DAVE'S TRAINS AND TREES

~ 5 Mile Railroad ~

~ Occidental News ~

1873 June 5 Marin Journal, Volume 13, Number 12 The last Finish.

The Railroad - Next Monday, 100 men will start work on Dutch Bill Creek, and within 10 days 300 men will be employed grading from Dutch Bill summit down to the Russian River.

1876 October 19 Russian River Flag, Volume VIII, Number 50 The Narrow Gauge.

From J. G. Dow, who came in from Howard's canyon last Friday, we learn that the iron for the North Pacific Coast Narrow Gauge Railroad is laid within four miles of Russian River, seventeen miles from Tomales. The first passenger train was to run to Howard's Station and Summit, 15 miles from Tomales, last Monday. The road is nearly graded through Howard's canyon, and down the river to Moscow, a new town laid off opposite the mouth of Austin creek. This road passes within four miles of Guerneville, and Moscow is six miles southwest of Guerneville. The railroad company have recently contracted with Mr. Duncan, of Duncan's Mill, to carry his lumber over this road to San Francisco. This will result in the removal of his mill from the mouth of the river to Austin creek, and the building of a bridge by the Company across Russian River. The Company are about contracting for the building of their bridge to enable them to lay their track into Duncan's proposed mill yard. Mr. Dow has been running the stage from Russian River to Tomales for the past four months, but the railroad being now completed the stage will be drawn off. He will probably remain there for sometime engaged in other business. For the best and cheapest clothing and gent's furnishing goods go to M. Meyer's store, northwest corner plaza, Healdsburg. *tf

1876 November 29 Press Democrat, Volume III, Number 102 IMPORTANT CHANGES.

[Note: Some of the article not related to Occidental-Tyrone removed] The Coast Country-The Narrow Gauge Railroad-Through Dutch Bill Canyon to Duncan's Mill-Change of Mill Site -New Towns, Etc. The completion of the San Francisco and North Pacific Coast Narrow Gauge Railroad from Saucelito via Tomales, Valley Ford, Freestone, through Howard or "Dutch Bill" canyon, to Russian River, will inaugurate a new era in the coast section of this county. A few notes of a hasty trip recently made from Santa Rosa to Duncan's mill, thence over a proposed new wagon road up Russian River to the termini of the railroad, thence on the line of the railroad through Dutch Bill canyon back to Freestone, will no doubt interest some of our readers.

OUR PARTY. In company with Mr. Weatherington, Mr. Warner and Mr. Hassett, members of the Board of Supervisors, and citizens John Orr and Rufus Temple, we left Santa Rosa Friday morning. The roads were in splendid condition, the weather delightful, the country charming. Brief stops were made at several points to enable the County Fathers to inspect a bridge, some new work on the road, or a proposed change of route, until we reached

FREESTONE, Where we observed the first evidences of improvement resulting from the construction of the Narrow Gauge. Besides other houses a very comfortable new hotel, containing 24 rooms, has recently been built, and is open under the excellent management of Mr. John Julian late of the Metropolitan hotel at Tomales. Everything about the house is neat and comfortable, showing that Julian does know how to keep a hotel. The general office of Mrs. Miller's coast stages is now located at this house. At the Bodega Road Station, on the farm of Mr. Jas. Watson, Johnnie Morris, the popular manager of O'Grady's pioneer hotel of Freestone, is building a commodious and well arranged public house, which will soon be followed by other improvements at that station.

