davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1897-12-26
GROWTH OF THE CHURCHES
Four Fine Sacred Edifces Built
During 1897

On September 18th was dedicated the
remodeled First Christian church at the
northwest corner of Eleventh and Hope
streets. Practically the church was a
new one. The chapel in which worship
had previously been held forms only a
small portion of the new edifice and is
used as school room. The church is
designed in the thirteenth century
Gothic style, the spire being 125 feet in
height and spanning the main entrance.
There are two other entrances, one at
each of two corners, and the fourth cor
ner is occupied by the rostrum,
choir gallery. organ loft and baptistry.
The auditorium has floor space of
about 1000 feet, with a seating capacity
for COO and with the chapel will accom-
modate 1900 to 1400 worshipers. The
Groined ceiling is of Oregon pine, is oc-
supported by eight beam trusses. The
seats are Of Quaker oak and are
arranged in amphitheater form. Two
memorial gothic windows of art glass
the gift of Mrs. J. Y. Orchard and two
smaller windows, one the gift of thl
Young Peoples Christian Endeavor So
ciety and the other from the junior
branch of the same society, are richly
decorative and add beauty to the inte-
rior.
The pastor of the church is the Rev
A. c. Smither. The membership is $50
The herald., 1897-12-26

built after the style known as the Eng
lish half timbered effect, and has cost
$2500. Large gothic arches support the
roof, while adding to the decorative Ell
feet of the interior. A picturesque feat
ure of the church Is a trellised arch in the
second story, overlooking the audito-
rum, through which vines planted in
jardinieres on pedestals enlace them
selves. The windows are of stained
glass, and, while not large, are hand
some. A marble partition makes it pos
sible to throw the auditorium and school
room together, thus affording seating
capacity for over 400 persons. The pas
tor is the Rev Henry w. Crabbe, and
the church, under his pastoratc, is full
of promise for the future.
The First Baptist church anticipates
worshiping in the new edifice on Flower
street, between Seventh and Eighth
streets, about March /, 1898, and with
that end in view the work Is being has
tened. The design Of this new church
is round arch gothic, and the material
used is brick laid in red mortar, and
trimmed with Chatsworth stone Of a buff
color. The roofs will be marble, and
the towers covered with Spanish tiles.
The steps and approaches will be of &C.
ment, the windows filled in with stained
glass, the larger part Of the old me-
mortal windows being Incorporated.
The auditorium will be 68 feet square
or rather octagonal, and will be sur
rounded by loggias that will give ready
access to any part of the auditorium. The
pews will face the right hand corner, In
The herald., 1897-12-26
IN THE DAYS OF THE BOOM

Life in all Of it's phases is a see-saw,
climax and anti-climax dot the high road
of human development. But while the
city of Los Angeles has not escaped the
operation Of this law, for each successive
"boom" has been followed by time of
depression, it has, at least, been able to
wrest so much Of what was good during
its boom periods, as to minimize the
stagnation that inevitably followed.
One Henry Walton Of Azusa may be
accorded the credit due to the first
'boomer" in Southern California. On
May 81. 1851, he published a project for
dividing two leagues, near 5000 acres,
into small farm lots, to suit purchasers.
The terms were advertised as most IA
vorable with a beautiful site for town"
which was to be set out so soon as the
needs of the settlers required. A mer-
chant Touring mill was also assured to
intending purchasers.
In October of the same year John o.
Wheeler offered in small lots of fifty
acres the Rancho San Francisquito, near
the San Gabriel mission. Both these at
tempts to attract settlers We're prema-
ture, though some settlers might have
done more wisely had they taken up the
lands offered rather than waste their
energies upon supposed public lands, the
title of which, in some instances, is even
today not wholly lifted from obscurity.
In 1855 Don Antonio Maria Lugo, own
er of the Rancho San Antonio, confirmed
to him in 1888, comprising nearly 10000
acres, and lying between Los Angeles
and the San Gabriel river, partitioned
the property among his sons and
The herald., 1897-12-26

