Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 61

IS 1 EDITOR I A FEATURES attlanb STribune AlCtf( Mitt. VOL CLV OAKLAND TRIBUNE, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1951 1 NO. 155 i I party, also decides to run oni the same platform, President Truman is going to be hard put to gloss oyer facts and try" and confuse the picture with foreign policy mumbo jumbo. yfOULD be that some Democrats in these parts would welcome the ouster ll or resignation of Secretary of the Treasury Snyder and Attorney Gen-' eral McGrath. Certainly those two worthies head departments that have caused Bourbons more headaches than they've had in many a year.

The Truman Administration scandals are, we hear, almost more than a political machine already wracked by internal disruptive forces can stand. Nation-wide evidences of fnalfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance, mink coats, deep freezers and fishing trips were bad enough. But when a Chinatown in the neighborhood bounded, by Webster, Alice, First and Third, Streets," he writes. "After the San Francisco' fire in 1906, there wast built a community of stores and two-story buildings, all occupied by Chinese merchants who were forced to re-establish themselves and their firms. There were several alleys in the middle of the block which were occupied as living quarters.

One alley I remember was called Sing Fat Alley. The others I have forgotten. "I was the letter carrier in this district and these Chinese firms received a lot of mail, especially when the steamers arrived from China. These letters were quite interesting, as they were covered by Chinese writing with just the address in English written in the lower right hand corner. Each store was the headquarters of a certain family.

All the Lees went to one store; the Lims went to another store, etc. They were a friendly people after they got to know you (which took some time), and they called me 'Coe which I afterward found meant 'tall' in Chinese, and no doubt was intended to describe my height of 6 foot 3. On the southeast corner of Second and Alice there was a Chinese theater which I was invited to attend one night, and I was given a seat on one end of the stage where I could look out into the audience and also turn my head to the left where I could watch the plavers. This was 40 years ago, but I can still see the audience in front of me, and they never laughed, cried or applauded, but just sat there and looked. I couldn't tell if they were enjoying it or not, but they seemed to like the watermelon seeds that they were cracking with their teeth.

The costumes of the players were beautiful, and there was a lot of dashing around the stage, striking of cymbals and talking in falsetto voices. The men sat on one side of the theater and the women on the other side. Hold mud or, if stuck, that it had freed itself. At the appropriate moment grandfather would hitch horse and buggy and go clattering down the hill to meet his' boss on the wharf 1 One of grandfather's jobs was to plant a large orchard. Years later he invested in numerous pieces of East Oakland property, both business and residential.

He recognized many of the trees on his properties as parcel of the orchard he had planted as a youth. Edwin Goodrich Mathews died September 28, 1893, at the age of 77'years. He deserves to be better remembered by posterity in the city where he lived 33 years and served as justice of the peace. LLOYD HARE. Motoring 40-Odd Years Ago The Knave recently came on some diverting information concerning motoring in 1907.

For instance, Otto A. Putzker of Berkeley claimed to be the first owner of an automobile in Alameda County. He began with a small Locomobile in 1897. By 1907 he had purchased and driven three Fords, two Wintons, a Rambler and finally a Dolson The Southern California Automobile Club celebrated the year by installing signboards on the roadlfrom Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, Fresno and San Diego, making it "an impossibility for a motorist to get off the road." The 1908 Acme six-cylinder car was being tested on the roads near Reading, Pa. It was expected to develop between 50 and 60 horsepower.

The Pierce Arrow runabout was described as "a handsome and powerful car" and cost $5000. Only one was in the Bay area. It was the property of Wickhm Havens Plans were being made by A. D. Shepard of the Pacific Improvement Company to establish tours over the 17-mile-drive for guests at Del Monte Hotel.