TYRONE MILL, Owned by the Railroad and Land Company, is located midway through the canyon contiguous to a vast forest of redwoods which extends several miles to west, south and east. Though the road is graded clear through to Russian River the track is laid only to this point, and the first cargo of lumber is ready for shipment, only waiting the removal of the construction trains to make way for freight cars. These will probably have reached there before this meets the eye of the reader. An hour's ride on horseback from Orr's ranch, brought us to the above mill, at 12 o'clock. Through the hospitality of Mr. Moore, a substantial dinner had been prepared by his major domo, R. K. Aulls, which was devoured by our party with much relish. We then proceeded to examine the mill, which is probably the most complete in this section of the State. It is managed by J. P. Moore, as Superintendent; H. C. Smith, Bookkeeper; Henry Sewell, formerly of Soquel Mill in Santa Cruz, Foreman; Charlie Nelson, Engineer; and Frank Plummer, late of Murphy Bros, mill at Guerneville, Head Sawyer.. A 200 horse power, 24 foot stroke, 20x24 inch cylinder Cincinnati engine, runs the machinery. The mill contains all the latest improvements in sawing apparatus. The logs are dragged to the gangway by oxen; an endless chain supported by an iron bull wheel driven by steam power conveys them thence to the carriage in the mill; Robb's patent set works locates them for the saw; rotary double and single seven foot saws, with Emerson's planer teeth, are in use; the carriage is drawn by a wire rope; the lumber is conveyed from the carriage by steam rollers. Among the latest improvements are Emerson's patent saw dust feeder, which conveys the dust to the furnace, through which it is scattered by jets of steam, that may be turned on as necessity requires; patent adjusting pulleys work all parts of the machinery separately; Sturvine's patent suction fan, 1,500 revolutions a minute, is in use; Robb's patent friction pulley; Diecy's gang edger, cutting two sides of a plank at once; two planers, lath and picket machines, etc. The mill gives employment to 45 men and is capable of cutting 48,000 feet of lumber per day.

THE RAILROAD. The officers of the S. F. & N, P. C. Narrow Gauge Railroad are: Directors-Milton S. Latham, A. D. Moore, J. McM. Shafter, Warren Dutton, W. H. L. Barnes, - Howard. President, M. S. Latham; Superintendent and General Manager of Road, Jno. W. Dougherty; Chief Engineer, Jno. F. Wade; Ticket Agent, W. R. Price. Two passenger and two freight trains run daily from Saucelito to Howard Station. The length of the road is 76 miles. From Tomales to Russian river, 24 miles, has been constructed this year under the direction of Mr. Wade. There are two tunnels on this extension, one near Tomales, 1700 feet long, and one in Dutch Bill canyon, 400 feet long. Between Tomales and Tyrone Mills there are 40 trestles and bridges, varying from 10 to 80 feet in length. The principal bridge, across Brown's canyon, near Fuller's mill, has two spans of 150 feet each, with 100 feet of trestle-work; height of bridge, 137 feet. It is a Howe Truss used as a deck bridge; the central pier is 110 feet high; 96,000 feet of lumber was used in its construction. This is the finest piece of work on the road and reflects great credit upon Mr. Wade. The heaviest grade from Tomales to Freestone is 80 feet; from Freestone to Howard's averages 105 feet to the mile; from Howard's to Tyrone, 120 feet; from Tyrone to Moscow it is almost level. The iron used upon this portion of the road is the same as that upon the Donahue, 50 pounds to the yard, with the latest improvement in fastenings, same as used on Pennsylvania Central. The rolling stock consists of 11 locomotives, 250 box and flat cars, and 9 passenger coaches. We were astonished to find the track so easy and smooth; quite as much so as most broad gauge roads. The scenery through Dutch Bill canyon is very grand and will no doubt attract many visitors in the summer season. Though this is his first attempt at railroad building without the assistance of older and more experienced engineers, Mr. Wade has succeeded in getting through the rugged canyon upon an easy grade and the completion of the entire work to the perfect satisfaction of the company, displaying such skill as an engineer as will rank him among the leading men of his profession. Howard's Station is improving rapidly, having already a hotel building and a church, with other buildings in course of construction. There are several mills in the vicinity of the railroad but on this hurried trip we were able to visit but one of them.

1876 December 28 Press Democrat, Volume III, Number 126 Occidental Items.

We learn from Mr. M. C. Meeker that the new station on the North Pacific Coast Railroad which has heretofore been called Howards, will hereafter be called Occidental. The Post-office there has that name and the railroad officials have consented to the change of the name of the station. Occidental will be one of the principal stations along that line. It is the present terminus of the road and will be so until spring. It is about eight miles from the sea shore and about the same distance from Russian river. The following buildings have already been erected: A two-story hotel, 36x40 feet, kept by A. J. Blaney; a shoe shop, 12x28 feet, occupied by Mr. Martin, recently from Canada; a blacksmith and wagon shop, 30x40 feet; a Chinese store, which is the headquarters for the Chinese along the road, and a well finished Methodist church, 28x40 feet. The church is paid for and out of debt. Mr. W. H. Howard is building a saloon, to be called the Occidental. The railroad company have depot buildings, including water tank and sand house, and are now building an engine house and turn-table. There is a flourishing Sunday school in the village having about 45 scholars, and it proposed to make an effort soon to have a public school established there.

