonenobusinesswhateverInthewestsidefieldsofKernCounty.
San Francisco Call, Volume 96, Number 126, 4 October 1904
BAKERSFIELD,Oct.J.—Millionsoftonsofbicarbonateofsoda,35percentpure,hasbeendiscoveredInLakeCarissa,thirteenmilesfromOilg,ontheMcKlttrickbranchline,andaSanFranciscocorporationhasmadeapplicationoftheKernCountyBoardofTradeforafive‐acresitehereforarefinery.ThenewIndustrywillemployfrom50to100men.
Los Angeles Mining Review, December 10, 1904
SODA DEPOSITS. The Carissa Chemical Company Preparing for Shipments. TheCalifornian.of Bakersfield,Kerncounty.California,says:"Theextentorthesoda.depositatthelakeatCarissaisgreaterthanisgenerallyconceived.ThemineralclaimslocatedbytheCarissaChemicalCompanycomprise2400acres,andoverthisentiresurfacethereisadepositofcrystallizedsodaindepthfromsixinchestofourfeet.Butthisdepositisnottobeutilizedbythecompany.Onthecontrary,thewaterbeneaththesurfaceistobepumpedintotheevaporatingtanks,andthecrystallizationfromthisliquidwillbethesourceofthesupply.Beneaththesurface,watercanbehadatfromsixinchestotwofeetovertheentireareaoftheoldlakebed,andthiswaterissohighlychargedwithsodaastoassureaveryheavyprecipitationwhen
placedintheevaporatingtanks.Thecompanyexpectstoshipforty‐fivetonsoftheunrefinedproductfromMcKittrick,Kerncounty,dailywhenitsplantisinoperation.”San Francisco Call, Volume 100, Number 51, 21 July 1906 FLAMES SWEEPING OVER THE PLAINS OF CARISA ThousandsofAcresofGrazingLandinRichCountryDenudedbyFire.SPECIALDISPATCHTOTHSCALL.SANLUISOBISPO,July.2o—FlamesarcsweepingovertheCarisaplains.Yesterdayafternoontheflamessweptclean5000acresInanhour.Greatlossofgrazinglandresulted.,LittlegrainlosshasbeensustainedSan Francisco Call, Volume 100, Number 70, 9 August 1906 SUSPECTEDOFMURDERNEARTHECARISARANCHPortugueseHeldinJailtoExplainDeathofManHeSaysFellFromVeranda.BAKERSFIELD,Aug.8.—BecauseherefusedtokeepguardoverthebodyofJosephDiaz,anoldman,whoissupposedtohavebeenmurderedneartheCarisaranch,inSanLuisObispoCounty,onthenightofJuly29,SalvadorFuseke,aPortuguese,wellknownandrespectedinthatsectionoftheState,isinjailandSheriffYanceyMcFaddeniscomingtoBakersfieldtotakehimtoSanLuisObispoundersuspicionofbeingthemurdereroftheoldman.Fusekeclaimsthatheisinnocent.Theoldman,hesays,rolledofftheverandaduringthenightandmetdeathinthatmanner.HeissatisfiedofhisabilitytoclearhimselfwiththeSanLuisObispoauthorities.San Francisco Call, Volume 101, Number 124, 3 April 1907 AtBakersfielditisreportedthattheStandardisplanningtorunitsMidway‐McKittrlckpipelinethroughtoPortHarford,bywayoftheCarisaandElkhornvalleys.Shouldthisbedone,thewestsidefieldsofKernwouldhaveadoubleoutlet,bywayofeitherPortHarfordorPointRichmond.San Francisco Call, Volume 104, Number 134, 12 October 1908 MARRIAGE SECRET KEPT SINCE MARCH
ThemarriageofMissAgnesHalllday,secretaryoftheCarisachemicalcompany,FrontandCaliforniastreets,andFrankGordon,superintendentoftheengineeringdepartmentoftheJudsonIronworks,whowereweddedMarch17,becamepublicforthefirsttimeyesterday.Eventhemotherofthebridegroom,Mrs.M.E.Coleof1233Myrtlestreet,Oakland,wasnotawareofthestateofaffairsuntilthen.
