100 Years Ago Today

1899

100 Years Ago Today

Tognazzini, Wilmar

January 1899

DIED.

FORRESTER - In this city, Jan. 5, 1899, Miss Alice Forrester, aged about 23 years.

DIED.

FORRESTER - In this city, Jan. 5, 1899, Alice Agnes Forrester, daughter of the late P.A. and the late Maria Josefa Forrester, a native of Cambria, San Luis Obispo county, Cal., aged 24 years, 1 month and 26 days.

JOYCE - In this city, Jan. 7, 1899, Pearl Joyce, daughter of the late J.M. and Virginia Joyce, a native of Floyd county, Georgia, aged 25 years, 9 months and 17 days.

BURKE - In this city, January 13, 1898 (sic), Mrs. Frank N. Burke, a native of San Luis Obispo, aged about 19 years. (Compiler’s note: The typesetter is still inserting "1898" instead of "1899").

THE PASSING OF ELBRIDGE MILES.

AN OLD AND RESPECTED CITIZEN CALLED BY DEATH.

Miles Station on the Narrow Gauge Was Named After the Deceased.

Early Sunday evening it was learned that Mr. Elbridge Miles had passed away at his home on Osos street. Saturday he suffered a stroke of paralysis and from that time forward continued to grow worse until he died. Mr. Miles and his family only moved to San Luis a short time ago and it was hoped the change would be of benefit to him, he having been unwell for some time previous.

Deceased was a native of Maine, aged 69 years and 6 months. Years ago he engaged in sheep raising near Fresno, and afterwards looked after his ranch in the Cholame country. Later on he moved to the place now known as Miles Station near Sycamore Springs, and after remaining there for a few years came to this city and remained for some time before going to the Oso Flaco where he resided for fourteen years, moving from the latter place to this city.

Deceased leaves a widow and eight grown children to mourn his loss besides many friends throughout San Luis Obispo county.

DIED.

LANE - At El Pismo, Dec. 17, 1899, Daisy, wife of B.R. Lane, aged 25 years and 9 months, a native of California.

MILES - In this city Jan. 15, 1899, Elbridge Miles, a native of Maine, aged 69 years and 6 months.

RIGHETTI - At Cayucos, Jan. 17, 1899, Rinaldo, son of Michael and Maddalena Righetti, aged 10 years and 17 days.

LAID TO REST.

LARGE ATTENDANCE AT THE FUNERAL OF ELBRIDGE MILES.

The funeral of the late Elbridge Miles took place from the family residence on Osos street yesterday afternoon and was largely attended by friends of the deceased. Rev. E.M. W. Hills, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal church, delivered a touching sermon. The remains were laid to rest in the Odd Fellows’ cemetery.

Messrs. Shipsey, Rogers, Younglove, W. Sandercock, Vetterline and G.T. Gragg acted as pall bearers.

DIED.

JORDAN - In this city, Jan. 24, 1899, C.H. Jordan, a native of Michigan, aged 43 years, 3 months and 23 days.

BROWN - At the CountyHospital, Jan. 25, 1899, Charles E., infant son of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Brown of Morro, aged 3 months.

PARK - In this city, Jan. 26, 1899, Abbie W., wife of C. Park, aged 65 years.

ORMONDE - At Arroyo Grande, Jan. 31, 1899, John Ormonde, a native of Ireland (sic), aged 55 years.

GRABOW - At her home on Dry Creek, Jan. 28, 1899, Anna Grabow, aged 21 years and 6 months.

FEBRUARY 1899

DIED

BURNETT - At the CountyHospital, Feb. 3, 1899, Thomas J. Burnett, a native of Missouri, aged about 73 years.

DIED.

BLUM - In San Francisco, Feb. 2, 1899, Mrs. H. Blum, aged 38 years and 7 months.

ORMAN - Near this city, Feb. 1st, 1899, John Orman, a native of County Waterford, Ireland.

PEYTON - In this city, Feb. 2, 1899, Mrs. Susan Peyton, aged 49 years.