He had purchased an Oldsmobile and a Cadillac for the purpose J. Dalzell Brown, owner of a 65-horsepower Pierce Arrow was boasting that he could make the trip from his summer home on Clear Lake to San Francisco in four hours and a half Miss Nellie Waters, daughter of Battalion Chief Waters of Oakland, "an expert handler of the wheel" had negotiated the trip from Oakland to Del Monte in a single day W. Murdock and Max Rosenfeld returned home after an extended and exhaustive tour of the Eastern states. They made a 1000-mile run through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois in a Peerless, starting at Cleveland and winding up in Manhattan Everyone wasn't motor-mad in 1907, however; some peoDle used the streetcars and as a consequence the Oakland Traction Company had begun work on the extension of its Telegraph Avenue line to be operated on Dana Street, Alston Way, Oxford Street and University Avenue, forming a loop to connect with the line which had its' terminus at Shat-tuck and University Avenues. The idea was to relieve the, congestion of traffic on Shattuck Avenue "where Key Route trains and electric cars make rapid transit a complicated matter.

California Chrktmas 72 The approach of the holiday season makes timely some items in The Grizzly Bear, official publication of the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, dated January, 1872, and relative to Christmas and other events. "A heavy storm began December 22 and continued through Christmas Eve and Day The Christmas poultry market in San Francisco was overstocked with "Shipments from Iowa and other Middle West states and tons of poultry, were dumped into the Bay after the birds became unsalable At San Jose, there was a scarcity, and dressed turkeys, sold at 40 cents a pound. Siskiyou County was greatly excited over a reported uprising of Indians near. the Oregon boundary. It was stated that 11 settlers had been killed, houses burned and stock appropriated.

United States troops were being sent to the scene of disturbance Citizens of Yreka wired Gov. Newton Booth for aid in arms and ammunition to equip volunteers in suppressing the uprising Modocs. In a skirmish, December 21, two soldiers were killed and five wounded. More troops were being sent The Empire mine of Grass Valley cleaned up $19,000 from a 12-day run Fifteen acres of land in Los Angeles, to be used for a Southern Pacific depot, were bought for $75,000 by citizens of the city and donated to the company A group of matrons in Vallejo held a meeting and resolved that they would in the future dance only in quadrilles Lupesina, a squaw, died in Monterey at the age of 116years. She saw Junipero Serra landed at Monterey and was baptised by him.

She helped build the Carmelo church James Kenovan, a pedestrian of note, walked and. danced for 36 hours rest for the benefit? of ji orphans home James McCrary, a notorious desperado who had killed severaLmen in Nevada, killed Charles Allen over trivial argument in salia. The citizens organized a vigilante committee, took him from the jail and hanged, him from a stringer on a nearby, bridge Samuel Brannan, in cleaning up his real estate holdings at Calistoga, presented a town lot to each of TTtitizens of that town. THE. KNAVE.

vide some means whereby they would receive medical and surgical care for a nominal Bulmore writes. "Mr. Randol thought well of the idea and organized the Miners' Fund. It was mandatory that all employees and the heads of all families residing on company property pay $1.00 a month into the fund. A full-time resident physician was engaged and paid by the fund, his house, wood and water being provided by the company.

All contributors and their immediate families received the services of the doctor without further cost. The one ex-ception being accouchements, for which a charge of $5.00 was made.When a nurse was necessary that service was also provided by tKe fund. Medicines were furnished at cost and it was obligatory that the clerk in the superintendent's office be a licensed apothecary, who, besides his salary from the company, received a small remuneration from the Miners' Fund. Today we may politely smile at but some 60 years ago it was a serious matter. WhenNaftei 10 years, the old physician retired, Mr.

Randbl, sole trustee of the Miners' Fund, engaged a young and unmarried doctor. Because of his yOuth and single status some of the women refused to accept this doctor and their husbands and fathers petitioned Mr. Randol to dismiss him. Mr. Randol informed the petitioners that the doctor came highly recommended and would remain.

Fortunately prudish modesty was overcome and the young doctor was soon- accepted and admired by the entire population of New Other Mining Boons "In addition to medical and surgical care the Miners' Fund made loans, without interest, when prolonged illness depleted a member's Sometimes out-right gifts were made. To further illustrate the progressiveness of the management of the New Almaden mines: In 1886 the manager decided that recreation centers were necessary. With money from the Miners' Fund augmented by the company, two halls were built. One in the Hacienda and another on the Hill. These were called Helping Hand Clubs.

