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In This Issue THE I5REAKWATER

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ISABEL MORE AUSTIN — 1864-1941

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EL VAQUERO VIEJO

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THE END OF THE HORSE AND SADDLE DAYS

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VOL. VIII, No. 1

SPRING, 1962

CASTLK ROCK (By John Gurham)

NOTICIAS QUARTERLY BULLETIN OF THE SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAILING ADDRESS; OLD MISSION, SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

The Breakwater fCompiled by the Editor from data furnished by Mr. Julius Bergen, Vice-chairman, Max C. Fleischrnann Foundation of Nevada; Mr. Tom Storke, owner and publisher of the News-Press; and others.)

Four centuries ago, when the first Spanish explorers came by ship into Alta California waters, they discovered only two protected harbors along this coast, one, a very good one, at San Diego, and the other, one that was protected from all but the north wind, at Monterey. Two centuries later, when land expeditions set out from San Diego to explore the country to the northwest, they eventually came on the magnificent harbor that became known as San Francisco Bay. All the rest of the known California coast lay open to the storms that on occasion swept in from the broad Pacific Ocean.

The capitol of the new province and what was planned to be the most important settlement in the new land was located at Monterey. There were many reasons for the choice of this northern site for the capitol. Several of these reasons were that here there was an abundant supply of good water, or so it was thought at the time the decision was made; there was an un limited amount of what appeared to be fertile, arable land; there were for ests of pine and cypress, the trees of which could be used for masts and spars and for other parts of the clumsy, wooden vessels of the Spaniards; and there was a large, resident native population. Work on royal presidios was started both at Monterey and at San Diego, as well as on mission estab lishments for the conversion of the Indians. From these two bases the Span iards set about the further possession of the land.

As Father Junipero Serra went up and down the province, often on foot, it was borne in upon him that Monterey, lying as it did almost at the extreme northern end of the narrow ribbon of missions, was not a con venient site for the capitol; and so he turned his eyes toward the Santa Barbara Channel Area, which lay about half way between San Diego on the south and Monterey on the north. Eventually, a royal presidio was estab lished here and, four years later, a mission. This mission at Santa Barbara was to become, with the passing of the years, the most important mission establishment of the Province. So favorable was this middle site that, threequarters of a century later, when the Americans took possession of the Province, Santa Barbara was the de facto capitol, for here was the residence of the Governor, Pio Pico, the residence of the Bishop of California, and 1

the residence of the President have, however, was a harbor severe storms of winter. Had is all but certain that it would

of the Missions. What Santa Barbara did not in which ships could ride out in safety the it been possessed of such a secure harbor, it have been the legal capitol of Alta California.

When Richard Dana visited Santa Barbara, his ship, for reasons of safety, was forced to anchor three miles off shore. At times, he tells us in “Two Years Before the Mast,” there was a considerable surf running on the beach. As had happened in the past, it was through this surf for the next half century that all visitors to the town who travelled by ship were forced to come and go. Often, this was a disagreeable episode in their travels, and occasionally it was a dangerous one. A quarter of a century after the com ing of the Americans, long wharves were run out into the sea at conveniently located places along the coast, at Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, and other })laces. The wharf at Santa Barbara was an especially long one, and it obviated the necessity of taking travellers and cargoes through the surf; but it did not provide shelter during the winter months for boats and ships that wished to remain in our waters on a more or less permanent basis.

In 1900, to select a date more or less at random, there was much boat ing here throughout the long, quiet, warm months of summer. There were fishing boats of many sizes, sail boats, and motored launches. Regattas were held here that attracted to the community the pleasure boats from northern am 1 southern areas. When autumn began to turn to winter, however, and when the season of violent southeasters approached, all these small craft either had. wiith considerable labor, to be brought ashore or they had to be taken to the Los Angeles-Long Beach Area, where they could be laid up for boat or two remained here at the winter in secure berths. Occasionally, its moorings too long and, a southeaster sweeping in from the sea, these unfortunate craft were wrenched from their moorings and were carried high up upon the sand of the beach.

During these years, there was much talk of constructing some sort of a harbor here. At fi rst, the great weight of opinion lay in dredging out one of the numerous estuaries that exist all along this coast at every creek mouth, the so-called Bird Refuge at the extreme end of the East Boulevard or the Big Slough at Goleta, for example. Tlien, presently another school of thought, one that favored a sea wall type of harbor such as was being constructed at Long Beach, became very vocal. As early as 1903, some of the directors of the Chamber of Commerce went on record as favoring the building of a breakwater type of harbor: but this agitation was not brought to a suc cessful conclusion and it soon subsided. Interest in a harbor of some kind for the most part lay dormant. It was revived occasionally, as the years ))assed, by one or .another enthusiastic mariner or would-be developer; but at no time did the discussions get beyond the “talk” stage. Eventually, as a result of all this agitation and discussion, a Harbor Commission was ap pointed, which consisted of 0. .1. Kenyon, E. W. Alexander, Fred Johnson, George D. Sullivan, and E. L. B. Phillips.

By 1924, Mr. Max Fleischmann, an ardent yachtsman and an energetic man of large affairs, had interested himself in the harbor project and had begun to talk to many of the leading citizens of the community about it.

Reginald Fernald, Dwight Murphy, H. J. Doulton, George McComber, Francis Price, and many others, he found, favored the rip-rap construction of a sea 2

Mojor Max Fleischmann

wall off the West Boulevard. (Mr. Doulton’s activity in the Harbor Project was resented in some quarters because he was not a resident of the City of Santa Barbara. In the end, Mr. Doulton’s beach at Miramar suffered greatly from sand erosion as a direct result of the building of the Breakwater.)

George Batchelder, Mr. Peabody, Mr. Chapman, Judge Canfield, and General Babbitt were opposed to rip-rap and favored instead a cement caisson type 3

of construction. Mr. Chapman, however, made the statement publicly that a breakwater would destroy the sand beaches to the east of it.

A third group, of which were Mr. Tom Storke, Mr. E. A. Gilbert, and Mr. Ripley, were opposed to any kind of sea wall construction off the West Boulevard. Mr. Storke was opposed because it was known that one thousand cubic yards of sand, kept in suspension by the action of the breakers, was carried by the drift past any given point on the beach every twenty-four hours; and he feared that the stoppage of this sand flow would cause im measurable damage to our beaches. He favored a sea wall in deep water, far enough off shore so that it would not effect the sand-carrying drift, at some point west of the Boulevard, possibly near Second Point. Mr. Gilbert, who was chairman of the Park Board, felt that a sea wall off the West Boulevard would ruin the beach at that important place for pleasure purposes. Mr. Ripley, the president of the Santa Fe Railroad, a man of very wide experi ence, opposed the plan on engineering grounds. (Future events were to prove all three of these men right at least in some degree.)

Three other men who were, perhaps, less prejudiced for or against any particular type of construction and yet were deeply interested in the build ing of a harbor, were Dr. Rexwall Brown, one of the founders of the Santa Barbara Medical Clinic and, at the moment, president of the Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Herbert Nunn, the incumbent City Manager, and Mayor H. A. Adrian.

This was the situation, as far as the Harbor Project was concerned, when the 1925 earthquake occurred and temporarily brought to a standstill all plans for the future development of the community.