TheweddingwastheculminationofaromancewhichstartedwhenMissHallidaywenttolivewithMrs.ColeinOakland,followingthedisasterofApril,1906.ThecouplemanagedtheirownloveaffairswithouthelporinterferencefromoutsidersandattheopportunetimeslippedawaytoStocktonandweremarried.Theceremonyperformed,theykeptItasecret,theirreasonsforsodoing‐beingamysterytotheirfriends.
BotharewellknownInSanFranciscoandOaklandandhaveconsiderablepropertyacrossthebay.
“Idonotknowwhythemarriageshouldhavebeenkeptasecret,”saidMrs.Cole.,“IalwaysregardedMissHallidayasadaughterandamdelightedtohearthatsheismyson'swife.”San Francisco Call, Volume 106, Number 157, 4 November 1909 CARISA MINORITY GIVEN BODY BLOW CARISA MINORITY GIVEN BODY BLOW Judge Sturtevant Rules Accused Officers of Corporation Are Blameless All the turbulence which .disturbed the affairs of the Carisa chemical company, was quieted yesterday by Judge Sturtevant, who denied the petition .of the minority stock holders of the corporation for an injunction to prevent the 'officers and the majority stock holders from conducting the affairs of the concern and selling delinquent stock on which an assessment of 8 cents a share had not been paid. The court issued the order at 10 o'clock yesterday. Promptly at l2 the victorious officers sold 300,000 shares of delinquent stock which had belonged to the recalcitrant minority, and t that minority was practically obliterated, for the stock was purchased by the triumphant majority. The stock of some 400 persons was affected by the transfer, and while the sale was conducted formally and after due notice had been given, those stock holders will learn for the first time when they read this article that they are no longer interested in the prospective operations of the Carisa chemical company, which is to engage in mining the crust of San Luis Obispo county into baking soda and other alkaline products. The decision of Judge Sturtevant recalled the riots which a year ago raged daily in the vicinity of the office of the company in this city. The minority stockholders, led by T. Norman Harvey, and Oakland resldents holding 40,000 out of 600,000 shares of stock, accused the officers of the company criminal mismanagement. The officers were: President; E. C. Dudley; general manager , F. M. Meigs; and directors, J. C. Campbell, A. D. Cutler and W. S.Upham. James H. Boyer was their attorney. Norman Harvey through Attorney C. C.Boynton applied for an injunction to restrain the officers from selling stock delinquent on assessment No.29; disposing of any money of the company, or conducting its;-, business. It was charged that the officers had embezzled $135,000 belonging to the company and had illegally, issued over: 300,000 shares of stock. A temporary restraining order was granted and Judge Sturtevant appointed Attorney Harper to take testimony in the case. Yesterday morning the court sustained the report of the commissioner, declaring that no proof of doing had been given and the accused officers of the corporation. San Francisco Call, Volume 104, Number 160, 7 November 1908 Warm Row Embroils a Big Firm http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cdnc/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&cl=search&d=SFC19081107.2.16&srpos=28&e=-------en--20--21--txt-IN-carisa----# San Francisco Call, Volume 104, Number 161, 8 November 1908
