Sonoma County, California History Transcribed by Sally Kaleta This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. Source: History of Sonoma County....San Francisco, 1880. TOWNSHIP HISTORIES PETALUMA. The derivation of the name given to this township and city is still a matter of conjecture. There are those who assert that it came from the Indian words, meaning "duck hills," while others declare it to signify "little hills." In the latter appellation there would appear to be more reason than in the former, from the number of mounds or hillocks which are still traceable throughout the valley, though now less noticeable than on the first settlement of the district when cultivation was not so general. Petaluma Creek is an arm of the San Pablo bay, having enough water at high tide to make it easy navigation for schooners, sloops, scows and small steamers of light draft. From about three thousand yards above the city, where the stream is lost, it finds its winding course through a district, principally of marsh or tule-land, until it merges with the salt water after having travelled a distance of sixteen miles. As has been elsewhere shown this was the water-way which Captain Quiros and a party of explorers ascended in September, 1776, in the vain endeavor of finding a connecting stream with the ocean at Bodega Bay. In the year 1850, when the township was first commencing to be settled, the depth of the creek was considerably greater than it is to-day; debris had not yet been cast into its clear waters nor had mud formed in such vast quantities on its banks, it was a clear stream of pure water, and free from all obstructions, save where the fallen timbers may have spanned its width making a natural bridge for the hunters and their prey, who then roamed about the district. The next record of a visit having been paid to the Petaluma valley is that of Father Altimira, in 1823, when on his search for a suitable site whereon to found a mission to the north of the Bay of San Francisco. On this expedition the Holy Father's party passed the point at or near to where the city now stands, then named by the Spaniards "Punta de los Esteros," but known to the Indians as "Chocuali," and, crossing the creek to its east side, encamped that night, June 25th, on the site of the adobe house built by General Vallejo, at this time known as the "Arroyo Lema." No settlement was however made in the Petaluma valley at this juncture. In 1836 General Vallejo built the first house in the valley on a grant, known as the Petaluma Rancho, which had for its boundaries the Sonoma Creek on the east, the San Pablo Bay on the south, and Petaluma Creek on the west, thus evidencing his proprietory rights over that vast tract wherein is included the portion of the city known as East Petaluma. Two years later the land on the opposite, or west side of the creek was settled on by Juan Miranda, who built a residence about two miles from the city of Petaluma, wherein he established himself with his family. In the year 1844, after an occupation of six years, he made application to the Mexican government that this tract should be granted to him, and, in order to attain this, Jacob F. LEESE, then Alcalde of the district of Sonoma, certified that he was the only occupant; and order directing the issue of the usual title was made by Governor Micheltorena on October 8, 1844, but was never executed by reason of the political disturbances which ensued and resulted in the downfall of the Governor's power. Mr. Robert A. THOMPSON, formerly of the Sonoma Democrat, in a descriptive sketch of Sonoma county tells the rest of the story of this grant in the following words: MIRANDA was the father of many children, and one of his daughters, Francisca, married a Mexican named Antonio ORTEGA, who had no settled habitation, but lived sometimes with his wife's family, at this rancho, sometimes with the priests at the different missions, and for several years in Oregon. On the ground of his occasional visits to his father-in-law he set up a claim to being the real occupant of the rancho and succeeded in obtaining from Governor ALVARADO a decree for the land, purporting to have been made August 10, 1840. Thus there were two conflicting claims to the same tract of land. After the death of Miranda, at San Rafael, in 1850, his title was sold by order of the probate court of Marin County, and was purchased by T. B. VALENTINE of San Francisco. Whether the proceedings at this sale were regular, so as to vest in the purchaser a perfect title, is at least doubtful. The title of ORTEGA was conveyed to Charles WHITE, of San Jose. After the establishment of the Land Commission, both of these claims were presented to that tribunal for adjudication. VALENTINE put in some testimony which was thought to be rather damaging to the success of the Ortega Claim, providing that the testimony should be suppressed, the Miranda claim withdrawn, the Ortega Claim pressed for confirmation and the proceeds of the sale of the lands covered by it divided between the contracting parties. The Miranda title was thus summarily disposed of by the act of its holder. To clear away the Ortega title by the slow machinery of the law, took several years. It was confirmed by the land commission, was twice before the United States District Court - first confirmed and afterwards rejected; and twice before the United States Supreme Court, where it was finally rejected in 1863. The land embraced within the limits of the rancho thus became public domain of the United States, and government surveys were extended over it. That portion within the boundaries of the incorporated limits of Petaluma was ceded to that city by act of Congress of March 1, 1867, and the occupants of all the remainder obtained patents under the pre-emption law. VALENTINE besieged the doors of Congress for many years to get an act passed allowing him to present his title to the courts for confirmation. Such a measure would have been a great injustice to the occupants of the land, for although the original title was undoubtedly genuine, and would have been confirmed, he prevented a confirmation by his voluntary withdrawal of it. He was finally satisfied by receiving from the government an issue of very valuable land-scrip for the same number of acres embraced within his grant. The first settlers therefore were the General at his adobe, where he kept a large number of Indians under the authority and guardianship of one of his sons, and Juan MIRANDA last mentioned. At the time of which we write, and until the American settlers commenced to arrive, the country was one vast wilderness covered with wild oats interspersed with flowers of every hue, backed by almost impenetrable forests of redwood, black, white and live oak, that fought for existence with the California laurel and other indigenous trees, the line of timber being then within the limits of the city. Through the dense waste of tangled weeds roamed cattle and horses that had never known the soothing hand of man. Did the hunter prove unsuccessful in the chase, he replenished his empty larder by slaying a "beef," perfectly regardless as to whose property it might be; timber was plentiful, so with his trusty ax he felled the stately trees, hewing planks therefrom wherewith to frame himself a shantie, while in later years, partnerships were formed among the trappers, who hunted elk, deer and feathered game, afterwards transporting them by boat to San Francisco, there receiving profitable prices in coin and produce. Early in the year 1850, Dr. August F. Heyermann built a log cabin on a piece of ground afterward owned by A. W. Rogers. In the month of October, 1850, Tom LOCKWOOD, who had but recently arrived in the State, left San Francisco, hearing glowing accounts of the quantity of game obtainable in this region, with a party, purchased a ship's whale-boat, and pursued their way across the bay until they gained the mouth of the Petaluma Creek, which they ascended cautiously, and finally halting, camped in a grove of oak trees just above the town, on what is now the property of the widow BELL. What a life of unvarying change must have been this of LOCKWOOD and his companions. At the season of the year when they tarried on the plain, we can imagine the rain pouring down in torrents, accompanied by driving winds, but rarely varied by a fitful ray of sunshine. How cold too were the mornings and evenings, as they started to, or returned, mayhap, empty-handed from the fatigues of the chase, to drop off to sleep on the damp grass or perchance lie awake until dawn would bring back the weary monotonous round. Alone did they pursue this avocation for two long dreary months, their small craft making periodical trips to San Francisco to dispose of their spoils and lay in stores. On January 3, 1851, they were joined by Lemarcus WIATT and John LINUS, who arrived on the scene, not with the specific object of locating, but rather to repair their health, which had been shattered by a residence in the mines. Here the new comers found LOCKWOOD, PENDLETON, and Levi PYBURN, and with these three pitched their tent under the friendly shadow of the oaks. Not long after, Thomas BAYLIS and David FLOGDELL wandered into this region, who falling in with the others, increased the size of the camp, and pursued the same occupation. Of these, LOCKWOOD and WIATT, are still residents of Petaluma; BAYLIS and FLOGDELL, of whom mention will be again made under their historical firm name of "Tom and Dave," remained in the city for years, and after earning comfort and respect were gathered to their fathers while the others, too have gone, and the site which they were the first to occupy knows them no more. These were the men who gave Petaluma its first start as a shipping point. In the summer of 1851, WIATT and LINUS erected a small trading post on the bend of the creek, a little above the bridge in Washington Street, while in October their example was followed by BAYLIS and FLOGDELL, who had moved from their position half-a-mile away, and constructed a small store on the bank of the creek, opposite the position now occupied by the Odd Fellows' hall. Keller, who had pre-empted the land in the previous year, about this time put up an edifice of a nondescript character, where he kept a ware-house, eating-house, store, and also a few bunks for sleeping accommodation. There was also constructed this summer a warehouse by James M. HUDSPETH, then, as now, a resident of Green valley, Analy township, who had thus early found the advantages possessed by the site as a place of shipment. This building stood at the foot of Washington Street, on the creek, just below the bridge. That autumn it was stored to its fullest capacity with potatoes, the proprietor at the same time cutting and baling upwards of a hundred tons of hay, in close proximity to the town, all of which he shipped to Sacramento, making the first export of produce of any magnitude from Sonoma by way of Petaluma. In this fall there were then resident in the district the following families: The SINGLEYS, STARKEYS, TERRILLS, SAMUELS, TUSTINS, and LEWISES, which were further augmented by the arrival of the DOUGLASES and HATHAWAYS, who came from Antioch, Contra Costa County, and having brought the frames of their houses with them, the elder Douglas erected his, where it stands to-day, a little above the Brooklyn Hotel, that of the HATHAWAYS being constructed by Robert DOUGLAS, Jr., on or near to the site of the Washington Hotel. These were the first dwelling houses raised in the city of Petaluma. Mr. DOUGLAS now resides on a pleasant ranch near Freestone, in Bodega Township. As has been before remarked, the town-site had been already located by MR. KELLER. In the winter of 1851-2 the population of the embryo city increased considerably; a meeting of the settlers was therefore called, who requested Mr. KELLER to lay out the plat of a town, guaranteeing him there and then the purchase of every other lot and at the same time promising that all his rights should be respected. The survey, which commenced at a point on Petaluma Creek, between Prospect and Oak streets, running thence west to the westerly line of Liberty Street to A, then on the northerly line of A and a continuation pf the line-north-easterly to Petaluma Creek, the area being in the vicinity of forty acres, was effected by J. A. BREWSTER on January 3, 1852. It is said that Major SINGLEY and Tom LOCKWOOD carried the chain for this survey. Early in 1852 the new city commenced to show signs of considerable activity, a very fine store was established by W. D. KENT on the site now occupied by the photographic gallery of George ROSS on the east side of Main Street; he shortly after admitted into partnership a man named SMITH, when the firm became KENT & SMITH, and F. H. COE purchasing into the business at a later date the establishment was known as that of KENT, SMITH & COE. There was also a grocery store kept by one SAMUELS on the corner of Main and Washington Streets. In this year "Tom & Dave" had an establishment for the entertainment of travelers, called the Pioneer Hotel, which may be said to have been the first hostelry started in Petaluma; it joined their building already mentioned. It is certain that the DOUGLAS and HATHAWAY families kept borders but no regular building for the accommodation and sole use of transient guests was extant until late in the year, for in the fall, Samuel N. TERRILL commenced the Petaluma House on ground now occupied by the Odd Fellows' hall and Robert DOUGLAS, the younger, the erection of the American Hotel on the site of the present building of that name. The Petaluma House was the first in working order. In January, 1852, William ZARTMAN and John FRITSCH, with James F. REED, commenced business as blacksmiths, building their forge on the place now occupied by GILBERT'S cheap cash store. REED afterwards lost his life on a voyage to the eastern states on the illfated "Atlantic." Major SINGLEY, the present agent of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad in this city, who located in August 1851, on the west side of the creek, about half-a-mile above town, on land afterward occupied by Mr. KERRY, is of opinion that the first postmaster in Petaluma was a German named H. P. HENTZLEMANN, who had his office in a house which stood on the south-east corner of Main and Washington Streets; but the weight of evidence goes to prove that W. D. Kent was the pioneer postmaster and that he distributed the mails from his own store. Kent was succeeded by Doctor BROWN, who in turn gave place to Samuel N. TERRILL.* Mail matter was transported from Benicia, Solano County, on horse-back, once a week, by way of Sonoma, MILLER & WALKER'S store, now called Sebastopol, to Petaluma, thence to San Rafael, Marin County - a rather tortuous way of receiving news when compared with the swift, certain, and frequent transmission of correspondence which obtains to-day. The religious and instructive cares of the city had not, up to this period, received any special care. Two wandering preachers named GURNSEY, who combined with the repairing of _____________________________________________________________________ *We have since learned that Garrett W. KELLER was the first postmaster. See page 131. souls the occupation of a chair manufacturer, and BATEMAN, were wont to minister to the wants of the residents in this particular until the settlement of Mr. HUNTER as pastor of the Methodist church, which stood on the site of the present city prison, his wife, noble woman, being the first to open a school for the education of the young, of whom there were now a few; in this laudable undertaking she was succeeded by A. B. BOWERS, who taught in a building then occupying the position of the present magnificent brick edifice which would be an ornament to any city. The Fourth of July, 1852, the National holiday, was celebrated by a grand ball which took place in the building wherein was situated the store of KENT, SMITH & COE, when one-hundred and fifty guests from all parts of the country took part in the merry-making - the tickets on the occasion being ten dollars each. Here we have the first mention of the gaieties of a city life having taken hold. We can imagine that with what keen excitement was the auspicious occasion looked forward to, for reunions of any kind in these early days were all impossible; there were not the facilities which are found in places of more mature growth; the distances were too magnificent to permit of frequent intercourse between neighbors separated by twenty miles of country, entirely innocent of roads or bridges; men and maidens had little opportunity of meeting or becoming acquainted, it is therefore any wonder that dances were danced with a vim, the like of which has never been witnessed, or that songs were sung and stories told, healths drank and eternal friendships sworn, the like of which could never occur again - the oldest living residents never forget this evening when "Soft love look'd love to eyes, which spake again, And all went merry as a marriage bell." The first Justice of the Peace was M. G. LEWIS, while of the lawyers there were William CHURCHMAN, Jackson TEMPLE, and J. B. SOUTHARD, who succeeded Judge E. W. McKINSTRY on the bench of the Court of the Seventh Judicial District, a position which he occupied for several years. The first marriage in the district was that of Dr. August F. HEYERMANN, but this did not take place within the city; the first in these limits was that of Robert DOUGLAS Jr., to Miss Hannah HATHAWAY, which took place on the 31st day of December, 1852, before Samuel N. TERRILL, Justice of the Peace. The next wedding was that of Alexander WOODWORTH. The first child born in Petaluma was a girl, to Mr. and Mrs. R. DOUGLAS, who did not survive but twelve days; while the first death was that of a man named FRASER, who was killed by falling off a wagon and being run over. He was buried in the square now known as the Plaza. The next to cross the dark river was also a transient guest; he was putting up at the American Hotel and had visited the country in quest of health, but consumption, from which he suffered, carried him off, and he found a stranger's grave on the hill at the top of Washington Street; shortly after these two were also buried the infant girl mentioned above. At a late date, the bones of these three were exhumed, and found a final resting place in the Oak-Hill Cemetery, where a Miss SMITH was the first to be buried. The first doctor was A. F. HEYERMANN, who practiced occasionally; he was in turn succeeded by doctors McCLURE and BROWN, the latter of whom had a small laboratory; while the first drug store was opened by S. C. HAYDON. In this year the first livery stable was started by Charles ROBINSON, who ran a stage via Sebastopol, then known, as has been said, by the name of MILLER & WALKER'S store, to Bodega; while another general store was opened by P. H. NEWBILL. At the end of 1852, the population was estimated to have been somewhere about twelve hundred in all. The first stroke against the welfare of the young city was struck by Majors H. P. HENTZLEMAN and LEWIS, in the attempted establishment of a rival town on the east side of the creek, which was intended to rob Petaluma of all its present and prospective glories. They named it the city of Petaluma. New Town, the place was called; the residents being situated within the precincts of the Vallejo Township - notice of it will be found in the history of that section. But to proceed: Major LEWIS disposed of his interest in this settlement at San Francisco, to Colonel J. B. HUIE, making it a sine qua non, however, that a steamer of a certain tonnage and draft should proceed thither. The "Red Jacket", afterwards rechristened "Kate Hayes," succeeded in this endeavor in November, 1852, under the command of Captain Van PELT. She continued plying to that point during the Winter, the projectors of New Town, in the interval, doing their utmost to proclaim far and near that that was the head of navigation. A triumph so gained could be but short lived. The Petalumans paid a visit to this pioneer steam wonder; much bantering was given and taken on the occasion; the most persuasive eloquence of the visitors was put forth, to the end that their city was the true head of navigation. To prove the contrary, steam was got up, shriek after shriek was sent from the whistle in mocking derision. The "Red Jacket"started, she found plenty of water, arrived off the city of Petaluma without mishap, and thus the claims of New Town veritably vanished in smoke. When the stranger in this year of grace 1879, inquires as to its locality, he is answered by a vague sweep of the head and the words over there. While on the subject of steamers, we would here mention that the second steamer to make regular trips on the Petaluma Creek was the "Sioc," which had been brought from the Sacramento River, where she ran as the "Jack Hayes." Andrew HENRY, agent for Wells, Fargo & Co., was on her when she made her first trip up the creek. She continued on the route until September, 1853, her captain and part owner being for a time ex-Sheriff LATAPIE. The name of the vessel was changed after to the "Reindeer." The first steamboat to ply at slated times between Petaluma and San Francisco was the "E. Corning," the fare being six dollars. She went for a time under the command of Captain Charles M. BAXTER, who afterwards took charge of the "Petaluma," a craft constructed expressly for this route. At the time of Mr. HENRY'S arrival in the "Sioc," there were then in all about fifty houses in the city, situated principally between the streets now known as Washington on the north, B on the south, with the creek as a frontage and back to KEILER or thereabouts. The American Hotel was then "well up town." This was in September, 1853. In November, we are told there were two hotels, besides the three already named, viz: the City Hotel, which stood on the site of the present building of that name, and the Union Hotel, where it now stands on Main, a little below English Street. At this period the American was kept by BROWN & REXFORD, the city by VEEDER, who had moved it hither from Vallejo, Solano County, the Petaluma House by BASSETT, who was not long after succeeded by VAN DOREN & COOPER, and last though not least the Pioneer by "TOM & DAVE." In the years 1853, '54, and '55, the growth of the town was gradual but sure from the advantages possessed by her as a port of shipment, the settlers of the valleys to the north and south of it repaired hither to export their produce and lay in supplies; it was the only shopping outlet easy of access to the San Francisco market for the crops of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties; as the rapidly increasing population extended their ventures, the necessity for such a spot made itself felt; more ground was tilled, fruit trees planted and butter made, while the country was yet thickly cover with splendid timber, all of which found its way to Petaluma; as her commerce became greater her capital increased, as capital increased labor became plentiful until she gained, early in her existence, the proud position among the thriving cities of California which she holds to-day. In the year 1855 the first newspaper was started - The Petaluma Weekly Journal and Sonoma County Advertiser. The inaugural number was issued on Saturday, August 18, 1855, by Thomas L. Thompson, and is in all a most readable sheet. From its advertising columns we cull the following names, many of them to-day being "familiar in our mouths as household words:" Wm. D. BLISS, Wm. A. CORNWALL, J. CHANDLER, I. G. WICKERSHAM, Attorneys at Law, most of whom would appear to have been established on Main street. We find that the Petaluma Line of Packets running between Petaluma, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Stockton, consisting of the schooners "Petaluma," Captain Baylis; "Enterprise," Captain Rutherford; "Blue-Wing," Captain Cutter, and the sloops "Cleopatra," Captain Sullivan; "Star of the West," Captain Adams, and "Ned Beale," Captain Kelley, left for these ports daily, their agents being in this city A. J. MOSES & Co., and at San Francisco KITTRELL & CO. We note that Dr. W. D. TRINQUE was a surgeon dentist on Main Street; that Anthony G. OAKES, proprietor of the American Hotel, which had been thoroughly renovated was "prepared to extend the comforts of a home and a hearty Welcome to all who may favor him with a visit," while there were the following attractions: "Table Supplied with all the Delicacies," "Lines of stages from all parts," as well as "Extensive Livery Stables;" and S. C. HAYDON offered at his drug and book store such commodities as Epsom salts and blank deeds, Cologne water and McCuffy's readers, hair oils and tooth-brushes, turpentine and the San Francisco and Atlantic newspapers and magazines. Let us lightly glance at the resources of Petaluma at that date. The Journal in an early article tells us, that the growth of Petaluma has been rapid, but yet of a substantial character; and not withstanding the several successive failures of the crops of the adjacent country, the ruinous prices of agricultural productions, and the late monetary depression in this State, the prosperity of the town has been greatly enhanced , and its permanency fully secured within the past six months, by valuable improvements and judicious investment of capital. Petaluma is the depot and outlet for the whole farming and grazing interest of the immense tract of surrounding country; and particularly for that lying away to the north, including the rich lands of Russian River and its tributaries, and even extending to the fertile borders of Clear Lake. In addition to the trade carried on by the extensive operations of the dairies; the shipment of live stock of all the various kinds, and the productions of fruits, vegetables, and cereals, there has been a great quantity of cord-wood cut in the vicinity of the town, which has formed an important source of wealth. Butter, cheese, eggs, potatoes, barley, wheat, and wood, make up the substantial and unfailing currency of Sonoma County, and Petaluma has