Page 4 • CEDAR STREET
Times • June 17, 2011
Jon Guthrie
High Hats & Parasols Dear Readers: Please bear in mind that historical articles such as “High Hats & Parasols” present our history — good and bad — in the language and terminology used at the time. The writings contained in “High Hats” are not our words. They are quoted from Pacific Grove/Monterey publications from 100 years in the past. Our journalistic predecessors held to the highest possible standards for their day, as do we at Cedar Street Times. Please also note that any items listed for sale in “High Hats” are “done deals,” and while we would all love to see those prices again, people also worked for a dollar a day back then. Thanks for your understanding.
The News … from 1911.
Notes from around the area…
The town council has voted that an extra fifty dollars be added to PG’s building fund to meet the demand of an unnamed contractor. Miss Eva Matheson has been chosen to serve as next term’s President of the Philathea Bible Class. Miss Madeline Fridley has been named Director of Music. A gift of $57 has been donated to the high school for the purpose of helping soundproof the music classroom.
And your bill amounts to …
For sale. Fourteen lots in the Withers tract with a good view of the bay. These fine parcels are listed for $100 each and can be purchased on terms of $15 down and $15 each month. Interest is 4%. Ask the operator to ring Red 351 if you are interested.
Author’s Notes
Old Monterey Democrat mentions the Grove
Dan Wharburton of the Grove found a copy of the Monterey Democrat stashed in a vacant house he had purchased on Seventh street. This paper – dated September 12, 1868 – is a very interesting relic of the Old Capital. The publishers were listed as Esquires Gregory and Johnson. The paper was issued once a week and the subscription price was half the cost of today’s subscriptions at 50¢ a year, delivered to your home by courier. Monterey served at that time as the county seat of Monterey County. W. S. Johnson, an owner and editor, was also county clerk and county recorder. Among the advertisers were Charley & Wilde Dealers in Hides and Tallow, R. H. McDonald & Company Druggists, and Marshall & Haight Commission Merchants. I Nineteen advertisers from San Francisco were included An editorial mentioned the beauty of Pacific Grove and begged Grovians to shop in Monterey rather than travel to San Francisco.
Freak egg laid by Grove pullet
M. S. A. Gerdes has a freak egg which was laid by one of his pullets. This egg weighs six ounces, is 8 ¾ inches in circumference the small way around, and is 9 ¾ inches the long way around. These measurements are remarkable for an egg, but what is truly remarkable is that the shell is encased in a bag of see-through mucous. The egg is on display in the window of Frank J. Wyeth’s Grocery. II
I
II
A “commission merchant” accepted previously-owned merchandise to resell at a percentage of its cost. The final outcome of this remarkable egg’s history received no mention.
III
Il Traviata was a work of the esteemed composer Giuseppe Verde. Of its tunes, the “drinking song” became a world-wide favorite.
IV
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, founded by the Chautauqua, was falling on hard times in terms of both financial and operational support.
References: Pacific Grove Review, Monterey Daily Cypress, Del Monte Weekly, Salinas Index, Monterey County Post, Bullions’ Grammar (1890). Know some news or trivia from a century ago? Contact the author Jon Guthrie: profguthrie@gmail.com.
Grand Opera at Star Theater
Manager Chapman has advised the Review that the Star Theater will present “Grand Opera” in slides and flickers Sunday and Monday evenings. Grovians are given 10¢ off the admission price of 25¢ a seat. The show to be presented is “Il Trovatore.” The principals in the cast are Lenora Francesca Bertini, Azania Gemmy, Francesca Bertini, and Count Le Luna. Troubadours are Alberto Vestry and Archie Manifesto. Music has been especially arranged to fit the pictures and a full orchestra is rehearsing. Manager Chapman said: “Everyone should plan to come. This may be one of the best shows we have ever screened. You will love the music” III
First quarter cited as “dry” month in mountains
The Review has received its copies of the monthly report from the California Department of the Weather. The following was noted: While coastal weather was “extremely wet”, February was a month of only moderate snow in the mountains. A period of fair weather mid-month, however, entered the mountain areas and took precipitation from the normally wet season. However, earlier snows will make for good run-offs from the melt. Snow flurries were reported as late as April. The Cole Ranch (Tehama County) and the Smith Ranch (Stockton) both reported enough moisture to last the year. “There is enough pack in shady areas of the mountains to give us a fair amount of water,” a representative of the Cole Ranch said.
PG museum association needs to end confusion
A meeting of the Grove’s museum association was held Saturday afternoon. Fourteen members were present, but neither the president nor vice president were on hand. Miss Duncan, the curator, was also unable to be present on account of the illness of her mother. The meeting was presided over by lay member A. E. Bunker. Mrs. Culp, a museum volunteer, said she had been too busy to prepare a report. Mr. Bunker made a short verbal report which became the principal statement of the event. The notices of the secretary were then read showing a balance on hand of $175. Rev. E. H. Maloney reported that both Miss Duncan and Miss Norton are in correspondence with friends whom they think will come to the Grove and speak before the museum association, but neither was sure when. Considerable discussion then followed concerning the proposed Spring Flower Festival. Miss Norton suggested the matter be left in the hands of the association secretary. F. D. Nagle was to make the final report, but said instead that he would see to it that the report be published in the Review. Nagle indicated that he had not been advised that his report was forthcoming at the time of the meeting. Nagle then encouraged the association to get organized and avoid future confusion. IV
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Admiral Tilley is dead
The United States Department of the Navy has advised the Review that Rear Admiral Joseph Tilley is dead at 74 years of age. Tilley was visiting in San Francisco at the time of his demise. The death of Admiral Tilley, USN (retired), removes from life another of the lessening number of veterans surviving the Civil War. Born in Ireland on September 25, 1837, Tilley migrated with his family to the United States as a young man. Shortly thereafter, Tilley entered the navy as a third assistant engineer. During the war, Tilley served aboard the naval ship Pawnee. That tour of duty began his climb upward through the ranks. The admiral retired on September 25, 1898, in conjunction with the celebration of his 65th birthday. Admiral Tilley will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is to be buried with full honors.
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