The more elaborate hall was built in the Hacienda as it was more accessible to the people of neighboring districts, who were usually invited to the social functions at the rnines. Each building had a large assembly hall and stage, a completely equipped kitchen, a game room and a library of several hundred volumes. Leading daily jiewspapers were subscribed to and the clubs were always open to members. Furnished with the necessary facilities the residents of New Almaden were almost self sufficient for entertainment and local talent presented many plays and variety shows. Dances were held frequently and, professional companies often came from San Jose to put on plays and light operas.

It is doubtful if the employees and residents of any other of California's old mining centers were afforded better medical care and social activities than those of New Almaden." More Bicycle Information Alex Rosborough's reminiscences about early day bicycle racing has brought two communications on the subject from Milton Charles Thomas and Carrie Elwell Pratt Thomas writes in part: "I remember the days of the 100-mile relay race starting in San Francisco and ending at The Tribune. It was a 10-man team and I rode the first 10 miles for the California Cycling Club against riders from the Century Wheelmen and the Garden City Wheelmen of San Jose. This was about 1902. We would also make pleasure rides starting out on Saturday night and riding to San Jose where we would stay over night. The next dav we would continue to Oakland, always stopping at the Estu-dillo House in San Leandro.

We favored the Pierce bicycle. We also had 'home trainers' and held contests in Fisher's Theater in San Francisco. For these one roller was placed under the front wheel and two under the rear wheels. Percy Lawrence won the mile in a minute. It was exciting because each rider would face the other.

Jimmy Britt was in his prime then was our gym trainer." In his story, Rosborough referred to a "big, powerful legged rider" and Mrs. Ewell identifies him as her husband, Frank D. Ewell. "He was then unknown to me," she writes, "but I learned that he was the winner of the described race by 20 minutes. The race was from Gilroy to Menlo Park.

He does'not remember the banquet Mr. Rosborough tells about. No wonder, Ahat was about 68 yars ago. He was the state champion racer on the- high cycle and won several medals and trophies. Most club racing was done on a triangle in the vicinity of San Leandro.

Oakland's Chinatown Time was when A. R. McPhail, superintendent of mails, was a letter carrier and his reflections on Oakland's Chinatown immediately after the fire have been passed on to The Knave. "I wonder now many of our citizens of Oakland know that at one time we had quite a Peter the Hunter "Early California had an unusual role of unique persons," John W. Winkley reports.

"Alonzo Delano (Old fclock) records the story of One whom he found while ajt, his 'paper town' on the Feather! River in 1350. This individual went under Of Peter the Hunter. He was the son of a French trapper and a Sioux Indian mother. At the time he appeared at Delano's Store and he was about 58 years of age, tall and gajmt of body, with restless, roving black eyes. He was a most skillful hunter and kfept Delano'? table supplied with game.

He spoke fluently English, French and numerous Indian languages. In his youth he had served in the British army and had fought in the battle of Waterloo. After seven years of such service he was discharged at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. In that region he married a squw and had four children; three girls and one boy. When Peter became a neighbor of Old Block on the Feather, i his wife and son were dead.

Peter had been exceedingly; fond and proud of his boy and even yet could not speak lof his death without weeping. The three girlsj were with him, two being young women, and the other a girl of eight. They were fearless and expert riders and could use the rifle and lasso with unerring, aim. riut Peier was disturbed about the future of his daughters. As long as he lived, he could take care of them.

But what would happen to them, when he was gone? White men had offered togive him andj the girls a home," but they would not marry the girls. Peter knew their motives and would not agree to their proposal. Now he reported to Delano that some thieving Frenchmen, living upstream a few miles wre threatening to carry off his girlsj. Old Block told him to pitch his tent hear his store and he would isee that no harm came to them. This Peter and the Frenchmen kept at a safe In the evenings spent around the camp fire Peter related the strange and exciting incidents pf his life experiences in the British army, and in wanderings over Oregon land California wildernesses.