By October of the earthquake year, Santa Barbara had so far recovered its former poise that Mr. Fleischmann decided to bring the harbor project to a definite focus. At this time he offered the City the gift of S200,000, this to be used toward the construction of a harbor. In doing this, he recognized that this sum of money would be sufficient only, at most, to construct one half of the proposed sea wall. Almost immediately after making this offer, he received a letter from Dr. Brown, dated October 3rd, 1925, which read as follows: “Dear Mr. Heischinann: “Now that the stress and strain of earthquake days is past, there is a growing in terest toward securing a harbor. It is the impression in Santa Barbara that you will withdraw your offer of two hundred thousand dollars toward the harbor, if no effort is made by January 1st to raise the additional money through bonding. I have talked with Francis Price about the matter and he tells me that it is true that your offer holds good only until the time specified above.

“Santa Barbara, as you know, has had her troubles and the drive of the California Development Association is not yet concluded. It has seemed wise to many of us who are in close touch with conditions here that the time for a movement in the development of harbor is not opportune until the California Development Association has com pleted its efforts. To undertake municipal projects by bonding issue would jeopard ize the success of the drive. Under these circumstances I am taking the liberty, with the approval of Mr. Price, of asking you if you can set forward three or four months after January first, the time limit, after which, if no effort satisfactory to you is made, you will withdraw your money from the bank. I believe we can put over a bonding issue in the early part of next year.

“If you are agreeable to this suggestion, am I still authorized to draw on you to an amount not over one thousand dollars for expert engineering advice? This amount

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you said you would place at my disposal at our last executive meeting a few days before the earthquake.

“Sincerely yours, “Rexwald Brown”

In the same mail, Mr. Fleischmann received a letter from the City Man ager, Herbert Nunn, which outlined the plan of operation as Mr. Nunn visualized it. It read; “Dear Mr. Fleischmann: “I have been giving serious study to the question of harbor development the past few weeks, as it is very apparent that unless some steps are immediately taken, other projects pending will over-shadow this most important of Santa Barbara’s developments, and I therefore take the liberty of writing you, and to place before you a proposition of immediate commencement of this work. It is my opinion that if the work is started with funds available, that other donations and a bond issue will be forthcoming to complete the work.

“The design as submitted to you, i.e. concrete caissons, is undoubtedly the best design which could possibly be constructed in the Santa Barbara Channel. The caissons were designed to be fifty feet in length and to be placed on pilings. This construction is admirably adapted for an earthquake district, inasmuch as the caissons would not settle into the mud bottom. You will recall that the caissons were to be placed, and the deck, including the parapet wall, or sea wall and seat to be poured afterwards in order to secure good alignment and attractive workmanship. The width of the walk-way was not definitely decided, but will not be less than 12 feet.

“These caissons were estimated to cost in place complete not to exceed $20.5.00 per lineal foot. The estimate will be considerably less per lineal foot for the Esplanade to be constructed from the Bath House to Castle Rock.

“You will recall that there was some question as to whether or not an opening should be left at Castle Rock, and the proposition which I have to make would also solve this problem, as it would give us sufficient time before closing the gap, for ob servation. My proposition is as follows: “To request you to commence the construction of the breakwater commencing at the outer end as shown on the attached plan in red, and to construct from the outer end towards Castle Rock. The $200,000.00 donated by you should construct approxi mately 1000 lineal feet of breakwater. The total distance being 2400 feet. You would construct approximately 5/12th’s of the total distance.

“I propose to secure donations enough here to construct the necessary launching dock, and to furnish such equipment as is needed to construct the caissons, this to become the property of the City, and to be used only in the completion of the break water. As the caissons are all alike, the machinery and dock would answer for the entire 2400 feet. If handled in this manner, your entire $200,000.00 would go into the construction of the caissons, thus insuring an economical expenditure. One thousand feet of the caissons would present a very fair break-water, and would undoubtedly bring forth the necessary money by bond issue to complete; otlicrwise, the investment in launch ing dock and equipment would be lost.

“If you see fit to accept this proposition, it strikes me that the following method would be advisable: “That you appoint a Supervising Board including Mr. Price, Mr. Doulton, Mr. Chapman, and others, to take complete cliarge and to carry out the construction in the most economical and efficient manner, either by contract, or by force account. This same Board, of course, would be very active in securing funds either by donation, or by bond issue.

“If this proposition appeals to you, I will make every effort to secure further donations for equipment and dock immediately. I make tliis appeal to you only because

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of my interest in the future growth of Santa Barbara, and believe that you fully appreciate and understand the handicap under which Santa Barbara is laboring at this time.

"Sincerely yours, “Herbert Nunn City Manager” To these two letters Mr. Fleischmann replied from New York City.

(Only the letter to Dr. Brown follows. The one to Mr. Nunn is very similar).

“My Dear Rex: “October 9, 1925” “1 beg to acknowledge receipt of your kind letter under dale of October third, in the same mail and under the same date f received a very comprehensive letter from Herbert Nunn in regard to the harbor plan.

“When it is all said and done, the only point that I am interested in is a harbor for Santa Barbara, and to achieve that naturally takes concerted effort and harmonious action between the people directly concerned.

"1 am asking Francis Price to see both you and Mr. Nunn, to discuss both your letters with you personally and then to write me his recommendations. As I will be able to spend so little lime in Santa Barbara the next year and will not be out this fall until December and then for only a month or so, Mr. Price, naturally, will have to be the one that I will look to to be my contact between this place and Santa Barbara.

1 will, tlierefore, wait until he has had an opportunity to see both of you, discuss the matter and make his recommendations, before 1 reply.

‘Sincerely yours, "Max C. Fleischmann’ The reception of these two letters on the same day, the one from Dr. Brown and the other from Manager Nunn, neither of which mentioned the other, understandably tended to raise uncertainties in Mr. Fleischmann's mind. He, therefore, wrote to Mr. Price, asking if, in Price’s opinion, it was a coincidence that these two letters were written simultaneously, or if it indicated a conflict in purpose between the two men. Mr. Price wired Mr. Fleischmann as follows: “Major Max C. Fleischmann “Brown Nunn City Administration and myself in hearty accord on Nunn’s scheme stop there has never been any friction and it is purely coincidence that both men should write simultaneously stop personally I would consider that for you to advance the two hundred thousand dollars now would be the greatest incentive to the upbuilding of Santa Barbara because conditions are at low ebb and for you to express that much confidence in the city would not only revive the spirit of the people here but restore confidence elsewhere slop city administration feels that if this much is spent people will provide necessary funds to complete as soon as present plans will permit stop await your further instructions.

“Francis Price” On January 12th, 1926, Major Fleischmann, to match the proposed bond issue, paid into the City treasury the sum of $200,000.00. The bond issue election was set for May 4th, 1926. On January 13th, 1926, Mayor Henry Adrian wrote the following letter to Mr. Fleischmann: “My dear Major Fleischmann: “I addition to the verbal expression of my sincere appreciation of what you have done for this city, I wish to add a few words of appreciation as mayor.

“It seems to me that your gift marks the beginning of a new era in Santa Bar bara. Twenty-three years ago, as a director in the Chamber of Commerce, we were 6

Dr. Rexwall Brown (Drawn by Neville Ussher)

fighting for a breakwater. That fight has been periodically revived ever since that time without any results. To you, and to you alone, belongs the credit for what occurred the other night in Council meeting. It took only twenty minutes to get actual and definite action under way.

“Your patience in waiting all these months is certainly highly commendable. You know there are many men who will not play or work unless they are the dictators. You are one of the few willing to play the game in any reasonable way without the slightest desire to dictate, and that is the thing that I most highly appreciate. I have had a long conference with Mr. J. R. Chapman, and also with Mr. H. J. Doulton and George McComber. They are, of course, enthusiastic, and they arc both men who ‘do things.’