1877 January 9 Press Democrat, Volume III, Number 135 Serious Accident-Unknown Man Found Dead

Quite a serious accident happened on Friday last near Howard's Station. One of the Noyes Bros., working on J. Blaney's land, cutting timber, sawed a log; the lower part swung around, knocked him down and then rolled over him, breaking his thigh and injuring him seriously inwardly. Drs. Harrison and Hampton were called in, and he is in a fair way of recovering. This morning Mr. Chenoweth came from Timber Cove and reported that on Saturday last a man was found about 5 miles back of that place dead, having been shot. On Saturday morning he called at the house of Hardin Chenoweth for a drink of water; this was the last time that he was seen alive. He is a stranger and unknown to all who have seen him so far. F. J. BLOOM.

1877 February 22 Marin Journal, Volume 16, Number 50 Letter from Howard's

Ed. Journal: Thinking that a miniature description of the rural little hamlet known as Howard's Station would prove of some interest to your readers, permit me to give a brief description of HOWARD AND ITS Surroundings. Howard is located on the summit of Dutch Bill Canyon, in what is known as the Bodega Redwoods, four miles north of Freestone, four miles from Green Valley, and nine miles from the anticipated terminus of the N. P. C. R. R., a place widely known as Moscow. The town of Howard, or Occidental, as it is sometimes called, is growing very rapidly. I took a position on one of the main streets today and counted as many as nine new buildings under rapid construction. Noble's Hotel, on the corner of Main and Third streets, is full to overflowing. The climate is very salubrious, and of even temperature; the scenery is grand and beautiful. Some of San Francisco's best artists have visited Howards, and pronounced it the most picturesque place on the coast. Lumber and wood are the principal products, the town being surrounded by many of the largest lumber mills on the coast. There is also near Howard's a fine farming and fruit and grape growing country. Once in a while you see a dairy ranch, producing the finest of butter. We have a post office, A. J. Blainey postmaster; Wells Fargo & Co. have also favored us with one of their live offices, and placed Mr. Eugene Payne at the wheel as their agent. So you see, Mr. Editor, that by means of the rushing iron horse of the Narrow Gauge, the throbbing of the Western Union telegraph, the promptness of express Charley and politeness of Uncle Sam's postmaster, we are not out of the limits of civilization and quick communication with San Francisco. Yours, Elbon.

1877 February 27 Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 21 Letter from Freestone

LETTER FROM FREESTONE. Passenger Trains will run to Freestone by April 1st - A Young Widow and a Saloon Keeper - A Ball at Howard's Station - etc., etc. EDS. DEMOCRAT: Although I am not a regular correspondent and may not be able to give my thoughts through the pen with the fluency of an experienced writer, with your permission I give you a few items from this part of the county: Mr. J. Julian is still running the new hotel at the station, and is over-crowded every night. His table is as good, if not better, than any other in the county; he is a genial, good-hearted soul, has many friends and no enemies. He is now building another hotel at Moscow, the terminus of the N. P. C. R. R., which will be finished about the 15th of March. The passenger trains will run through to that point about the first of April. The road is doing a good business, exceeding the most sanguine hopes of the projectors. The proprietor of a certain saloon in this place, having been struck by Cupid's darts in the shape of a young and fair widow, betook himself to San Francisco, a week ago, to push his suit, in person, but the widow not exactly agreeing to the proposition, he gave her a touch of Shakspeare and said "Farewell. A long, a last farewell to all my greatness," and departed. His many loving creditors were the losers, and it is feared he will return to Freestone no more, but let them silently weep on. Singing school is now in vogue and many of our most promising young men attend, but we fear other attractions than singing help them to plod their weary way o'er the hills to the orchard. I am afraid our worthy man of horseflesh will wear all the heels off his boots or ruin the greys, driving so much after dark, if the school don't close soon. Our genial landlord at Howard's Station, Mr. J. W. Noble, is going to give a ball as soon as the new store there is completed, and, from the many balls we have attended at his late hotel in Nicassio, we can safely say it will be a grand success. The railroad has no intention of changing its depot here or at Bodega Roads, as both stations are doing a paying business. We have this information from a reliable source. The new road over the O'Farrel Hill is progressing slowly and will likely be completed by March 5th. The steepest grade will be 13 inches to the rod, while the present road is in places from 5 to 6 feet. Our roadmaster, we see, has got the re-appointment, and if he will do as well with the roads in the future as he has in the past we are sure the people will, with one accord, return thanks; in fact we know of a dozen families that have been praying ever since, as it is thought this must be the forerunner of some great evil to the people (bad roads). Mrs. Ina B. Miller, having finished all her business has taken her departure for Healdsburg. She has made many friends during her stay in Freestone, and will be greatly missed. Mr. J. T. Wade has severed his connection with the N. P. C. R. R., and will soon leave for Australia. We wish him success. Mr. John Morris has joined the Crusaders and thrown his bar and whiskey out of doors, or, what is the same thing, sold them. More anon. H.