His descriptions of scenery and Indian life were mot accurate and entertaining. About this time at Peter and the girls went on 'a hunting trip to the Sutter Buttes, where a large grizzly bear suddenly sprang upon him and tore off most of his scalp and badly clawed his face and body. Peter stabbed the bear with his hunting knife and shook him loose long enough fori his oldest girl to plant a bullet in his brain. One morning Peter's tent by the store gone. Delano never saw heard of him again, ah unresolved fnygt-y." Heroic Mail Carrier The postoffice centennial served to remind Alex J.

Rosborough, who himself is a brother of a former Oakland postmaster, Joseph J. Rosborough, of one of the unsung heroes of California's postal history: "The divide between Etna and Sawyers Bar is 7000 feet high and up there, when the wind is blowing, one can just about lean up againt it. In winter snow whirls over this pass and banks itself over the old road 50 or 60 feet in depth where the turns work back and forth on the lee slope under the summit, on the Etna side. At times, rather than try to clear it off, a tunnel was made right through it to keep the roadway open for traffic and even at that, sometimes it absolutely closed up and the mail carrier was forced to put on! snow shoes, shoulder the mail and make it on foot, a most dangerous and difficult task. In the winter of 1879 Charles Hooker left Etna in the face of a growing storm and by the time he had reached the little shelter where he fed ind left the horses, the storm was on in all its fury.

But he had done it before and the 'mail must go He was a powerful fellow and knew every foot of the way; strapping ion his snow shoes and taking the mail qn hjs back, he stepped out into it and succeeded in getting over the top. On the other, thej Salmon River side, the storm of snow arid wihd was hitting its hardest. Exposure to it and exhaustion from it pulled Charley down and from that little rest, he never awoke. When they found him, strapped on his back was his trust The. United States Mail Sack." '1 Early Hospital Service Newspaper reports on the activities of the medical, meetings in $an Francisco recently withthe discussion of hospitalization plans has reminded Laurence Ei Bulmore, president of the New Almaden Historical Society, of similar activities in an earlier day when; employees of the Quicksilver! Mining Company! at New Almaden were furnished with hospital service through 'the agency of James B.

Randol, who assumed management of the mines in July, 1870. "The employees requested that he pro- wnoie trucKioad ot dirty linen is iouna ngnt in your own backyard that, as one loyal Democrat put it, is just plain murder. Imagine trying to weld a strong party organization for the 1952 elections in the face of revelations of the California Crime Commission, the Kefauver Committee, various grand juries, the ouster of the U.S. marshal at San Francisco-following conviction in a shakedown and most recently the ouster of San Francisco Collector of Internal Revenue James Smyth and seven of his aides together with intimations that more firings may be yet to come. Smyth, as you know, has long been a big wheel in Democratic affairs hereabouts, and the presidential heave-ho he received was a body blow to the machine built up over the years by Boss Bill Malone.

Hollow Laughter All of which is, of course, fuel to the fires of those who are out to try and wrest control from Malone and wTio, the Knave is told, don't care whether or not they wreck the party in doing so. That brings us to an item which, gave conservative old-line Democrats the biggest laugh of the week, albeit a very hollow one. In a release relative to selection President Truman, Trott allegedly asserted that ''there will be no split among California Democrats comparable to the split now appearing in the Republican party." Laughter stemmed from two factors. First, realistic Democrats tould welcome a touch cf the solidarity evident in the ranks of Republicans TJrbtt claims are split. Second; the right-wing Democrats will tell you that Trott himself is doing more than any other person to split the Democratic party in California.

Or at least he is fronting for a group that is, to their way m.t it. i. 4.1.. breach between the left and right factions. Alameda County and San Francisco Democrats are having no part of Trott's move for a Truman delegation they're all for President Truman they say, but formation of a delegation before he has announced his intentions is premature.