WARINCHEMICALCAMPPOSTPONEDStockHoldersofCarisaCompanyAreInducedbyDudleyandMeigstoDeferActionManagerofConcernHasBeenMixedinShadyTransactionsBeforeTwoimportantincidentsbefellyesterdayintheaffairsoftheCarisachemicalcompany,inwhicha,wartothedeathbetweentheminoritystockholdersandthepresentmanagersofthecorporationhasbrokenout.OneincidentwasthepostponementofameetIngcalledbythestockholderstoconsiderareportofspecialauditors,afteranattempttopackthemeetinghadbeenmadebyPresidentE.C.DudleyandManagerF.M.Meigs,againstwhomtheprincipalfireofcriticismisdirected.Theotherincidentwasthefilingofastockholders'suitdemandinganaccountingbyDudley,Meigsandtheirassociateswhoarenowincontrolofthecompany.DudleyandMeigs,whoareblamedbythestockholdersforthepresentpracticallyinsolventconditionoftheCarisachemicalcompany,andagainstwhochargesoffraudandmismanagementweremadeyesterday,havefiguredbeforeinunsavorywaysinconnectionwithsimilarpromotion,deals.Theywereindictedinthefallof1906onChargesofswearingtofraudulentproofsofloss.DudleywasthenpresidentoftheSanFranciscoparceldeliverycompany,propertyofwhichwasinsuredintheFiremen'sFundinsurancecompanyfor$2,850.Afterthefire,withMeigs'assistance,hemadeaclaimforthetotalamount,butitwaslaterallegedthatthepropertyhadbeensavedandsoldfor$2,250.NeitherDudleynorMeigswaseverbrought,totrial,theindictmentbeingquashedinJudgeCook'sdepartmentofthesuperiorcourtonthegroundthatE.P.Farnsworth,oneofthemembersofthegrandjurywhichindictedthem,wasaninsuranceadjusterandwasprejudicedagainstthem.DudleyandMeigswerealsoconnectedwiththeMarketstreetsecuritiescompany,whichattemptedtogaincontroloftheMarketstreetbankafteritsfailure,Meigsbeingpresidentoftheconcern.WiththeminthesecuritiescompanyalsowereArthurH.CraneandPoliceCommissionerA.D.Cutler,whoarebothactivewiththemintheCarisachemicalcompany.NumeroussuitsarenowpendingagainsttheMarketstreetsecuritiescompany,havingbeenbroughtbydepositorsoftheMarketstreetbank,who'demandthereturnoftheirdepositbooksonthegroundthattheyweresecuredbyfraud.WASTOCONSIDERREPORTYesterday'smeetingofthestockholdersoftheCarisachemicalcompany,calledtoconsiderthereportofaspecialauditingcommittee,appointeda!fewweeksagotolookintotheaffairsofthecompanyandreportontheallegedfraudandmismanagementwhichhavemarkeditsrecenthistory,wassetfor2o'clock.DudleyandMeigs,however,delayedthecallingofthemeetingfornearlyanhourbyusheringthevariousleadersoftheoppositionintotheirprivateofficesforconferencesassoonastheyappearedatthecompany'sofficesintheMarinebuildingatCaliforniaandFrontstreets.Whilethecrowdofabout50stockholderswaitedimpatientlyinthegeneraloffice,theactiveheads'ofthecompanyarguedinaninnerroom;anditwasonlytheexasperationofthecrowd,whichfinallyventeditsfeelingsbystampingandpounding,thatcausedthemeeting
finallytobecalled.Even,thenitwasconvenedinstarchambersession,DudleyandMeigsresortingtothis,measureinanefforttopreventtheproceedingsfrombecomingpublic.T.NormanHarvey,anactiverepresentativeofthestockholders,wasmadechairmanofthemeetingandatoncetheeffortofthemanagerstodelayactionbecameapparentthroughastatementmadebyAttorneyJamesH.Boyer,counselforthecompany.Boyerdeclaredthatnoneofthepreviousmeetingsheldbythestockholderswaslegalbecausepropernoticehadnotbeengivenandthatthepresentmeetingcouldtakenoactionforalikereason.TherewasnoobjectiontoamotionthataregularmeetingbeheldontheeveningofNovember18,anditwaspassed,butthereportoftheauditingcommittee,whichthestockholdershadgatheredtohear,wasnotread.A.D.Cutler,amemberofthecommittee,offeredtoreadthereport,butitwasdecidedtoholditoverfortheregularmeeting.Beforeadjournmentwastaken,however,CutlerreportedthatDudleyandMeigshadsignifiedtheirwillingnesstocompromisebyagreeingtoallowtheminoritystockholderstonametwomembersofthefivecomposingtheboardofdirectors.Healsosubmittedastipulation,signedbyDudley,Meigsandthemembersoftheauditingcommittee,proposingthatafteranapprovalofclaimsagainsttheCarisachemicalcompanynowheldbyDudleyandbyMeigs&Co.asettlementbemadebythetransferoftheproperamountofstockinthecompanytoDudleyandMeigs&Co.at75centsonthedollar.Theactionofthecommitteewasindorsedbyaninformalvote,whichitwasunderstoodshouldinnowaybebindingoranadmission'thatanyclaimsagainstthecompanywerevalid.ChairmanHarveyvoicedtheprotestbyassertingthatthevotetakenshouldnotbeconstruedasanadmissionthatthecompanyowedanything.ASKFORINJUNCTIONThesuitfiledinthesuperiorcourtyesterdaymorningwasbroughtbyT.NormanHarvey,representedbyAttorneyWilliamA.Nunlist.Meigs,Dudleyandthemembersofthedirectoryboardoftheconcernwerenamedasdefendants,andinadditiontotheaccountingdemandedanapplicationwasmade'foraninjunctiontopreventthedefendantsfrompayingDudleyandMeigs&Co.theamountswhich,thelatterclaimareowedtothem.Thesuitsetsforththatundertheregimeof;DudleyandMeigstheaffairsofthecorporationhavebeensubjectedtowoefulmismanagementandtheallegationismadethat‐fraudhasplayedapartinbringingaboutthepresentfinancialtangle.ItisassertedthatonOctober1,1907,thetotalliabilitiesofthecorporationwere$1,688.30andthattherewasonhand$10,540.20,butthatwhenthebookswereexaminedbytheaccountantoftheauditingcommitteeonAugust31ofthisyeartheyshowedliabilitiesof$48,646.59,withnothinginthetreasury.This,depletion,it,isclaimed,has,occurrednotwithstandingthefactthattherehasbeen,nodevelopmentmadeintheplantorpropertyofthecompany.Theliabilitiesconsistchiefly,ofclaimsheldbyMeigs&Co.,acorporationcontrolled:byF.M.Meigs,andclaimsheldbyE.C.Dudley,presidentoftheCarisachemicalcompany.Thesuitfurtheravers,thatthere;areno;vouchersorshowinghowtheseclaimswere.created,andthateveniftheywerehonestly,createditwaswithoutthesanctionorauthorityofthecorporation.Anotherallegationofthecomplaintinthestockholders'suitisthatthebooksshowanentryofapaymentof$1,080byJ.H.Boyerforlegalservices,andit,isallegedthatBoyerneverreceivedover$200.Grossmismanagement,extravagantandunnecessaryexpendituresandthepaymenttothemselvesoflargeamountsforserviceswhichthey,didnotrenderthecompanyarethespecificchargesmadeagainstDudleyandMeigs.
ThehearingontherestrainingorderpreventingthepaymentoftheDudleyandMeigsclaimswillbeheldat10o'clockonNovember,18.
Los Angeles Herald, Volume 36, Number 221, 10 May 1909
SANLUISOBISPOLAKEOFFERSBIGSALTSUPPLY
ThelowestpartoftheCarrisoplain,whichextendsalongandwithinthenortheastboundaryofSunLuisObispocounty,isoccupiedbyalake,knownlocallyasSodaorSaltlake.Itisaboutfivemileslongandalittleoveramilewideatitswidestpoint,andincludesanareaofnearly3000acres.ItreceivesthedrainagefromtheCarrisoplainandtheadjoiningtanksoftheboundingrangesthroughnumeroussmallgulchesandcanyonswhosemouthsdischargeuponthegravellyslopesofitsmargin,butitneverthelessremainspracticallydryexceptinextraordinarilywetseasons.
Thebedofthislakecontainsaseriesofsalinedepositswhicharebriefly.describedinareportbyRalphArnoldandH.B.Johnson,issuedbytheUnitedStatesgeologicalsurveyasanadvancechapterfrombulletin380(3SO‐L),partIof"Contributionstoeconomicgeology,1908."
Accordingtothisreportthedeposits,whosechiefconstituentissodiumsulphate,offeranalmostunlimitedsupply"!'themixedsalts,andprofitableexploitationwilldependalmostentirelyontransportationfacilitieswhichareatpresentinadequate.TheterminusoftheSunsetbranchoftheSouthernPacificrailroadliesaboutthirty‐twomilestothesoutheast,and1200feellowerthanthelake;theMcKittrlckbranchofthesamerailroadisonlyaboutfifteenmilesdistant,buttheTemblorrange,whichmustbecrossedinmakingthetrip,presentsaconsiderableobstacle.IfarailroadIsconstructed,ascontemplated,toSanLuisObispobywayoftheCarrisoplain,thecommercialdevelopmentofthedepositswillbegreatlyassisted.