However, I am certainly having a time of it convincing Mr. Chapman that he should accept membership in the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Have yet not lost hope.

“From time to lime I shall take occasion to call at your office to report on progress made. Shall be very glad to have you call on me at any time.

“Cordially yours, “Henry A. Adrian.”

Mayor

With the reception of the gift of $200,000, plans for the building of the harbor took rapid shape. Mr. Wallace C. Penfield was appointed consulting engineer and instructed to draw up an over-all plan for the harbor. A Harbor Bond Committee was appointed and it, working closely with the Chamber 7

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of Commerce, laid carefully thought-out plans for the successful outcome of the May 4lh election. Speakers were present at almost every gathering of men and women williin the city and llie needs of the City for a harbor were briefly yet thoroughly discussed. So successful was this campaign that, when election day came, sixty per cent of the registered voters went to the polls; and of the almost 6,000 voles cast, less than 300 were in opposition. After the votes were tabulated, the following telegram was dispatched to Mr. Fleischmann in New York City: “Major Max Fleischmann “Santa Barbara has today approved the two hundred thousand dollar bond issue by twenty to one vote stop six thousand votes cast stop locally this is regarded as an expression of your magnificent gift which makes a Santa Barbara Harbor possible.

“Santa Barbara Bond Committee T. Paul Dalzell, president Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce.”

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THE HARBOR (Pliotc by Karl Obert)

With enough money to build the harbor assured, interest within the com munity turned to a discussion of the kind of sea wall that should be built.

Both the “Caisonners” and the “Rip-rappers” became very vocal in their efforts to win partisans to their respective sides. So intense did the interest become in this contest that men appeared at gatherings of the citizens in such places as the moving picture houses and actually took votes of those present on the merits of each type of construction. In the end, of course, it was the engineers who made the final decision in favor of rip-rap.

The decision for rip-rap having been made, the next problem that faced the Harbor Commissioners was the location of a suitable quarry from which to take the great blocks or chunks of hard stone that were needed. Such a quarry was located on Santa Cruz Island, which is largely of igneous origin; and from this place the great chunks were brought by barge. Because it was found as the work progressed that additional sums were needed to complete 9

ihe work. Mr. Fleischmann made three additional contributions of large size to the City. Altogether, he gave 8630,000.00 for the completion of the project.

January 12th, 1926 November. 1928 to July, 1929 July, 1929 to January, 1930 April, 1940

To match the City bond issue For additional 600 feet of structure For connecting groin and improvements For permanent pumping plant

$200,000 250,000 100,000 80,000

Because Major Verrill’s report to the Harbor Commissioners on August 8th, 1933, describes clearly the several stages in the actual building of the breakwater, those parts of it that are pertinent are quoted here in full.

“The Board of Harbor Commissioners, “Santa Barbara, California.

“Cenllenient; “In accordance with your instructions the following report is submitted regarding the present condition and needed development of Santa Barbara Harbor, together with maps and plans showing the proposed improvements and estimates of cost. . . “6. IM PROVEMENT OF THE HARBOR: Previous to 1927 no improvement of the harbor was undertaken except the construction of several wharves, none of which now remain with the exception of Stearns Wharf, which was rebuilt in 1928.

“During the winter the entire harbor was formerly exposed to severe southeasterly gales and the resulting seas from time to time caused much damage, not only to vessels hut also breached sea walls and bulkheads and washed away roads. In the summer the usual southwesterly winds created enough sea to make it a disagreeable and often unsafe anchorage of yachts and small craft. A breakwater to ameliorate these conditions and increase the use of the harbor has long been desired and urged. In 1878 a survey with reference to such improvement was ordered by Congress. In his report the District Engineer officer, Lieut. Col. C. S. Stewart, proposed a rip-rap breakwater located in depth of about 40 ft. and estimated to cost over $5,000,000 but reported that such an expenditure was not justified by the amount of commerce then existing or in sight. In 1911, at the request of citizens, a preliminary examination was ordered but the report of the District Engineer was again unfavorable.

“Finally in 1926, with $400,000 available, half obtained from a bond issue and half contributed by Major Max C. Fleischmann, an ardent yachtsman who spends some of his time in Montecito. plans were drawn up for a breakwater about 1800 ft. long to protect the westerly portion of the harbor. These plans were approved by the Chief of Engineers and permit for the work, dated September 17th, 1926. was issued by the Secretary of War. After various delays, a contract was let for the construction of a rubble mound breakwater about 1200 feet long and on June 8th, 1927, the first stone was placed. This contract was completed June 14th, 1929, but before it was finished Major Fleischmann contracted with the same firm of contractors to build an additional 600 feet of breakwater at a cost of $250,000 more, an extension to make the total length about 2,900 feet being authorized by the Secretary of War under a permit dated September 21st, 1930, and the breakwater obtained under the two contracts was 1810 ft. long on lop.

“The original plan contemplated leaving an open space of ,500 ft. or more between the inner end of the breakwater and the shore at Point Castillo. During the latter part of 1928 the beach to the eastward of Point Castillo began to build and as the breakwater was lengthened this building became more and more rapid, For explanation of this rapid accrection to the beach, attention is invited to paragraph 9. As the beaches are considered one of Santa Barbara’s greatest attractions and as they were formerly often denuded of sand after severe storms, everybody was much pleased when this accrection began. In less than a year 200,000 cubic yards of sand was deposited along the shore in the lee of the breakwater, forming an area of about 10 acres at a level of 8 to 9 ft. above low tide. By this time even the most ardent beach enthusiasts were satisfied and

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it was decided to prevent further filling by closing the gap between the breakwater and the shore with a rip-rap wall with a core of small quarry grout and waste.

“Up to this time the only purpose of the breakwater was to protect the harbor.

Witli the idea of making it a source of recreation and enjoyment for the entire community, it was decided to add a concrete top and parapet to form a promenade and to add electric lights, permanent seats and a public landing. Again .^^ajor Fleisclimann came forward and assumed the cost of these recreational facilities, of closing the gap between the shore and the inner end of the breakwater and of building a steel tower on the outer end for the navigation light now maintained there by the United States Bureau of Lighthouses.

“These various additions and improvements were completed in the latter part of June, 1930. Since then the only additional improvements in that portion of the harbor to the westward of Steams Wharf have been the construction, along the inner arm of the breakwater and approach thereto, of the service station and moorings for row boats described in Paragraph 4, b and d.

“In the easterly portion of the harbor the shore has been protected for a distance of about 4,400 feet by short pilings and rip-rap and two steel and four wooden groins have been constructed. The total cost of this shore protection work was about $125,000, the funds being obtained partly from the county, partly from the city and partly from private donations.”

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Isabel More Austin—1864-1941

By Camilla Waterman Austin Artistic talent is born. It is absolutely lovely and always elusive and refreshing, belle More Austin had more than her share of it.

She was the daughter of John J. More and Miriam Hickox More, who were among the early pioneers to come to Santa Barbara from Akron, Ohio.

The Mores lived in the old homestead at Santa Barbara and Arrellaga Streets, where they divided their time between the old More Ranch, known as More’s Landing, and Santa Rosa Island, which for years was a family possession.

It was the days of horses and carriages, and most “Barberenos” rode horse back about town and out to the ranches. This was the only transportation, and there was no paving on any of the city streets. Four generations met for meals in the old homestead—the great grandparents, grandparents, par ents, and three sons and Aunt (Miriam More). When visiting friends arrived, fourteen or more for dinner was not uncommon.