been built up as the most accessible depot from whence the necessary shipments of these valuable articles of trade can be easily made, by steam or sailing vessels, to the different markets of the State. The population of this town and immediate neighborhood, have all the elements of future prosperity - a people moral, industrious and frugal, a delightful and healthy climate, invigorating to the laborer - a fertile soil which yields rich returns both to the grazier, by its voluntary crops of grasses, and to the agriculturalist by fully rewarding him for the labor bestowed upon its cultivation. The wealth of the town depends on the prosperity of the farmers. It is the center of a large and rich agricultural district. Within a few months past a number of fireproof, brick and stone buildings, have been erected here. There are about twenty stores, and several commodious hotels on Main street; which street lies nearest to the creek. Churches and school-houses have been erected sufficient to meet the wants of the increasing population. Different charitable associations have been fully organized here, and appear to be in a flourishing condition. The hall recently finished for the Odd-Fellows, is a beautiful structure, built of brick with an imposing front of cut stone. On November 24, 1855, one of those heart-rending calamities, for which California had then become noted, occurred at Petaluma. At about five minutes past ten in the morning, while the steamer, "Georgina," was lying at her wharf, shipping freight and passengers, her boiler exploded, with a terrific crack, doing a fearful work of death and destruction. The force of the explosion was such as to completely demolish the top work of the boat and to carry the boiler - which was shot directly through the cabin and out astern - a distance of about three hundred feet, striking considerably beyond the landing used by the "Kate Hayes," which had, by the merest luck, hauled farther up the creek, to take on freight. Of the wounded only one belonged to Sonoma County, viz: George FUNK, proprietor of the Oak Grove House, about four miles from the city, on the Bodega Road. November 28th was noted for the establishment of the Petaluma Library Association, and its inauguration with a lecture, by the Rev. A. A. BAKER, on the subject of "The Lyceum, and its relation to Education and to Practical Life," this being followed by a course of three lectures, delivered by Doctor GALLAND, "On Boreal Observations and Phenomenons." As a criterion of what the increase of population was in this year, we note that the vote of the city was four hundred and eighty-one, while the number of children in the township, between the ages of four and eighteen years of age, was two hundred and eighty-four. Of this number there were attending school in the Liberty district thirty-three; Iowa District, sixty-one; Walker district, forty-three; and Petaluma district, one-hundred and forty-seven. The number of boys was one-hundred and fifty-two, distributed as follows: Liberty district, sixteen; Iowa district, thirty-two; Walker district, twenty-four; Petaluma district, eighty; while the number of girls was one-hundred thirty-two, apportioned thus: Liberty district, seventeen; Iowa district, twenty-nine; Walker district, nineteen; and Petaluma district, sixty-seven. This prosperous year was brought to a close with a most severe spell of cold weather, there being ice to the extent of half an inch in thickness in the early morning, while in some portions of the State, notably in Sacramento, snow fell to a considerable depth. On the second day of the new year the dread visitant, fire, which had hitherto steered clear of our fair city, consumed the residence of James Hosmer, situated on Washington Street. As is almost always the case, it requires some dire calamity to make apparent existing danger. Consequent on this conflagration, energetic measures were at once taken to form a Fire Company, a want which had been long felt and urged. The public spirit thus early evinced, has developed into a department amply able to cope with any duties which it may be called upon to inform, while as one of the sinews of the city it is a credit to the corporation and citizens. At this period was also permanently organized a military company, under the name of the "Petaluma Guards," having for its officers the following named gentlemen: Captain, P. B. HEWLETT; First Lieutenant, J. H. SIDDONS; Second Lieutenant, Francis BRAY; Brevet Lieutenant, Thomas F. BAYLIS; First Sergeant, F. J. BENJAMIN; Second, W. H. JOSE; Third, G. B. MATHERS; Fourth, Warren G. GIBBS; First Corporal, O. T. BALDWIN; Second, J. K. CRAMER; Third, B. F. COOPER; Fourth, Samuel BROWN. The company mustered some forty or fifty, rank and file, and in addition to their military duties proposed to serve as firemen, when provided with the necessary paraphenalia. A change had now come to the growing place whose history we record. She became ambitious to be invested with civic honors. To this end, correspondents mooted the question in the public prints, while leaders appeared in the columns of the newspapers advocating the incorporation of Petaluma as a city, or, at least a town. It was advocated that she was already one of some importance, without a doubt of its continued increase. In order to make it a desirable place of residence the streets should be graded to a uniform width, sidewalks put in order, the town cleared of nuisances, and property protected from accidents by fire, arising from carelessness in the fixtures connected with stove pipes and fire-places. A town hall was felt to be much needed, in which to hold elections and lectures, as well as for the use of the military, and various other purposes. It was argued by some that a corporation is too expensive a luxury, while others urged that, by having a charter, with proper restrictions and constructions, the government of the town and its general appearance would be much enhanced. How the boon was finally obtained will appear in the progress of this record. On April 26, 1856, the interest of Mr. Thompson ceased in the Petaluma Journal, Henry L. WESTON becoming its editor and proprietor, who made his bow to the public in the following well-chosen sentences: "In making our appearance before the readers of the Journal and the public in the capacity of a public journalist we deeply feel our need of their sympathy as well as patronage. To us it is, in a measure, a new position, and we feel that should it be our good fortune to merit and receive the commendation of the public, that we are rather of that class upon whom honors are thrust, than otherwise. At its commencement the Journal was started as an independent paper, rather than as a political organ, and up to this time it has maintained its neutrality. Such we propose it shall ever remain, if such a course be possible in a community like ours. With politics we have little to do; and with its tricks and turns, nothing; neither do we intend to, unless forced into the arena by stern necessity. It is our aim and purpose, on the contrary, to make the Journal, emphatically a family paper - one that shall ever prove a welcome visitor to the family circle of each and every settler in this and adjoining counties. While, theretofore, our aim will ever be to avoid a public preference for either of the political parties of the day, our neutrality shall never prevent a free and fearless expression of our views upon whatever acts may be perpetrated or measures proposed by them which may trespass upon the rights and interests of the people. That it may never be our duty to take more than a casual glance at any of their acts is our earnest desire. If, however, occasion should occur, let not the opposite party hope to find in us an ally, unless theirs be a right against wrong - liberalism against bigotry and fanaticism. And while we claim for ourself this privilege, we freely accord equal latitude to all, and to this end will ever open our columns to the discussion of all matters and questions of interest which may from time to time present themselves, provided the writers do not wish to occupy too much space, and the subject treated be calmly discussed, otherwise their articles will not find a place in the Journal. In the month of March, 1861, a petition numerously signed was put into circulation, having as its intention the asking the Legislature to pass an act allowing the citizens of Sonoma County the privilege of voting on the removal of the county-seat from Santa Rosa to Petaluma. To this end, on the 4th of April, a bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator EDGERTON of Napa entitled "An Act to re-locate the county-seat of Sonoma County by the qualified votes of Sonoma County;" but from the fact of Santa Rosa being still the capital, nothing would appear to have come of the movement. Up to this period several ineffectual attempts had been made to secure telegraphic communication with San Francisco and other portions of the State. Mr. J. E. SKIDMORE, acting as the deputy of the Benicia and Napa Telegraphic Company, visited this city for the purpose of entering into a contract with its citizens for the extension of the line from Napa, by way of Sonoma, to Petaluma, agreeing on his part to perform the work for the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars. Shares to be placed at fifty dollars each and the Superintendent of the above company to take ten shares, he promising at the same time to have the line in working order in six weeks; a project which was ultimately successful. Another improvement then effected was the opening up of a new street along the bank of the creek, forty feet in width, from Washington Street to "Tom's Stable." The original intention had been to open ot from Washington to English Street, but the project was partially defeated by the proprietors of the Franklin Hotel who claimed damages to a large amount. The only other party asking damages was Mr. HILL, corner of Washington and Main Street, whose property would have been seriously affected by the new street, and who claimed the sum of twelve hundred dollars. The amount was speedily raised by the property holders along the contemplated thoroughfare and work immediately proceeded with. The railroad scheme had no sooner taken tangible shape than the necessity for its extension to Healdsburg was immediately felt; how it succeeded will be shown hereafter. At the end of 1861, the school census for the year placed the number of scholars in the city, between the ages of four and eighteen years of age, at five hundred and fourteen; between eighteen and twenty-one, forty-seven; total number of scholars in the district, five hundred and sixty-one; of which number two hundred and fifty-nine were males and two hundred and fifty-five females. Number of children born in California, four hundred and twenty-five. Number in the district under four years of age, two hundred and seventy-two, thus making a total of eight hundred and thirty-three inhabitants under twenty-one years of age. In concluding the record of this year, a most momentous one in history, for to the entire American nation it had been fraught with deep pain, we must not omit to mention, in terms most laudatory, the right feeling which sustained the inhabitants of this city in the hour of trial. We would here quote Bayard TAYLOR'S stirring ode to the American people, as best portraying the feelings of the time: - That late, in half-despair, I said: "The nation's ancient life is dead; Her arm is weak, her blood is cold; She hugs the peace that gives her gold, - The shameful peace, that sees expire Each beacon-light of patriot fire, And makes her court a traitor's den," - Forgive me this, my countrymen! O, in your long forbearance grand, Slow to suspect the treason planned. Enduring wrong, yet hoping good For sake of olden brotherhood, How grander, how sublimer far At the roused eagle's call ye are, Leaping from slumber to the fight For Freedom and for Chartered Right! Throughout the land there goes a cry; A sudden splendor fills the sky: From every hill the banners burst, Like buds by April breezes nurst; In every hamlet, home and mart, The fire-beat of a single heart Keeps time to strains whose pulses mix Our blood with that of Seventy-six! The shot whereby the old flag fell From Sumter's battered citadel Struck down the lines of party creed And made ye One in soul and deed, - One mighty People, stern and strong To crush the consummated wrong; Indignant with the wrath whose rod Smites as the awful sword of God! The cup is full! They thought ye blind: The props of State they undermined; Abused your trust, your strength defied, And stained the Nation's name of pride. Now lift to Heaven your loyal brows, Swear once again your fathers' vows, And cut through traitor hearts a track. To nobler fame and freedom back! Draw forth your million blades as one; Complete the battle then begun! God fights with ye, and overhead Floats the dear banner of your dead. They, and the glories of the Past, The Future, dawning dim and vast, And all the holiest hopes of Man, Are beaming triumph in your van! Slow to resolve, be swift to do! Teach ye the false how fight the true! How bucklered perfidy shall feel In her black heart the patriot's steel; How sure the bolt that justice wings; How weak the arm a traitor brings; How mighty they, who steadfast stand For Freedom's Flag and Freedom's Land! At this epoch what a wail went throughout the nation! Brave men fell in battle on American soil. Fathers lost sons, sons fathers, brothers brothers, and the land was loud with the lamentations of the widow and orphan. In the midst of this woe, how pleasant it is to record that the ranks of the volunteer regiments of California were almost daily receiving accessions to their strength, and still more pleasing is it to remember that Petaluma did its share on the side of Freedom by sending Company D, Captain William E. HULL, into the regular service. We will now continue our resume of the transactions of the Board of Trustees. On January 20, 1862, a committee was appointed to draft amendments to the city charter, as also one to define rules for the government of the Board, while on the 25th the following ordinances were adopted: Those relating to licenses, fire department; meetings of the Board; disorderly conduct; street commissioner; grades on Main and Washington Streets; nuisances; swine and goats; well in East Petaluma; water rights to John CAVANAGH et al; repeal of certain ordinances; and a set of rules for the guidance of the municipality in their counsels was introduced and passed. On April 21st, the annual election was held with the following result: B. F. TUTTLE, E. ELLIOTT, I. D. CROSS, Samuel BROWN, W. D. BLISS, President, Board of Trustees; Recorder, Josiah CHANDLER; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Marshal, John CAVANAGH; Assessor, T. S. LINDSEY; Street Commissioner, J. M. LIGHTNER; Clerk, F. D. COLTON, who on the 28th July Was appointed City Attorney in addition to his other duties. On August 19th, the plaza was directed to be enclosed by a fence, and on September 26th, a meeting of citizens was directed to be convened for the purpose of considering the propriety of raising a patriotic fund for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers of the war. Early in the year, the much vexed question of creek navigation was taken up, and a steam dredge set to work to deepen the channel; this was not the work of the corporation, however, but that of Mr. MINTURN of the steamboat company. He purposed making the creek navigable only as far as the point known as the Italian Garden, where he would place the steamer landing, the balance he left with the citizens. At this period the question of the horse railroad from that point was again mooted, and a committee composed of Messrs. LAMBERTON, OVERTON, BAYLIS, LOUGEE, BARNES, ORDWAY and SAWYER, were appointed to draft a bill to be submitted at a meeting to be subsequently convened. On the 4th March such meeting was duly held and the approval of the bill was unanimously signified by the assembly. Its provisions were that H. J. MAY, Charles M. BAXTER, William KOHL, and those whom they may associate with them, shall lay out a railroad, on which horses and mules shall be used, from the Italian Garden to any point in Petaluma, provided that the road shall not extend north of Washington Street. It further provided that the corporation shall collect passage and freight on said road, the rate to be fixed by the Trustees of the city of Petaluma, which shall not be less than eighteen per cent a year on the amount of capital invested, unless by consent of the company, giving them the right to so collect for twenty years. It also provided that the work on the road shall be commenced within six months, and completed within twenty-two months. In this enterprise the city had not been asked to render any assistance; individual enterprise alone appeared in the work which should apparently have been taken hold of by the community; how it prospered will, in the course of our labors, be shown. In the month of March a bill to amend the charter of Petaluma was laid before the Legislature. In reporting the movement the Alta of the 11th of that month says: "Mr. REED moved to suspend the rules, consider engrossed, on part or final passage. Mr. DUDLEY, of Placer, asked for the reading of the bill, and after it was read, he characterized it as a most extraordinary bill. It proposed to allow the city to exact licenses from billiard tables, dram-shops, etc., and he thought it would interfere with the general revenue law. He moved to recommit it to the delegation from Sonoma for revision. Mr. REED said it was in no respect an extraordinary bill, and did not conflict with the revenue law at all. It simply asked the same privilege for Petaluma that was enjoyed by San Francisco, Sacramento, and all other cities. The motion to suspend the rules was sustained, and the bill passed." We reproduce from the Journal of May 30, 1862, an article which goes far to show the attitude of public feeling, on the subject of the city charter a decade after the settlement of the town was commenced. "Since discussions of many important enterprises had, of late among our citizens have invariably closed in the expression that nothing at present can be done, while at the same time all have admitted the necessity of the measures we have made bold to express, wherein lays the cause of nonaction; and as a result almost always find that the assistance and co-operation of Petaluma as an incorporated people, is needed; but that, being restricted by its charter in its action, is powerless for good, and thus in its shackled condition, all large enterprises needing its endorsement, fall palsied, still-born, to the ground. A glance at the charter and we are convinced that powerless indeed is Petaluma, as an incorporated city, for the accomplishment of any great result. Like a child has she been bound; no tool of cunning placed in its hands but its effective edge is first carefully rounded off, lest, forsooth, it cuts its fingers, and there be a doctor's bill to pay. "We have no disposition to rebuke those individuals who first conceived the idea of restricting the city in its action; but we are free to say that such a course was a decided protest to the great principles of republican government, "that the people are able to govern themselves." It has always been a principle of law that when power is given to individuals and bodies to do certain acts, that all minor powers necessary to perform these acts, go with the gift. In Petaluma's case, however, the rule has been changed; she has been made a city in name, privileges vested in her to do certain things, but the means for doing, no matter what the wishes of the people, are carefully and wisely (?) taken from her. How like the child is she, whose father sends her to school to be educated, but fails to provide the necessary books to learn from; or the mechanic that is expected to execute a fine piece of work, but has neither the tools nor material to do it with. "Such is the condition of Petaluma, her hands tied to the performance of every great work. Better by far would it be that she had no pretensions at all, rather than a vain sounding title, without the means to adorn it and make it useful. Her means must be frittered away in half finished foundations, whilst the superstructure never is raised. The objection has been offered that the city might be run in debt if her people, through their Trustees, were permitted to do such things as her wants really demand. If such is the fear, and if that is a good reason for the restriction, why have a city at all? Why not remain as a township, with the County Supervisors to judge and provide for our wants as they deem necessary. As a conclusion, we may remark that there are many enterprises which, if they had a few years since been carried through, would by this time have paid for themselves by taxation on the increased value of property, besides the largely increased one of population and business. No more appropriate occasion than the present has ever presented itself in which to make a movement for the abandonment of the narrow-minded policy which has so long governed us. The disputed land claim upon which our city rests, about to be settled, the individual enterprise of some of our citizens invite the people to step forth and declare, that to govern themselves they need not be restricted by others." Let us now continue out note of events: On the night of the 10th April, a fiendish attempt to destroy the city prison by fire was made by an intoxicated person named Crane. Fortunately for him the flames were discovered in sufficient time to check their progress, else he would have perished on a pyre of his own raising. Again, on Thursday July 3d, the first conflagration of any magnitude which the city had experienced broke out in a building occupied by Mr. PIERSON. Although the fire company labored manfully, yet, spite of all efforts, the property belonging to Mr. PIERSON, that of William AYRES, occupied by R. LANDSON as a livery stable, and the Artesian Water Works of Mr. ARMSTRONG were burned to the ground, considerable damage being also done to the premises of the Sonoma County Journal and others. The losses on the occasion were not far short of three thousand dollars. Among all the prospects for the future in which the mind of man is engrossed, unlooked for death occasionally steals in to prove that we are but mortal. On the 30th of January, 1862, Doctor S. W. BROWN, one of the earliest of the city's residents, was struck down in the full strength and vigor of a useful life, esteemed, respected, and sorrowed for by all. He was a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and at the time of his death was about sixty years of age. He emigrated to California in 1849, and located in Sacramento, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1852, at which time he removed to Petaluma, where he had since resided. He was a man of much literary attainment, and a warm friend of education, and had been untiring in his efforts for its advancement in this city. In 1860 he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan that moves To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the quarry slave, at night Scourged to his dungeon; but sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." At this period of her existence Petaluma entered into a career of prosperity unequalled by any portion of her past history. The first real estate sales of any moment which had taken place in two years indicated flattering prospects for the future; while wood shanties made way for more substantial fabrics, notable among these being the removal of the American Hotel back a distance of sixty feet, and the contemplated substitution of a three-storied brick edifice. This building was finished and ready for the occupation of guests early in 1863. In addition to these signs of prosperity we should not omit to mention that in this year (1862) the city was well stocked with mechanical establishments; of these enterprises there being, the blacksmithing and wheelwright shops of William ORDWAY, the tannery of Mr. BAILEY, the carriage and blacksmith emporium of FRITSCH, ZARTMAN & Co., the foundry and machine shop of HATCH & COBB; and in East Petaluma, the match factory under charge of Mr. HUTCHINGS. Another indication of prosperity which made itself apparent at this time was the fact of their being so few unoccupied houses, while all through the town signs of increase in building accommodation was to be seen. Once more the incendiary's blackened hand had been to work! On the 7th of November, the Petaluma Steam Flouring Mills, situated at the north end of Main Street, were totally destroyed by fire, notwithstanding every effort was made to save them by the Fire Department. The building was erected by VEATCH & HUTCHINSON, in 1857, at a cost of upwards of twenty thousand dollars. On March 7, 1863, the records of the city announce the election of T. F. BAYLIS and A. P. MALLORY as Chief and Assistant Engineers of the Fire Department, and on April 20th, the annual election of city officers was held, when the following body corporate was chosen: Board of Trustees, O. SWEETLAND, President; Lee ELLSWORTH, John SHROUFE, William ORDWAY, and H. L. WESTON; Recorder, Josiah CHANDLER; Marshal, John CAVANAGH; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Assessor, T. K. WILSON; Street Commissioner, J. M. LIGHTNER; Clerk, F. D. COLTON. At the session succeeding the election the thanks of the meeting were tendered to W. D. BLISS, the retiring President, for the dignity and impartiality with which he had presided over their deliberations during his term of office. A report of the Committee appointed to investigate the working of the ordinance relative to the Fire Department was accepted on May 25th, while on the day following a law was passed granting to C. M. BAXTER and others the right to erect gas works and lay pipes through the streets of the city. On November 9th, a petition was presented by certain citizens to be