Bulletin380‐Lcontainsalsoalistofthesurvey'spublicationsonthesalines,Includingsalt,boraxandsoda.Itisnowreadyfordistributionandmaybeobtainedbyapplyingtothedirector,UnitedStatesgeologicalsurvey,Washington,D.C.
San Francisco Call, Volume 106, Number 73, 12 August 1909
CORPORATIONOFFICERSCHARGEDWITHFRAUD
StockHoldersSueHeadsofthe
CarisaChemicalCompany
Asuitbystockholdersowning125,000ofthe600,000sharesoftheCarisachemicalcompanywas,filedyesterdayagainstthe.corporationtoenjointhesales,ofstock,rendered.1,delinquentbyfailuretopayassessmentNo,2of8centsashare.JudgeSturtevantgrantedatemporaryrestrainingorderreturnableAugust20.
ItisassertedinthecomplaintthatF.M.Meigs,manager,andE.CDudley,president,whocontrolmorethanhalfthestock,didnotpayactualcoinupontheassessment,butinsteadoffsetcertainindebtednesstheysaytheyholdagainstthecorporation.ThisIndebtedness,isasserted,isfraudulentandfictitious.
San Francisco Call, Volume 106, Number 83, 22 August 1909
RESTRAINSSALEOFCARISASTOCK
ChargesAgainstMeigsand
DudleytoBeInvestigatedbyJudgeSturtevant
MinorityOwnersoftheChemicalCompanyWin
VictoryinCourt
Avictoryfortheminoritystockholdersofthe,Carisachemicalcompany,headedbyT.NormanHarvey,thelawyer,waswonyesterday.JudgeSturtevantenjoiningF.M.MeigsandE.C.DudleyfromofferingforsaleatatnoontomorrowthestockthelatterclaimbecamedelinquentbyfailuretopayassessmentNo.2of8centspershare.
Theinjunctionholdsuntilthetrialofthesuit,whenitwillbedeterminedwhetherornotHarveyandhisassociatesareentitledtoapermanentinjunction.JudgeSturtevantsaidheregardedthechargesagainstMeigsandDudley"thattheyhadescapedpaymentofboththefirstandsecondassessmentsbysettingupfictitiousandfraudulentclaimsagainstthecorporationasveryserious,andsuggestedthatthecasebetriedatanearlydate
InissuingtheinjunctionJudgeSturtevantorderedtheplaintiffstofurnishabondinthesumof$1,000guaranteeingthecorporationfromdamagebyreasonoftheinjunction.}Themarketvalueofthestockofthecorporationhasgreatlydiminishedthelitigationstarted.Atonetimeitsoldfor75centsashare,butitisnowdifficulttofindabuyer.
Los Angeles Herald, Volume 37, Number 242, 31 May 1910
TRAFFIC DEMANDS NEW RAILROAD TO TIDE WATER
http://cdnc.ucr.edu/cdnc/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&cl=search&d=LAH19100531.2.68.6&srpos=18&e=-------en--20--1--txt-IN-carisa----#
San Francisco Call, Volume 108, Number 113, 21 September 1910
UNITED OIL COMPANY DECLARES A DIVIDEND
Fifth Payment of 1 Per Cent Due October 10
At the last regular meeting of the board of directors of the United oil company, held a few days ago at the company's office in Los Angeles, the fifth monthly dividend of 1 per cent on the par value of $1 of the stock was declared payable October 10 to stock holders of record October 1. The United oil company was organized last November. It owns 500 acres in the North Midway field and 500 acres in the Carisa hills. Its five completed wells are producing from 30,000 to 40,000 barrels of oil a month, which is sold to the Standard oil company under contract at 65 cents per barrel.
Los Angeles Herald, Volume 33, Number 44, 14 November 1910
HAWAIIAN OIL COMPANY SPUDS IN. ON CARISSA
Capital from Pacific Island Invested in California Fields.