Belle More, as she was called, soon showed her artistic and literary interests. In High School, in the old San Marcos Building, she early developed a dream of college, which, at that time on the Pacific Coast, meant Mills College, then a seminary for Girls in Oakland. During her years there, under the leadership of its founder, Mrs. Mills, my mother-in-law’s delight was found in imaginative literature and the arts. In the former, she w'rote stories for children that appeared in the “Youth’s Companion” and “St. Nicholas;” and in the latter she discovered the creative joy of painting in water-colors.

It was some years after her graduation in one of the first classes of Mills College, and after her marriage to Charles Perry Austin, of New York, that she turned to her first love of sketching and painting. At first, it was water-colors of landscapes and still life. Later, she, with an old friend, Mrs. “Billy” Burton, worked together on a new fad which swept over the country, designs and decorations on burnt leather. Then came the tooled leather so treasured by the Spaniards on their handsome saddles. This medium seemed so inadequate and lacking inspiration! Then the great discovery came—it was to acid color to the leather with its tooled design. So Belle More made the experiment, even as the Florentine artists did centuries before.

Fitting up a room built onto the old wood shed as a studio, its walls were soon covered by pieces of old illuminated leather brought from Italy in soft and brilliant colors the Italians excelled in using to emphasize their beautiful designs. Soon long tables were covered with well tanned hides on which patterns from patterns from the Old World were carefully traced with the imported tools used by the workers in leather in Italy, and tubes of paints and varnishes from France. Then, alone in her studio, she braved the task of hammering out the designs on the large hides which had been carefully softened with warm water and dried. Three and four panel screens, chests, and bookends became alive with color. Peacocks of brilliant hue, wild flowers, musical lyres, and family crests adorned these works of art.

A screen was specially designed for the Pacific Union Club of San Francisco, a screen and paneling for Mrs. Phoebe Hearst’s dining room in 12

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A Castilian Coat of Arms (By Isabel More Austin)

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Pleasanton, and the same for Mrs. Clinton Hale in Santa Barbara—this last mentioned screen is now at Mrs. Lawrence More’s home in Montecito. A screen made for Mrs. Frederick Gould now is in the beautiful dining-room at the Lennart Palme’s residence. Other screens were made, one for the Harrison Gray Otis family, of Los Angeles, and several for the Edwin Gledhills, in payment for their lovely photographs of her family. She made, also, screens for her three sons, Perry, Winthrop, and Jack—the last is now in the home of Mrs. Walter Briggs.

The chests for children were charmingly designed with nursery rhymes, and the bookends with family coat of arms.

Mr. Reginald Johnson, the architect of the Montecito Biltmore Hotel, had Mrs. Austin design the coat of arms of Castile for him. This colorful work, after all these years, still distinguishes the library of the Flotel.

Three beautiful “Books of Memory,” with the seal of the Diocese of Los Angeles on them, were placed in St. Paul’s Cathedral, in Los Angeles, in St. Luke’s Church, in Long Beach, and for the “Good Samaritan Hospital” Memorial Bed. Although her husband had gone back and forth to Europe many times, it was not until late in life that Belle More at last went to Italy and saw for herself that she had discovered the secret of the Renaissance artists. Her tubes of oil paint, her brushes, and her tools, she had imported from France; but it was her talent and inspiration, worked out in her improvised studio in Santa Barbara, that had brought her distinguished work to completion.

Camilla Waterman Austin

El Vaquero Viejo

By Clifford McElrath (Copyright applied for)

I first saw Joe Espinosa or Old Joe or El Viejo as he was variously called when I was cattle boss and bronc rider for the Santa Cruz Island Co. shortly after World War I. Joe had worked for the Island Co. for many years but before I came to the island he had had a run-in with the superintendent and had been let go.

Jose was an old Spanish vaquero past 80 years old; he did not know his exact age, but he had been born a subject of Mexico in Santa Barbara and had seen Fremont raise the first American flag in that town, had roped Grizzly bears for the bull and bear fights, knew Joaquin Murrietla, Three Finger Jack and Vasquez, and had driven cattle from Los Angeles to San Francisco many times.

Jose was camped at Campo Chino about two or three miles from Prison ers Harbor fishing crawfish for a living. In getting into his skiff he dragged his 30-30 in by the muzzle. The bullet took the first joint off of two of his fingers, glanced around a rib and lodged under the skin on his back.

He wrapped the stumps of his fingers in a bandana handkerchief and row'ed all the way to Prisoners Harbor. His reason was that he couldn’t reach the bullet to cut it out and wanted someone to do it for him. He was quite disgusted and considered us all a bunch of sissies when we refused to 14

do it for him and the superintendent put him on the boat and sent him to Santa Barbara for medical aid.

He never told me why he was getting into his skiff with a 30-30. Maybe we had one more calf at branding time. I never worried too much about it.

It was costumbre.

1 he next time I met him was when I had become superintendent and we were dehorning a large number of cows at the Scorpion ranch at the east end of the island. Dehorning cattle in those days was a rough, brutal job. We roped them and stretched them out and sawed the horns off.

Jose had returned to the island and was camped at Potato Harbor. After finishing work the first day we were eating supper when Jose showed up.

He said he had come to visit with some of his old friends and his brother Quale. The old coyote didn’t fool me any. I knew he had come to hit me up for his old job.

We were short handed and I liked the old boy’s looks, he was a fine specimen for an old man, and 1 put him on for a few days as 1 told him.

Those few days stretched into several years or as long as I was on the island.

Jose was about medium size, slender and wiry, was fast and definite in all his movements. He had good acquiline features showing his Spanish blood but his Indian blood showed in his black eyes and many of his per sonal characteristics. He had probably been very good looking as a young man.

When we went to work the next day Jose proved to be all that was said of him. He was an artist wdth riata, a fine rider and knew cattle. Many of our horses were cold backed or reparoso as we called them, meaning that when you got on them in the morning you were due for from one to a dozen stiff-legged bucks. In spite of his age this never bothered Jose. He would ride any horse that came along. I never gave him any bad horses but sometimes out on the range some rider would have a horse that he was afraid of and then I would see Joe coming in riding the bronc and the other rider on the gentle horse. Joe’s answer would be “El bruto iba a matar el pobrecito.” (,The brute was going to kill the poor fellow.)

As time went on I took to taking Joe with me when I had a long trip to make. I would get him to telling me stories of the early days, which he loved to do. Make no mistake, Jose could spin a windy as well as the next one, but I grew to know him and could generally tell the difference. He also had a keen sense of historical values. He told me many times that I should put what he told me on paper “because when I am dead there will be none who remember these things.”

One interesting fact that he told me was about the big arroyo that comes down through west Santa Barbara. Prior to El Gran Creciente, a big storm some time in the 1870’s, this was nothing but a cattle trail formed by the cattle coming down to the cienega near the beach for water. During the year of the Gran Creciente there was a cloud burst in Salsipuedes canyon and the rush of water cut the arroyo to near its present depth and size in a single night.

As to Joaquin Murrietta, Jose scoffed at the idea that he was ever killed, as have some other old Californios that I have talked to. He said, “Muchacho, 1 knew him as well as I know you. He spent many nights at my father’s home and I have sat and listened to his stories by the hour. He was a fine looking 15

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man with fine features. I saw the head that they exhibited through the state and it was the typical flat faced head of a cholo. The head that exhibited witli it was Three Fingered Jack who I also knew well, but the other was not Murrietta’s.