allowed to erect a bridge over the ravine at the junction of Fifth and Sixth Streets; a Committee was appointed to investigate the necessity of such, and reported adversely, but recommended the substitution of a few planks to be placed across the chasm at that point; however, on December 14th, the bridge was finally ordered to be constructed, the city furnishing the material, notwithstanding the willingness of the residents in that section to defray the cost thereof. About half-past four o'clock on the morning of February 18, 1863, the bell again rang out its clarion tones to arouse the slumbering firemen. The Petaluma House was the scene of the alarm - the kitchen, or ell, of which was discovered to be in flames. This building, as also those immediately adjoining on either side, being wooden and of the most combustible character, the flames spread rapidly, and soon cleared a space of about one hundred and twenty-five feet on Main street, notwithstanding the noble efforts put forth by the firemen to stay its course. That the fire was the work of an incendiary admits of not a doubt. The hotel in which it originated had not been occupied for several weeks. The sufferers were Charles HUNT, of Petaluma, and H. H. PARKELL, of San Francisco, owners of the hotel; B. NEWMAN, owner of the building adjoining it on the south; FRITSCH, ZARTMAN, & Co., owners of that adjoining it on the north, and the POHELMAN BROTHERS, butchers, occupants of the same. About the time that the firemen were congratulating themselves that the danger of a general conflagration had passed, and there being scarcely a breath of air stirring, notwithstanding the magnitude of the fire, they were appalled by the startling intelligence that the rear of the brick building on the east side of the street, owned by Doctor J. L. BOND, and occupied by Thomas HAGANS, as a stable (the building that stopped the fire of July 3d, from sweeping that side of the street) was in flames! Upon turning their attention to this quarter, it was found that the hay, in the shed adjoining the building and standing immediately upon the bank of the creek, had been fired, and that the flames had already extended through the back door to the stables and roof of the brick building. All efforts to save it proved unavailing, and the roof soon fell in with a loud crash. The horses, carriages, and portion of the harness were removed. The loss of property - building, hay, grain, harness, etc., is estimated at from twelve to fifteen hundred dollars. The walls of the building having been of great thickness and durability they escaped with little or no damage. Once more we have to record the arrival of the dread messenger. On March 2d, Samuel TUSTIN, one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens of Petaluma, was called to cross the dark river, at the advanced age of seventy-three years. Mr. Tustin and his family were among the pioneers of this coast and State, having emigrated from Illinois to Oregon in 1847, from which point they came to California in 1849, settling at Sacramento, where he remained until 1851, when he moved to Petaluma, then an open plain, but from the bosom if which he lived to see spring into existence a numerous, happy and prosperous community. Having always taken an active part in all matters of a local character, upon the prerogative of a city government, he was chosen a member of the first Board of Trustees. The evening of the 19th of December was the city for the first time lit by gas, while a month earlier, the Central Flouring mills commenced work, under the direction of A. P. MALLORY, making the third flour mill erected in the city. Among the other occurrences of the year was that of a prize-fight, which took place on the bank of the creek, about one mile below Lakeville, between Johnny LAZARUS and Pete DALEY. The school census for Petaluma District during the year was as follows: Males, over four and under eighteen years of age, two hundred and seventy; females over four and under eighteen, two hundred and fifty-one; total males and females, five hundred and twenty-one. Under four years of age, two hundred and sixteen; between eighteen and twenty-one years, thirty; under twenty-one, born in California, four hundred and seventy; between four and six years, ninety-one; between these ages attending public school, sixty-eight; total attending public school, ninety-three; total attending private school, eighty-two; not attending any school, one hundred and forty-three; Indian children, ten; negro, five; deaf and dumb, three. The first record of any interest to be found in the proceedings of the Board of Trustees for the year 1864 is the election of the Corporation, on April 18th, these being: Board of Trustees - Lee ELLSWORTH, William ORDWAY, John SROUFE, O. SWEETLAND, President, and A. P. WHITNEY; Recorder, G. W. REED; Assessor, T. K. WILSON; Marshal, John CAVANAGH; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Street Commissioner, Almon JOHNSON; Clerk, F. B. COLTON. On the 25th, the question of salary to the Recorder was mooted, a committee was, therefore, appointed to investigate the amount of emolument received in former years by that officer, so that the rate which should be voted, might be determined. In this regard the committee reported on May 3d that the average of salaries for the past three years had not exceeded one hundred and fifty dollars, while the sums received showed a yearly decrease; it was, therefore, on motion, ordered that the salary of the Recorder of the city of Petaluma be fixed and established at one hundred and twenty-five dollars per annum. Although the subject of railroads had been for long occupying the attention of the City Fathers the first mention of one in their minute-book is found on May 23d, which appears in these words: "A petition was received from C. MINTURN to set aside the plaza, near the Union Hotel, for a railroad depot for twenty-five years, which was laid over under the rules of procedure." On June 13th, it was taken up and read, as was also a remonstrance against the granting of the prayer of the petition, signed by T. F. BAYLIS & Co., and others. On motion, it was ordered that the said position and remonstrance, and the consideration thereof be indefinitely postponed. July 25th, it was voted that the President be authorized to take the steps in his judgment proper to ascertain the amount, and what public lands the city authorities can pre-empt, and to make application for a pre-emption of the same; to this end inquiries were instituted, and a report made on August 8th, that the law enabling the Board of Trustees to pre-empt land had lately been repealed. We find, on October 4th, the report of the City Recorder was referred back to him that he should make a more definite report, specifying each case tried with amount of fees of different officers in each, amount of fines in each and sums collected in each. We have now to record a rather unusual accident in the affairs of cities. On the morning of August 4th of this same year, at about three o'clock, the citizens were aroused from their slumbers by a crushing sound, and the cry of "fire!" The cause of the alarm proved to be the falling of a two-story, fire-proof building on Main Street, owned by Gowan & McKay, and occupied by S. C. HAYDON as a drug store and express office of Wells, Fargo & Co.), completely demolishing it, and destroying the stock of goods. The building had been erected the previous year at an expense of five thousand dollars. The loss on the occasion was considerable; that of the proprietors could not have been much less than the original cost of the structure; while that of Mr. HAYDON - who nearly lost his life while in his chamber by the falling beams - was about twelve hundred dollars; Mr. CHAPMAN, one thousand; and the Masonic and Odd Fellows' societies being considerable also, for they had but recently fitted up the hall at an expense of fifteen hundred dollars. In May, 1857, water was for the first time introduced into Petaluma by William HENLEY. The spring from which it was procured was distant from Main Street about one hundred and fifty rods, and, at the time, ran seven to eight hundred gallons per hour, which could be increased if necessary. This was not the only improvement, however, in course of construction or even contemplated. What does the Journal say in this regard? "Notwithstanding the almost fabulous rapidity with which residences and stores have sprung into existence in Petaluma, during the past fifteen months, the demand continues to exceed the supply. In fact, for some months past, the only certain method for a new-comer to procure a dwelling, has been to either build himself, or enter into a contract previous to the erection of a building. Everything capable of being used, either as a store or residence, is constantly occupied. As a consequence, rents have become somewhat high, for a place of this size. Residences which could have been secured at fifteen dollars a month, one year ago, are now readily sought for at twenty and twenty-five per month. But this increased demand for buildings is not confined to residences alone; stores of all kinds, and more especially those which are supposed to be fireproof, are in equal demand, and at a greater premium. We are told that a gentleman from the interior wishing to engage in trade in Petaluma, a few days since authorized a friend of his to offer a premium of five hundred dollars for a lease of one of the stores in Phoenix Block. If our town is springing thus rapidly into a great and populous village, notwithstanding the almost overwhelming obstacle which it has to encounter in consequence of the uncertainty of land titles, what will it not do, and what may it not become, when her citizens and the people of the county generally, know in whom the titles are vested. When this great desideratum is attained, business, in Petaluma and Sonoma County at large, will receive an impetus which it never has, and never can otherwise experience. The future is big with promise for our town and our county." Hand in hand with these signs of the times, we find that the Eagle Brewery had already been started by Thomas EDWARDS; S. G. McCULLOUGH had cleared a lot on Main Street and commenced the erection of a fire-proof stable which was contemplated to be two stories high with dimensions of thirty by one hundred feet; the front being of dressed granite; and a new Flouring mill was in the course of construction by Messrs. G. W. VEATCH and W. A. HUTCHINSON of San Francisco on a site opposite the Revere House on Main Street. East Petaluma is that portion of the town which lies on the east bank of the creek, being part of the incorporated city. The tract on which it stands was originally purchased from General Vallejo by Tom HOPPER, but on August 27, 1857, he conveyed the two hundred and seventy acres to W. D. BLISS, John KAULKFMAN, and Stephen C. HAYDON, divided into shares of one-fourth each. Hitherto it had formed no connection with that portion situated on the west side; indeed, there were no means of crossing the creek, save by a not over-steady bridge, above the city. The Corporation at once constructed a draw-bridge at the foot of Washington Street, and surveyed, and subdivided the land into lots; soon after buildings commenced to rise on the newly chosen site and to-day it is no inconsiderable portion of Petaluma City. Petaluma, at this epoch in her career, had made such commendable progress, and so firmly established herself as a thriving and rising center of commerce, that she was granted a charter, in accordance with an Act of the Legislature of the State of California, approved April 12, 1858, entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Town of Petaluma." Consequent on the passage of this law an election of municipal officers was held on the nineteenth of the said month, when the following gentlemen were chosen as the first Board of Trustees of the city: William ELDER, W. L. ANDERSON, E. B. COOPER, Samuel TUSTIN, William ORDWAY. On the twenty-sixth, at a full meeting of the Board, Mr. ELDER was chosen President of the Corporation, and O. T. BALDWIN, clerk; while certificates of election were issued to the following named: Recorder, William HAYDON; Treasurer, Lewis LAMBERTON; Assessor, Moses ARMS; Marshal, James H. SIDDONS; D. D. CARDER being sworn in as a Justice of the Peace. Committees were appointed to procure suitable accommodations for the sessions of the Board, as also to draft By-laws for its government; these being adopted, with a few recommendations, on April 28, 1858. On May 3d, John BROWN was appointed Municipal Policeman, on a salary of sixty dollars a month; a memorial signed by the citizens being upon the same date; laid on the table, praying that a street be opened on the bank of the Petaluma Creek, to be called Front Street, commencing at a point at the foot of B Street and terminating at Hatch & Pickett's lumber yard. Motions were at the same time made for the health and government of the city, as well as for matters of general good, a stand being made against the permitting of hogs, goats, and other animals to roam at large about the public highways within the corporate limits. Three Fire-Wardens, in the persons of W. L. VAN DOREN, William ZARTMAN, and William F. LYON, were appointed on the 17th by the President. The Board, in meeting assembled, on this occasion considered the opening of the proposed Front Street; on discussion, however, the motion proposing its adoption was lost, by a vote of three against the opening to two for it. The subject was again brought up for reconsideration on the 19th, when its adoption was deferred till the next day, the ordinance "to define Front Street," being then adopted by sections, and directions given for its publication in the Sonoma County Herald. In due time bids for the building of a city prison were opened, and decrees concerning disorderly conduct, the suppression of houses of ill-fame, the storage of wood and gunpowder, and the prevention of public nuisances adopted. The completion of the prison was reported June 21st. On July 19th, English Street, from the creek to Upham Street, was declared opened, and on the 26th the survey of the corporate limits was announced to be completed. August 19th a tax of one per cent was ordered to be levied upon the assessed property of the city, which was objected to by T. F. BAYLIS, who thought an injustice was done him by such a levy on vessels owned by him. The matter was referred to Messrs. ANDERSON and COOPER, as a committee, to investigate the law in reference to the tax on craft running on Petaluma Creek. On September 23d, a committee, composed of H. GOWAN, J. McCUNE, A. B. DERBY, John S. ROBBERSON, and J. L. PICKETT, citizens of Petaluma was appointed to establish a grade on Main Street, beginning at the crossing at Jackson and Lusk's building; and extending to Stanley Hill. A survey was ordered to be made of the square bounded by Main, Washington, Liberty and English Streets, on the 29th; while at this time a full and correct statement of all business transacted in the different offices of the municipality, and all monies received and paid from the time of their entering upon their duties up to the first Monday in October, was directed to be prepared for presentation to the Board of Trustees, who in turn should make a report of the financial condition of the city, which was done, and finally approved and ordered printed, October 6th; November 9th, the Board determined their willingness to receive bids for the construction of two brick fire-cisterns, of the capacity of twenty-thousand gallons each; on December 8th, a committee, appointed to carry out the scheme, reported that a contract had been entered into with J. B. KEAN, for seven hundred and ninety-nine dollars, for the construction of the same, one to be situated at the intersection of English and Kentucky streets, and the other at the crossing of the latter street with Washington. So much for the doings of the Board of Trustees during the year 1858; we will now revert to other matters of more general interest. In the fall of the year 1858 the subject of providing a suitable school house was taken up with a strong will by the residents, and a well attended meeting to consider the means to be adopted was held on the evening of Friday, September 3rd, when it was conceded on every hand that such an institution was imperatively needed. A resolution was accordingly passed requesting the School Trustees to issue a call for an election to vote an assessment of five thousand dollars for this object About this period another school, kept by Mrs. VARNEY and named the Hill Seminary, would appear to have had and existence, while it is recorded that a large bell of a thousand pounds weight was placed in the steeple of the newly completed Baptist church. In this regard Petaluma had certainly made considerable advance; three years before she possessed but one church, the Methodist, and that of the most meagre dimensions; with the completion of the Baptist she boasted four large and commodious places of worship, to wit: a Methodist, a Congregational, a Catholic, and that already named, besides which the Episcopalians had a building in course of construction. Mr. BARNES, the School Marshal for the city reports the number of children, for the past year, between four and eighteen years of age to be four hundred and ninety-one. Of this number two hundred and eighty-nine are boys and three hundred and two girls; of these one hundred and ninety-six are California born, while thirty-four are orphans. The year 1858 also saw many business improvements, among them being the erection of a brick building for a machine shop, also the building of a tannery in East Petaluma, while the streets which the previous winter were a "slough of despond" promised soon to rival the works of that "colosus of roads" McADAM. Several new buildings were being put up and arrangements made for the construction of others - everything was prosperous, as may be gleaned from the following words of a local writer: "The growth of Petaluma, unlike many California towns, is like the oaks upon the hills - every inch gained in size is firmly and securely put together and bound to stick." With all this, yet she wanted more. She desired a postal route hence, to Humboldt bay via Bloomfield, Tomales, Bodega, Fort Ross, and other points along the coast; a railroad by way of Santa Rosa to Healdsburg was another; and the straightening of the creek between the city and RUDESILL'S Landing, and proper locks put up so as to make navigation easy. Taking it all in all, the year 1858 developed new elements of wealth, an increase of population and a spirit of content among the people of the city which it will be our duty to show has never decreased to the present time. The year 1859 was ushered in, as has been shown, by a promise of lasting plenty. On the 3d of January the Petaluma Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, and Petaluma Engine Company No. 1, were recognized by the Board of Trustees as independent companies, while for the better protection of property from fire, an ordinance requiring house-holders to keep a certain supply of water on their premises was ordered to be drafted. In this month a petition to the Legislature was put in circulation asking the repeal of the act incorporating the city; but it did not receive much encouragement from the tax-paying portion of the community, nor the press. The Journal of January 21st, on this question remarks: "That there are objections to be urged against the charter itself, we are well aware, but against municipal government they are very few. The defects which have manifested themselves in the charter should be reduced. Thus far, imperfect as it may be, it has worked advantageously, and that, too, at but trifling cost to our citizens. With some alterations we believe it will work to the satisfaction of all." At the meeting held on February 17th, an ordinance creating a Fire Department was passed and instructions given for its official publication, while other regulations were adopted in regard to the better protection against fire. The office of Fire-Wardens was abolished, the Foremen of the companies being required to fulfill the duties of these offices. J. E. CONGLETON was on this date appointed Constable in place of J. K. BROWN, dismissed. March 7th, the resignation of E. B. COOPER from the board was accepted , the following resolution being adopted on his retirement: "Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of E. B. Cooper, we take this occasion to bear testimony to his uniform courtesy. fidelity and efficiency as a member of this Board." On this secession from office Frank W. SHATTUCK was appointed in his stead, while on the same date George WALKER and Frank BRAY were elected Chief and Assistant engineers of the Fire Department. Thus was the first year of office closed with what record the long list of business transacted, only partially quoted by us, will speak for itself. On April 18, 1859, the second election for municipal offices was held with the following result: Board of Trustees, William ORDWAY, Thomas F. BAYLIS, James N. MCCUNE, J. Q. SHIRLEY, and William L. ANDERSON, President; Recorder, S. ABELL; Marshal, J. D. CROSS; Treasurer, Lewis LAMBERTON; Assessor, F. POST; Clerk, O.T. BALDWIN; Constable, William BLOWER. The books and papers having been handed over to the appointees, the requisite committees on ways and means were nominated forthwith. On May 5th, an ordinance regulating the duties of the municipal police was passed, followed on the 26th by another regulating the width of sidewalks to be eight feet, excepting on English, Potato, Mary and Martha Streets, which should be six feet wide. Placing obstructions on the trottoirs was at the same time made a punishable offense. A lengthy dissertation hereafter followed on the nature of the pavement to be used which was finally left in the hands of a committee, while another was appointed to devise means for the improvement of the creek. An ordinance was passed on August 8th authorizing the arrest of intoxicated persons, and directing their trial, when sober, by the Recorder; on the same day a tax of two dollars to establish a school fund was authorized. December 19th, a petition was received from the resident physicians of the city of Petaluma praying that the Board of Trustees confer with the Supervisors of Sonoma County in regard to the establishment of a fund to be devoted to the care of the indigent sick, a motion which was referred to a committee. The last act of the year was the resignation on December 30th of Treasurer LAMBERTON and the appointment of Smith D. TOWNE in his stead. During the year 1859, the city would appear to have still kept up its onward march; real estate had increased in value, the brick building on Main Street , opposite the American Hotel, erected by Captain P. B. HEWLETT, having been disposed of for six thousand dollars to L. LEWIS, while E. R. MOFFET had purchased the lot adjoining on the south from the same gentleman for four thousand four hundred. On the east side of the creek building had proceeded briskly, and as a matter of consequence the value of lots in that part of the city had materially advanced, as high as five hundred dollars having been refused for a lot measuring eighty by one hundred feet. Roads, too, were being located with all speed; among others the Supervisors had directed the commencement of one from Petaluma, and one from Lakeville, to Sonoma; one from Petaluma to the Marin County line, to intersect the San Rafael Road; one from Petaluma, via Two-Rock valley, to the Marin County line; and one from Petaluma to Bodega. In June, 1859, a movement was started by several of the prominent citizens of Petaluma to raise the sum of ten thousand dollars for the purpose of erecting a first-class institution of learning. The plan of operation intended was the formation of a joint-stock company, the shares to be placed at five hundred dollars each, the building to be constructed of brick or stone, and to be arranged after the most approved style of modern boarding schools, so as to offer every accommodation to pupils from a distance as well as to those in the district. As a first step, the old house was sold on July 9th, when it brought ninety-nine dollars and eighty-five cents, which was after augmented to an even sum by a contribution of fifteen cents from some generous-hearted citizen. No time was lost in the commencement of the new building or the letting of contracts, and on August 6th the corner-stone was laid with much ceremony, and the finest school building in the State was looked for at no distant date. The lot on which the structure stands is centrally located, it being one hundred and fifty by three hundred and ninety feet in area, while the building itself covers forty-eight by ninety-four feet, ground measure. The rooms are arranged for three several departments - Primary, intermediate, and grammar. The room for the primary department is on the first floor, and is twenty-eight by forty-two feet. That for the intermediate, also on the first floor, and having an independent entrance, is forty-two feet square, with recitation room fourteen by sixteen feet. The grammar, or classical department, occupies the upper floor. The main room is forty-five by fifty-four feet, connected with which are two recitation rooms, each fourteen by twenty-two feet, and a library room, fourteen by fourteen feet. The entire cost of the building is estimated at eleven thousand three hundred and forty-one dollars and ten cents. While on the subject of this noble effort on the part of the city of Petaluma it may be well to mention that the school-house was dedicated on Monday, February 20,1860, under the most auspicious circumstances. On Tuesday, August 30, 1859, an interesting ceremony took place in the presentation to the Petaluma Guards of a stand of colors, by Miss Louise PERKINS, who, on behalf of the "matrons and maidens of Petaluma," made a neat and felicitous speech on the occasion. Among other events in this year, worthy of being recorded, several dastardly