Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-25
SANTA BARBARA.
THE sPOOKvILLE CASE THE ABB
SORBING TOPIC.
Peculiar Lawsuits Brought by Residents
of fSummerland-The Council Proceed
ings-News Notes and Personals.
Special Correspondence to the HERALD.
No~ok o.

lugS-N0WS NOL0S ana F0rSOudlSs
Special Correspondence to the HERALD
SANTA BARBARA, March "a.
The Summerland damage suits move
quietly on in the superior court, this
city. Tuesday the Williams VS.. Slight
slander case was called, in which the
plaintiff endeavors to recover $32 900
for damages alleged to shave been sus-
tanned. The day was mostly occupied
in stating the case and examining un-
important witnesses. Yesterday the
case was continued and a number of
witnesses were introduced for the plain
tiff. Their testimony went to show that
Slight was connected with number of
Summerlanders in an avowed endeavor
to drive the plaintiff out of the place, OF
which he was the founder. 1t was not
understood by any that Slight wished
to iniure Williams bodily, but that the
financially.
Mr.. Williams was called and testified
as to the progress of Summerland from
its inception. Up to the time of strik-
ing natural gas the towns progress was
marvellous, but the mixing of gas and
spooks resulted seriously. The whole
trouble then began; factions sprung up
and dissensions brewed on all sides.
Prior to that time, about the middle of
1891, he estimated that there were 800
people in Summerland. During 'S9, 'S9
and 100 he had devoted his entire time
to the building up of Spookville. He
had sold altogether 1922 lots; of these
287 were decided in 'SS, 564 in 'S9, 402 in
80 and 119 in '91. Since '91 not single
lot has been sold, though HOO yetremain
unsold. The cause of this remarkable
change in land business Mr.. Williams
attributed to the malicious proceedings
of Slight and his followers.
Mr.. Williams related how he was
compelled to pay $500 to syndicate,
that the syndicate may vacate the
streets of said burg, he previously hav-
ing sold to the company the right of
privilege to bore for gas upon said
grounds. Then he rected how the dis
sentient parties, headed by Slight,
kicked because he charged them for
the water they used, and how this in
justice was agitated at public spiritual
istic meetings. Previously he had fur
nished the water free, but expenses be-
came go great. he saw fit to exact low
charges. Before finishing Mr.. Wiliams's
examination recess was taken to this
morning.
When court was called this morning
Mr.. Williams was again placed on the
stand, and his examination continued
until II O'Clock. At its conclusion a
motion was made by attorney for de-
feudant that the case be non-suited.
The motion was overruled by the court,
and Mr.. Slight was placed on the stand
in the defense. His examination con-
tinued throughout the day.
The court room was crowded to stand
ing room from morning till night, and
intense interest was manifested.
CITY COUNCIL.
An evening session of the city council
was held last night to dispose of the
water question and a few minor matters.
Councilman Preston offered resolution
fixing the water rate for the year begin
ming July 1, 1892. The rate suggested
in the resolution is as follows:
For quantities lees than 20, 900 gallons,
Is cents per 1000; for any quantity over
10000 gallons, 20 cents per 1000; with
minimum rate at 81.
Regarding the expense of putting in
meters, the cost is levied upon the con-
sumer.
This resolution, which was passed to
its first reading, is occasioning much
adverse criticism among the merchants,
as it will raise the rate in stores from
81. so month to 50.
NOTES.
The 300th anniversary of the birth of
Johann Amos Comenius, the father of
modern schooling, will be celebrated in
the schools of this city next Monday.
will also be held Friday,
Saturday and Sunday evenings next at
the Congregational church. high school,
and Presbyterian church, for which a
very impressive programme has been
A local paper says it owes William
Lavies an apology for stating that G. A.
Storke threw a goblet of water in his
face the other day. The paper says Mr..
Lavies has been seen since by repre-
and that there is no percepti-
BILE evidence that anything OF the kind
was done.
The Salvation Army was last night
hustled off of State street by police
officers for violating an order from the
mayor prohibiting them from stopping
of said street.
The much looked for flagship Warspite
has not yet arrived in the channel. She
is expected daily.
An adjourned meeting of the city
council is being held this afternoon.
Heavy windstorms have ragged here
the past few days, but today Santa
Barbara is herself again.
The beach is beginning to be the
favorite resort for eastern visitors. Each
day the crowd increases, and Sundays
the beach is fairly lined with people.