As to Fremont and the fi rst American flag raised in Santa Barbara he pointed out a spot in the middle of De la Guerra Street. There is a small adobe just east of the De la Guerra building. He measured out 18 paces from the southwest corner of this building and said, This is where the fi rst flag was raised. A man named Talo Pitin ran a cantina in the adobe where ma'ny were drinking that day. They attempted to run the flag up and the halyards stuck. Someone offered $10.00 to anyone who would climb the pole and free the halyards. A little Indian boy that I used to play with who could climb like a monkey went shinnying up the pole. Just as he got to the top 16

the pole broke and he fell and was killed before my eyes, so it impressed it on my mind forever.

“The men freed the halyards, set the pole up again and raised the flag.

It flew here for three days and then they moved it to the place where they now have a plaque.”

He then turned to me and said, “Muchacho, you should go tell the people who keep the historia de pueblo so that this can be a matter of record.” I asked him if he had ever tried to straighten out a historian and he said no.

I replied, “Neither did I and I am not going to start now'. We both know it was raised so let’s let it go at that.”

As to Grizzly bear he told me many interesting stories which I will omit so as not to bore my readers. Two, however, are worth touching on very briefly. A short while before he died I took him for a ride in my car. We drove out between Santa Barbara and Montecito. There were at that time several acres of vacant land at the mouth of a gully where the gully spread out into a flat. There was a large clump of poison oak and yerba oso or bear brush growing in the flat.

“Here,” he said, “is where I roped my first grizzly w’hen I was about 14 years old. A group of us were riding together w'hen some dogs we had with us started up a bear in that clump. We surrounded the clump and the bear charged out right at me. My father shouted ‘Laselo’ meaning rope him.

1 was afraid of lliat bear but I was more afraid to disobey my father so I roped him. Others then got their riatas on him and w'e choked him to death.”

At the time I visited Jose he had been laid up for some months. His horse had fallen with him running down a hill on the island and he had been hurt so that he could not w’ork. lie w'as shipped over to Santa Barbara where he finally got back into shape. He had then instead of taking a bus or other modern conveyance gotten hold of a horse and crossed the mountains and traveled all through the Cuyama, the San Marcos and I guess a lot of other back country until he landed a job riding for some ranch. When 1 saw him he was cleaning up his equipment preparatory to going to work.

Jose told me that while he was in the back country he had seen two grizzly bears. I asked him if he was sure they were grizzlies and not black bears. He replied somewhat indignantly, “Do you think anyone who has caught as many grizzlies as I have would make that mistake?” I dropped the matter thinking that perhaps the old man’s memory was wandering into the long ago.

About ten years ago I read an article in the Readers Digest which said that there was a strong possibility that grizzlies still existed in some of the remote spots back of Santa Barbara such as Sespe Canyon and in parts of Modoc County. Be that as it may I hope that they were grizzlies that he saw and that the so-called sportsmen have not yet succeeded in killing the last of the species.

Jose was a grand old man and my friend. He could not read the printed page but he could read a track in the dust as well as any Indian and taught me much about the art of tracking. He was an hombre del campo to the last.

His stories lose much in being translated into everyday English. The old California Poche, that mixture of early Spanish and Indian in which he told them, seemed to add flavor and romance to them.

Descansa en paz, amigo mio.

17

The Underhill Cooeh

The End of the Horse and Saddle Days Dear Mr. Spaulding: I lived in Santa Barbara from September, 1909 until March, 1911. During this time, I worked at the G. M. Higgins Garage and Shop, 418 Stale Street.

Mr. Higgins had the agency for Cadillac. Pierce Arrow, and Pope Hartford cars. His father had the agency for the Whiling Car, a small car made by Buick. He was struck and killed by a train at a rail crossing between Santa Barbara and Carpinteria (I think it was near Serena) while driving one of these cars. The Higgins Ranch was at the south edge of Carpinteria, where the large, white house still stands. There were asphalt deposits near the beach on the ranch, and he was instrumental in getting some of the asphalt laid on the bad spots on the road to Golela. He was also a booster for the Rincon Road to Ventura, staling that, once the wood causways were in and the road opened, the fill would come later. This was true as the fill was made .before the causeways reached the failing stage. This road not only shortened the distance to Ventura but also made winter travel much better, as the Casitas Pass sometimes was impassable. I recall that, one evening, two new Packard cars came into the garage so covered with mud that the spokes in the wheels could not be seen. Due to an excellent car washer, the next morning they both were shining and ready for delivery.

Mr. Higgins sponsored a picnic at the Ranch to which all Cadillac owners and their families were invited. We left in a convoy, with the Cadillac pen nants tied to the wind shields, and a good time was had by all.

One time, Ventura held a bean festival and a large group of cars went there together. The only mishap on the trip occurred when a one-cylinder Cadillac delivery car, with a high, closed body, upset on Casitas Pass. As many hands make light work, we soon had it righted and were on our way.

The lead car stopped at the bridge at the edge of Ventura until they all got together. Ben Robinson, our bookkeeper, said: “Let’s blow the whistle.

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make a noise, and wake ’em up!” We did just that with horns and exhaust whistles blaring.

Tables had been set up in a warehouse, and we were fed beans cooked in about every way a person could imagine. We had bean soup, bean salad, beans baked and boiled. The pie and cake had beans and bean flour among the ingredients, and the coffee had a slight taste of beans.

I read in a recent history recap about the first motorized fire equipment in Santa Barbara. As Mr. Higgins had the Pope Hartford agency, I had a chance to ride in it and to drive it. It was a Pope Hartford chassis with the fire equipment mounted on it. This included a chemical tank and a hose bed.

It was delivered by “Wild Bill” Ruess, the Los Angeles dealer.

Mr. Dugan, who ran a plumbing business, was fire chief at the time.

I recall that, in order to keep the unwanted bums from sitting in his personal car while it was parked in the street, he had a spark coil rigged in such a manner that, when they sat down, it gave them a jolt and they promptly left.

The following are some of the cars and the people who owned them. I will comment on some of them as incidents come to mind: The William Miller Graham family, who lived at Booth’s Point, owned two De Launay Bellville cars made in Scotland. Their son had a Pope Hart ford roadster. Some time after I left Santa Barbara, I stopped at a shop on State Street near the railroad, operated by Bill Rust (who later taught en gineering at the Normal School). He had one of the Scotch cars on which he was installing an electric starting and lighting system, which he had de signed. He staled that he had already finished the same job on the other car, which had proved very successful.

George Borden, the son of Gale Borden of the Borden Milk Company, had an Isotta Franchini roadster, made in Milan, Italy. It was a four-cylinder, four-speed, double chain drive job, with transmission and differential mounted in one case and. to give some idea of the size of the unit, I found that, after overhauling it, it required over 70 pounds of lubricant to fill it to the proper

level.

During March, 1911, Mr. Borden called the garage and said he was leaving for the east the next day. He wanted the car taken to Los Angeles to be shipped, along with another car of a friend of his, and, as I was familiar with the car, he wanted me to drive it down and to see him at the depot for final instructions as to the place to take it. I saw him at his private car, which was parked along with some others across Chapala Street from the Express Office. On leaving, he wished me good luck and gave me a ten dollar tip. I delivered the car at the shipping point without trouble except that, due to the lack of road signs, I got on the wrong road and had to back track a short distance.

Stewart Edward White had a Stoddard Dayton. E. C. Converse, who lived in New York and wintered in Santa Barbara, owned two Stearns cars, models 15-30 and 30-60, which were shipped to the Coast and back each year. Dr. Harold Sidebotham had a 1909 Cadillac. Huron Rock owned a Cadillac and, later had the Cadillac agency. Mr. Teague, the father of Con gressman Teague, had a one-cylinder Cadillac. Emmet Ord, of Ord Ice Com pany, had a four-cylinder, two-cycle Elmore car.