attempts to fire the city should not be omitted. It would appear that no less than three efforts had been made, the first being on the night of the 6th October, in the lumber or store-house connected with the carriage factory of William ORDWAY, located at the lower end of the business part of the town; a second attempt was made in the rear of the Franklin Hotel, on the night of October 8th; the third took place on the evening of the 10th, while yet another, and perhaps the boldest attempt at arson yet made, was discovered on the evening of November 20th, on the premises of PORTER BROTHERS, on Keokuk street. Fortunately the work of the villainous incendiaries was on each occasion discovered ere any harm could be done. The newspapers of the day report a mysterious murder to have occurred about this time. On the last named date the dead body of a man named James NEARY was discovered lying on a pile of wood, near the Occidental Mills, on the east side of the creek, with a wound in the left breast, which, upon examination, proved to have been inflicted by a large knife. The blow was one of great force, literally splitting the fifth rib and passing through the heart. A most rigid and thorough investigation of all the evidence in the case was had, but without eliciting positive proof of who committed the deed. Deceased had for some time previously been living at Bodega, but more recently had been employed at Two-Rock Valley, which place he left and came to the city on the Saturday. He was last seen at two o'clock on Sunday morning, in company with one HALSEY, who was accordingly arrested, circumstances pointing strongly to him as the author; he was there-fore held for trial, and committed to the county prison. In casting a retrospective glance upon the city for the year 1859, we find prosperity still on the increase, and Petaluma, from an unimportant country town, rapidly becoming a city of opulence, refinement and culture. Its redwood shake stores and ware-houses had long ago given place to elegant and capacious brick and freestone edifices, its uneven, irregular and muddy thoroughfares to well graded and paved streets; its rough and unpainted shanties, unblessed by the light of woman's smile, to neat and inviting cottages and comfortable homes, around whose hearthstones clustered groups of prattling children; its places of worship had increased four-fold, and its population in a like ratio. The open waste of meadow land was being fast inclosed; cultivated fields appeared on every hand, and the hills covered with flocks and herds. A number of families, not only from the Eastern States, and from the mining regions of the State, but from the surrounding towns of Sonoma and Marin counties had moved into Petaluma, with the determination of making it their permanent home, while the promise for the future was as hopeful as ever. With the above described state of prosperity the city commenced the year 1860. Early in February the citizens presented a petition to the Board of Trustees, praying for an official survey of Petaluma, and on March 26th it was ordered that W. A. ELIASON be employed to make such survey, he being paid therefor at the rate of two hundred dollars per month, the corporation furnishing him with two assistants. On April 16th, the election of municipal officers took place; however, before giving the names of these gentlemen we would here quote from the Journal what were the issues of the day to be considered in connection with the election: "Let none other than such persons as will pledge themselves to use their best efforts to have the navigation of Petaluma Creek improved, receive your votes. Let this be the test, for with the Board of Trustees to be elected on that day depends the fate of the charter for improving the navigation of Petaluma Creek. "One year has passed since the Legislature of this State granted us a charter for the improving of the creek, and conceding to the cooperation each and every point asked, and yet the city authorities have failed to avail themselves of its advantages. The provisions of the bill are of a most liberal character, so much so, indeed, that it is a well-known fact that like privileges could not have been obtained by any private body of citizens. By its provisions it became the duty of the city to commence the work within one year from the passage of the act, and to have the work completed within two years. Enough money has probably been expended on the creek to prevent a forfeiture. To secure to our city the full benefit of the improvements, a provision was inserted that the Board of Trustees "shall have power to sell, transfer and convey, all or any part of the right, privileges, franchise and immunities," to such parties as may agree to make the required improvements "on the most favorable terms, and giving a good and satisfactory bond for the faithful performance of the contract." For improving the creek the city is granted the right to collect a "toll of seven cents per ton for all vessels passing through the lock or locks, either way for the past ten years, and five cents per ton for ten additional years." The choice of the people fell on Frank W. LOUGEE, William ORDWAY, William L. ANDERSON, President; Edward BARNES and D. D. CARDER as a Board of Trustees, with the following officers: Clerk, O. T. BALDWIN; Recorder, L. C. REYBURN; Assessor, Smith D. TOWNE; Marshal, George L. BRADLEY; Street Commissioner, J. B. HINKLE. On April 17th, a contract was entered into with W. A. ELIASON for surveying the city and defining the blocks and streets; and, on the 23d the Clerk was authorized to procure a Corporation seal for the Board. It was made a misdemeanor, on June 19th, for the owner or driver of any animal or team to permit it to stand in the street in front of an engine house, under a penalty of not more than ten or less than two dollars; while on July 16th privilege was granted to John CAVANAGH, George L. BRADLEY, and John ROBBINS, to convey fresh water from their springs to such citizens as may desire to purchase it. The above mentioned gentlemen, having incorporated themselves into the Petaluma Mountain Water Company, had surveyed a route between the city and the Adobe Creek and proposed the introduction of water from that stream, the distance being estimated at four and a half miles. Such was the want of this commodity that on December 17th the Board of Trustees unhesitatingly passed the following resolution: "That the Petaluma Mountain Water Company have the right to introduce water from the Adobe Creek through any lands, streets, alleys, or public places which the city has control, provided the city have the free use of the water so introduced for fire purposes and for public schools." July 30th, an ordinance prohibiting disorderly conduct within the city limits was passed, it being at the same time resolved "that hereafter this Board will refuse to audit any bills against the city for the trial of any person or persons for misdemeanor wherein Justices of the Peace have concurrent jurisdiction with Recorder's Court," the following commendable rule being also made, that the Clerk of the Board be required to draw warrants upon the Treasurer according to priority of numbers. The resignation of Street Commissioner HINKLE was received and accepted on October 1st; on the 26th the name of the street hitherto distinguished by the appellation of Potato, was changed to the more euphonious one of Prospect, while on November 9th, the map drawn by W. A. ELIASON, after such alterations as were ordered had been made, was accepted and adopted as the official map of the city of Petaluma. In this year we have the first mention of a railroad having taken anything like a definite shape. It would appear that A. P. OVERTON has asked the Legislature for the right to construct a rail track between Petaluma and a point on the creek known as the Italian Garden. By some the project was loudly berated as an outrageous attempt to despoil, rob, and even to remove Petaluma to Saucelito! By others it was advocated, with considerable warmth. Another railroad scheme mooted about this time would appear to have found greater favor in the eyes of the public, for no less than two surveys are reported to have been made for a railroad down the creek from Petaluma, the first being for a track from May's landing, four miles in length, cutting off about twelve miles of meandering creek navigation, at a cost of forty-five thousand five hundred and twenty-eight dollars; and the second, on the opposite or eastern side of the creek, commencing at Lakeville, the distance being six miles from Petaluma, and costing forty-nine thousand five hundred and thirty-five dollars. The last route was adopted on account of readier facilities for the earlier completion of the undertaking, and the cutting off of some difficult navigation. We must now record the opening up of stage communication with Tomales Bay, as also the occurrence of two fires on the 8th and 10th of May, when a stable belonging to J. A. GASTON, and the carpenter's shop of Eli MULLEN were totally destroyed. Mention should also be made of a pronounced desire on the part of residents in Marin to petition the Legislature that their county line should be extended eastward, so as to include all that portion of Sonoma lying between the then county line of Marin and Sonoma, and the Napa line, and as far north as may be necessary to embrace Two-Rock Valley, Big Valley, etc., thence on to the mouth of the Estero Americano, and that Petaluma should become the county seat of Marin; all of which found some advocates, but not sufficient numbers to carry the plan into effect. In this year of grace, too, was opened the public road between Sonoma and this city, though it was not completed without considerable opposition from many whose lands it ran through. In the month of November a contract was awarded to RUDESILL & PARSONS for carrying a semi-weekly mail between Petaluma and Sacramento, while on December 14th the Petaluma Savings and Loan Society was established, rules and regulations adopted, and the following officers elected: President, F. W. LOUGEE; Vice-President, William ORDWAY; Secretary, I. S. CHURCH; Trustees - F. W. LOUGEE, James N. McCUNE, William ORDWAY, S. H. WAGGENER, B. F. TUTTLE, and I. D. CROSS. In 1861, the city records show that on January 15th the Clerk of the Board of Trustees was instructed to set forth to the representative in the Legislature the desire of the Board to have the city map as made out by W. A. ELIASON, legalized. We also find that an election was called for March 4th to select officers for the Fire Department, but no record is extant as to who were chosen on the occasion, neither is the result of an election ordered to take place on the 25th of March in accordance with an act of the Legislature providing for an election on the question of the repeal of the charter, recorded. From the periodicals of the day we glean that the city of Petaluma was divided on the question of the repeal of the charter; there were those who opposed it solely on the grounds of its alleged defects, but who were honest in their purpose to destroy it in order to secure a new one that would in their judgment better promote the interests of the city, while the opposite party took the ground that though the charter was not without its defects, still, it had accomplished much good for the city, and, as it could neither tax citizens nor involve them in debt, it would be certainly more prudent to retain it in its original form until something better should be found to take its place. We here produce the following terse and apposite remarks on the subject from the columns of the Sonoma County Journal of March 22, 1861. "As citizens of this young and growing city we have interests which are peculiarly our own, and we are threatened by dangers and animated by hopes that do not directly affect our fellow citizens of the surrounding country. The Legislature has conferred upon us the privilege of fostering, projecting, and building up these interests, by the adoption of any wise and prudent means that our judgment may approve, or our circumstances allow. We are also clothed with the power of self protection against all the evils and dangers that threaten us, whether it be the safety, the peace, the order, or the morality of the city that is violated. Under such circumstances, by a union of effort, directed by a prudent regard for our own interest, Petaluma may continue to increase in wealth, prosperity, and commercial importance, until our highest hopes are realized. But if we say to the Legislature, take back the privilege you have conferred upon us, we have no interests to foster, no evils to eradicate, no dangers to avert, no hopes to realize though such a union of energy and enterprise as these charter privileges were designed to promote - then we publish to the world the indubitable evidence of our want of enterprise and public spirit, and deliberately abandon the only means that wisdom and experience have been able to devise to meet the wants and interests, and secure prosperity of communities such as ours. If we allow selfishness, jealousy, folly or caprice to hoodwink us into the perpetration of an act that will so completely cripple our progress and prostrate our interests, we can look to the future with no joyous anticipations, and henceforth will have everything to fear and nothing to hope." The annual election of municipal officers was held on April 15th, with the following result: E. BARNES, President, Samuel C. BROWN, I. D. CROSS, E. ELLIOT, B. F. TUTTLE, Board of Trustees; Marshal, D. F. STROTHER; Recorder, J. CHANDLER; Treasurer, S. D. TOWNE; Assessor, W. L. ANDERSON; Street Commissioner, L. N. HARMON; Clerk, O. T. BALDWIN. On 23d April, Surveyor ELIASON was instructed to set five monuments within the limits of his survey of the city, commencing at the intersection of English and Main Streets, while on October 7th the resignation of O. T. BALDWIN was accepted, and F. D. COLTON appointed Clerk to the Board in his stead. On February 19, 1864, the Sonoma County Journal issued its valedictory address, the plant and good will having been purchased by the Argus, a paper which had been previously established. In this place we will add our slight tribute of praise to the very excellent manner in which this, the father of journalistic effort in Petaluma, was conducted; we must not forget to say how thankful we are for the host of valuable information in connection with this work which we have been enabled to glean from its columns, information which it would have been impossible to arrive at save from a newspaper. In the early part of the year 1864, complaints were rife in regard to the high prices which obtained for grain, flour, hay - indeed, every article of consumption for man and beast - a circumstance then causing the most gloomy forebodings. Let us not dwell, however, on these dark pictures; it is sufficient for our work to record their existence; more pleasurable is it to turn to the brighter and more progressive spots in Petaluma's history. At the epoch of which we write her many churches were all in a flourishing condition, new fire companies were organized as the necessity for them arose. while the public, as well as the private schools, showed commendable prosperity and increase in attendance. The following remarks will illustrate the roll of scholars of the public schools for the year under consideration: Number of boys between four and eighteen years of age, three hundred and fifty; number of girls between the same ages, three hundred and thirty-nine; total number of white children between these ages, six hundred and eighty-nine. Number of white children under four years, three hundred and thirteen; number between eighteen and twenty-one years, twenty-six. Number of white children under twenty-one years born in California, six hundred and fifty-five; number between four and six, one hundred and forty-seven; number of white children between four and six attending school, twenty-five. Number of Indian children between four and eighteen, fifteen; number of Negro children of same age, nine. In the month of May we find the residents of the city much concerned in the matter of a bell, the story of which shall be told in as few words as possible: Several years before this period of which we write, the citizens were afflicted with a bell mania. The inhabitants of the lower portion of the city having, by contribution, purchased a bell for the Congregational church, those of the upper portion of the town at once determined to obtain another that would weigh more and sound louder than the one destined to call the residents of Lower Petaluma to their devotions. The result of this determination was the contributing, by divers and sundry persons, of a sum amounting to six or seven hundred dollars which was entrusted to M. DOYLE, who with it purchased the old Vigilance Committee Bell at San Francisco, the solemn cadence of which had warned CASEY, CORA, and others that the time had come for them to shuffle off this mortal coil. By common consent the bell was hung in the belfry of the First Baptist church in this city, with the conditions that it was to be used, not only as a church bell, but by the city, on all occasions when bells are usually kept in requisition; and in accordance with this arrangement , the city had kept a man employed to ring the bell at morning, noon and night. In consequence of the revolution which then shook the country from center to circumference, a revolution on a small scale was inaugurated in the Baptist congregation, and the result was the enacting of a set of loyal resolutions very unpalatable to the secession element of the community. On this certain parties felt themselves aggrieved, foremost among whom was Mr. DOYLE, and they determined that the bell should not give forth its brazen notes over a "d - d Abolition congregation;" and as he (DOYLE) had invested the sum of one hundred and five dollars in the aforesaid bell, he proceeded with a posse of men, and by means of a block and tackle, hoisted the bell from the belfry, placed it on a dray, and stored it in a convenient warehouse, much to the detriment of sleepy citizens who were wont to be released from the embrace of the drowsy god by its familiar peals. The excitement consequent upon this defiant disregard of the feelings and rights of the community was for a time intense, but it subsided when it became manifest that DOYLE, with his bell, occupied as unenviable a position as did the man who drew the elephant in the lottery. At a future date public opinion demanded the rehanging of the bell, it was subsequently cracked, and to-day rings out in discordant notes, in lively contrast with the other chimes which gladden the sounds of the early Sabbath morn. We will close our remarks on the year 1864 by stating that once more the fire-fiend was agog - on September 9th the steamboat warehouse having been burnt to the ground, causing a loss of fully ten thousand dollars, a Bloomfield firm who were shipping a new stock of goods being the heaviest losers. The proceedings of the municipality were inaugurated in the year 1865, by the election of a new house for engine company Sonoma No. 2, while, in conformity with a petition presented by E. BARNES, it was ordered, on the 27th March, that at the time of the election of city officers, a box should be provided so that the citizens might have the opportunity of expressing their wishes in the matter of taxing the city to improve the Petaluma Creek. April 15th, it was announced to the Board by Trustee ELLSWORTH that information had been just received of the assassination of Abraham LINCOLN, President of the United States, on the previous evening, and thereupon moved that, in respect to his memory, "the Board do now adjourn." Allusion to this dire calamity will be found further on. A petition of the heirs of the late Samuel TUSTIN was on the same date presented, praying that the City prison be removed from its present location, and a committee appointed to attend to the matter. On April 17th the under-mentioned gentlemen were chosen City Officers: Board of Trustees, O. SWEETLAND, President; John SROUFE, A.P. WHITNEY, Lee ELLSWORTH, and John STEWART; Recorder, Josiah CHANDLER; Marshal, James K. KNOWLES; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Assessor, A. P. MALLORY; Street Commissioner, A. JOHNSON; Clerk, F. D. COLTON. On the same date the following resolution was introduced in respect to the murder of President LINCOLN: "WHEREAS, This Board, in common with the whole family of our beloved country, are called upon to mourn the decease of our honored Chief Magistrate, stricken down by the hand of an assassin, in the height of his power and usefulness, and at a time when all manly hearts yearned for a speedy restoration of peace in our land, therefore be it Resolved, That we regard the death of Abraham Lincoln a great National calamity, and view with horror the atrocity of the crime that has deprived our country of him whom we regarded as the safeguard of liberty. Resolved further, That these proceedings be entered upon our book of records, and also that we wear crape for thirty days. Resolved further, That this Board do now adjourn." The ordinance requiring the collection of the street tax was read the third time on May 22d, and passed. On June 26th, President SWEETLAND resigned his place on the Board, he being succeeded by M. HINMAN. Consequent on the petition of E. BARNES and others, an ordinance was passed on the 23rd of October, regulating the blowing of steam whistles within the city limits; while on the same date Recorder CHANDLER tendered his resignation, which was accepted, George W, REED being appointed in his stead, on the day following. On December 9th, the committee which had been appointed to make a contract and superintend the building of a turn-table bridge across the creek at the foot of Washington Street, reported that they had contracted with John CADDY to put in a turn-table, etc., for the sum of eight hundred and twenty-three dollars; that the said contract had been carried out and the bridge completed, whereupon payment was ordered. The event of greatest consequence, which occurred in the year 1865, was unquestionably the dastardly assassination of Abraham Lincoln, in Ford's Theatre, Washington D. C., by John Wilkes BOOTH, on the evening of the 14th April. Perhaps no calamity of a like nature had ever occurred to any nation; is it any wonder, then, that the whole land was flooded with tears, and each mourned as if a father had been taken, and was he not a father to the people? In him was vested the rule and safeguard of the people, at a juncture when a wise head and a pure heart, above all, was needed; he had labored indefatigably in their behalf, was even then toiling to bring about an honorable peace, honorable to friend and foe alike, and then to be cut off in the very zenith of his power; is it any wonder, we say, that the Nation, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, wept as one gigantic household for him who had led them through the uncertain quicksands of statecraft. In Petaluma the intelligence was received with every sign of respectful green; stores were closed, business suspended, while a special funeral service was held, when the citizens turned out en masse, and, after forming in procession, listened to an impressive sermon by Professor E. S. LIPPETT, on the life and death of the noble martyr. It may not be inappropriate here to quote the following tribute from the Petaluma Journal and Argus, of April 20, 1865: - "Fulness of speech may not be indulged, while a sable-clad Nation weeps at the tomb of its mighty fallen. Pearly drops from humid eyes, speak a language that tongue cannot utter, nor pen indite; the language of the heart as it has been since the stars sang together on the mourn of creation. As Mary knelt weeping by the sepulchre of the World's Redeemer, eighteen hundred years ago, even so now a Nation mourns at the tomb of its Saviour. The harsh notes of trumpet-tongued courier did not blazon his fall, but from where the placid Pacific laves our golden shores, the swift-winged messenger, with the rapidity of thought, and the low cadence of Summer winds, told the story of the assassin's deed; and scarce had the vaulted arch of Heaven been cleft to receive his noble spirit up on high, before around a million hearths sat unmanned manhood weeping, as it is seemly that women alone might weep. Never since the earth reeled as if rocked by a mighty tempest, and the vail of the temple was rent in twain, has mankind, universal, bled in the representative of principle so pure, so lofty, and so Godlike in their adaptability to all the wants and requirements of humanity, the world over, as in the person of ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Not like the meteor's fitful gleam athwart the sky, fading into the dark chaos of night, has been his going out, but as the bright orb of day sinking to rest behind the western hills leaves its last golden rays illumining the mountain gorge, and beetling cliff, so too will the light of his pure self-sacrificing devotion to Justice and Freedom, irradiate the dark corners of the earth, and the history of his life, and the story of his death, will be assigned a place in the world's archives; will be read by the glare of lamps, trimmed by servile hands, and do the bidding of those who claim to rule by right Divine; will be studied by peasants on sunny plains and Alpine hills; and yet farther on, where day and night comes and goes but once a year, the fur-clad Laplander, by the amber light of the Aurora Borealis will read the story, and pray that the assassin who struck him down, may be exiled to some frigid clime, where even the rays of a polar sun may be denied him. A Chieftain has fallen; his grave is in the hearts of his countrymen; let those pay heed whose foul tongues, in umbridled license, have aspersed his name! The assassin has done your work! Leave us alone with our dead! Thus had the mighty fallen! "Hush, the Dead March wails in the people's ears; The dark crowd moves, and there are