January, 1887, was estimated at 1880
acres, with a total population of 1850.
Chicago Park, with 22S9 lots. had one
inhabitant-a watchman for the hotel;
Sunset, 20l4 lots, one inhabitants
watchman for the hotel; Carlton. 4O8o
lots, no inhabitants; Manchester, 1904
lots, no inhabitants; Nadeau, 447O lots,
no inhabitants; Santiago, 2110 lots, no
inhabitants; ST. James. 1161 lots, one
livery stable, it's proprietor and hostler;
Rosecrans. Minneapolis. Studebaker
City, La Verne, Broadacres and Wal
terra are known no more-the plowshare
has passed over them and grain Is grow
ing in their deserted streets.
PLATING OUT AN EMPIRE
Estimating five lots to the acre, the
area included in the sixty towns alluded
to would make 100000 lots of fifty feet
frontage by $50 feet deep. Allowing five
inhabitants to the lot, there was room in
these for a population of 100000. Di-
viding the area included in the older
cities, with their numerous additions,
into lots of the same size, and allowing
the same number Of inhabitants to the
lot, there were town lots enough in Los
Angeles county alone all ready plated to
supply a population of 100000 and give
to each inhabitant 1900 square feet OF
breathing space.
Well might the writer of the paper al
luded to say that such imitation of land
values had never been equaled in the
worlds history. When unimproved land
in John Laws Mississippi colony sold
for 30. 900 livres ($5550) a square league,
oil L,,,rone was amazed and the MiSSiS-
sippi bubble is still quoted as marvcl
of imitation. The capital stock of John
Laws Bank Of France, with his Missis-
The herald., 1897-12-26

daughters, reserving for himself merely
a HOMESTEAD. In 1860 Dona Merced Fos-
ter and Don Vicente Lugo sold their
portions to parties who subdivided and
made sales in small lots. About this
time, too, Governor John G. Downey,
who was then in the gubernatorial chair,
commenced the subdivision Of the
Rancho Santa Gertrudes lying along
the San Gabriel river, which contained
$4,000 acres. 1t was some time later be-
fore any lots We're put on the market,
and the first deed made is under date Of
April %, 1866 made to j. H. Burke.
FIRST RAILROAD BOOM"
So matters worked on until 1874, when
the Southern Pacific railroad entered
the city, and thereby established connec-
tion with San Francisco and intermedi-
ate points. Then began the boom period
that lasted until 1876 and that formed
the dividing line in the city's existence
between the pueblo and the modern city.
But a depression followed that boom"
that lasted until 1881, and the collapse of
the period of imitation was followed by
occurrences that served to prolong the
financial misery, viz: Commercial and
bank failures and succession of dry
years that ruined the sheep industry and
hit the grain producers very heavily.
The continuation of the Southern Pa
cific eastward opened up new and bet
ter markets for Southern California
products in the mining regions of Ari-
zona and New Mexico, and the compile
tion of the line gave a new transconti-
mental line, and emigrants began to ar
rive. Land values increased and finan-
cial stability was re-established. The
Santa Fe system was almost completed
and rate war was precipitated between
The herald., 1897-12-26
STORY BLOCK

tenn and an era of railroad perfecting
and building in Southern California.
2-High prices for all products. an
easy money market and employment at
fairly high wages for all desiring work.
3-An immense immigration, largely
attracted by reports of profits mad@ by
specializing in real estate.
4-The arrival of a horde of profess
sional "boomers," who We're adopts in
the tricks of real estate dealing.
During the months of March, April
and May not less than thirteen town
sites were plated on one line of road
alone, and the lots thrown upon the mar
ket. Ere the close of the year, between
the eastern limits of Los Angeles city
and the San Bernardino county line,
distance of thirty-siX miles by the Santa
Fe road, there were twenty-five towns
located, an average of one to each mile
and a half of road.
On the Southern Pacific, paralleling
the Santa Fe, eight more towns claimed
the notice of buyers, with three more
located at points intermediate between
the railroads, making a total of thirty
six towns plated in the San Gabriel val
ley. The projectors of these towns on
paper were ambitious. The only limit
to the greatness of a town was the
boundary lines of the city adjoining.
The corporate limits of Monrovia We're
eight miles square; Pasadena, with its
additions, the same; Lordsburg spread
over 500 acres; Chicago Park numbered
nearly 5000 lots located on the wash OF
the San Gabriel river, and Azusa covered
an area of 1000 acres.
MONEY, THEN, TO BURN
The pretty little town of Azusa was
founded to supply long felt-want. The
The herald., 1897-12-26