John Williamson, the building conractor, had a Palmer Singer, on which the brakes were bad due to poor linkage (I made some changes 19

which made them much better). Louis Dreyfus, the real estate man, owned an Autocar. Mr. Pierce, who owned a furniture store near the garage, had a two-cylinder Reo. Mr. Carty, on Chapala Street, owned rent cars, three Pierce Arrows and a Peerless. Claud Biddle, who, I think, still lives in Santa Barbara, was one of his drivers. Dr. R. W. Brown owned a 1910

Cadillac.

Francis Underhill had a Cadillac. He had trouble at the San Julian Ranch north of Las Cruces. On arriving there, I found that a gear tooth had broken off in the transmission and had cracked the cast iron case. As disconnecting the drive line for towing the car would require removal of the rear axle, and as several miles of bad ranch roads to Las Cruces lay ahead, 1 decided to make temporary repairs. 1 fished out the broken gear tooth and made a clamp hold the case together in their blacksmith shop, and drove the car in on its own power, where major repairs were made.

The Kaime family owned a chaffeur driven Packard and a town car that was, I think, electric; but I do not recall the name of it. The Packard came in with a broken rear spring and with spring clips damaged beyond repair. The parts were ordered from Los Angeles. The spring arrived but the clips were not available. We had clips in stock that would answer the purpose but the thread was standard. The old clips were odd thread. The driver, being very exacting, wanted them just as Packard had made them.

This required making new clips and nuts, and threading them all in the lathe.

Ed Vail, the banker, had a 1910 Cadillac. He had learned to drive it around town and wanted to visit the Santa Maria oil fields; but he felt that he was not yet capable of driving over the San Marcos Pass, which, at that time had many steep, short hairpin turns and was an all dirt road. I was appointed to drive him. He took t%vo men with him. We stayed all night at 20

the Alamo Pintado Inn, between Ballard and Los Olivos. This was at the time that Halley’s comet was passing, and we had a wonderful view of it from the Inn. We visited the oil fields, where one of the Palmer gushers was active. On the return, Mr. Vail took a different route through ranch lands with which he was familiar. At one point, we came to an old wooden bridge across a gully. After a look at the bridge it was decided that the less weight was put on it the better; so I drove over and the men walked across it. We returned over the San Marcos Pass and arrived home without any accident or trouble.

There was a man who operated a sight-seeing car (I don’t remember his name) built from a Tourist two-cylinder, chain drive car made in Los Angeles. This was mounted on a heavy, long frame with sprockets where the wheels had been, and chains driving solid-tired truck wheels. The seats were mounted crosswise. It would carry several people. One of his trips was cr up Dibblee Hill, along Cliff Drive, and back through Hope Ranch, alon^ Modoc Road and by Veronica Springs. Another route was by the Mission, over the Riviera and through Montecito, and return. I did most of the main tenance work on it. It had to be in top condition to climb Dibblee Hill when loaded with passengers.

The following are the names of some of the cars in Santa Barbara, but I do not recall the names of the owners: German Mercedes, Renault, Daimler Knight, Panhard Levassor, and Schacht—all foreign cars. The American town cars were: Pope Waverly Electrie, Woods Electric, and one-cylinder, rear engine Pierce Arrow. The steam cars were: White, Stanley, and Loco mobile. The gasoline driven cars were: Locomobile, Amplex, American

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Simplex, Smith and Mabley Simplex, Royal Tourist, AIco, and one- and twocylinder Reos, one-, two-, four-, and six-cylinder Fords, Carter Car, Tourist, Durocar, three-cylinder Compound, Holsman, Waterless Knox, Buckboard, one-, two-, and four-cylinder Oldsmobiles, Apperson, Haynes, E. M. F., Flanders, Metz, Lozier, Stevens Duryea, Kissel Kar, and Stutz.

Most of the new cars came in without tops, windshields, speedometers, bumpers, and spare tire carriers. Occasionally, one came in without head lamps. These extras were installed according to the new owners’ wishes.

Whereas, modern automotive maintenance consists primarily of installing and adjusting parts, at that time it was necessary to make parts which were not available, such as shafts, gears, bearings, piston rings and pins, and parts for the roller bearings. In fact, we made any part that could be made in a machine shop.

Before I mention three or four of the jobs that stand out most clearly in my mind, I shall give a description of our shop. There were three lathes, a shaper, a No. 2 Broun and Sharpe milling machine with every attach ment that could be purchased for it, including a cutter, a grinder, and three bench drawers full of milling cutters. Mr. Higgins stated that these extras cost more than the machine. In addition, we had a well equipped blacksmith shop and a large stock of iron, steel, brass, and bronze of various shapes and sizes.

One day, a foreign car came in with a front fender so badly damaged that it normally would have been considered a washout. As it usually re quired two or three months to obtain such parts from Europe, plus installa tion and time in the paint shop, had we followed this procedure, the winter season would have been long gone before the job was done. As the owner 22

would not consider driving the car either with a damaged or a missing fend er, the order was to fix it. This required the better part of four days and then ten days in the paint shop before the car was back in service.

One afternoon, a Lozier car came in that would only run in the lower gears because of a broken gear shifter shaft. The owner stated that he was scheduled to play in a professional golf tournament at Del Monte the next afternoon, where prize money was involved; and he asked if we thought we could finish it that night in time for him to make the tournament. As the job required removal and almost complete disassembly of the transmis sion and the making of a new shaft, we told him it would be late that night or early morning before we could finish the job. He told us to do our best and to call him at his hotel when we had finished, regardless of what time it was. Frank Stewart, W'ho later had the shop in Carpinteria and who de veloped the public water system there, worked with me on it.

As the man left for the hotel, he gave us each a $5.00 tip and wished us success. We finished about four o’clock A.M. We called him and said we would give it a road test. When we returned to the garage, he w-as there.

As it was an eight or nine hour drive to Del Monte, we asked him to drop us a card to let us know how he made out. A few days later, we received a card stating that he had made it with a little time to spare and had won his part of the tournament.

One morning, Mr. Higgins told me that there was a Haynes car at Las Cruces with a broken rear spring. He had the measurement of it on a rough sketch and told me to make one, take it up there, and install it. As our shop car was laid up for repairs, I would have to go by train. I finished making the spring that afternoon and took the evening train to Gaviota, where I was met bv a man with a horse and buggy and taken to Las Cruces. I stayed over night at the Inn. The next morning, I started to work on the spring.

I had taken a chain block along, thinking that, perhaps, I might hang the car in an oak tree; but there was an old blacksmith shop in a building strong enough to support it, and there was plenty of firewood handy to crib up under the car for safety while I worked on it. I finished the job that after noon and was taken back to Gaviota. I came back on the evening train.

Leaving my tools and equipment at the depot, I walked home. The next morning, I went after them.

One day, a Peerless car came in with a noisy front wheel bearing. I think the car model was called a “Laundeau”. The body was closed in the rear and the driver sat out in the weather. There was one middleaged man in the rear alone. On removing the wheel. I found it equipped with Timken bearings. I thought this unusual, as all Peerless cars had been equipped with amular ball bearings in both front and rear wheels. One of the bear ings was badly damaged. As Timken bearings at that time were made much different from those in use today, I shall describe them. The roller container was composed of two rings, as disks, held together by shouldered riveted cross pins, and the rings had holes in them where the quill ends of the rollers fitted to keep them in alignment. I noted, also, that there was a slight difference in size of these parts from any that I had seen before. Both rings were broken and the cross pins were damaged beyond use, so these parts had to be made. This was more or less routine for me, as I had made similar repairs before, but it required some time.