1877 April 16 Press Democrat. Volume IV, Number 62 A DAY'S JAUNT COASTWISE.

[Note: some of this article removed-not related to my needs] Howard Canyon - The Narrow Guage Road - Tyrone Mills - Moscow - Duncan's Mill - Julian's New Hotel - John Orr - D. F. Harbach - Freestone - Frank Murphy - Warren Dutton and Home Again. We accepted Friday last the invitation of William Howard to ride over with him to his place on the Narrow Gauge road. We weighed the matter mentally for a brief space. No go - kicked the beam! And in less than half an hour we were rattling out of Santa Rosa, behind a pair of strawberry roans, sandwiched between our friend Howard and E. S. Pomeroy.

Our thoughts were disturbed by the whistle of the locomotive of the narrow guage road, as it toiled up the grade from O'Farrell valley to Howard's station. Soon after we arrived at the latter place and spent half an hour in looking around the new town before the arrival of the evening passenger train, upon which we intended to go on to Tyrone Mills.

There seems to be a little confusion about the name of this place, the station is Howard's, and the Post office Occidental. The town is situated on the divide between the waters of Salmon Creek, which run into O'Farrel Valley, and the waters of Howard's Creek, which fall into Russian River. Mr. Howard was the first settler, and the town site is owned partly by him and partly by Meeker Bros. It is three and a half miles from Freestone, and ten miles from the terminus of the road at Moscow.

On the Main street McCaughey & Co. opened a general merchandise store, one of the neatest country stores we have seen. D. Robinson, formerly of Bodega, is a member of the firm. The store was opened on the 4th of April, 1877, and the proprietors are the pioneer merchants. The Summit House, at which we stopped a few moments, is kept by J W Noble, and we don't know a nicer place if one wanted to enjoy a visit to the country on the line of rail and telegraphic communication with San Francisco. There is a very neat Methodist Church in the place, in charge of the Rev. Mr. George. A. F. Blaney is Postmaster. I. Stahleaker is blacksmith; Theodore Sutton, wagonmaker, and William Doty keeps the only saloon in the place. Samuel Martin is the village shoemaker, and Charles Crosby supplies the town with meat. Eugene Hayes is agent for the railroad for W., F. & Co., and is also telegraph operator.

The population of the town is about fifty souls. We regretted that we did not see either of the Messrs. Meeker, who have manifested a very lively interest in the place. We had just time to make the above notes when the evening train came up and we were soon en route for Tyrone Mills, our first ride on this or any narrow gauge road. We were most agreeably pleased; the cars are elegant, and the road was smooth. It wound around the slopes of the canyon at a rapid rate, now over trestle work, now doubling the head of some gorge with graceful curve, or gliding through the overhanging pines and redwoods like a shuttle through a many colored warp.