THE REPORTED DEATH AT MANILA OF YOUNG THOMPSON APPARENTLY CONFIRMED.

The TRIBUNE announced the probable death in yesterday morning’s issue of Henry L. Thompson at the battle of Manila Sunday. Since then it is said that Thompson’s father Mr. J.H. Thompson of Edna, has received word from friends in San Francisco confirming the sad news.

We learn that Henry Thompson and his tent mate had entered into a plan whereby if either one of them was killed in any battle that might occur that the survivor should telegraph to the parents as soon as possible to inform them of such an occurrence. It seems that both the young men were killed in the same battle.

This is sad news to Thompson’s relatives living at Edna, and they have the sympathy of the entire community.

The young man who gave his life for his country was well known in Edna and in this city. He was a most estimable fellow and only about 22 years of age. When the war with Spain commenced he desired to go to the front and went to San Francisco and joined Company M of the Fourteenth regiment of regulars, the regiment being ordered to Manila soon afterwards. He was a corporal of Company M. This company lost the largest number of men in the battle of last Sunday.

DEATH OF PETER LUNDBECK.

Word was received in this city yesterday about noon of the death of Peter Lundbeck in Paso Robles that morning.

Lundbeck was well known in this city previous to his removal to Paso Robles. He was a blacksmith by trade, which business he was following in Paso Robles at the time of his death. He had been in poor health for several months with consumption which was the cause of his death.

He leaves a widow and several children. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and Forresters (sic), and in the latter order he carried an insurance of $2000.

SUITS COMPROMISED.

CASES OF N.H. HANSEN AND LIZZIE HANSEN AGAINST THE S.P. COMPANY.

DROPPED FROM THE CALENDAR.

THE AFFAIR RECALLS A SAD ACCIDENT WHICH HAPPENED NEAR SANTA MARGARITA.

(Compiler’s note: The accident considered in this suit was covered fully in ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO, 1897, a companion issue to this volume and is indexed in that book).

The important civil suits of Lizzie Hansen vs Southern Pacific Railway Company and N.H. Hansen against the same company, were to have been heard in the Superior court yesterday morning, but when the cases were called up, the attorneys representing both sides of the cases requested to have the matter dropped from the calendar.

It will no doubt be remembered by our readers that on the morning of June 5, 1897, this city was startled by the sad news that the north bound passenger train of that date when near this old Eight Mile House this side of Santa Margarita, had run into a rig containing Miss Lizzie and Stella Hansen of Santa Margarita, and that the young ladies were fatally injured. They were picked up in an unconscious condition and taken on the train to Paso Robles, where physicians did everything possible to relieve the sufferings of the two ladies. Soon afterwards Miss Stella Hansen died, but in the course of time Miss Lizzie Hansen recovered, although she still bears the unfortunate results of her injuries. The place where the accident happened was in a dangerous locality and the ladies attempted to cross the Southern Pacific tracks but the passenger train came along unexpectedly at the rate of about twenty-five miles an hour and struck their rig and injuring them to such an extent that it seems miraculous that even one of them lived.

In due time the survivor of the accident, Miss Lizzie Hansen, commenced a suit for damages against the railroad company and Mr. N.H. Hansen began a similar suit for the loss of his other daughter. The law firm of Delmas and Shortridge of San Francisco, was employed to prosecute the two suits and the rail company instructed their attorneys, Messrs. Graves & Graves, to defend them.

While the suits were pending, efforts were made by both sides to effect a compromise. The plaintiffs demanded too much and the defendants offered too little, and so the cases have been dragging along through the court calendars until yesterday, when the matter was to have been heard. But the long siege of intended litigation came to a sudden end.

Wednesday night all the witnesses in the intended suits arrived in this city and Attorney Delmas came also. Later in the evening the interested parties held a consultation with the result that a compromise was effected for the sum of $3,750 and the agreement that each side settle its own costs, etc.