sobs and tears; The black earth yawns; the mortal disappears, Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; He is gone who seemed so great - Gone; but nothing can bereave him Of the force he made his own Being here, and we believe him Something far advanced in State, And that he wears a truer crown Than any wreath that man can weave him. Speak no more of his renown, Lay your earthly fancies down, And in the vast cathedral leave him. God accept him, Christ receive him." One of the absorbing topics which held the minds of the citizens of Petaluma in this year was that of a railroad between this city and Healdsburg. To consider the best means of procuring it a meeting was held on March 13th, at McCUNE'S Hall, when the question was fully discussed by gentlemen from all parts of the county. In the course of its proceedings J. R. MEYERS, of Windsor, estimated that a subscription of five hundred thousand dollars by Sonoma County would insure the completion of the work, but he could not correctly approximate what the income would be - he thought the cost would be about twenty-five thousand dollars per mile, with three thousand dollars as a survey fee. Though this meeting was informal, and indefinite as the proceedings were, it showed an earnest desire on the part of the people to seek the most feasible plan to lead to the desired result. It was thought that with a railroad to Healdsburg and the creek rendered navigable to the wharves, Petaluma would soon take the position which nature had designed her to occupy, that of only the second city in importance in the State. At a subsequent meeting, held October 30th, Articles of Association for the proposed Petaluma and Healdsburg Railroad were adopted, and, on "motion of Judge LANGDON, A. W. THOMPSON, and L. A. NORTON were appointed a Committee to ascertain the amount of stock subscribed, and they reported that thirty-two thousand three hundred dollars were subscribed, ten per cent of which had been paid to the Treasurer. On motion, Messrs. A. W. THOMPSON, J. R. MYERS, and T. W. HUDSON, were appointed a committee on credentials. On motion adjourned to meet at seven o'clock P.M. The meeting having reassembled at the appointed hour, on motion, C. W. LANGDON, proceeded to the election of seven Directors. The chair appointed as Tellers, J. STROUFE, J. M. WILLIAMS, and R. IVES. L. A. NORTON and R. POWELL, of Healdsburg; L. S. B. SLUSSER, of Windsor; C. W. LANGDON, of Santa Rosa; S. D. TOWNE, I. G. WICKERSHAM, and A. P. OVERTON, of Petaluma, having received two-hundred and eighty-three votes, were declared duly elected Directors of the Company." Another public meeting of considerable importance to the city of Petaluma was convened at McCUNE'S Hall on the 9th day of December, 1865, for the purpose of considering the question of changing the boundary line between the counties of Marin and Sonoma. O. SWEETLAND in the chair. The subject had already occupied much public attention; this, however, was the first occasion of its assuming a definite shape in this section of the county. At the meeting J. H. McNABB introduced the following resolution, which was adopted. "Resolved, That the citizens of Petaluma and vicinity are in favor of changing the boundary line of Marin County, so as to include all that part of Sonoma County, lying south and east of Santa Rosa Creek, so that the northern boundary of Marin County shall be as follows: Commencing at a point in the Pacific Ocean, three miles, in a west line, from the mouth of Russian River; thence running up said Russian River to the mouth of a creek called both Mill Creek and Mark West Creek; thence up said Mill Creek or Mark West Creek to the mouth of the Laguna; thence up the center of said Laguna to the mouth of north Santa Rosa Creek; thence up said Santa Rosa Creek, following the main branch thereof, by the town of Santa Rosa, to the line of Napa County." The proceedings were of the most harmonious and unanimous character, resulting in the appointment of a committee of nine, consisting of J. M. BOWLES, F. D. COLTON, William HILL, E. DENMAN, G. WARNER, William ZARTMAN, Charles HUNT, L. W. WALKER, and J. M. CHARLES to prepare and circulate a petition for the signatures of all favorable to the change. Of the buildings erected in this year the principal one was the new Methodist Episcopal Church, the estimated cost of which, when completed, would be nearly twenty-five thousand dollars. At the time of which we write, May, 1865, the society proposed to simply enclose it and finish the basement, at an expense of about fifteen thousand dollars. On the 20th of that month the ceremony of breaking ground for the edifice took place, when the Rev. E. S. LIPPETT, after a few remarks appropriate to the occasion, struck the first pick, in commencement of excavating the foundation, and on the 22nd June, the corner-stone was laid, with becoming ceremony. Other structures also sprang up in this year on every side, and progress was the watchword. At this period Petaluma was unquestionably one of the most flourishing interior towns in California. The streets were crowded with wagons, and their merry tinkling bells; improvements were being pushed on every hand; there was little if any lounging on the sidewalks; everything presenting the appearances of business activity and energy. Let us now resume the transactions of the municipality. On April 23, 1866, a communication was received from John CAVANAGH and others asking for a recount of the votes given and cast at the city election held on the 16th, the officers elected being: Board of Trustees, Joseph S. CUTTER, Lee ELLSWORTH, President, J. B. HINKLE, B. F. TUTTLE, and G. WARNER; Clerk, F. W. SHATTUCK; Recorder, Edward COLE; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Assessor, D. A. SACKETT; Marshal, James K. KNOWLES; Street Commissioner, Almon JOHNSON. On motion it was ordered that the ballots cast at the election be carefully preserved for the purpose of enabling any one to contest any election of any office at said election. A committee was appointed April 24th to draw up a bill to be sent to Congress to enable the Trustees to carry out the provisions of an act of the Legislature in relation to the improvement of Petaluma Creek. To this end a preliminary survey was made by Mr. BROOKS, C. E., and on May 29th it was directed that a notice be published in the local papers calling for tenders for the erection of a Lock, and the construction of a dam on some point on the Petaluma Creek, to be hereafter designated. June 11th, permission was granted the County Road Commissioners to open a road within the city limits from Lakeville to Petaluma; action was also taken at this time to prevent the throwing of loose paper on the streets, which tended to the frightening of horses, and thereby the occasioning of accidents. The city prison having, about this date been removed form its original location, we find the necessity for the erection of a new one was being discussed. On the 25th of June, D. D. CARDER was elected to the office of City Attorney, while, on the same date, a remonstrance signed by citizens against the proposed manner of improving Petaluma Creek was presented, in which the levying of a tax each year for the purpose was recommended, and that the bends be cut as money is collected from the same source. On motion the further consideration of the petition was indefinitely postponed. July 2nd, bids were received and opened for cutting off the bends in Petaluma Creek and building the lock and dam, and that of E. GAY, for cutting the bends was accepted, action in the matter of the latter being indefinitely postponed. Judge J. B. SOUTHARD appeared before the Board on August 26th, and objected to his assessment on the ground that he had no title to the land. He intimated that a magnanimous city should withdraw its opposition, and that between the City Fathers and one of their children there should be no gouging. In respect to the above, on August 28th, the following resolution was introduced by Trustee HINKLE and adopted: "Resolved, That the city of Petaluma does hereby surrender up and forever abandon all claim that it may have asserted to a parcel or lot of land filed on by J. B. SOUTHARD, adjoining lot number five hundred and forty-five (545) as laid down and described upon the official map of the said city as surveyed by the United States Surveyor General for California, and particularly all claim to a strip of land twelve (12) feet in width running along said lot on Howard Street, the same having been claimed and filed upon by the said J. B. SOUTHARD. And, we, the Trustees of said city, at a regular meeting assembled, do hereby authorize and request the Register and Receiver of the United States Land Office at the city of San Francisco and State of California to withdraw from their files and cancel any claim the said city may have filed to said land, and any proceedings had thereon, hereby agreeing and consenting that said J. B. SOUTHARD receive a patent from the United States for the land upon which he has filed his claim and made proof as required by law." September 17th, a petition numerously signed by citizens and tax-payers was presented, praying the Board to order the suspension of further work on the creek, and to reduce the tax for the current year from one-and-a-half to one per cent. The following minute appears on November 26th: "The members of the Board being desirous of attending the lecture of Mark Twain," by order of the President, the members concurring the meeting was adjourned accordingly, until the 27th at half past seven o'clock in the evening. On the convening of the meeting, on the last mentioned date, it is placed on record that "Messrs. PEARCE and WOOD, attorneys at law, appeared before the Board and presented the claim Isaac CAPLINGER against the city for five thousand five hundred dollars damages sustained by him by falling and breaking his leg on the east side of Main Street, north of Washington, on the 27th day of September, said damages being sustained by reason, as is alleged, of the neglect and ommission he, the said CAPLINGER, fell and broke his leg, and to loss of time, expense in curing his wounds and ailment, and incidental costs, doctor's bills, medicines, etc., amounting altogether to the sum named." December 3d, in order to reduce the expenditure to the city, it was directed that S. M. HUTCHINSON, from and after this date, cease to ring the bell morning, noon and evening, and cease to open and shut or attend to the draw-bridge on account of the city; it was also, on motion, ordered that the City Marshal cease to keep a night-watch or rent the city pound from and after this date on same account. Perhaps the most interesting event which occurred in Petaluma during the year 1866, was the holding of a mass meeting of its citizens to take action in regard to the introduction of the bill in the Legislature entitled, "An Act to quiet titles in the city of Petaluma," held on Saturday evening the 24th March, Hon. J. H. McNABB in the chair. The object of the bill will be gathered from the following resolutions drafted by a committee consisting of L. C. REYBURN, Hon. J. W. OWEN, and A. P. WHITNEY: "WHEREAS, The Senator, from Sonoma, the Hon. George PEARCE, has introduced into the Legislature of California, an act entitled, 'An Act to quiet titles in the city of Petaluma;' and WHEREAS, We are satisfied that neither said act, nor a request therefor, came from the municipal officers of said city, or from any citizens thereof uninterested in the grant itself; and WHEREAS, We believe said Act, if passed, would be ruinous to the citizens and property-owners of said city, and would benefit only our old-time enemy, Valentine, and his associates. That our titles, now in a fair way to be perfected, would thereby be unsettled, property depreciated, improvements checked, and business become stagnant; and the attempt, so long and persistently made, to obtain a special act reinstating the Miranda claim in court, made almost certain. Therefore, Resolved, That we disapprove of the action of our Senator, in thus introducing a bill of such vital importance without consulting the wishes of the parties to be affected thereby. Resolved, That we do not desire to purchase, on any terms, the so-called Miranda claim; that we are satisfied with our titles, and most respectfully request the honorable Senator to cease his solicitude in our behalf in this respect. Resolved, That we most earnestly urge our Senator to withdraw said act, if within his power, or to inform the Senate that his constituents are opposed to its passage, and permit the same to be indefinitely postponed. On motion of Mr. CAMPBELL, a committee of three, consisting of George CAMPBELL, Hon. George W. REED, Captain T. F. BAYLIS, were appointed to draw up a petition to the Legislature, remonstrating against the passage of the act, which was duly reported and numerously signed by those present." One more matter of importance which presented itself in this year, was the proposed establishment of a Baptist College in Petaluma. To secure the location of it in this city, a sum of twenty thousand dollars was wanted from Sonoma County by way of subscription; any amount pledged in the county being payable whenever a like amount was secured in the State, while it was decided that a preparotory department should be opened about the middle of the following August. The subject, however, dropped through want of appreciation of the benefits accruing to a place by reason of the possession of such a seat of learning. We now pass on to record another of those painful catastrophes which cause the blood to run cold through one's veins. On the morning of the 27th of August, the boiler of the locomotive that ran between this city and the steamer blew up, causing sad havoc. Of the occurrence an eye-witness writes: "Arriving at the depot we found the greatest consternation and confusion prevailing; people running hither and thither, some wringing their hands wildly, frantically; others using their utmost endeavors to relieve the killed and wounded from the wreck of the locomotive and one baggage-car, which were thrown against the side of the depot building. Stepping upon the platform, the first object that greeted our sight was a human body, unrecognizable to us, literally torn from limb to limb, which proved to be Joshua H. LEWIS, the owner of the depot building. Upon the top of a baggage-car lay the mangled remains of Arthur Thompson, son of J. D. Thompson of this city. From these sickening sights we turned into the depot building to behold S. B. DODGE, keeper of the warehouse, stretched upon the floor a corpse, and the engineer lying on the track a few rods in advance of where the locomotive had stood, mangled and inanimate. These were all beyond the reach of suffering, and needed not be ministered to by mortal hands. There were others, however, the sight of whom would have moved the most unfeeling heart, most prominent among them was Charles YEOMANS, so well known to all who have traveled on the steamer Petaluma. His face was mangled in a frightful manner, rendering his recovery extremely doubtful. Kind hands did everything in human power to alleviate his suffering, and he was soon removed to his residence, where the skill of surgery was called to his aid. Captain WHITE, of Newtown, was badly, but it is hoped not fatally injured. Mr. REKERT, a hand employed on the track, was badly, and it is feared fatally injured; so was a Mr. FLINN, also a laborer on the track, and Dan BARTON, an employe in the warehouse. Others there were who received slight wounds and bruises, among whom are John A. McNEAR, Dan. BROWN, J. W. BRIER, Jr., and Rev. Jehu BARNES. None of these, however, suffer serious inconvenience from their wounds. Had the boiler exploded a few minutes sooner than it did, it is fearful to contemplate what would have been the terrible destruction of life. As it was, the word had been given, 'All aboard,' and the consequence was that sixty or seventy passengers, who a few minutes before were massed where the missiles of death swept, had taken their seats in the passenger cars, which hardly suffered a scratch. The boiler was literally blown to fragments, one piece weighing several hundred pounds falling at the foot of Main Street, and another in the canal near the warehouse of McNEAR & Bro. The locomotive was completely demolished, not a wheel being left whole." The verdict of the coroner's jury was, "We find that the explosion occurred from the incompetency of the man in charge of the locomotive at the time." On the 26th of June, the city was again visited by a considerable conflagration, the fire on this occasion being confined to the SULLIVAN and FRANKLIN hotels, the loss being in the neighborhood of six thousand dollars. The Public Library, inaugurated by the order of Odd Fellows, was started on this year, while we have to record the death at Santa Rosa of William ORDWAY, on the 5th of January, an old and highly esteemed resident of Petaluma. Once more we turn to the records of the city. On January 4, 1867, we find that a petition from the citizens praying for the appointment of S. ODELL as special policeman, night watchman and bell-ringer was presented to the Board, they, at the same time, agreeing to pay for his services as such, a matter which received the consent of the Trustees. Complaint was made, on February 11th, of the obstruction in the creek caused by the sinking of the old steamer "Oroville," whereby a bar was being formed to the detriment of navigation; while, on the 15th day of April, the Municipal election was held, and the following officers selected: Board of Trustees, J. G. CUTTER, President, H. B. HASBROUCK, N. B. LANE, B. F. TUTTLE, and George P. LAND; Recorder, E. COLE; Marshal, James H. KNOWLES; Assessor, Charles Humphries; Street Commissioner, Al JOHNSON; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Attorney, D. D. CARDER; Clerk, Frank W. SHATTUCK. There would appear to have been some question as to the correctness of this return, for we find a special meeting called on May 27th, when the President stated that the object of convening it was to cause to be drawn and delivered to I. G. WICKERSHAM a warrant or city order for one hundred and sixty-five dollars, being money advanced for the city of Petaluma in the matter of the suit to test the legality of the election of city officers for the year 1867. It was afterwards discovered that N. B. LANE had not been duly elected. July 11th, the office of Assessor was declared vacant through the absence, without leave, of D. A. SACKETT, Charles HUMPHRIES being appointed in his stead. It was also ordered at this meeting that the City Clerk, with the assistance of the City Attorney, give notice that the Board of Trustees will, on and after the 2d of September, A.D., 1867, commence executing deeds to the lands donated to the city by Act of Congress, and to notify all persons owning lands in said city to file their claim to same with the Clerk of the Board of Trustees prior to that date; therefore, on September 16th, the following applications, they being the first, were heard by the Board: Hugh STOCKDALE, Frank NASON, James GALANDETT, Joseph G. SMITH, Addison CRANDALL, John McGRATH, I. G. WICKERSHAM, William SWEENEY, Delia LANE. On this date was also adopted the Seal of the City of Petaluma - a portentious impression, emblematic of the productions, trade and commerce of the district of which it is the center. About this period numerous applications for deeds were contested and argued before the Board, and, on October 28th, an Ordinance prohibiting bathing in the creek was amended, so that the reading should be during daylight. Throughout the year 1867, the all absorbing topic was the railroad. Meetings were held at different times having this object in view, tending to show that unless speedy and prompt action were taken a road from Napa to the Russian River Valley would be built, which would deprive Petaluma of all the up-country trade and travel; thus, they became fully aroused to the necessity of connecting this city with Healdsburg by rail, and the ball being once put in motion, the following result was speedily gained: "The undersigned, proposing to build a railroad in the county of Sonoma, in the State of California, from the city of Petaluma to Healdsburg, with a branch from some point on the line to Bloomfield, and of the length of about forty miles; in order to form an incorporation under the provisions of an Act of the Legislature of the State of California, approved May 20, 1861, entitled 'An Act to provide for the incorporation of railroad companies, and the management of the affairs thereof, and other matters relating thereto,' and the several acts amendatory thereof, do hereby severally subscribe the amount of capital stock of such contemplated railroad company set opposite our respective names. And the subscribers do hereby name and appoint William P. HILL of Petaluma to be Treasurer of said company." Here follow these names with the sum of two thousand dollars opposite each: William HILL, Smith D. TOWNE, William D. BLISS, McNEAR & BROTHER, H. MECHAM, P. E. WEEKS, Isaac FULLER, N. E. MANNING, John SROUFE, William ZARTMAN, C. TEMPLE, J. S. VAN DOREN, J. M. BOWLES, E. BARNES, A. B. DERBY, A. P. WHITNEY, J. S. CUTTER, Alex. MCCUNE, Henry HALL, Thomas HOPPER. We would also mention that in this year the residence and grounds of Judge J. B. SOUTHARD were purchased by the Sisters of Charity for the establishment of a Convent school, and that the College would appear to have made slight progress while in the month of July the school census for the Petaluma District showed the following satisfactory results: Number of boys between five and fifteen years of age, three hundred and twenty-three; number of girls of same age, three hundred and thirty-five; total, six hundred and fifty-eight. Number of colored children between five and fifteen years of age, eight; number of white children under five years of age, four hundred and fifteen; number of colored children of same age, four. Number of children attending public schools, two hundred and sixty-three; number attending private schools, five hundred and fifty-six; number attending no school, one hundred and thirty-nine. The chapter of accidents for the twelve-month, was unfortunately large. On May 11th the premises of S. PAYRAN, in East Petaluma, were attempted to be set on fire. On the 20th, a conflagration occurred destroying the warehouses of GREENING, DALY & SROUFE, and HINSHAW, while on September 25th the seats prepared for the visitors at the Fair ground gave way, precipitating several hundred ladies to the ground, of whom a number were seriously hurt, among them being Miss MCCUNE, Mrs. T. H. WHITE and Mrs. J. S. VAN DOREN. Of deaths there were those of Captain T. F. BAYLIS on the 10th September - a gentleman much esteemed for his sterling worth and public spirit. He was a native of Ireland but emigrated to America when quite young, and had been a resident - one of the very first - of Petaluma since 1830. The sad accident at Oakville Station, on the Valley Railroad on October 10th, which deprived Solomon PIERCE of his life, wherein the city lost one of her most valued and respected citizens, should not now be omitted. In 1868, February 17th, instructions were given by the City Fathers for the felling of an ancient landmark in the tree which stood in Oak Street, near Liberty, while at the same time the propriety of the city taking charge of the cemetery was also under discussion. On March 9th, the exclusive right to supply the town with water was granted to S. D. TOWNE for twenty-five years, a scheme which received the prompt and unequivocal condemnation of a large majority of the people. The election for city officers was called for April 20th, when citizens were also to vote to levy a tax of the one-half per cent for clearing out the creek; also to vote on whether they desire the Trustees to sell the Plaza bounded by Main, Kentucky, Mary and Martha Streets. On April 6th, the Young America Engine Company, No. 3, composed of thirty-one members of Company No. 1, were admitted into the Fire Department. In accordance with the amended charter of 1868, the members voted for the two of the Board, who were to hold over for the ensuing year, the lots being cast on Lee ELLSWORTH and G. WARNER. An ordinance regulating Oakhill Cemetery was passed on the 22d, and Charles BLACKBURN appointed City Sexton; as was also another law enacted in relation to houses of ill-fame and other nuisances. The corporation officers for this year were: Board of Trustees, Lee ELLSWORTH, President; G. WARNER, W. D. BLISS, Andrew MILLS, and A. P. WHITNEY; Marshal, O. V. WALKER; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Recorder, Edward COLE; City Attorney, F. D. COLTON; Clerk, D. D. CARDER. May 18th, salary of City Clerk fixed at eighty dollars and fifty cents per quarter, while J. C. WHITE, Deputy Marshal, was appointed Poundmaster and William O'KEEFE, Night Watchman. On June 22d, the ordinance granting S. D. TOWNE the sole right to supply the city with water was repealed. July 27, Doctor BURNETT, employed to attend upon small-pox patients at the pest house, was gazetted Health Officer, and, on the 12th October, a petition was presented to the Board, asking them "to prohibit the burial in the Oakhill Cemetery of all persons who die, outside the city limits, with the small-pox. On motion the Clerk was directed to notify the City Sexton to permit no person who may have died outside the city limits to be buried in the cemetery, and that hereafter, he allow no person to be interred in said cemetery without a permit in writing, as required by ordinance, and that said Sexton give notice by publication of said regulation." The railroad question still engrossed the public mind, till on the 9th of May, 1868, the battle was fought at the polls, and victory went with the Petaluma route, as opposed to that by Vallejo and Napa, at which there was great rejoicing on the part of the residents of this city. On January 9th, in accordance with instructions from headquarters, the Petaluma Guard and City Guard were mustered out of the National Guard of California by Major USTICK, Assistant Adjutant General of the State, a summary dismissal which caused no little surprise to all, for both companies had complied with the law in every particular, had their full complement of men, and held all prescribed drills. The companies, however, having an armory of their own, elected to keep up the organization, so as to be ready should necessity call upon them. In the month of July, small-pox made its appearance, the first fatal case being that of Mrs. Thomas TANN, and the second Oliver RAND. The necessary precautions were at once taken by the authorities and citizens, as has been remarked in another place, and no serious outbreak of the epidemic occurred. The earthquake, which committed such damage to San Francisco, was felt here, and though to some considerable extent, no great loss was sustained thereby. Grim Death, in this year, had laid his cold hand on the Hon. G. W. REED, a much respected resident of this city. He was a native of Ohio, and in early life emigrated to Iowa, where he lived until manhood, receiving the advantages of a liberal education. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, where he taught school for a time, then started for Nevada County, in this State, where he arrived in the Fall of 1853. The Summer of 1856 he came to this county, and, soon after his arrival, was employed as teacher of the public school in this city. For several years he followed this occupation, and in 1862 was chosen as one of the Representatives from this county to the State Legislature. Having turned his attention to the study of law, he was admitted to the bar in 1863, and up to within a few weeks of the time of his death, continued in the practice of his profession. As an effective orator Mr. REED had few, if any, equals in this county, and humanity and freedom ever found in him an eloguent advocate. But at the early age of thirty-eight, when matured manhood is supposed to be best fitted to grapple with the practical realities of life, he was stricken down by death. Evidences of his prosperity were not wanting now; a new bank building had been built by I. G. WICKERSHAM, while A. P. WHITNEY contemplated the erection of a fireproof edifice on Main Street. The Library Association was in a flourishing condition, it containing, according to the President, L. ELLSWORTH, a total of six hundred and thirty-three volumes on its shelves, and a total subscription list of four hundred and sixty-six dollars, besides which, business was good throughout the city, and prospects for the future promising. On the 26th April, 1869, the following corporate body was elected: Board of Trustees, A. P. WHITNEY, President, W. D. BLISS, Andrew MILLS, S. CONRAD, and William ZARTMAN; Marshal, James H. KNOWLES; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Treasurer, F. T. MAYNARD; Recorder, E. COLE; Street Commissioner, J. M. LIGHTNER; Clerk, Frank W. SHATTUCK. On this date an acceptance to the fete held at Sacramento on the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad was ordered to be sent, and, on August 23d, Frank W. SHATTUCK tendered his resignation as Clerk of the Board of Trustees, and was succeeded by D. D. CARDER. In the year 1869, Articles of Incorporation of the Petaluma and Cloverdale Railroad were filed for the construction of a road from some point on the line of Marin County, by way of Petaluma and Santa Rosa to Cloverdale, with a branch from some point thereof to Bloomfield, the road to be seventy miles in length; capital, one million four hundred thousand dollars, in shares of one hundred dollars each; Directors, William ZARTMAN, W. D. BLISS, H. T. FAIRBANKS, F. W. LOUGEE, and Alexander MCCUNE; the principal place of business to be Petaluma. The reason for this new corporation was the non-fulfillment by another company of the terms of the charter, whereby a certain portion of the road was to be completed before a given date. In regard to the line proposed by way of Napa, into the Russian River valley, a series of very excellent communications from the facile pen of E. S. LIPPETT appeared about this time in the Petaluma Journal and Argus, under the heading of "Petaluma Compared with Vallejo" as a railroad center, much to the disadvantage of the latter, as viewed through the eyes of the learned Professor. As an instance of what the resources of the district were ten years ago; and the eminence attained by this city as a point of shipment, we here present a brief statement of the number of boxes of butter and eggs, and the number of cheeses shipped from Petaluma to San Francisco on the steamers from April 1st to May 1, 1869. Number of boxes of butter and eggs, two thousand, seven hundred and ninety-four; number of cheeses, one thousand, five hundred and eighty-three; boxes Limberger cheese, thirty-eight. Estimating the boxes of butter to contain one hundred pounds each, at thirty-two and one-half cents per dozen; and the cheeses at an average of thirty-two pounds each (which is low, the range being all the way from twenty to eighty pounds), at fifteen cents; and the Limbergers at about four thousand pounds, at twenty-seven cents per pound, we get in round numbers, one hundred and five thousand, five hundred dollars as an estimate of the total value of shipments of butter, cheese, and eggs, during the month of April. This estimate was, at the time, considered low, one house asserting that their business alone, in this line, exceeded ten thousand dollars a month. It must be further remembered, that the above statement embraces shipments to San Francisco only, no account having been taken into consideration of home consumption; and further, that no mention whatever is made of the shipment of calves, chickens, geese, etc., - all immediately connected with and belonging to these branches of industry - immense quantities of which are daily exported; it may be safely said, therefore, that the shipments of these during that month exceeded fifteen thousand dollars, which would swell the total dairy and poultry shipments from this city for April to one hundred and twenty thousand, five hundred dollars. We now turn to the records for the year 1870. On March 2d a committee was directed to take such steps as should be thought necessary to satisfy the mortgage on the City Hall property, by loan or otherwise; on the 14th they reported that a loan could be had of Mrs. E. A. HUNTER by paying one-and-a-quarter per cent per month interest for eight months, in advance, amounting to one hundred and forty-eight dollars, leaving the sum of one thousand dollars due on the 11th day of November, 1870, as principal only, and that to secure Mrs. HUNTER the mortgage held by the Trustees of the Petaluma Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F., must, with the policy of insurance, be assigned to her. On motion the same was accepted. On April 18th the election for the municipal officers took place with the following result: Board of Trustees, Simon CONRAD, President, William ZARTMAN, Lee ELLSWORTH, Thomas ROCHFORD, and John FRITSCH; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Marshal, James K. KNOWLES; Recorder, E. COLE; Street Commissioner, A. JOHNSON; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Clerk, D. D. CARDER; Attorney, F. D. COLTON; Health Officer, J. H. CRANE, M.D. Monthly reports from the Recorder were called for on August 21st, to contain returns of the arrests made, while on the same date the petition of Peter DONAHUE asking the Board to grant to the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company the right to run steam cars over the lands now occupied by the railroad grade, within and passing through the city of Petaluma, which was granted. September 12th an ordinance regulating the police department was finally adopted and stars with the word "Police" directed to be procured for the force. On the 26th, Recorder COLE resigned his office and D. D. CARDER was appointed in his stead. A proposition of Peter DONAHUE to supply the city with fifteen street lamps, gas therefor, and light them at an expense of six dollars a month each, as also to furnish gas for the engine houses and City Hall free to the corporation, was on motion accepted on the 10th October. On the 14th, George PEARCE was appointed City Attorney, vice F. D. COLTON, who had removed from the city. The President was also authorized to proceed to Santa Rosa to look after the franchise asked of the Board of Supervisors of the county of Sonoma by Peter DONAHUE to build a wharf for the railroad company of which he is President, at a point below Lakeville. The oft-recurring matters of the railroad was at last set to rest in the year 1870 by the success of Peter DONAHUE of San Francisco in obtaining the controlling interest in the North Pacific Railroad Company, from John F. MACUALEY & Co., the formal transfer taking place on August 2d. Two steamers, the "Sacramento" and "Wilson G. Hunt," were at once purchased to be placed on the route between the terminus and San Francisco, while ties were purchased and sent forward to the scene of action; by the 27th of the month over a hundred men were at work on the line, and additional hands were being daily employed. Twenty thousand ties had already been delivered at the terminus, as well as installments of fish-plates, bolts, and spikes, together with a vast amount of paraphernalia in the shape of push-cars, switches, tools, etc. On the 29th the formal driving of the first spike occurred, the hammer being wielded by Simon CONRAD, President of the Board of Trustees, in the presence of a large and enthusiastic assemblage; in a very few days after the first construction train made its first trip along the track, for a distance of two miles above the city, while the road to Santa Rosa was completed in October, and a passenger car at once put on the route. On the completion of this line, which was but a few hundred feet short of fifteen miles, the Board of Supervisors examined officially the part constructed, accepted ten miles of it, and ordered the issuance to Mr. DONAHUE of county bonds to the amount of fifty thousand dollars. On this subject we quote from the Journal: "But as the act under which the subsidy was voted provides that bonds shall be issued on the first ten miles northward from Petaluma, and on every subsequent five miles, of course Mr. DONAHUE can receive at this time but fifty thousand dollars, instead of seventy-five thousand. At the work of extending the road from this city to Lakeville is being pushed with all diligence, Mr. DONAHUE will, in a few weeks at most, receive a second installment of these documents, and which, by the way, we are told are eagerly sought after by capitalists at ninety cents. The work on the road from Santa Rosa to Healdsburg, it is understood, will be completed at an early day during the ensuing summer. The iron for the same has been already secured. The bonds for the ten miles of the road already accepted, as above stated, were issued on Wednesday last (October 19, 1870). They are printed upon parchment, are fifty in number, and in substance agree, that the county of Sonoma will pay to the order of Peter DONAHUE, President of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company, twenty years from date, the sum of one thousand dollars, gold coin of the United States, with interest at the rate of eight per cent. Each bond has attached to it twenty coupons, for interest payable January first of each year, and calling for eighty dollars each. The bonds and coupons cover a sheet of some sixteen by eighteen inches." In the meantime the extension of the road was progressing towards Lakeville and the new town of DONAHUE, where the company's wharves had been constructed and terminus established, and tickets were issued for an inaugural excursion from San Francisco to Santa Rosa on the last day of the year 1870, when the following resolutions were presented to Colonel Peter Donahue: "Resolved, That the people of the State of California are greatly indebted to our worthy fellow-citizen, Col. Peter DONAHUE, for the energy displayed by him in the completion of a first-class railroad from the town of Donahue to Santa Rosa, the said road now being in perfect order, and having been completed in four months, traversing a portion of the most fertile and beautiful section of our State; and we are specially gratified in stating that this important work has been completed with white labor, and upon cash principles. Resolved, That we are greatly indebted for much of the pleasure of our trip to J. D. HENDRICKS, Capt. GALLOWAY of the steamer "Sacramento," Mr. GERDES, and Capt. Robert HAYLEY, who, by their assiduous attentions, have made the excursion extremely agreeable to all. Resolved, That it is proper, in this connection, to refer to the services of Mr. HARRIS, the Chief Engineer, Capt. WRIGHT, the Superintendent, Mr. WILSON, who built the road, and W. M. KILDUFF, Chief Engineer of Navigation, whose invaluable services have enabled Mr. DONAHUE to successfully complete this important work." Thus was inaugurated an enterprise the importance of which can hardly be estimated, both as to its benefits to State and county. But the munificence of Peter DONAHUE did not rest here; he purchased the gas works, and almost his first step was to offer certain lighting facilities to the city, while he had become interested in other important affairs in the neighboring districts. Let us now take a retrospective glance at Petaluma. At no period in its history has its growth been more rapid, or of a character so indicative of permanence and future prosperity, as during the past three years; and at no time has real estate in and near the city commanded so large a price as in this year of 1870. There has been nothing ephemeral or unnatural in its growth. It has simply kept pace with the development of the surrounding country, and owes nothing to speculative excitement, or expectations that have not been realized. The city has been peculiarly free from the speculating mania, which has at some time prevailed, to a greater or less extent, in nearly every Californian town of any importance, and which almost invariably reacts disastrously, or at least unfavorably. Petaluma, as has been elsewhere remarked, is surrounded by an extensive and exceedingly fertile agricultural region, which yields nearly every variety of production that grows in the temperate zone, and of which it is the natural outlet. Its location is such that it commands a large and constantly increasing trade. Nearly the whole of Sonoma, a large portion of Marin and Mendocino, and a considerable part of Lake counties, are, and must ever be in a large degree tributary to it. This region is peculiarly blessed as a farming country, being not only susceptible of producing an almost endless variety of fruit and grain, and dairy products of the first quality, but invariably yielding good crops when a drought prevails throughout the State, cutting off the yield nearly everywhere else. Owing to the dews and fogs that are prevalent here during the Spring and Summer months, the blighting influence of a dry Winter is not severely felt in this region, and during such seasons farmers naturally reap much larger profits than at other times. A considerable portion of the district above indicated is heavily timbered, and some of the finest and most valuable kinds of woods to be found west of the Rocky Mountains abounds in the forests of Sonoma county. The wooded district is of sufficient extent to supply with lumber and fuel the wants of five hundred thousand people for many years to come. These extensive forests must eventually prove of vast benefit to this city. The trade of Petaluma, already very extensive, is steadily increasing, and bids fair to equal, at no distant date, that of any inland town in California. Wholesale and retail mercantile establishments do a large and prosperous business, and the figures representing the aggregated yearly sales of its merchants would make a showing that would be quite astonishing. The following are among the principal products brought here for shipment to San Francisco and other points: Hay, grain, fruit, potatoes, hops, butter, cheese, eggs, wine, hogs, sheep, cattle, poultry, wool, firewood, ships' timber, lumber, staves, hoop-poles, and charcoal. Extensive manufacturing establishments have not yet been inaugurated; but Petaluma has many natural advantages as a manufacturing town and when additional transportation facilities are supplied, by means of which raw material, fuel, etc., can be obtained at reduced rates, these advantages will undoubtedly be turned to account, and a new source of wealth and prosperity added. Following is a list of the mechanical and manufacturing establishments which obtained in 1870: Tanneries, three; potteries, one; marble works, one; undertaker, one; sash and blind factory, one; foundry and machine shop, one; flouring mills, two; blacksmith and wagon-making shops, eleven; carpenter shops, six; tin shops, three; gunsmith, one; boot and shoe shops, ten; glove factory, one; tailor shops, four; cabinet-maker, one; manufactories of ploughs, cultivators, and other agricultural implements, two; cooper shops, one. At this epoch, there were seven large and commodious hotels, and three restaurants and bakeries, besides several boarding houses; dry goods stores, nine; grocery stores, ten; furniture stores, four; hardware stores, four; paint and oil stores, two; drug stores, two; banks, two; book, stationery and variety stores, five; saddle and harness shops, three; clock and jewelry stores, three; millinery and dress-making shops, seven; tobacco stores, four; warehouses, twelve; wholesale liquor store, one; photograph galleries, two; breweries, two; lumber yards, three; livery stables, seven; paint shops, four; drinking and billiard saloons, twenty-seven; meat markets, four; insurance agencies, ten; one printing office, postoffice, telegraph office, and express office. The following represents the number of persons engaged in various professional pursuits: Physicians, ten; school teachers, eighteen; music teachers, six; clergymen, seven; lawyers, eight; dentists, three; surveyors, two. Of capitalists, speculators, real estate agents, etc., Petaluma has its full complement. Not enumerated in the above are numerous places of business, of more or less importance, such as form a part of every prosperous town, and which in the aggregate transact a large amount of business annually. Among these are hay and feed yards, of which there are several; game, poultry, fruit and vegetable stores, etc. The city then had four public school buildings, in which school was maintained ten months in the year, and nine teachers employed; and five private schools and seminaries, giving occupation to nine teachers; there were also several teachers engaged exclusively in giving instruction in music, drawing, painting and kindred branches. Not less than six hundred pupils attended the public schools at that time. Even at this day the educational facilities of Petaluma are not surpassed by those of any town in the State; these advantages add largely to the desirableness of the city as a place of residence for families having children to educate; they have attracted here a desirable element in the population of the community, and have heretofore been, as it is to be hoped they will be in the future, liberally sustained. The public schools are controlled by a City Board of Education. In 1870, each of the following religious denominations had an organization and church building in which service was regularly held: Methodist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist South, Baptist, Roman Catholic, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The churches at the present writing, as they were then, are in a flourishing condition financially, and the membership steadily increasing. Other religious societies hold occasional service, but have no church buildings. There were also several other societies and organizations of less importance than those named above. The Mutual Beneficial Association is an institution organized by citizens of Petaluma in the year 1868, for the purpose of mutual life insurance among its members. The practical working of the institution fully meets the expectation of its proprietors, and it is found to be a most excellent and useful organization, securing to its members, at small expense, the benefits of a policy of life insurance. The affairs of the Association are under the control of a Board of twelve Directors, who are elected by the members annually; and are assisted by a Secretary and Treasurer, chosen by the Board. The association in 1870 numbered upwards of eleven hundred and fifty members, and is rapidly increasing. The city records for 1871 inform us that on March 13th directions were issued to draw up an ordinance prohibiting the hanging or extending of signs across the sidewalk, or from the buildings towards the center of the street, a project which became law on the 27th. The election for municipal officers was held on April 17th, with the following result: Board of Trustees: Lee ELLSWORTH, President, Thomas ROCHFORD, John FRITSCH, Alexander MCCUNE, and H. B. HASBROUCK; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Marshal, J. K. KNOWLES; Recorder, D. D. CARDER; Street Commissioner, W. H. HEDGEY; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Clerk, D. D. CARDER. On the 24th, T. J. GRAHAM was allowed until June 1st to move the Petaluma House building back to the street line; on the 12th, the petition of the Sonoma County Water Company, for the privilege of laying pipes in the street, was received; and, on motion, the right to lay such within the city of Petaluma was granted said company, and finally passed on the following day. In July, a petition, headed by A. P. WHITNEY, for an allowance toward the construction of a bridge across the creek at C Street, was lost on the motion to grant the prayer of the petitioners. A petition was received, October 23d, from S. D. TOWNE, McNEAR & Bro., and others, asking the Board to allow the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad Company to extend a new depot building fourteen feet into Hopper Street, from the north line of block eight, and contiguous to block lying east of block eight. They were granted the privilege of occupying with a depot building, one hundred and twelve feet in length, of Hopper Street, and fourteen feet in width of block eight and contiguous block on the east, being the center of what is known as depot block. At this time hitching posts and bulletin boards were permitted to be erected. But few occurrences of any note took place in the city during the year 1871. A new military company had been organized under the name of the Emmet Guard of Petaluma, while the corner-stone of the Odd Fellows' Hall was laid with imposing ceremonies on the 18th of July of that year. On the evening of November 5th, a most terrible and unjustifiable murder was committed in the saloon of BROWN & SROUFE. The particulars are briefly these: Lewis LEVI, a hackman, was standing in the saloon, leaning on the counter, when his assailant, Benjamin EDWARDS, a barber on Washington Street, entered and, without any words being exchanged, drew a large ten-inch revolver and commenced beating him on the head. At the first blow Levi's hat was knocked off, and on the second or third his skull was fractured and he reeled to the floor. The work was done so quickly that those standing in the saloon were not aware that a fight was in progress - several for many years and bore the reputation of being a quiet, inoffensive man; his assailant, too, had lived in the city ever since his boyhood, and it is believed was incited to commit the bloody deed to appease the whim of a courtezan with whom he was living, she having become offended at Levi for his refusing her permission to ride in his carriage. We have now completed the first twenty years of Petaluma's history, since which time nothing of very great interest has occurred to cause her to deviate from the even tenor of her prosperous way. These remarks will therefore be brought to a conclusion by following up to the present year the records of the Board of Trustees, in order that a full list of the municipal officers and some of their doings may be preserved in a handy form. In 1872, the election of officers took place on April 15th, when were chosen: H. B. HASBROUCK, President; William ZARTMAN, Thomas ROCHFORD, C. POEHLMAN, and A. MCGUIRE, Board of Trustees; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Marshal, J. K. KNOWLES; Recorder, D. D. CARDER; Street Commissioner, William RICHARDSON; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Clerk, D. D. CARDER. June 24th, it was reported to the Board that a site had been purchased for a hospital from W. J. SMITH, and on July 29th Messrs. ROCHFORD and POEHLMAN were appointed Water Commissioners. William RICHARDSON, Street Commissioner, resigned on November 25th and was succeeded by Michael STODDART. December 9th, the President was authorized to appoint a special policeman at the request of each church congregation in the city, who shall regularly qualify as such, and be on duty only during the hours of divine service of their representative congregations, and who shall receive no emolument from the funds of the corporation. At this date the question of a steam fire engine was first mooted, when one was ordered to be contracted for, On January 27, 1873, an ordinance granting to the Citizen Gas Company the right to lay pipes in the city, was passed. March 24th, it was determined to bring suit against the county if the Board of Supervisors refuse to set aside sixty per cent of the amount of property road fund collected within Road District included in the corporate limits of Petaluma City. At the election held on April 21st, for the choice of a corporation, the following gentlemen were delegated to fill the municipal offices: Board of Trustees, Thomas ROCHFORD, President, C. POEHLMAN, A. MCGUIRE, L. ELLSWORTH, and William