Furthermore, they are holding out for a convention delegation that will be representative )f all segments of the party, not just of the James Roosevelt-Glenn. Anarcnn wirt AnH -frnm Ancff1p ftlir operatives report so much opposition to the Trott-Roosevelt-Anderson maneuver that it is probable that two Truman delegations will be offered at the primary. What faith can we be expected to show, conservative Democrats inquire, in a 1952 Truman delegation engineered by Jimmy Roosevelt, who tried to swing the 1948 Truman delegation to General Eisenhower? Then they get back jto saying some highly uncomplimentary things about Trott, a comparative newcomer, for having double-crossed Malone, who is held in high regard by those who have worked with him over the years as a personable, super-astute politico and loyal party chieftain. Kefauver Boomlet As if the Administration scandals and inter nal dissension were not enough, organization Democrats are being plagued also by the possibility of a Kefauver-for-President boom. Although no ohe takes it seriously at the moment Kefauver himself in granting permission to use his name in the California! primary emphasized that he was not now a candidate it's a worrisome threat.

President Truman is trying his best to make foreign policy the 1 'issue in the next campaign in an! obvious effort to divert attention from the jshocking mess on the domestic front. Should; Senator Kefauver get into the race it would tend to pull the spotlight back to corruption in government. In recent utterances, the senator has been critical of President Truman. As head of the committee which conducted the Nation-1 wide crime investigation, Kefauver believes that corruption in Federal Government devel- job, didn't appreciate the seriousness of the! dragged its feet, looked the other way' and gave" assurance that everything was all right when it was not Naturally, honesty in government will be a key issue in the Re-, his own publican But if one in ing hands was evidently not done in the best Chinese circles. Neighborhood Changed "I was in the neighborhood last week, and not a building is left of this Chinese community.

All has been replaced by lumber yards, factories, etc. I can recall a conversation that I hald years ago with a Chinese lad who spoke of the difficulties the Chinese experienced when they came to this country and attempted to learn our language. He said that he had attended a mission school (sponsored by a church for the Chinese) and one evening he noticed that hs teacher had a deep sjcratch on her wrist. He said, 'Oh, you have scratched your and she said you must never use, that word in such a connection. You should say you have scratched your skin.

Later on during the evening it was announced that they would sing a hymn on a certain page, and he turned to it and the title was 'Hide Me, Oh My Saviour, Hide so he remembered what his teacher had said, and sang 'Skin Me, Oh My Saviour, Skin This serving of the Chinese section was an interesting part of my post office career, and they were all fine people, and I enjoyed knowing them." Grain Merchant The Knave: A prominent resident of Oakland was E. G. Mathews who was one of the old Clay Street grain merchants on the San Francisco waterfront. Mathews resided on a large farm in that part of the present City of Oakland then known as the town of Clinton and, for a time, a the incorporated City of Brooklyn, now East Oakland. The Mathews' tarm house was located near a point where the north termination of Walker Street (now 13th Avenue) intersected, a country thoroughfare known as Moraga Road or the Moraga Valley County Road.

The ranch extended west to Mathews Street, since renamed Park Avenue. My grandfather Mayhew (a name not to be confused with Mathews) took charge of Mathews' ranch sometime early in '61 shortly after his arrival at San Francisco at the age of 20. The position was made available to him through the offices of his cousin H. Allen May-hew, later of Niles, who was Mathews' partner in the grain business. Early Commuter Mathews was an early bay commuter.

He made the trip daily by way of the old Creek Route ferry. One of grandfather's duties was to meet his employer each week night at the Clinton Wharf on the Estuary with horse and buggy. Grandfather soon learned that the creek steamer had the annoying habit of running aground in the estuary mud. Night after night the steamer would get stuck, resulting in much huffing and puffing of steam, and spinning of paddle1 wheels. From an eminence on the Mathews ranch, grandfather would watch the steamer's progress far down the San Antonio Estuary.

Calmly he would' pursue the evening chores until he had made certain either that the steamer had not run Into the. -V.