Written by Leo Martin, reported by Mariam Hansen.
On January 2nd the Odd Fellows met for the first time in their new hall.
A hall dedicated on New Year’s Eve
Fritz Beringer, president of the society, made the dedicatory speech. He said the new hall was intended for the development of gymnastics, the art of singing and the enjoyment of drama. Floor director Louis Zierngibl and wife led the grand march, which started the dancing, which continue until five o’clock next morning.
On January 20 Charles H. Greenfield and Miss Florence Cole were marred at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. David Cole on Pope Street.
The Odd Fellows dedicated their new building with exercises conducted by grand officers, concluding with a grand ball in the evening.
Charles W. Armstrong, formerly a clerk in Riggins Drugstore, bought the stock and fixtures of the Standard Pharmacy and moved to Calistoga, where he went into business.
A demonstration against the Chinese
Circulars were distributed about town, stating that the time given the coolies to leave would expire two days later and a public meeting. The Anti-Coolie Club formed for a march to Chinatown. Bells were rung and whistles blown, and a large crowd met at the town hall. Instructions were given that the march was to be orderly, and that only one man would do the talking. When they arrived at Chinatown not a person was to be seen. Doors were bolted and shutters closed. The place appeared to be deserted. Officers finally persuaded a few bosses to come out for a discussion and the request of the people was made known to them. The crowd then returned to town in an orderly manner.
A lodge of Rebekahs madrona #2 was organized with 15 charter members.
On February 11, Laurel Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, was organized with 30 members, including ten couples.
On February 17th Dimsdill B. Carver and Minnie Logan were married at the home of the bride’s parents, James and Unity Logan.
A resolution to the Chinese issue
A contract was quietly obtained from John Gillam of Alameda, owner of the premises, just ahead of the Chinese Six Companies of San Francisco, who were endeavoring to acquire the property. Purchase was made by four local men:
James Logan, Frank Sciaroni, William Simmons, and C.E. Davis. The price was $1600. Logan and Sciaroni lived opposite Chinatown. The deed was recorded and the tenants were given notice to vacate. [The Chinese remained until about 1910, when the place was destroyed by an accidental fire.]
D.R. McLennan put up a two-story building next to the St. Helena Hotel, with a wagon shop below and residence upstairs.
In March it appears the German Turners and the fire department had some differences Both gave dances on the same evening. The Turners offered a masquerade in their hall with 40 couples in the grand march. The firemen, headed by the band, had a torchlight procession through the streets and then went to the skating rink on Adams. They had about 60 couples in the grand march.
In April Felix Salmina and Angelo Borla purchased the William Tell Hotel from Batista Salmina.
John Tychson, owner of the Lodi Ranch & Vineyard, died in Oakland on April 9 th. His wife Josephine and a son survived.
Charles D. Mooney took his brother Fred T. Mooney as partner in the grocery business.
At the town election the trustees [councilmen] chosen were William York (chairman), Marcus Inman, John Mixon, F. F.
Lockwood, and William Worrell. R.L. Spurr was elected marshal. K. Shakespeare was elected treasurer, James Haire clerk, and Thomas Watt town attorney. Reorganization of town government under the new charter lost for the third time: by eight votes this time.
Railroad Avenue was opened from Hunt Avenue along the line of the railroad to Fulton Lane.
In May the hall on the second floor of the Kettlewell Building [Vasconi Pharmacy] was converted to offices.
Thomas J. Roberts became the proprietor of the Palace Hotel. He appointed Richard F. Rammers (the telegraph operator) as manager.
Miss Junia Wade was the only graduate from Professor Rogers’ Academy [the high school at that time].
The case of Anna Dixon against Professor Charles Allen of the State Normal School at San Jose was decided by the supreme court in favor of Miss Dixon, who was awarded $1,000 in damages. Allen appealed the case and after five years the award of the lower court was affirmed.
William H. Worrell, a member of the town trustees, died suddenly on May 27 at his home on Madrona Avenue.
The Odd Fellows tendered a reception to Colin McEachran, who had returned from the grand lodge, in honor of his election as Grand Master.
Memorial Day, as custom held
There was a parade in the morning with the band, fire department, civic societies, Grand Army of the Republic [Civil War veterans], Sons of Veterans and citizens. All marched to the cemetery, where graves were decorated and services held. In the afternoon a literary and music program was held in Turner Hall [site of today’s Lyman Park].
Gold crowns were introduced in St. Helena by C.R. Sabin, the new dentist.
Graduates of the St. Helena Grammar School in 1886 were: Mamie Alstrom (valedictorian), Frank Clark, Joe Fealy, Loulie Graham, Rodney McCormick and Clara Sterling. Mamie not only headed the class in final examinations, but stood first every month for the past year. Teachers are A.M. Armstrong (principal), Emma Graham, May Young, Minnie Howell and Anna Dixon.
Dr. G.B. Carr of Grass Valley purchased the dental practice of Dr. C.E. Davis.
Ballplayers versus the churches
The churches forbade them to play on Sundays. It was claimed that the game did not disturb anybody and that engaging in clean, wholesome sport was far better than loafing about the streets, or frequenting harmful places.
A gang of 125 Chinese was working on the grade for the railroad to Lake County. In July they were in Sage Canyon at the junction of Chiles, Sage Canyon and Berryessa Roads. Later the number of laborers was increased to 215. They had a contract to grade 30 miles.
Fourth of July celebrations were held in Napa and Calistoga. At the latter place Dennis Spencer was orator and Charley Armstrong was jockey on the horse that won the quarter mile dash.
Frank Sciaroni was elected town trustee at a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Worrell.
Another fire hose cart
Alphonse Bell organized a new fire company. The first officers of Americus Hose Company No.2 were: J.G. Johnson, foreman; H.B. Sharp, first assistant; W.J. Caughey, second assistant; A.N. Bell, secretary;. The new hose cart cost $375 and had 74 inch wheels. The former St. Helena Star office on Main Street was leased as quarters for the equipment.
In some way, local baseball enthusiasm and the organization of Americus Hose Company were connected in an article in a New York newspaper. The caption of a picture read “Al Bell is the champion pitcher of the U.S. of Americus”.
Richard F, Rammers, telegraph operator and manager of the Palace Hotel, married Eva Roberts in San Francisco on August 4. Her father is the owner of the hotel.
Nearly one thousand members of the Grand Army of the Republic [G.A.R.- a Civil War veterans group] who were attending the grand encampment in San Francisco were entertained by the citizens of St. Helena. Reception and entertainment were in Hunt’s Grove, where lunches and Napa Valley wines were served. General John Logan was one of the distinguished visitors. He responded to the welcome address by Major Hay, editor of the St. Helena Times newspaper.
There was a report of a ten-round boxing match a short distance out of town with roped ring, referee, seconds and timekeeper. The affair was shrouded in mystery and names were not published.
A new town jail, to replace the ancient “calaboose”, was constructed on the rear of the town hall lot. It was 25 X 25 feet in size, with walls of stone lined with sheets of iron. Four cells measuring 6 X 7 feet were surrounded by a corridor. Cost of the building was $1600.
Fred W. Kroeber resigned from Carver National Bank due to ill health and was succeeded by A.L. Williams.
St. Helena Institute No. 35 of the Young Men’s Institute, a Catholic club, was organized. The president was Phil O’Donnell; vice president I.N. Enright; secretary James V. Haire, treasurer James W. Dowdell.
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