Work Now Under Way
McKITTRICK,Nov.13.—TheHumahumaOilcompany,aHonolulu,Hawaii,corporation,operatingontheCarissaplains,spuddedinlastweek.Operationswerebegunwitha20‐inchstovepipe,thebiggestholewithfewexceptionseverattemptedinCalifornia,
FrankPayneisthevicepresidentandpromoterofthecorporationandinimmediatechargeoftheoperations,thoughSuperintendentPollardoftheHonoluluConsolidatedwilllookafterthecompany'saffairsbeginningnextweek
ThiscompanywasfinancedexclusivelybyHawaiiancapital.Mr.Payneandhisassociatesappreciatetheyareoperatinginacountryyetunproved,buttheyhaveeveryconfidencethatanewfieldofhighgravityoilwillbeopenedup.TheHumahumaisa$1,000,000corporation.Itsshareshavingbeensoldoriginallyat50cents.
Judgingfromtheelaboratemannerandtheexpenseincurredinfixingupthecamp,theHumahumaexpectstoopenupavaluabletractofland.Morethan$20,000hasbeenexpendedincampconstruction,andaccordingtothosewhohaveseenItthecampisoneofthemostcompleteinthestate.Thebuildingsareallsteamheated,equippedwithshowerandtubbaths,electriclights,telephonesandotheraccessoriestocomfort.ISuppliesarehauledfromMcKittrick,adistanceoffifteenmiles,overa25percentgrade,sothecostoflayingdownmaterialatthecampisatonceapparent.Fueloil,whichispurchasedfromtheDominionOilcompanyatMcKittrickfor60centsabarrel,costs$1.50bythetimeitreachestheHumahumacamp.
TheAssociatedOilcompanyisoperatinginthisfieldabouttwoandahalfmilesfromHumahuma.TheHumahumacompanyisonsection27,whiletheAssociated'scampIson30.Ifanyoilwhateverisfound,itshouldbeofahighgravity,judgingfromthesandoutcroppings.
San Francisco Call, Volume 109, Number 161, 10 May 1911
KERN NATURAL GAS SYSTEM EXTENDED
Pipes Are Being Laid to Fellows and Westside Field Is to Be Supplied
[SpecialDispatchtoTheCall]
BAKERSFIELD,May9.
C.Gifford,anemployeeoftheHuenemeoilcompany,operatingonsection35intheCarissaplains,isauthorityforthestatementthatthecompanyhasmadea‐strikeofoilwhichtestsbetterthan45degrees.Thewellissaidtobeafineoneandwillproveupanewterritory,althoughtherearemanycompanieswhichhavebeenoperatinginthatdistrictforoverayear.
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 84, Number 6, 10 August 1912
GrasshoppersrecentlyattackedthelargegrainranchofMr.CavanaghnearCarissa,Montereycounty,anditwasfearedthecropwasatotalloss.Mostofthedamage,however,wasdoneneartheedges,wheretheyieldwasscarcelythreesacksperacre,butongettingfurtherintothefieldten
sacksperacreofthefinestkindofgrainwasharvested,andthelosswasnotsogreatasatfirstanticipated.
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 90, Number 1, 3 July 1915
TwohundredheadofcattlewererecentlyshippedfromtheSanJuanandCarissaCattleCompany'sranchesofKerncountytotheSanFranciscomarkets.
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 91, Number 7, 12 February 1916
MISCELLANEOUSNOTES.RanchersintheCuyamaandCarissaPlanssectionsofSantaBarbaracountyareexpectingtoplantlargeacreagesoffruitassoonasweatherconditionswillpermit.
Annie Louise Morrison, “The Painted Rocks of the Carisa,” National Motorist, January 30, 1926, pp. 5-8, 22.
Pioneers of Carisa (page 8)
Inthesixties,CharlesandEdCrockertookuplandontheCarisa.TheynamedtheranchElTemblor(earthquake),forsomemightyupheavalhadthrownupajaggedwallofvolcanicrockupontheland.BorelandBerete,twoFrenchmen,settledataplaceandnameditFrenchCamp.Theyweremurdered.JackGilkeysettledtheCammatti(hairrope)ranch.IntheseventiesChesterBrumleycamedownfromSanFranciscoandtookupland.Healsoactedasmajordomoforanotherlargecattleandsheepranch.In1876hiswife,arefined,culturedwoman,andthreelovelyyoungdaughterscametobewithhim.(thereismoretothisarticlebutthecopywasunreadable).