It is believed that the decision made in the California Supreme court on June 20, 1898, in the case of Herbert vs Southern Pacific Company, which was practically a parallel case to the present one, had considerable bearing toward the compromise. A portion of the decision says:

"The railroad track of a steam railway must itself be regarded as a sign of danger, and one intending to cross must avail himself of every opportunity to look and to listen for approaching trains. If the view of the track is obstructed he should take greater pains to listen. If taking these precautions he would have seen or heard the approaching train. The very fact of injury will raise a presumption that he did not take the regular precautions."

The above decision is similar to that of the Supreme courts in some of the eastern and southern states.

Attorney Dorn represented the plaintiffs on behalf of the law firm of Delmas & Shortridge.

The final settlement was to have been made last night, but had to be postponed. However, when the Southern Pacific’s check arrives the company’s attorneys, Messrs. Graves & Graves will settle the controversy.

Mr. Hansen and Miss Hansen are deserving of a great deal more than the amount they will receive, but the loss of a life and lasting injuries to a survivor are a claim for damages that can never be paid, no matter how great the sum might be.

DEATH OF ARZA (sic) PORTER.

Hon. Arza Porter formerly of the Huasna ranch but lately of Santa Barbara, died in that city Saturday night. Deceased was well known throughout the county and his friends will deeply regret to learn of his demise.

DIED.

FISHER - In this city, Feb. 14, 1899, Mary, wife of J.F. Fisher, a native of Germany, aged 61 years and 14 days.

WHITNEY - In San Francisco, Feb. 6, 1899, D.H. Whitney, aged 64 years and 3 months.

D.H. Whitney was an old soldier, and served four years under the great General Sherman...

He was for many years a resident of this county, and had many friends here. His brother, B.C. Whitney lives at San Simeon, and is the postmaster there.

WILLIAMS - In Paso Robles, Feb. 13, 1899, Floyd Williams, eldest son of L. E. Williams.

HENDERSON - In Paso Robles, Feb. 15, 1899, Hiram B. Henderson, aged 53 years and 23 days.

SKETCH OF AZRA PORTER.

Short Obituary Notice From Santa Barbara Paper.

For the benefit of our readers we publish the following notice from the Santa Barbara Press of Sunday, Feb. 12th.

Summoned by the grim messenger, Mr. Arza (sic) Porter passed peacefully to his long rest at his home on lower Chapala street in this city at 10:11 o’clock p.m., Feb. 11th. Although he has six children, only his wife was with him at the last, his death coming so unexpectedly that it was not possible for his sons and daughters, who were in distant parts, to be present. Mr. Porter’s last illness (pneumonia) was contracted on his trip down from San Francisco on the steamer arriving last Wednesday.

Mr. Porter’s career was in many respects remarkable. Born in Lima, New York, in 1838, he went to Morris, Illinois, at an early age, and from thence crossed the Great Plains in 1858, coming to Southern California, where in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties he has lived ever since. He was owner of the great Huasna rancho in the latter county, where during a great part of the last eighteen years he has resided, though often living for considerable periods at his home in this city. Owing to his many absences he was best known to the older residents here, by whom his benevolent life and large-heartedness was highly appreciated, although these characteristics were not unknown to later citizens. He was sheriff of Santa Barbara county for eight years, at a time previous to the separation of Ventura county therefrom. He was prominently connected with State politics, also, having served San Luis Obispo county in the Assembly from 1884 to 1886. Mr. Porter traced unbroken lineage back to a maternal ancestor who came over in the Mayflower. He would have been 61 years old in March.

Mr. Porter’s six children are: Mrs. Anton Kirkoff, Covina, Cal.; Mrs. Chas. Adam, Santa Maria, Cal.; Miss Rose Porter, of Santa Barbara; Isaac, Arza (sic) and Asa Porter. Mrs. H.G. Crane of this city, Mrs. Isaac C. Tilden of Morris, Ill., are sisters, and Mr. Asa F. Porter, of Peary, Iowa, is a brother of the deceased.

RAILWAY BUILDER DEAD.

CONTRACTOR JOHN A. McMURTRIE PASSES AWAY IN DENVER.

