The San Francisco call., 1895-05-18

City Hall. This event marks the epoch OF
a new era in Alameda. The population
turned out en- masse to do honor to the oc-
caslon, which was not marred by any un-
toward incident
The Alameda Fire Department was the
attraction of the parade and excited gen.
eral comment and admiration. Its appar-
atus was moving exhibition of the choic-
est cuttings from Alameda gardens The
fire laddies worked late Wednesday night
that their apparatus might look the pret-
tiest and they have the satisfaction OF
knowing that their efforts were appreciated.
They were complimented very highly by
the ladies.
One of the documents placed in the cor
nerstone receptacle was an interesting let
ter written by Gideon limbaugh, the
first settler 10 what is now Alameda. He
wrote of the times between 1S50-54 He
crossed the bay in Whitehall boat in
September, 1850, when communication to
San Francisco was by whaleboat belong
ing to Solomon & Smith.
In the fall of 1851 it was purchased from
the Peraltas. j. f. Stratton, afterward
United States Surveyor-General, made the
first survey in the southeastern portion of
the town, making the lots 33:4x100 feet.
For the first few months a lot was offered
to every man that would build house
thereon. To-day this same property is
worth $3.50 per front foot.
Another important document was a
manuscript of old-time reeollections by
A. s. Barber, a pioneer of 1849, who re-
moved to Alameda in 1853 from Marys.
vile.
Mr.. Ely was the first Postmaster of Ala
media and was succeeded by John j. Toy,
who conducted general store. In those
days there was no mail and the mail pouch
was delivered by the San Francisco Post.
master to the accommodating citizen who
called for it. Mr.. Barber was Postmaster
for Alameda from 1855 to 1889, having been
retained by the various administrations.
Children's Day.
Children's day will be celebrated at the
First Congregational Church, corner of
Central avenue and Chestnut street. to.
morrow. The pansy class will occupy the
choir loft for this occasion. The exercises
will commence at IL O'Clock. In connec-
nection with the Sunday school the follow
ing programme will be rendered:
Organ professional Mrs. H. NJ. Cushman
song, Lord, Thy Glory Fills the Heavens" by
the school; recitation, ..Childrens Day." Eva
Matthias; baptism of children by the pastor:
vocal solo, Cornelia Bowers. recitation,
song, "The Fathers caii,'' by the school school,
recitation, "Home Victories, /" Robert Parker
vocal solo, Genevieve Bowers; recitation,
"sharing wa5aai Hattie scrafiord song, ANGELS
Me, Too" viva Bagot anc Vivian Favor; er;
recitation, "It Is Time," Ora Morrison; song
''The Lord God Made Them ALL Pansy Class
recitation, IA Strange Little Boy" Basil Ward
song, "The Shepherds Voice." by the school
recitation, selected, Kenneth Rogers; recita.
ton, my Princess" Ray Finlay; recitation
"At School," May Conro; song, HWhen His
Salvation Bringing" by the school; recitations
and song, Pansy Glass; recitation, .T Want to
Live" Harry Young; song, There Are Many
Many Children" by the school; recitation
0ffarinOp. ftof inn a
Ethe, Dean; song, "O'er the Gloomy Hills" by
the school; benediction.
University Graduates.
The graduating exercises of the Alameda
University Academy will occur on Mon.
day evening, when ten young men will re.
ceive their diplomas. The exercises will
consist of music, followed by an address by
Professor Clapp of the State University,
and the presentation of diplomas. After
the exercises the class will hold an infor.
NAL reception. The graduates are L. S.
Anderson, G.. A. Alexander. Edward Ap.
plegate. Paul Blankenship, Herbert ii.
Brown, G. a. Dow, Reed Jones Jr.. l.. s,
Laughlin, f. s. Price and L. w. Shearer.
Rockery Contract Signed.
The contract to furnish for 1895 the ma.
terials, seeds and plants and the Iabo,
necessary to construct the rockery at the
junction of Central and Alameda avenues
was signed yesterday by Mr.. Forderer on
behalf of the city and by Captain w. r,
Chapman fol the property-owners inter.
ested.