ZARTMAN; Marshal, J. K. KNOWLES; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Recorder, J. CAVANAGH; Assessor, C. HUMPHRIES; Street Commissioner, Michael STODDART; Clerk, D. D. CARDER. On May 12th, the special committee appointed to confer with the Board of Supervisors respecting the road fund claimed by the city, reported that they had withdrawn the claim of the city to said fund, with the understanding that it was to be expended by the Board of Supervisors, within the township of Petaluma, upon the petition of the Board of Trustees and others in any manner devised by them. On the same date, the consent of a majority of the Trustees was requested by and given for high school purposes. On May 12th, we note the appointment of E. S. LIPPETT to the post of City Attorney, and, on October 27th, the San Francisco and North Pacific Telegraph Company were authorized to erect poles within the city limits, while on petition of certain residents, presented November 12th, the sum of one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars was appropriated towards the purchase of the block of ground between D and E and Third and Fourth Streets, for a public plaza. In 1874, February 24th, it was resolved to have the City Charter amended so as to be able to establish fire limits, and on March 23d it was decided that the Senator and Assemblyman in the Legislature be asked to use their united efforts towards the passage of a bill exempting all firemen within the county of Sonoma, either active or exempt, from the payment of the State poll-tax. On April 20th, the following municipal authorities were elected: Board of Trustees, Lee ELLSWORTH, President, William ZARTMAN, H. T. FAIRBANKS, A. MCGUIRE, and Kelly TIGHE; Clerk, D. D. CARDER; Marshal, James k. KNOWLES; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Recorder, John CAVANAGH; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Street Commissioner, Michael STODDART; Attorney, E. S. LIPPETT. The ordinance establishing fire limits was passed on May 25th; while, on July 3d, the bonds and title deeds, presented by the officers of the Sonoma and Marin Agricultural Society, were accepted and directed to be filed in the office of the Recorder of Sonoma County; on the 13th, Trustee A. MCGUIRE presented a protest against the action of the Board respecting the matter of the transfer of the Sonoma and Marin Agricultural Society's property to the city and the issuance of five thousand dollar bonds of the city of Petaluma to said society; and requested that the same be recorded upon the minutes of the Board of Trustees. On August 10th, the ordinance fixing the Recorder's salary was repealed. In 1875, February 8th, President ELLSWORTH, to whom had been referred the matter of the settlement of the State, County, and special road tax upon the Agricultural park ground, reported that the Board of Supervisors had remitted the county portion of said tax; that he had paid the State portion, as also the special road tax. On 19th April, the following city officers were elected: Board of Trustees, H. T. FAIRBANKS, President; Kelly TIGHE, J. C. WICKERSHAM, Charles LYNCH, and A. MCGUIRE; Marshal, J. K. KNOWLES; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Assessor, John P. RODGERS; Recorder, John CAVANAGH; Street Commissioner, Michael STODDART; Clerk, D. D. CARDER; Attorney, E. S. LIPPETT. On April 26th, the following minute occurs: "The petition of H. MECHAM and others, asking the Board of City Trustees to deed the Agricultural Park property back to the Sonoma and Marin Agricultural Society, read. On motion of Trustee ZARTMAN the rule was suspended and the petition taken up for consideration. Trustee ZARTMAN moved that the prayer of petitioners be complied with, and that the city of Petaluma, by its President, execute a deed of the Agricultural Park property to the Directors of the Sonoma and Marin District Agricultural Society, which put by the President, and resulted in the following vote: Messrs. ELLSWORTH, ZARTMAN, and TIGHE voted in favor of the motion; Trustee FAIRBANKS voted against the motion, and desired that his protest against the act of a majority of the Trustees be entered upon the minutes. Trustee ZARTMAN moved that the bond given in behalf of the Sonoma and Marin Agricultural Society to the city of Petaluma. for ten thousand dollars, dated June 8, 1874, he cancelled, which motion was seconded by Trustee Tighe. The motion was put by the president, and resulted in the following vote; Messrs. ELLSWORTH, ZARTMAN and TIGHE voted in favor of the motion; Mr. FAIRBANKS voted against the action of a majority of the Trustee herein." On July 26th a petition to relight the city at night with gas was indefinitely postponed. On April 17, 1876, the annual election of city officers was held, with the accompanying result: Board of Trustees, J. C. WICKERSHAM, President; Charles Lynch, C. A. WALKER, L. G. NAY, and H. T. FAIRBANKS; Clerk, D. D. CARDER; Marshal, Julius BLUME; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Recorder, D. D. CARDER; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Attorney, E. S. LIPPITT. It would appear that W. B. HASKELL had been elected to the office of City Clerk, but he resigned at once, as did also Trustee FAIRBANKS on May 8th; and the salary of the Clerk was declared to be five hundred dollars a year, with perquisites. On May 22d, the ordinance relative to the tagging of dogs was adopted; while, on September 11th, we have the accompanying minute; "The following resolution was offered by L. G. NAY: WHEREAS, the Trustees requested D. D. CARDER, Clerk, to resign, and he declined to do so, I therefore move that the office of City Clerk be declared vacant; the resolution was seconded by James Armstrong, and carried unanimously." On this occurring, E. H. LONG was put in nomination for the office, and, having received a majority of the votes, was declared duly elected. November 27th, the petition of I. G. WICKERSHAM, President of the Sonoma and Marin Railroad Company, was read, asking for right of way to extend their road from the south side of B Street, northerly, across and along any street, alley or property of the city of Petaluma, easterly of Main and westerly of Hopper Streets, to the northern limits of the county, was granted. The Board of Trustees, on 26th December, declared their intention to widen English Street, from Main to Howard, to a width of seventy feet, and that to effect this it was necessary to take certain private property, which is enumerated, as also certain lots, which will be benefitted by the change, and should bear the expense of the work. February 12, 1877, the resignation of E. H. LONG was presented and accepted, and W. E. COX appointed in his stead, when the election of city officers was appointed to take place on the 16th. On the retirement of the Board then in office, the following tribute was paid and filed: "Resolved, That this Board tender to Jesse C. WICKERSHAM a vote of thanks for his courteous and gentlemanly bearing toward his fellow members, and his faithfulness in the discharge of the duties of that position. Resolved, That we recognize and acknowledge him unbiased in all his decisions as a presiding officer, ever watchful of the true interests of the city, always bearing in mind that it had no enemies to punish, nor any friends to reward. Resolved, That we recognize and acknowledge him unbiased in all his decisions as a presiding officer, ever watchful of the true interests of the city, always bearing in mind that it had no enemies to punish, nor any friends to reward. Resolved, That these minutes be placed upon the Board as a testimony of respect to our retiring President." The officers for the year 1877 were: Board of Trustees, M. DOYLE, M. WALSH, James K. KNOWLES, L. G. NAY, President, and C. A. WALKER; Marshal, Julius BLUME; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Recorder, F. W. SHATTUCK; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Clerk, W. E. COX. On June 11th, a committee was appointed to consult with J. H. McNEAR on the matter of furnishing lots in Cyprus Hill Cemetery for the burial of paupers, and what inducements he would offer to those having lots in the old cemetery to remove the bones of their friends to Cypress Hill. The corporation for the year 1878, consisted of : Board of Trustees, J. M. CHARLES, J. M. LIGHTNER, L. E. BROOKE, M. DOYLE, President, and M. WALSH; Marshal, Julius BLUME; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Recorder, R. J. PRESTON; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Clerk, W. E. COX. A committee was appointed on May 27th , to confer with an engineer in the matter of laying out the city in a system of sewerage, while, at that time it was likewise ordered that the gas company furnish gas for the street lamps situated at the Washington Street bridge, the lighting to commence on June 1st. On the 10th it was notified that the water company had refused to provide water in a trough at the junction of Main and Third Streets, for the benefit of the public. On June 15th, a Board of Health was established , and on the 24th, Dr. J. H. CRANE, was elected President, with Dr. J. B. CHRISTIE as Secretary and Health Officer. On August 12th, a committee from the Odd Fellows' Library Association tendered their library to the city, the same to be kept up by them and run as a free library. On motion of M. WALSH seconded by J. M. LIGHTNER, it was ordered that the city of Petaluma accept the offer of the Odd Fellows' Library Association, and establish a free library under the provisions of the statues, and that the Board appoint five Trustees on behalf of this city to act for said library. December 23d, two Trustees having been absent for a longer period than ninety days, L. G. NAY and H. T. FAIRBANKS were elected to fill the vacancies caused by J. M. CHARLES and L. E. BROOKE. In 1879, January 27th, it was directed that all officers who make arrests be notified that entries be made in the Police Court Blotter, in ink; while on the 10th, February, regulations in regard to pay and fees of Police Department of the city were issued. On April 21st, the following officers who, at the present writing, still retain their posts were elected: Board of Trustees: M. WALSH, John BAUER, H. T. FAIRBANKS, President, L. G. NAY, and J. M. LIGHTNER; Marshal, Julius BLUME; Treasurer, Andrew HENRY; Recorder, R. J. PRESTON; Assessor, Charles HUMPHRIES; Clerk, W. E. COX. Let us now draw this already too lengthy history to a close. To one who has never visited the town before Petaluma presents many points of interest. Although remote from the mining regions and from the line of travel between the mountains and the bay, the name of Petaluma became familiar to the ears of California adventurers and settlers, as has been shown, nearly thirty years ago. The agricultural advantages of the location were discernible to the sharp-sighted even at the early day of turmoil and excitement. Its growth was, however, slow until the gold fever had partially died out. Of late years the growth and advancement of the place has been steady and rapid. Petaluma now contains nearly six thousand inhabitants. The creek is navigable for small craft up to the business portion of the town, and for larger steamers and sailing vessels to points within two or three miles of it. Railroads connecting with the San Francisco steamers run into the city, and one extends up in the valley to Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, and Cloverdale. These business facilities show their results in the city. There are many large and substantial stone and brick warehouses to be seen, which serve as the depositories of grain, hay, and general merchandise. Many of the stores and other buildings are built of brick, while neat and attractive frame cottages and dwelling-houses adorn the sloping hillsides on the margin of the town. Actively in mechanical branches of business and merchandise tells plainly that an extensive area of country to the north and west is furnished with supplies from this point. Aside from the results of enterprise and energy, the natural scenery of the location is such that the eye, or the cultivated taste of the artist is not required for an appreciation of its beauty. Located on the western border of a level valley, from two to three miles wide, a portion of the town rests upon adjoining hills, which ascend so gradually as to be easy of access, but so high as to command an admirable view of the surrounding country. On the east of the valley the Sonoma range of mountains looms up in grandeur, its summit at a distance of nine or ten miles, and the nearest foot-hills at from two to three miles. On the south is another range of hills running nearly east and west, less grand and imposing than the Sonoma range, but more subdued and beautiful. These hills ascend so gradually that nearly their entire surface is susceptible of cultivation, and numerous fine farm-houses, surrounded by orchards and vineyards, are discernable within a mile or two of town. In the Sacramento or San Joaquin Valleys the inhabitant, year after year, contemplates from day to day the Sierras on the east, or the coast range on the west, but regards them as objects remote and disconnected from himself and his home. The hills which surround Petaluma are ever present and always attractive to the eye, and the spectator must soon acquire a personal interest in every tree, ravine, or sloping bank which adds to their beauty. "Day after day the mellow sun slides o'er, Night after night the mellow moon. The clouds Are laid, enchanted; soft and bare, the heavens Fold to their breast the dozing Earth, that lies In languor of deep bliss. At times, a breath, Remnant of gales far off, forgotten now, Rustles the never-fading leaves, then drops Affrighted into silence. Near a slough Of dark, still water, in the early morn The shy coyotas prowl, or trooping elk From the close covert of the bulrush fields Their dewy antlers toss; nor other sight, Save when the falcon, poised on wheeling wings, His bright eye on the burrowing covey, cuts His arrowy plunge." Thus we had it in 1851-1879 the change has to be seen to be properly realized. Methodist Episcopal Church, Petaluma. - The Methodist Episcopal church was the first to organize and erect a church edifice in Petaluma. The history of the organization is as follows: The first Protestant services ever had in Sonoma County were held at Sonoma in the Fall of 1849, by the Rev.. A. J. HEUSTIS, a Methodist preacher from Wisconsin. In 1851 Rev. Isaac OWEN organized that region north of the Bay of San Francisco, including Contra Costa, Solano, Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Bodega, and Russian River, and to go once around it required over two hundred miles of travel. On Friday, May 2, 1851, the first camp-meeting ever held in California was begun about one mile from the town of Sonoma. Rev. S. D. SIMONDS was succeeded on this circuit by Rev. James CORWIN, Rev. Alexander McLEAN, and Rev. J. R. TANSEY. In 1853, Bodega circuit was set off from the original large territory mentioned above. Bodega circuit included Petaluma, all the Bodega country, Russian River, Anderson, and Big River valleys. Rev. A. L. S. BATEMAN was placed in charge. In February, 1854, Bodega circuit ceased to exist, and out of it were formed Marin mission (which included Petaluma) and the Russian River circuit. Rev. J. SPECK was in charge of the Marin mission. In August, 1855, a church was organized at Petaluma and a building erected shortly after, which is still standing on Fourth Street and is used as an engine house. In 1858 Petaluma was discontinued from the circuit and became a station. From the organization of the church to the present time the pastorates have been as follows: Revs. James HUNTER, two years; J. McH. CALDWELL, one year; J. W. STUMP, two years; I. M. LEIHY, one year; E. S. LIPPITT, two years; Wesley PECK, one year; R. W. WILLIAMSON, two years; W. S. TURNER, two years; J. L. TREFREN, two years; A. J. NELSON, two years; George CLIFFORD, three years; E. R. DILLE, one year (the present pastor), which brings the record up to 1879. The church has now the largest membership, two hundred, of any Protestant place of worship in the city, while it has a Sunday School with an enrollment of about two hundred, and an average attendance of one hundred and fifty. The church building, on the northwest corner of Keller Street and Western Avenue, was begun in 1865, and finished in 1874, during the pastorate of the Rev. A. J. NELSON. It is of brick, gothic in style of architecture, is eighty-five by fifty-six feet in dimensions, and thirty-five feet from floor to ceiling. It is handsomely finished and furnished, and is lighted with gas, by means of two large sun burners. It has gallery, orchestra, and class-rooms. The building was erected at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars, and the trustees are William ZARTMAN, D. G. HEALD, J. H. RANARD, R. HASKINS, D. S. DICKSON, J. HARMON, J. F. HOWARD, and H. T. FAIRBANKS. The First Baptist Church, Petaluma. - On Sabbath, the 17th day of July, 1853, in Bodega, Sonoma County, upon a call made by Rev. A. A. GUERNSEY, the following brethren and sisters presented themselves for the purpose of being organized into a Baptist Church: John C. HUGHES, Jane HUGHES, Worham EASLEY, Elizabeth A. EASLEY, Ari HOPPER, Susannah HOPPER. The Church was duly organized as the First Baptist Church of Bodega. Rev. A. A. GUERNSEY was elected Pastor, and Worham EASLEY, Clerk. Articles of Faith and Practice were adopted. The next meeting was held August 14, 1853, when it was voted to hold meetings at such places as may be from time to time designated. The Church held its regular monthly meetings at Bodega until the second Saturday in October, 1853, when it was voted to adjourn, to meet in Petaluma. The meetings were continued in Petaluma statedly. On the Saturday before the first Sabbath in November, 1854, the Church, by vote, Changed the name from the First Baptist Church of Bodega to the First Baptist Church of Petaluma. John C. HUGHES and Worham EASLEY had been elected deacons September 10, 1853, and served as such since. Several new members had been received since its organization, so that the constituent members had been received since its organization, so that the constituent members of the First Baptist Church of Petaluma were as follows: - Rev. A. A. GUERNSEY, Pastor; John C. HUGHES, Deacon; Worham Easley, Deacon and Clerk. Members: Rev. A. A. GUERNSEY, John C. HUGHES, Jane HUGHES, Worham EASLEY, Elizabeth A. EASLEY, Ari HOPPER, Susannah HOPPER, Hannah CLYMER, Susannah LINDSEY, Margaret CARUTHERS, William CONLEY, Elizabeth CONLEY, Sarah HEALD, Flemming SPENCER, Nancy C. RENARDE, Rachael G. RANDOLPH, Israel T. DUVAL, Michael BARNES, Margaret A. CORROTHERS, Elizabeth HOOTIN, Mary A. THOMPSON. In February, 1855, a movement was set on foot to secure a suitable lot and procure funds to erect a meeting-house. In March, 1855, a corporation by the name of the Baptist Church and Society was formed, with James HOGAL, William CONLEY and Mr. MATHEWS as Trustees, Flemming SPENCER, Clerk, and Deacon Michael BARNES, Treasurer. During the year 1857, a church edifice, forty by sixty feet, was completed, with a seating capacity of about four hundred. The same edifice, with some improvements, remains to the present time. The Rev. A. A. GUERNSEY remained pastor until August 1, 1857, when his resignation was accepted. During his pastorate, one hundred and seven members were added to the church, including the constituent members. During the pastorate of Rev. A. A. GUERNSEY, very successful protracted meetings were held at the Liberty School House, and camp meetings near Stony Point, where large accessions were made to the church by them. The church was without a pastor until November 14, 1859, when C. W. REES was elected. He remained pastor until March 9, 1861. Seventeen members were received during his pastorate. Rev. H. RICHARDSON supplied the church for six months from August 3, 1861. Rev. J. A. DAVIDSON served the church as pastor from April 2, 1864 to February 11, 1865. Rev. B. S. McLAFFERTY was elected pastor and commenced his labors the first of January, 1866, and continued until January 1, 1869. This was an era of prosperity to the church. One hundred and fourteen members were added to the church. Rev. James D. P. HUNGATE served as pastoral supply from February 11, 1869 to August 1, 1869. Rev. J. W. JOHNSON was pastor from October 6, 1869 to October, 1871. There were fifteen additions to the church during the pastorate of Mr. JOHNSON. Rev. J. H. RUBY was supply from December 10, 1871 for about a year. The church depended upon supplies from this date until 1877, and was very much reduced in membership and discouraged in consequence. Rev. A. HITCHCOCK served as pastor from January 6, 1877 to November 30, 1878. During the labors of Rev. A. HITCHCOCK, a troublesome debt of several hundred dollars was paid, through the indefatigable labors of Mr. and Mrs. HITCHCOCK and the church. Rev. Winfield SCOTT commenced his labors as pastor March 1, 1879, and is pastor at the present time. There have been twenty-three additions to the church since March 1st, and the church is prompt in meeting all of its financial obligations. Its present membership is seventy. It sustains a Sunday School, and is prospering. It has a good church edifice, which has been recently repaired and refurnished, and is wholly out of debt. Rev. WINFIELD SCOTT was born February 26, 1837, in Novi, Oakland County, Michigan. He was the son of James B. SCOTT, a farmer. In 1845, he moved with his father's family to Ovid, Seneca County, New York. He entered the University of Rochester, New York, in 1855, and graduated from this institution in the class of 1859. He graduated from the Rochester Theological Seminary July 11, 1861. On the day of his graduation he was united in marriage to Helen L. BROWN, of Spencerport, New York. Miss BROWN was a talented, highly educated young lady, who had been teaching for some time in a ladies' seminary in Buffalo, New York. Soon after graduation he accepted the pastorate of the Second Baptist Church, Syracuse, New York, where he remained one year. Under the first call of President Lincoln for three hundred thousand troops he went to Seneca county among his friends, and in seven days' time enlisted a maximum company for the one hundred and twenty-sixth regiment N. Y. V. I. Was mustered as Captain with his company in the United States Army, August 9, 1862. His church manufactured for and presented to him a beautiful sword, with the following inscription wrought into the blade: "Presented by the Baptist Church, Syracuse, to their Pastor, Winfield Scott," which Mr. SCOTT carried through the war and still possesses. He was severely wounded in the battle of Harper's Ferry, September 12, 1862, was taken prisoner and paroled. He returned to his regiment January 3, 1863, and did duty on crutches for several months. He was appointed Assistant Provost Marshal of ABERCROMBIE'S Division, with headquarters at Centerville, Vermont, and remained until the Army of the Potomac went to Gettysburg. In the battle of Gettysburg he was slightly wounded twice, and came out of the battle in command of his regiment. He commanded the one hundred and twenty-sixth regiment in several battles during the year 1863, and through the battles of the WILDERNESS, PO RIVER, TODD'S TAVERN, SPOTSYLVANIA, in 1864. On the charge of May 12, 1864, of General HANCOCK'S corps, he was struck in the breast over the heart, by a musket-ball, the force of which was spent on a handkerchief and testament in his side pocket. On the 18th of May following, while charging a battery he was struck by a shell and lost his right thigh. On account of this he was discharged at Anapolis, Maryland, in October, by order of the Secretary of War, special orders No. 265. He immediately returned to the Theological Seminary, and remained there till January 1, 1865, when he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, as pastor of the Baptist Church. He remained there for six years, building a beautiful church edifice, at a cost of sixty-five thousand dollars, and gathered a large and flourishing church. He accepted the pastorate of the church in Denver, Colorado, January, 1871, and was elected Chaplain of the Upper House of the Colorado Legislature in January 1871. He remained in Denver four years, gathering a large church and building the chapel to a church at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars. He came to California in October, 1875, and soon after became the editor of the Evangel, the denominational paper of the Baptists. During the year 1877, he was pastor of the church of Los Angeles, California. In the fall of 1878, was associate pastor with Rev. I. S. KALLOCH, D.D., of the Metropolitan Temple, San Francisco, and by mutual agreement came to Petaluma in February, to take charge of the Baptist Church that had been closed for a year. He is now forty-two years of age, in the prime and strength of life, and full of heart, hope and good will. His wife has proven a true help-mate, a prudent and wise counsellor, ever entering heartily into sympathy with him in his life work. He has two children living - two daughters - one aged fourteen and one eleven. He buried two younger children, one in Denver and one in southern California. The Bell in the Baptist Church of Petaluma. - The bell which hangs in the steeple of the Baptist Church of Petaluma has a remarkable history; a history which will within a century make it as famous in California as the old Liberty Bell of Philadelphia. It is a pure metal bell manufactured by HOPPER & COMPANY of Boston, Mass., and weighs about eleven hundred and fifty pounds. It is the identical bell owned and used by the famous Vigilance Committee in the historic days of 1856. It was then rung by the Committee when William T. COLEMAN was its President. Those were the days that tried the souls of San Francisco's best men; and days that tried the necks of San Francisco's worst men. At its faithful and significant call, the watchful servants of the people's interest gathered for council and for war. It