We passed the Streeten mill, its white cottages picturesquely grouped in the valley below us; and just beyond into and out of a tunnel through an intervening hill whose sharp angle could not be turned, A few moments after, at 6 P. M., about four hours from Santa Rosa, we arrived at Tyrone, where we found Mr. Walter M. Phillips, Secretary and General Manager of the Russian River Land and Lumber Company, our old friend D. F. Harbach, Superintendent of the mills, and H. C. Smith, our young friend, well and favorably known to Santa Rosans. Mr. Smith is the accountant of the R. R. L. & L. Co. The Tyrone Mill was built about a year ago and is the property of the Russian River Land and Lumber Company, of which Milton S. Latham is President. The mill is the largest in the county. On Saturday last it cut 40,000 feet of lumber. D. L. Harbach, the superintendent, is a thorough mill man and knows how to systematize the labor about a mill so that it will harmonize and accomplish the greatest possible results. The foreman of the mill is Frank Plummer, who run Murphy's mill at Guerneville during its most successful season summer before last. Charles Roix, formerly with Duncan & Co., and with William Miller on the Coast, is foreman of the logging department. William Carlile is foreman of the construction and wood department.

The lands of the R. R. L. & L. Co., include about 8,000 acres, the tract leased many years ago by Capt. Stephen Smith, a portion of the Bodega Rancho. The tract came in into the possession of Mr. Moore and was by him sold to the present company. It fronts for two miles on Howard creek along the line of the railroad. It includes all the timber west of its east line to the sea. Its north line is along Russian river, except a corner of the Madrona tract, which takes in the lower part of Howard Gulch, and extends a short distance down Russian river. Mr. Roix, an intelligent woodsman with whom we conversed, tells us that there is from six to eight years work in reach of the Tyrone Mill. The lumber in Walker Gulch above the mill he puts at 2,000 acres, and that on the hill above the mill at 1,000 acres, which will average, in his opinion, at least 40,000 feet to the acre. This would leave belonging to the company the timber in what is known as the Freezeout Gulch to be sawed at the Moscow mill, and the lumber in Willow Gulch for future disposition. In the latter gulch it is estimated there is as much standing timber as on the rest of the tract combined. Mr. Knox informed us that the hill timber is not large but is of excellent quality. He has never seen a place where hill-side logging can be done to as much advantage as upon the lands of this company. The logs are brought to the mill by a steam engine, upon an iron railway, which is now extending to Walker Gulch, and when completed will place that valuable body of timber within easy reach of Tyrone Mills. On Saturday morning, in company with Mr. Phillips, we visited the site of the mills now building for the Madrona Company - Moses V. Brown, who built J. K. Smith's mill, and Winfield Wright's barn is the Superintendent of this company, They are building two mills, one on Howard Creek, just below the Tyrone Mill, and one on Russian River, above the mouth of Howard Creek.

We called on Mr. Brown, and regret that we did not see him. Both the mills of the Madrona Company will be connected with the railroad, one by a switch of half a mile, and the other is on the main track.

1877 May 15 Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 87 Occidental Items.

We are indebted to Mr. M. C. Meeker for the following items: The road from Meeker's Mill to Valley Ford has never been in better condition than it is at present . The Sunday excursion trains now run to Occidental, and nice picnic grounds have been prepared and a dancing floor erected for the benefit of excursionists . The freight train will make its headquarters at Occidental . A petition largely signed has been presented to the Board of Supervisors to establish a voting precinct there . A grand Sunday School picnic will be given by the schools of Bloomfield, Valley Ford, Freestone and Occidental, at Madrona Mill, on Saturday, June 9th.

1877 May 23 Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 94

W. L. Chenoweth of Streeten's and Latham’s Mill, was in town on Wednesday. He tells us that they are cutting 15000 feet of lumber a day at the mill. Yesterday a man at Howard's Station sawing wood for the Railroad Co., met with an accident; his hand struck the saw, and he lost the index finger of his hand, and had two other fingers nearly cut off.

1877 May 24 Marin Journal, Volume 17, Number 11 Fingers Lost

A man named Corliss had three fingers taken off by a saw, at Howard's Station, on Tuesday. He was brought to Olema, where he has a family.

1877 May 31 Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 3, Number 84 Attempt to Burn a Railroad Bridge

An attempt was made today to fire the bridge on the narrow gauge road across Brown's Canyon, just south of Howard's station. The fire was fortunately discovered in time to prevent the total destruction of the bridge. The damage will be repaired in a week. Trains will run as usual. The wood work had been saturated with coal oil.