candidates are in the water before COM
ing into view of the congregation. The
ceiling of the auditorium will be paneled
in white cedar, in open timber style, and
will be arranged with regard to the
acoustic properties of the edifice. In the
center will be lantern, or ceiling light.
opening into a turret in the
roof. thus affording both light
and ventilation. The seating capacity
will be $50 on the floor and 250 in the GAL
lery. which can be increased 20o py tno
use Of chairs. A movable partition per-
mits the Sunday school space TO pe ao-
ded to this, and 500 more can De COM
fortably seated.
The cost of this new church Will pe
about 100000, and the full amount IS IN
band having been derived from the sale
of the old property on Broadway ana
Sixth streets. The pastor of the church
10 Rev. N. L. Rigby, and the new build
irg is from designs and under the per-
sonol suneryision Of the architect H. +.
Starbuck.
At the corner of Eighth and Flower
s+roats ia being erected the German
T.utheran church, from the designs OF
" 8. Garrett and Edmund Bidwell, the
srchitects. The structure will, when
completed, be a very handsome edihces
ord will have a frontage Of "a feet and q
depth of 80 feet.
During the past year st. Mary's Ro-
man Catholic church was erected at
Boyle Heights at cost of about $4,000.
There will be seating capacity for 40O
persons
The herald., 1897-12-26

sippi grants thrown in, made total less
than SIS, 100000 at the period of it's great
est imitation, an amount about equal to
the Los Angeles real estate transfers for
one month. The bursting of John Laws
bubble very nearly bankrupted France.
but when the inevitable collapse came In
Los Angeles, while 1t brought ruin to
some. 1t by no means overw helmed the
people. Tie consideration named in the
transfers for the first three months Of
1888 exceeded $50. .OOO. 900. and after that
they decreased rapidly. In the boom
year about $6,00O.O00 was expended In
city buildings. and half that amount in
1888, and then came calm after tha
storm. The rich and varied productive
ness of the country saved its inhabit-
ants from the suffering and financial
ruin that would have attended such q
collapse anywhere else.
The herald., 1897-12-26
Findlater Not an Irishman

1t has been definitely ascertained that
the piper who played the Cock O. thu
North" after being shot through both
legs was not Piper Milne. but his COM
rade and fellow Aberdeenian. Piper
FIJI 1later. The mistake arose in London
when particulars about the injured men
were being given to reporter. Milne
was also among those who were wound
ed. Piper George Frederick Findlater
is a native of Turriff, Aberdeenshirc.
where his father had a croft and was a
meal miller. The piper was born in 1872.
and Is one of a family Of six sons and
daughters. He received his education at
the village school, and, like most coun-
try children, left the schoolmaster's
hands at an early age and entered farm
The herald., 1897-12-26

to the amount of $2SO,000 were sold the
first day, the sale continuing uninter-
ruptedly for three days. Not one in
hundred Of the purchasers had seen the
townsite and not one in thousand ex-
pected or intended to occupy the land.
The total Of the considerations named
in the instruments filed for record dur
ing 1887 reached the enormous sum of
s9S,0S4,162 But this does not tell the
whole story, for the larger number of
lots and blocks in the various tracts and
townsites were sold on contract, the
terms being part cash. balance in six.
twelve and eighteen months; deed to
be given upon final payment being made
The herald., 1897-12-26
NATIONAL BANK OF CALIFORNIA
A Gratifying Increase Of Business
Since Midsummer

The National Bank Of California,
which is splendidly located on northeast
corner OF Spring and Second streets. Is
one of the most active business institu-
tions of Los Angeles. and though the
newest national bank, whose history
only extends over the past seven years
of depression, it has made most credit
able record. 1t may be noted from Its
last official statement, published In this
paper that since midsummer its busi-
ness shows an increase of more than 20
per cent, certainly a gratifying condi-
tion to it's friends and also well rejecting
the improvement in general business
conditions.
The herald., 1897-12-26

hands a year later at $500 per acre, and
city lots that sold in 1886 at $500 each ir
1887 were rated at $4,000.
Within the memory Of not the oldest
inhabitant the San Pasqual rancho, con-
tanning $4,000 acres, sold at so cents an
acre. Pasadena and it's numerous sub
urbs are within the limits Of the rancho
The price of single lot In the business
center of Pasadena in 1887 would have
bought ten such ranchos at so cents per
acre.
From a report compiled for the Los
Angeles county board Of equalization IN
July. 1889, it is stated that the area in
cluded in sixty towns, all laid out since
The herald., 1897-12-26

point was regarded by real estate spec
ulators as the commercial center of the
valley, and they savior thought they
did. it amounted to the same thing
money in the first pick of lots. These
were to be put on sale on a certain dag.
Through the hours of the night previous
and until 0 o'clock Of the day OF sale, a
line of hungry and weary lot buyers
stood in front of the office where the lots
were to be sold. No. was offered $1,000
for his place in the line; No. S claimed to
have sold out for $500; No. was deaf to
all offers, and through the weary hours
of the night stood his ground, Securing
the coveted prize-the first choice Lots
The herald., 1897-12-26