sounded in its solemn toll the death knell of many a rascal and lawless villain. Its silvery tones proclaimed peace and victory to the upright and good, and struck terror to the hearts of the vicious , the lawless and the bad. In 1858 the citizens of Petaluma, without regard to church, for the benefit of the church and the accommodation of the town. A committee of citizens went to San Francisco and purchased the old Vigilance Committee bell of CONROY & O'CONNER, paying five hundred and fifty dollars therefor. It was accounted one of the sweetest sounding bells in the whole country. When rung, it could be heard with distinctness from eight to ten miles. It was used by the citizens for a long time while as a time bell and was rung at six in the morning, twelve noon and six in the evening. During the great excitement of the war of the rebellion, it was rung frequently when victory crowned the armies of the Union. This became - as was natural - a source of annoyance to many who sympathized with the South, and especially those who had paid liberally towards its purchase. Accordingly in 1864, everything was made ready and early one morning the historic and annoying old bell came down from the steeple and was conveyed quietly by a back street to a public warehouse, where strict orders were given not to allow any one to take it. This aroused the ire of the opposing party, and preparations were made for its recapture. The following day about forty, among them many of the leading business men, went at midday and took possession of the bell, and hoisting above it the American Flag, it was taken through the main street and replaced in the church again where its silvery tones rung out loud and long and clear. The American Flag was placed upon the steeple above it. Soon after, at the midnight hour, the old bell (as one party declares) sounded once, and its silvery tones were forever silenced. In the morning it was found that it had been broken. Ever since, the old broken bell has thugged away in the steeple, reminding the old residents by its dead tones of its significant history, and awakening the wonder of the new-comer why such an old cracked institution is tolerated in such an enterprising town. Arrangements are being made by the Pastor of the church to dispose of it or have it recast. It really should be kept as a souvenir in the Pioneer Society of the State, for about it will gather in years to come historic memories and reminiscences that will be priceless in history. Who will see that it is secured and preserved? Methodist Church, South. - This church, which is situated on the southeast corner of Liberty Street and Western Avenue, Petaluma, was the out-growth of the labors of Samuel BROWN, who came to this city by direction of the Pacific Conference, commenced preaching in the Fall of 1859, and finally established a church under the rules and regulations of the above-named body. The organization was represented by about twenty-five members, who held their first services in the Baptist Church and McCune's Hall until the present edifice was erected in the year 1860. This structure is forty by sixty feet, built of brick, and has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty. As has been remarked, Samuel BROWN was the pastor from the fall of 1859; these duties he continued until 1856, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph EMORY for one year; Rev. J. C. SIMMONDS, 1863-4-5; Rev. A. P. ANDERSON, 1866; Rev. W. F. COMPTON, 1867; Rev. J. ALSANSON, 1868; Rev. Samuel BROWN, 1869; Rev. George Sim, 1870; Rev. B. F. BURRIS, 1871; Rev. _________ MASON, 1872; Rev. ____________ HOWELL, 1873; Rev. S. W. DAVIS, 1874; Rev. J. K. P. PRICE, 1875-6; Rev. P. F. PAGE, 1877; Rev. R. F. ALLEN, 1878-9. The Church Trustees are: J. A. PAYTON, A. F. BRADLEY, M. H. FALKNER, Samuel JENNISON, F. W. SHATTUCK, J. M. PRESTON; Stewards: J. A. PAYTON, A. F. BRADLEY, M. H. FALKNER, Samuel JENNISON, Samuel ROBBERTS, and J. M. PRESTON. The present membership of the church is seventy-eight, and the average attendance at Sunday-school is fifty-five, J. M. PRESTON being the Superintendent thereof. St. John's Episcopal Church. - The lot on which this church stands was purchased by I. G. WICKERSHAM and D. D. CARDER on June 9, 1858, for the sum of two hundred dollars, and the building was therefore immediately proceeded with. The church is gothic in its style of architecture, with a seating capacity of from three to four hundred. The interests of the parish of St. John were first entrusted to Rev. G. B. TAYLOR, who after a time was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. SMEATHMAN, the vestry being at that period composed of Messrs. HUIE, WICKERSHAM, CARDER, WESTON, SPRAGUE, SWEETLAND, and COOPER. Messrs. CARDER, COOPER, SPRAGUE, and WICKERSHAM being nominated Treasurer, Secretary, and Wardens respectively. On January 29, 1860, the church was declared ready for consecration, which was duly done by the Right Reverend W. Ingraham KIP, Bishop of the Diocese of California, before a large congregation. On July 15, 1860, the time for which the Rev. Mr. SMEATHMAN had been engaged having lapsed, a successor was desired to take his place. One was found in the person of the Rev. Mr. JACKSON, who was inducted to the pulpit of St. John's on September 23, 1861. On November 10, 1863, Rev. David J. LEE became Rector of the parish; he resigned, April 14, 1864, when Rev. George WHIPPLE, a brother of the distinguished Bishop of that name, occupied the pulpit temporarily. On December 18, 1865, it was resolved to call the Rev. George H. JENKS to the parish; he remained until January, 1874, when the pulpit was filled from Sunday to Sunday till August 30th, of that year, when the Rev. Thomas SMITH entered upon the duties, which he resigned on July 9, 1876, and was succeeded by Rev. George B. ALLEN, the present Rector, in the month of November of the same year. The Public Schools of Petaluma. - The people of Petaluma are noted for their interest in the cause of public education. Several private educational institutions have been started at various times, with well trained instructors and extensive advantages, offering splendid opportunities for education. But the people have uniformly turned to the public institutions with their patronage, and for the education of their children, until now there is left, with the exception of the excellent school of the Sisters of Mercy, and of Miss MARTIN, which draw much of their patronage from the country, and average together not more than seventy or eighty pupils, none but the public institutions of learning. The history of these we shall essay to give in this short chapter. In so doing, we labor under some disadvantage for in one of the great fires of Petaluma were destroyed all the records of the Board of Education, containing the data so valuable in compiling facts in relation to schools. We have, however, been aided by the memory of some of Petaluma's citizens, in acquiring what data we are able here to present. The first public school was opened in a little wooden, one-room school-house, located on the site of the splendid edifice now occupied by the Grammar Department. Among its early teachers was A. B. BOWERS, well-known to all old residents of the county, as the Sonoma county map man. This small house, surrounded by a paling fence, dusty and uneven streets, and unattractive grounds, could not long serve the purpose of the then rapidly growing town. It was enlarged several times, to meet the wants of the city, until in 1857 or 1858, it became patent to all that some better and more appropriate accommodation must be made for the constantly increasing number of pupils. At an election held for the purpose, a tax was voted to build a new school-house. Dr. Samuel BROWN, George B. WILLIAMS, and W. L. VAN DOREN were then trustees of the school district which included much of the adjacent country, extending from the San Antonio Creek to some distance east, west and north of town, and taking in the present districts of San Antonio and Marin, and portion of Bliss, Payran, and Walker. These gentlemen concluded that the better way to construct a school building for a growing city like Petaluma was to, in their plans, foreshadow some of the future wants of the department. They accordingly began the erection of a building which was destined to exceed in cost the amount voted by the people. The wisdom of this act has been amply attested to by the subsequent growth of the schools. But the people of the district at that time were not possessed of sanguine faith in the prophetic visions of the worthy Board of Trustees, and when Messrs. BROWN, WILLIAMS, and VAN DOREN were compelled to pay the additional cost of some eight or nine hundred dollars, they, with an illiberality that has never since marked their interest in public education, and that leaves the only blot upon the history of education in the fair city, refused to vote an additional appropriation to reimburse the members of the Board. The regard and gratitude of the people, for this act of these early friends of education, have been manifested in a touching manner since. In the cemetery at Cypress Hill stands a marble shaft, erected to Dr. BROWN, on which is inscribed, "The Children's Friend." This beautiful tribute to the worthy man whose whole life was marked with noble interest in the education of youth, was erected by the children themselves, by ten cent subscriptions, and it speaks more than words the feelings which the self-sacrifice of those gentlemen aroused in the people of the city. As I have said before, the increase in pupils was destined to fill even this building, and not many years elapsed after its erection in 1859 until it became too small indeed to accommodate the increase. Three one-class primary school-buildings were erected in the suburbs of the city to accommodate the primary pupils, and the city was divided into four districts for those who attended the primary grades. In 1870 the main brick building was altered from a six to a seven-class building, and in 1872 to an eight-class building. In 1873 the Board of Education purchased for a high school the handsome Gothic edifice erected by Prof. E. S. LIPPITT on D Street, for a private academy, in 1868. Teachers. - To attempt a list of teachers who have been employed in the schools would occupy too much space and probably be beyond our power. Among them were Mrs. A. A. HASKELL, Mrs. J. E. WOODWORTH, Prof. E. S. LIPPITT, who taught as principal for four years, Prof. BRODT, now of Oakland, Prof. J. W. ANDERSON, C. E. HUTTON, C. H. CROWELL, and J. W. MCCLYMONDS. To the efforts of these much of the good condition of the schools at the present time is due. Mrs. A. A. HASKELL was for a time one of the leading assistants in the school, and for a time Principal. Prof. E. S. LIPPITT, now engaged in the practice of law in this city, was Principal from 1863 to 1867. He was succeeded by Prof. BRODT, who taught one year and was succeeded by Prof. J. W. ANDERSON, now Principal of the Spring Valley School in San Francisco. Prof. ANDERSON is a man whose administrative ability is excelled by no teacher in the State. He completed the task of systematizing the school work in the five years that he was Principal, 1868 to 1873. Of the fifteen teachers now engaged in the Petaluma Schools, ten were the pupils of Prof. ANDERSON during the time he was here, and all over the country, and in fact all over the State, do you find those who stepped from the school-room under his tuition into the school-room as instructors. C. H. CROWELL succeeded him in 1873. In this year the High School, which up to this time had been under the same Principal as the grammar and primary departments, was put under a separate Principal. Professor C. E. HUTTON was chosen by the Board to take charge of it. To Mr. CROWELL'S charge were assigned the grammar and primary departments. Professor CROWELL taught one year, and was succeeded by J. W. MCCLYMONDS, who, at the end of four months, was elected Principal of the High School, to succeed Dr. T. H. ROSE, the successor of Professor HUTTON. M. E. C. MUNDAY, the present incumbent, succeeded Mr. MCCLYMONDS in November, 1874, and has held the position for the past five years. The schools under his charge are divided into eight grades, the first four constituting the grammar department, and the last four the primary department. In his department are thirteen teachers, M. E. C. MUNDAY being principal and teacher of the first grade. The Vice-Principal is Mrs. J. E. WOODWORTH; she teaches in the second grade. She has been in the department to the satisfaction of every patron of the school for the past fourteen years. Miss Eliza ROBINSON has charge of the third grade; Miss Marilla CANUN of fourth grade, Miss Rosa HASKINS of the fifth grade, Miss Hattie FULLER of the sixth grade, Miss Sallie E. HALL of the seventh grade, Miss Jennie E. DAVIS of the eighth grade - all of these being teachers in the brick school. In the High School building is a class composed of the overplus of grades of the brick school. This year it is composed of the overplus from the fifth and third, but next year it may be of some other grades, varying according to the manner in which the various grades fill up yearly. It is presided over by Miss J. E. ANDERSON, daughter of Professor J. W. ANDERSON, the former principal. There are also three primary schools already mentioned, situated in the suburbs of the city for the accommodation of the small primary pupils. One in East Petaluma is taught by Miss Helen SINGLEY; one on F Street, by Miss Carrie HAMMOND; and one on the hill in the northwest part of the city by Miss Libbie COLVIN. On D Street is a school provided in accordance with the provisions of the law for the separate instruction of colored children, presided over by Miss Louisa M. DIXON, also colored. We take the following from the annual report of the Principal of the grammar and Primary departments for the year ending June, 1879: Whole number pupils enrolled, seven hundred and twenty-eight; average number pupils belonging, five hundred and sixteen and six-tenths; average daily attendance, four hundred and eighty-five and three-tenths; percentage of attendance, ninety-five; whole number of tardiness, one thousand, five hundred and seventy-six; whole number of days absence, four thousand, eight hundred and sixty-eight. The High School. - The High School was opened as a separate school in 1873, with Professor C. E. HUTTON as principal. Professor HUTTON remained in charge for one year, and then resigned to take a position as cashier of the Healdsburg Bank. He was succeeded by Dr. T. H. ROSE, who taught but four months and resigned. J. W. MCCLYMONDS, who had been principal of the grammar department for four months, succeeded Dr. ROSE, and continued as principal until he resigned in June, 1877, to engage in the dry goods business. Professor HUTTON again took charge, and is the present incumbent, with his wife as assistant. Since the first year the school has required the labor of two teachers. We take the following from Professor HUTTON'S annual report for the school year ending June, 1879: whole number of pupils enrolled, seventy-four; average number of pupils belonging, fifty-eight and eight-tenths; average daily attendance, fifty-seven and seven-tenths; per cent of attendance, ninety-eight and one-tenth. Pupils enter this school on a certificate of graduation from the Grammar School. The course embraces the usual academic work, and is the connecting link between the grammar schools and the university. It embraces all the studies necessary to fit one for any of the colleges of the university. School Buildings. - These have been alluded to in this article in brief. The High School building is situated on D Street. It is Gothic architecture, containing two class-rooms on the first floor, two on the second, and a commodious though unfinished hall on the third. The one on the corner of B and Fifth Streets, and occupied by the Grammar School, is of brick, two stories in height, and contains eight class-rooms, with accommodation for fifty in each room. The Primary school-houses already mentioned are one-class houses, with accommodation for sixty pupils each, and are three in number. All the rooms, except the three last mentioned, are provided with patent single seats and desks. The school grounds of the Grammar and High Schools are divided into separate grounds for boys and girls, and each of these into a front and back yard, the front yard being handsomely ornamented with trees, flowers, shrubbery, and grass plots, the pride of citizens, teachers and pupils. The value of school property, according to an approximate estimate, is as follows: High School property, fifteen thousand dollars; Grammar School property, forty thousand dollars; outside property, eight thousand dollars; total valuation, sixty-three thousand dollars. The cost of maintaining the schools is about thirteen thousand dollars per annum, assuming ten thousand and five hundred dollars for teachers' salaries, three hundred and sixty dollars for janitors, and the balance for incidentals, improvements, etc. The revenue for their support is derived from the State and county apportionments, and from a special city tax of from three thousand dollars to four thousand dollars annually. Up to 1870, the management of property, election of teachers, etc., were in the hands of a Board of Trustees, in accordance with the present plan of country school management. In 1870 a special act was passed, restricting the district limits within the city limits, and providing for the election of a Board of Education of five members, who hold office for two years, two of them being elected one year and three the next. The present Board is Messrs. James SINGLEY, G. W. EDELMAN, W. H. DALTON, N. M. HEDGES, and F. T. MAYNARD. The Secretary and ex-officio City Superintendent of Schools, being Mr. MAYNARD. Messrs. MAYNARD, SINGLEY and HEDGES have been re-elected for so many successive terms that they have become regarded as fixtures. Messrs. EDLEMAN and DALTON have been members for two successive terms. These gentlemen having been selected in the first place for their educational interest, their successive re-election has contributed probably more than any other one cause to the present unexcelled condition of the schools. The schools rank among the best in the State. They constitute one of Petaluma's highest recommendations as a place of residence, and are always pointed out to strangers as the pride of the city by its citizens. The progress in education throughout the State, whereby the public school system has been raised, step by step, from the old "deestrict skewl" system of earlier days, to keep pace with a progressive State, has been the history of progress in the schools of this city. Unfortunately, we believe, an experiment, which has been tried before in other States and found wanting, is to take the place of our harmonious and complete system. Whether the schools of this city are to suffer or not depends much upon the people of the city, and judging from the support which they have always accorded so cheerfully to their schools, we are led to believe that they may survive the shock. Besides the public schools, mention has been made of the private institutions conducted by the Sisters of Mercy and Miss Martin. Miss Martin's school is conducted much upon the same plan as that of the public schools. She has about twenty pupils, with three or four boarders. Her instruction is very thorough and systematic. The Convent school was founded several years ago. It has about sixty pupils of every grade, and is well conducted in every department. The education is not sectarian, unless such is the choice of its patrons. It also accommodates boarders in addition to the regular day scholars, and is supported by tuition. The grounds are well improved, and are an ornament to the city. St. Vincent's Academy, Petaluma. - This institution was established in July, 1867, by two members of the Order of Charity, founded in France by Vincent de Paul, in the early part of the seventeenth century. The beginning was a small day-school, consisting of some twenty or thirty pupils occupying two small class-rooms in what had been the private residence of Judge SOUTHARD. Application to admit boarders soon became so urgent as to necessitate the building of extra accommodation, which was accomplished in 1869. From time to time improvements were made which enabled the Sisters, in the present flourishing condition of the Academy, to accommodate about one hundred borders. The plan of the interior building exhibits much economy and good taste, embodied with excellent judgment. The middle story, on which is the front entrance, comprises halls, parlor, chapel, music-rooms, four class-rooms, library, and clothes-rooms. The upper story contains three large dormitories, infirmary, community-room, the latter used by the Sisters, whose present number is seven. The entire lower story is devoted to the use of the children containing study-hall, refectories, bath-rooms, wash-room, and kitchen. Last to mention, but not least, are the spacious play grounds, which command a beautiful view of the surrounding country. Different games are furnished in order that the time of recreation may be occupied in relaxing the minds and giving proper exercise to the physical constitutions of the pupils. Secret Societies, Associations, Etc. - Petaluma is second to no other city in the State of California in the condition of its Lodges, save, perhaps, with the single exception of San Francisco. The Masonic Order, as well as that of the Odd Fellows, is in a most flourishing condition, while the benefits which they confer are dispensed with a due regard to the lessons inculcated by the several Orders. Petaluma Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M. - This Chapter was organized under dispensation and granted a charter, the members applying for such being Thomas L. BARNES, Philip R. THOMPSON, L. E. BROOKS, M. R. EVANS, William BURNETT, P. W. RANDLE, S. POWELL, Job CASH, William ROSS, and others. The first holders of office were: High Priest. Thomas L. BARNES; King, Philip R. THOMPSON; Scribe, L. E. BROOKS. Since its first inauguration the membership has considerably increased, there being now fifty-seven on the roll, while the following are the holders of office for the current term: High Priest, James SINGLEY; King, William B. HASKELL; Scribe, Alexander LACKEY; Treasurer, Conrad POEHLMAN; Secretary, Josiah H. CRANE; Captain of Host, Marcus D. GOSHEN; Principal Sojourner, John W. MCCLYMONDS; Royal Arch Captain, Thomas R. JACOBS; Master of Third Vail, N. W. SCUDDER; Master of Second Vail, Joseph A. WISWELL; Master of First Vail, William R. VEALE; Guard, William S. KEAYS. The chapter meets on the first and third Monday in each month. Arcturus Lodge, No. 180, F. A. M. - This Lodge was organized on October 11, 1866, and a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of California to Right Worshipful Master, C. SIMMONS; Senior Warden, Simon CONRAD; and Junior Warden, Benjamin F. TUTTLE, who held office under dispensation. The Lodge now has a roll of seventy-five members and office-bearers for the current year are: Right Worshipful Master, M. D. GOSHEN; Senior Warden, J. W. MCCLYMONDS; Junior Warden, T. R. JACOBS; Treasurer, W. B. HASKELL; Secretary, J. H. CRANE; Senior Deacon, W. R. VEALE; Junior Deacon, A. R. DOUGHTY; Marshal, N. W. SCUDDER; Stewards, Alexander LACKEY and Charles E. POLK; Tyler, William S. KEAYS. The Lodge meets on Thursday on or before full moon. Relief Encampment, No. 29, I. O. O. F. - Was instituted July 11, 1868, the charter members being David SULLIVAN, G. WARREN, B. BOWMAN, J. S. CUTTER, L. ELLSWORTH, James K. KNOWLES, William ZARTMAN, Moses KORN. The first officers of the Encampment were: G. WARREN, C. P.; J. S. CUTTER, H. P.; L. ELLSWORTH, S. W.; B. BOWEN, Scribe; William ZARTMAN, Treasurer; David SULLIVAN, J. W. There are at present fifty-four members in good standing, while the present officers are: G. W. EDLEMAN, C. P.; J. B. FULMER, H. P.; S. J. HOPKINS, S. W.; W. H. ZARTMAN, Scribe; L. ELLSWORTH, Treasurer; Charles YOUNG, J. W. The institution is in a prosperous condition. Petaluma Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F. - This lodge was instituted on September 30, 1854, with the following charter members: Daniel MCLAREN, S. C. HAYDEN, S. M. MARTIN, Thomas M. MURRAY, E. S. MCMURRAY, Stephen PAYRAN, Charles PURVINE, William AYERS. The original officers were: Daniel MCLAREN, N. G.; S. C. HAYDEN, V. G.; S. M. MARTIN, R. S.; William AYERS, Treasurer. The present membership of the Lodge is one hundred and eighty-eight, while the office-holders for the current year are: J. B. CHRISTIE, N. G.; J. B. FULMER, V. G.; W. H. ZARTMAN, R. S.; L. ELLSWORTH, Tresurer; F. E. MCNEAR, P. S. The institution is in a flourishing condition, and has a fine hall on the principal thoroughfare of the city. Petaluma Lodge, No. 161, I. O. G. T. - This Lodge is the result of the consolidations of the Lodges Star of the West, No. 380, and Starlight, No. 161, which was effected February 3, 1879. The number of charter members was thirty-five, and the officers under that grant: William C. ORDWAY, W. C. T.; Clara WRIGHT, W. V. T.; J. S. FILLMORE, Chaplain; Ella GALE, W. S.; A. G. TWIST, W. A. S.; L. D. GALE, W. F. S.; Mrs. C. A. TEN EYCK, W. T.; Gordon CAMERON, W. M.; Jennie CAMERON, W. D. M.; Dollie SCHLOSSER, W. I. G.; Aleck CONNOLLY, W. O. G.; Sadie WRIGHT, W. R. S.; Ella BENJAMIN, W. L. S.; J. B. SCHLOSSER, P. W. C. T.; H. H. JESSUP, L. D. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition, and has a membership of sixty. The office-holders for the current term are: A. G. TWIST, W. C. T.; Ella GALE, W. V. T.; W. C. ORDWAY, W. S.; Dollie SCHLOSSER, W. A. S.; L. D. GALE, W. F. S.; F. S. JOHNSON, W. T.; Annie EUSTICE, W. M.; J. W. CONGDON, W. D. M.; Jennie HUGHES, W. I. G.; John OFFUTT, W. O. G.; Mary FRAZIER, W. C.; Minnie AIKEN, W. R. S.; Alice GALE, W. L. S.; M. E. CONGDON, P. M. C. T.; H. H. JESSUP, L. D. The order meets in the building of the I. O. O. F. on every Monday evening.