1877 June 19 Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 117 Occidental

The school house of this district is near Howard's Station on the Northern Pacific railroad. It is an excellent school building and a credit to the district. It is well furnished with patent desks. We regretted to notice that many of the beautiful desks had been injured by being cut with knives. They are the first that we have found in the county, injured in that way. In justice to the present teacher, we are pleased to state that they were not injured during her administration. We did not fail to note the tidy condition of the room in all its appearances, creditable alike to teacher and pupils. Miss Kate Hinckley is the teacher in charge and is doing her work well and faithfully. The district received last year from state and county apportionments, $620.33. and maintained a school nine months. The Board of Trustees is a very efficient one judging from the good condition of the school, and the school property.

1877 June 29 Daily Alta California, Volume 29, Number 9944

Last Sunday evening Mr Lean was robbed, near Howard's Station, by two boys, Charles Alley and Marvin Stone. Mr. Lean was riding on horseback along the road when he met the two boys, also on horseback. The boys dismounted, drew their pistols and told him to get off his horse and throw up his hands. He did as requested. The boys went through his pockets, and obtained a handkerchief, a knife, piece of tobacco and about three dollars in money. Both the boys were arrested and brought to Santa Rosa.

1877 October 6 Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 210 Local Briefs

J.H.. Chenaweth, of Occidental, sends us a twin grape which measures about four inches around.

1878 February 22 Press Democrat, Volume V, Number 16 Accident

A young man named Oscar F. Weeks left here yesterday morning on horseback for Howard Station, where he expected to take the cars for Tyrone Mills. His friends received a dispatch about noon today stating that his horse had fallen and he had been thrown in such a manner as to cause concussion of the brain, and it is feared that he is seriously injured. C. L. Ennis and Jos. M. Chinn left for the scene of the accident today.

1878 March 14 Marin Journal, Volume 18, Number 1 Interesting Letter from Howard's

Howard's Station, March 11, 78. Ed. Journal - Some accidents have resulted from the storms since my last. A huge land slide was the first. A whole hillside slid down, with a crash so terrible and resonant that it was heard for half a mile. At the foot of the hill, on the bank of a creek, stood a barn, in which were 20 oxen, property of Meeker Bros., which was buried under the slipping mass. Neighbors came to the rescue from all directions. Three men jumped on to the roof with axes to let out the cattle; a perilous feat, as the whole mass was drifting like a ship in a current. But they got all out but two, and the men were only scratched pretty badly. On Sunday morning, between this place and Streeten's, a huge rock slid down upon the railroad track. While preparing to blast it, a part came off, and buried up three Chinamen, who were badly wounded, one especially, was hurt in the head, ribs, and wrist. Prof. Vaman has very large classes in calligraphy here, and is giving great satisfaction.

This town is situated on an elevated plateau, about 2,500 feet above the sea. It runs from north to south, and is surrounded by a luxuriant growth of various woods, including, redwood, different species of first class pine, for lumber purposes, laurel, mountain mahogany, pepper, black, white and live oak, Cottonwood and weeping willow. Also, in shrubs, wild laurel, Manzanita, hazel, wild rose and blackberry. The climate is very fine and healthy, and with the abundance of wild game, is very attractive to tourists.

We have a first class hotel, kept by A. J. Blaney, with accommodations for 10 guests; two saloons, one by Wm. Doty, and another by L. Pare, formerly of your county; Jas. McGumphy keeps a general provision store, a barber shop and hair store, and livery stable, blacksmith, shoemaker, butcher, etc; and an M. E. Church and Sunday School, Rev. A. R. Sheriff, pastor. L. J. Dupabque JK.

1878 April 3 Press Democrat, Volume V, Number 50 Board of Supervisors, Monday's proceedings

The petition of the residents In Occidental School District was then considered, and on motion of Supervisor Charles. It was ordered that the boundaries of said district be fixed In accordance with the petition on file as follows: Commencing as before on the northeast corner of the Cook ranch, and running as before until it intersects the line to the wagon road (so as to include Cook's ranch) up Dutch Bill creek; thence up said road until it intersects the county road leading to Sebastopol; thence following said road to the land of Hiram Brown; thence south on said line to the Meeker road; thence in an easterly direction on said road until it again Intersects the county road as near as may be to place of beginning, saving and excepting land owned by Meeker Bros, and Mrs. Rachael Stone, section 27, all the aforesaid land to be included In the Narrow Gauge District.