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The owner sat in the car most of the time, but he got out two or three times and walked by the place where I was working; but he made no com ment. After the job was finished, the owner went into the office to pay the bill; and, when he came out, the driver introduced me to him. He was none other than W. R. Timken himself, the inventor of the bearings. He had made some minor changes in them and was trying them out in his own personal car.

I have a clipping from the News-Press, which is a recap of 50 years ago, dated April 22, 1910, regarding a car upset on Casitas Pass. Before describing this upset, 1 should like to mention an accident that 1 had at the same place while driving a new 1910 Cadillac from Los Angeles. The road at that point was a steep down grade with a very sharp left turn across a narrow fill. It had been raining and the road was slippery. I made the turn but got too close to the edge of the fillway and left both right wheels hang ing in the clear. The car was brought in that night without a scratch on it.

Regarding the upset car, we arrived there after dark. The car was a six cylinder Stevens-Duryea lying wheels up in the road. The injured woman had been removed to Sheppards Inn and Dr. Sidebotham told me she had a crushed chest and also bad blisters from the gasoline that had dripped on her while she was pinned under the car. (The gasoline tank was mounted under the front seat directly over the spot where she was lying in the road.)

1 was told that she died in the Inn a day or two later without being moved to a hospital.

Turning this car over was quite a problem as the road was very narrow.

It required anchor stakes in the bank and the skidding of the car as it was turned over. Our only light came from the headlights of the rescue car, a Pierce Arrow, and some hand lanterns. At the owner’s request, no repairs were made and we loaded it as it was in a boxcar for eastern shipment.

Frank W. Crakes

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If On the San Marcos Pass

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Activity Report—Women's Projects Board An autograph party for Edward Selden Spaulding on December 10, at the Fernald House, served as a fitting climax to 1961 for the Women’s Projects Board, whose 40 members had spent the year working to bring the Victorian mansion to some semblance of its former grandeur.

Mr. Spaulding conceived the idea of the book “Etchings of California” as a means of preserving for the enjoyment of the present generation, the beautiful collection of etchings of the California Missions made by Henry Chapman Ford in the 1880’s, and with permission from William A. Edwards, who inherited the “almost mint” collection from his aunt, the late Miss Anna Edwards, he selected 28 Mission scenes, and 8 views in and around Santa Barbara for reproduction in this book which was published by Pacific Coast Publishing Co., and came from the press November 15.

The music room, which is furnished with many of the original Fernald family pieces almost 100 years old, became the setting for Mr. Spaulding’s afternoon activity. Shortly after the appointed hour of 1:30 P.M., guests began arriving, some bringing books purchased elsewhere, but all eager to have our editor’s signature inscribed in a copy of the beautiful edition.

One guest, to our delight, not only became the ow'ner of seven copies (all autographed) but arranged at a later date, to obtain two more, to be used for Christmas-giving! It was indeed, a delightful and successful party.

Using the theme “The Fernald Family at Home”, the decorating com mittee placed an old-fashioned Christmas tree on the marble-topped hall table at tlie foot of the winding stairway leading to the upstairs bedrooms.

It filled many visitors with nostalgia when they glimpsed its strings of snow-white popcorn and ruby-red cranberries. Swags of red ribbons and cedar boughs completed this vignette of a bygone day.

In the music room a creche with figurines of wood from Oberammergau, Germany, lent for the occasion, and arranged by Mrs. Hamilton Greenough, lay on a piece of Victorian brocade, surrounded by palm-frond fans and succulents. Placed on the closed top of the grand piano (a recent gift from Mrs. Irving Wills, an associate member and wife of a director of the So ciety), this nativity scene became a focal point of interest.

Upstairs, in the children’s room, were an old fashioned toy iron stove, doll’s cradle and doll, and a miniature red sleigh filled with tiny wrapped packages.

Co-chairmen of the decorating committee were Mrs. Edw'ard Bozenhard and Miss Mary Chrisman, assisted by Mmes. Gene Harris (chairman of the women’s board), K. C. Bowman, Edward Bouton, Leland Crawford, Jr., Hamilton Greenough, John Locklin and Charles P. Harper. Mrs. John Locklin also decorated the Trussell-Winchester Adobe, which was open to visitors, using many of her Christmas ornaments which she had brought from Mexico. Of special interest was her Mexican creche arranged on the antique square piano, and the gay rooster pinata which hung in the kitchen.

Tea arrangements were under the direction of Mrs. Locklin and her hospitality committee, the Mmes. Leo McMahon, Raymond Paine and Milo T. Maier and her son, Michael. Mrs. W. Edwin Gledhill, curator of the Society’s museum, and wife of its director, presided at one end of the tea 25

table, while Mrs. George H. Finley, chairman of the garden committee of the Women’s Board, served at the other.

Since its reopening to visitors on January 7, 1962, the Fernald House has welcomed many out-of state guests. To the surprise of the hostesses on duty, more than 60 names were entered in our guest book that first day, -wiith the largest proportion of them coming from such distant places as Spo kane and Seattle, Wash., Oklahoma, Oregon, Montreal and Victoria, B.C., Canada.

Two beautiful new redwood signs, the work of Edward L. Harris, have been erected by the Women’s Board, to mark the locations of the Adobe and the Fernald House. These were placed on January 13, under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Harris. On December 13, 1961, Mr. John Hartfeld, landscape architect in charge of designing and planting the grounds, and Mrs. Harris, planted the first palm tree in the “Circle 0” plot, which is dedi cated to the memory of the Judge Fernald family. Mr. Hartfeld has the circular flagstone walk laid, and is now ready to continue with the plantin D’ as soon as the cement bench and sundial (which we hope someone will pro vide for the plot) are obtained and in place. Our committee is also hoping to locate a Victorian hitching post to jjlace near the front entrance of the Fernald House.

On January 10, the Santa Barbara Volunteer Bureau held its annual meeting, preceded by a tea for its members, at the Fernald House.

On January 13, a meeting of the Legislative Council of the Conference of California Historical Societies was held at the Fernald House. Attending were Mr. Burr Beiden, historian, of the San Bernardino Sun, and former president of the Conference, and Mr. Walter Frame, chairman of the Com mittee, who met with Mr. W. Edwin Gledhill to plan for the campaign to place an amendment on the November ballot.

The Senate Constitutional Amendment, No. 11 on the ballot, is a measure to give the assessor the right to assess historic landmarks held in private ownership, on their particular use, and not on the highly inflated value of surrounding property (similar to the Golf Club legislation approved at the last election).

The ])assage of No. 11 is considered necessary to the preservation of our historic buildings and sites (See: Director's Report, ‘^Noticias”, Winter, I960—Vol. VI, No. 4, p. 26).

Present also at the meeting were Richard Praul, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Harry W. Hoimquist, Santa Barbara County Tax Assessor, and Mrs. Gene Harris, who welcomed the guests and conducted them on a tour of the Fernald House, following the meeting.

WiLBERT.\ M. Finley

Annual Meeting The Santa Barbara Historical Society held its annual meeting and election of officers at the Society’s rooms in the Old Mission on Thursday, January 2.5, 1962, at 4 P.M. Following the business meeting, tea was served to the members in the library. Pouring were Mrs. Hilmar 0. Koefod, wife of the re-elected president, and Mrs. Godwin Pelissero. In charge of tea and 26

flower arrangements were Mrs. Elmer H. Whittaker and Mrs. Wilson Forbes respectively.

The formal meeting was called to order by Dr. Hilmar 0. Koefod, president.