But few Of the contracts were filed.
Property thus bought on agreement to
convey might be resold over and over
again, each time at an advance, yet the
consideration named In the deed would
remain the same. 1t has been estimated
that the several considerations in the
real estate transactions during 1887 in
Los Angeles county reached 5000. 900. 900,
and the grand total for Southern Cali
fornia at double that amount.
MEN WITH HEADS IN THE SKIES
Unimproved lands adjoining the city
sold as high as s250O per acre, or at the
rate of s14,4O0.O0O square league. Land
that sold at 500 per acre in 1856 changed
The herald., 1897-12-26
SLATER BLOCK

service. He soon evinced desire to be-
come soldier but his parents objected.
and for some time northing further was
heard of his martial desires. After q
couple of years as a farm servant he
enlisted at Aberdeen in 1888. Private
Findlater showed fondness for music
at an early age, and shortly after enlist
ment commenced the study of the bag
pipes. In the beginning Of last year no
was promoted to the rank Of piper IN the
band of the regiment.-Scotch Paper.
The herald., 1897-12-26
I,iterarv Standards

"You can buy some nice books down at
Blugg's."
"Oh. they are much nicer at Bingle's."
"Are they standard books?"
II guess so. They've got the names
stamped on 'em in gilt letters. ."-Cleve-
land Plain Dealer.
The herald., 1897-12-26

the two transcontinental roads. Tickets
from Missouri river points to Los An
geles sold for from 81 to SIS. Visitors and
immigrants poured in by thousands and
the great boom" of 1887 resulted.
A MARVELLOUS TIME
The immediate causes of that marvel
Gus time have been well set forth in a
paper read before the Historical society
of Southern California, and a con-
densed history of the time when specu-
lation ran riot. The immediate causes
of the "boom" of 1887 may be summar-
ized as follows:
1.-The completion of the Santa Fe sys-
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26

The Star newsboys had delightful
time yesterday and enjoyed their feast,
their drive, and the football game
thoroughly. Long may The Star
flourish and be enabled in the rolling
years to give days pleasure to these
hard working and active little.urchins.
To the friends that assisted The Star
in giving additional pleasure to the
boys, the thanks of the management
are due, and are here rendered.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26
THE POSTOFFICE.

Some people will persistently mix
up the Postotfice and Police Depart
ments. AS far as the Postoffice De-
partment is concerned the mails have
the Police Authorities are concerned,
they have a right to open the CORES
pondence of prisoners. This right is
recognized all over the world and there
is always a war of wits between crimi-
mails and their friends, by which in
formation desired by the former may
be conveyed in letters from the latter
couched in such guise that it may
may pass the lynx eyes of the prison
authorities.
Inquiry at the Postotfice of Post
master General Dat reveals, the fact
that he holds receipts for every letter
and paper delivered to the Marshal,
upon his demand under martial law
These letters and papers were deliv-
cred intact That such letters and
papers were afterward opened by
the Marshal has nothing to do with
the Postotiice. If people get into jail
it is unfortunate, but they have tc
meet what unpleasantness may occur
as best they can. 1t is no use, how
ever, finding fault with one depart
ment, when whatever the cause OF
complaint may be, whether it be right
or wrong, lies with another.
The Postofiioe under the manage
ment of Postmaster Genral Dat has
been admirably conducted. There has
never been any one in that office who
has fulfilled the duties more ably ant
with more undertaking courtesy, wfil,
there have been many who have by NJ
means filled it so well. To make sucl
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26

unjust charges does, no. good 70 those
who make them and makes suspicious
people uneasy without cause. As was
said n day or two ago. IL letters were
opened in the postoflicc, the BUSINESS
could be so scientifically done that the
recipient could not he aware of the
fact. unless the sender used the means
for detection which are known to Nj
hilists in Russia.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26
THE HfLO HERALD.