A dispatch from Denver, dated Feb. 15, to the San Francisco Chronicle says:

"John A. McMurtrie, the millionaire railroad contractor, died at his home in this city tonight of blood poisoning caused by an abcess (sic). At the time of his death he was engaged with his partners in constructing a coast line for the Southern Pacific in California.

Deceased had many friend in San Luis. Of late years he had been in poor health. His last visit here was about two years ago.

DIED.

WILLIAMS - In this city, Feb. 18th, 1899, Frank E. Williams, son of J.P. and Nellie Williams, a native of Chariton county, Missouri, aged 24 years, and 4 months.

DIED AT MORRO.

GEORGE STOCKING PASSES AWAY AFTER A LONG ILLNESS.

It was with regret that we learned of the death of George A. Stocking at Morro Sunday noon. Deceased was a general favorite with all his friends a steady and industrious young man. For the past two years that dreaded disease consumption, had been gradually increasing its strength until at last death came as a relief.

Just before noon the young man had been sitting on a sofa and as he was suffering from pain his father advised him to take a chair and thus be able to rest easier. He did as requested and had no sooner sat down when he gave a short gasp and a few moments afterwards was dead.

Deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Stocking and a brother of Mrs. J.H. Hollister, Mrs. W.B. McKennon, Miss Minnie Stocking, Frank, Charles and Ernest Stocking. The funeral. occurs today at Morro with interment at Cayucos. (Compiler’s note: Although Mr. Stocking was originally interred in the Cayucos cemetery, his body was later transferred to a family plot in San Luis Obispo).

DIED.

ESTUDILLO - In this city, Feb. 19, 1899, Olympia, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Estudillo, aged 12 years and 5 months.

STOCKING - At Morro, Feb. 19, 1899, George A. Stocking, son of J.C. and C.E. Stocking, a native of Bloomfield, Sonoma county, Cal., aged 27 years.

LATEWARD - In Phoenix, Arizona, Feb. 19, 1899, Frederic John Lateward, a native of England, aged about 40 years.

COFFEY - In Lompoc, Feb. 14, 1899, William M. Coffee, aged 46 years, 11 months and 23 days.

THURBER - In this city, Feb. 24, 1899, David P. Thurber, a native of Delaware county, New York, aged 65 years, 9 months and 12 days.

PRESSEY - In this city, Feb. 24, 1899, Beulah Augusta, beloved wife of M. Pressey, and mother of Mrs. M. Faustino, Mrs. G.B. Tuley, A.E. Pressey, G.B. Pressey and Mrs. F.P. Duley, a native of Maine, aged 67 years, 5 months and 6 days.

A CHILD BURNED TO DEATH.

FEARFUL FATE OF A TODDLING BABE AT LAS TABLAS.

Its Clothes Took Fire From the Kitchen Stove During the Temporary Absence of the Mother.

The infant son of G.W. Gillis, living on Las Tablas creek between Cayucos and Templeton, was burned to death Sunday while the mother was absent from the kitchen for a few moments.

The little one’s clothing caught fire from the kitchen stove, and when the mother came back from her errand outside, the child was all ablaze. The house was open and a strong wind fanned the blaze causing it to burn furiously, burning the child horribly.

The baby was an only child, 13 months of age and just beginning to walk

MARCH 1899

DIED.

TERRA - At the Laguna, March 8th, 1899, Lucien Garcia Terra, a native of the Azores islands, aged 64 years and 4 days.

HOWE - In this city, March 9, 1899, Elisha W. Howe, a native of Rhode Island, aged 72 years, 4 months and 8 days. (Compiler’s note: The TRIBUNE carried a lengthy biographical sketch of Mr. Howe in addition to this short vital statistic).

HOEFER - At Sacramento, March 12, 1879 (sic), Paul Hoefer, a native of Germany, aged 75 years. (Compiler’s note: The obvious typesetting mistake is the number 7 instead of the correct number 9.)

TOMASINI - At Cayucos, March 12, 1899, Elisa R. Tomasini, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alessandro Tomasini, a native of Cayucos, aged 20 years and 17 days.

MACHADO - Near this city, March 17, 1899, Manuel de Brum Machado, a native of Pico, Azores, aged 35 years.