Mr. Don W. Woods, chairman of the Finance Committee, and chairman of the promotion committee responsible for raising funds for the new Museum buildin D’ gave O his report which was approved. Preliminary sketches of the exterior elevation of the new Museum, drawn by Robert Ingle Hoyt, AIA, were exhibited to the members.

Mr. W. Edwin Gledhill. Museum Director, presented a brief resume of the accomplishments of the Society since its re-organization in 1954 to the current year. Noting the increase in membership, acquisitions and stature of the organization, he said, “Its activities and collections have far outgrown these beautiful rooms we now occupy in the Old Mission, and when we have to leave it will be with rgret, but also with gratitude and great appreciation for the hospitality and kindness of the Franciscan Fathers.”

He added, “In the years ahead, the possibilities for the development of your Society are without limitations. I envision a very great future for tlie Society in years to come.”

Mr. Gledhill thanked all those whose interest has yielded service to the Society—the news media, radio and TV stations in the city for their splendid co-operation; Editor-in-chief of the quarterly, “Noticias”, Edward Selden Spaulding, and his staff, for their devoted work on the publication; and the ladies of the Women’s Projects Board and its capable chairman, Mrs. Gene Harris, for their work in the preservation of the Fernald House.

President Koefod in his message, stated “We start the new year with a feeling of confidence that we will soon be housed in our new home . . .

There is a need to clarify a much misunderstood situation regarding our financial status; We are in the process of receiving three bequests, two quite sizable ones. The income from these bequests will be about sufficient to meet modest running expenses of our new building and staff. It is against this capital that we are borrowing money so that we may proceed with our building. To conserve our capital as an endowment, it will be necessary to raise sufficient money to repay the borrowed money.”

Assisting Don Woods, who was re-elected vice-president, are Mrs. Wilson Forbes, Mrs. Ernest Menzies, and Mrs. Charles Cannon, of the board. Planned for the near future is a drive for new members, by the committee.

Several changes in the board were effected: Hugh J. Weldon was elected to second vice-president to succeed Mrs. Robert Ingle Hoyt, who resigned but will remain on the board. Mrs. Godwin Pelissero will succeed Mrs. Menzies on the board, the latter resigning because of time limitations.

Fr. Virgil Cordano was named to succeed as a member of the board, Fr. Basil Kelly, O.F.M., who is now in Oregon.

Re-elected also were Paul G. Sweetser, secretary; Mrs. Henry Griffiths, treasurer: and the following other board members: Mrs. Charles Cannon, Mrs. Wilson Forbes, John Galvin, John D. Gill, W. Edwin Gledhill, Thomas J. McDermott, Edward Selden Spaulding, Garrett Van Horne, Elmer H. Whittaker, and Dr. Irving N. Wills.

Following adjournment, the members were given a preview of the new exhibit which is of the American Period, 1850-1929.

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Annual Dinner Celebration The Santa Barbara Historical Society, co-sponsors with the Old Mission fathers, invited its members and the general public to a dinner at the Restaurante del Paseo on the evening of December 4, 1961, to pay tribute to St. Barbara, on whose feast day in 1786 the Old Mission was founded. Al most 200 Santa Barbarans were in attendance at this gala pre-Christmas party which had been arranged by Mrs. Robert Ingle Hoyt. With the assist ance of her committee Mrs. Hoyt created an old-world atmosphere with beautiful flowers and candle light—a perfect setting for the program which followed dinner.

Dr. Hilmar 0. Koefod, president of the Historical Society, welcomed the guests, and thanked the Mission Fathers for their hospitality to the Society for the past seven years. lie said, “The Mission is the focal point of our history. Our city has grown up around it.”

The Very Reverend Terrence Cronin, O.F.M., of Oakland, director of Franciscan activities on the West Coast, in an engaging talk on the personalities of cities, paid Santa Barbara high praise for her “irrisistible charm”. He spoke of the mission’s quiet dignity and it’s impact upon the character of the city, leading the community to a contemplation of better things.

Dr. Philip Powell, professor of history at the University of California at Santa Barbara, was the featured speaker. He said: “This aptly named ‘Queen of the Missions’ represents far more history than the 17.5 years, in themselves, would indicate ... The Old Mission contains a record of Western man’s experience dating from classical antiquity”. He concluded by stressing that the Hispanic emphasis is a guide line of community purpose that could beget a unique cultural superiority for Santa Barbara—a very special and truly useful contribution to national need—and a very logical nourishment of pride in our own historical roots.

Preceding the talks, the Padre Choristers, under the direction of Fr. Pierre Etchelecu, sang three selections, illustrating the mission’s international musical heritage. The Rev. Virgil Cordano, O.F.M., served as master of ceremonies.

IN MEMORIAM

Miss Vesta A. Olmstead Miss Mary Peckham

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SANTA BARBARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 1 962 OFFICERS President First Vice President...

Second Vice President.

.Dr. Hilmar 0. Koefod Don W. Woods Hugh J. Weldon Paul G. Sweetser

Secretary Treasurer Past President

Mrs. Henry Griffiths .Thomas J. McDermott DIRECTORS

Mrs. Charles H. Cannon Mrs. Wilson Forbes John Galvin John D. Gill W. Edwin Gledhil]

Edward S. Spaulding Mrs. Robert Ingle Hoyt Garrett Van Horne Elmer H. Whittaker

Rev. Virgil Cordano

Dr. Irving N. Wills

Mrs. Godwin Pelissero

W. Edwin Gledhill Mrs. W. Edwin Gledhill

Museum Director Curator Editor-in-Chief

Edward Selden Spaulding

NEW MEMBERS ACTIVE Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ames Mrs. James B. Canby Mrs. Howard Eder Mr. Jin Woo Gin Mrs. William K. Harrison Mr. R. M. Heggie Mrs. Madeline Maldonado Father Noe! Hoholy, O.F.M. Mrs. Caroline Morton

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis C. Mr. Patrick LIoyd-Butler Jordan Mr. and Mrs. Paul Squibb Dr. and Mrs. Walter L. Mr.s. Edward R. Toporeck Treadway Dr. V. L. Vander Hoof Mrs. Flo Comito Wendelken Mrs. Barton Robinson CONTRIBUTING Mrs. Burton Williams Mrs. Frederick W. Kroll Mrs. Robert E. Wilson SUSTAINING Dr. and Mrs. Ernest R. Dickerson

PATRON Dr. and Mrs. H. I. Burtness Mr. Oakleigh Thome

The Society wishes to express sincere thanks to the following donors: Mrs. Fred Acres Mr. and Mrs. I. A. Bonilla Mrs. E. G. Chambers Mr. James Cook Mrs. Wilson Forbes Mrs. Anton Hegeniann Mrs. J. H. Hurst Mr. Gordon Langley Hall

Commander Dudley J.

Kierniff Mr. Dwight .Murphy Miss Frederica Poett Mr. Richard I. Pourade Mrs. William L. Otte Mr. A. B. Ruddock Dr. Albert Shumate

Miss Marie Phelps Sweet Dr. Irving N. Wills Mr. Don W. Woods Mr. E. S. Spaulding Mrs. Samuel J. Stanwood Dr. Hilmar 0. Koefod Mrs. Grafton Minot Mr. Edwin Tunis Mr. Tarben Werner

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP There are Eve classes of membership: Benefactor, $100; Patron, $25; Contributing, $15; Sustaining, $10; Active, $5. Dues are tax deductible.

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MISSION, SANTA

BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

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U. S. Postage PAID Santa Barbara, Calif.

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