Since the advent of J. T. Stacker up
on the Hilo Herald decided improve
ment has appeared in that paper. Mr..
Stacker is good all round newspaper
man and as such must be a great adj
dition to Hilo journalism, where much
of the work has been amateur. The
Star is indebted to the Herald for
much interesting news of what is GO
ing on in the second city of the Re-
public. Under Mr.. Stacker's manage
mept the editorial matter will GO
straight to the point and the news will
be well selected and written up, ms
the last three numbers of the Herald
show.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26
ANNEXATION NEWS.

The news from the Coast makes the
annexation cause look up considerab-
ly. The results are coming as they
have all along been predicted. The
people here who hoped to upset the
annexation movement find themselves
face to face with solid phalanx of
Senator's who are determined to have
annexation. Months ago it was said
in these columns that annexation was
''foregohe conclusion" and bilious
and dyspeptic neighbor took eXcep-
like a foregone conclusion than ever.
For some time past it has been known
that the required majority was safe,
and now we know that it is, through
the columns of the San Francisco
press.
1t has always been evident, in spite
of the vaccinations of those who will
only see the black side of things,
that the Executive would not have
pledged itself to the course it did in
July last, unless it had been well sat
satisfied that the course would have
been successful. Apart from all we
know of the personal and party pre-
delictions, it stood to reason that no
administration would father so radi-
cal move, without being thoroughly
"a, lNx,
popular and would be supported as
one for the advantage of the State.
AS far as the petition sent forward
by the Hawaiian Societies is concern
ed, they might as well have saved
their money and allowed their dele
gates to remain on the Islands. When
a set of men as powerful as the Sem
ate of the United States, is determined
on a course. and when added to that
the prestige'of the Executive is pledg-
ed, it will take a good deal more than
sentimentalism to meet the issue. The
advocates of annexation are supplied
with facts and figures, and it is facts
and figures and not sentimentalism
that will win the day.
The sanguine think that the matter
will occur early in December. This
may be so, but there are grave doubts
of it, The rules of the Senate allow
great freedom of discussion, and there
will be so much to say, for and
against, that it seems unlikely that
the debate will not be closed before
the holidays, But be this as it may an
neXation will come, and come soon.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26

One Christmas with a fine
stock made us brave, SO this
year we have "spread our
selves"
At Christmas time we want
to give more of our friends
presents than we thought of
during the year. Don't elbow
yourself" SO that you will feel
the reaction, but get some
thing pretty and useful gen
uine, even if not grand. II /.
Watch for the announce
inent of ouri.opening, as I'VE
will have the finest and the
largest assortment of goods
suitable for presents ever
shown in Honolulu.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26
WERE QUIETLY MARRIED.

The Waikiki home of John Ena was
the scene of pretty wedding last ev-
ening. The contracting parties were
DR.. James r.. Wayson and Miss Della
Sheehy. Miss Clara Ena was brides
maid and Ernest May best man. Rev.
G. /. Pearson ofiiciated. DIR. and
Mrs. Wayson have gone to the Ena
home in Manoa valley for few days.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26
is NEAR DEATH.

Alvin Raseman, who was for many
years bookbinder in this city, and
then went abroad. returned a few
months ago in i'll health. 1t is stated
today that he is very low and that it
is doubtful whether he will live
through the night.
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26
@imeRy @oricS'
November %, 1897.
November %, 1897.
When
See

an article adver-
tised in this column you can
make up your mind that we
have tested it beforehand, and
have found it well worthy OF
serious attention.
Our business is trade, and
our trade is in that class of
goods best suited to the coun-
try and the ideas of the peo-
ple-the best.
Cheap Harness is not ne
cessarily worthless harness.
We are in a position to pur-
chase cheaply and can there
fore give our purchasers the
benefit by selling cheaply.
We stock ali descriptions Of
harness; from the plain pillow
harness to the elegant buggy
set, either.in black or russell
leather, express wagon har-
ness, dump cart harness, mule
harness, etc, etc.
An inspection of our large
stock will convince you that
we know our business, and
the prices we have placed up.
on our goods will surprise you
The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-26

Drop us line if you can't get
Schi7ling's Best Of your grocer,
or if you don't like it and can't
get your money back.
A Schiling d Company
san Francisco