1878 May 24 Press Democrat, Volume V, Number 93 Real Estate Transactions

M. C. Meeker and wife to Joseph Wary, lot No. 07 in the town of Occidental, Sonoma county:$350.

1878 September 11 Press Democrat, Volume VI, Number 35 Real Estate Transactions

M. C. Meeker and wife to Wm Doty, half of lot 106, Occidental, $75.

1879 April 24 Marin Journal, Volume 19, Number 7

On Friday next, the I. O. O. F. of Howard's Station, have a picnic on the grounds near the station. A train will leave this place at 8:15 a.m. for accommodation of those desiring to attend. Returning train will leave Howard's at 5 p.m. Round trip tickets will be sold at the low rate of one dollar. We have no doubt a pleasant day will be had, and trust the people will avail themselves of the chance.

1879 May 6 Press Democrat, Volume VII, Number 68 At Occidental

The anti-new Constitution meeting at Occidental, or Howard's Station, Monday evening, was a complete success in every respect. The audience assembled in Odd Fellows Hall and was graced by the presence of a number of ladies who seemed to be as deeply interested as the gentlemen who were present.

At about 8 o'clock P.M., the meeting was called to order by Mr. Q. C. Taylor. Mr. A. P. Meeker was called to the Chair, and Mr. Howard chosen as Vice-President.

After a beautiful rendering of the Star Spangled Banner by a number of ladies and gentlemen, who made the surrounding hills echo to their delightful singing, the President of the meeting arose and thanking those present for the honor conferred, proceeded to explain why he, originally for the new Constitution, had changed and was now determined to oppose it; and taking up the article on taxation, analyzed it and thus gave his reason for the new faith that was in him to the satisfaction of those assembled.

Mr. S.T. Coulter "farmer Coulter" was then introduced and run a series of furrows broad and deep through the different sections of the new instrument, showing conclusively that the soil beneath the surface was unfit for the purposes for which it was Intended-handling his plow with admirable dexterity and showing conclusively that the crop it was calculated to produce was more likely to be tares and stinkweed rather than good wheat and lilies.

Mr. D. Sheward was next introduced, and for about an hour and a-half handled the different articles and sections of the great "What is it" in a manner that exposed its many defects, inconsistencies and direct contradictions not only with; its own provisions, but its antagonism to the "Constitution of the United States, the supreme law of the land" and in conclusion fervently urged all who desired to preserve to themselves the right of suffrage, and the institutions of the country a heritage for those to come after them, to vote against the proposed new Constitution-the great "What is it" of California, which has attached to it a lengthy address in a vain effort to explain its character. He said it reminded him of the man who painted a sign for an inn-keeper; and, who, that people might not mistake the design, painted beneath the figure, "This is a horse."

The ladies then sang "America" in a manner truly meritorious. The meeting then adjourned with three cheers for the Old Constitution. Occidental will give a good account of herself at the polls to-morrow, the 7th Inst.

1879 June 17 Press Democrat, Volume VII, Number 104 Real Estate Transactions

A gentleman whose name we did not learn, had a narrow escape at Occidental last Thursday. As he was crossing the railroad track, his team became frightened, turned suddenly, upset the conveyance, throwing the occupant on his head, the hind wheels in passing just grazing his skull.

1879 June 18 Press Democrat, Volume VII, Number 105 Fourth of July Picnic-

The residents of Occidental propose to celebrate the 103 anniversary of our nation's independence by a basket picnic Chenoweth's ranch, two miles northeast of town, In a beautiful grove, and have made every preparation for splendid time. Music will be furnished by Chaffe's Band, a platform has been erected and those that dance can have an ample opportunity to Indulge. The officers of the day are President, Melville Meeker; Orator, John Goss, Esq; Reader. James McCoy; Committee of Arrangements, Melville Meeker, Hardin Chenoweth. Ira Perry and Wm. Light: Floor managers. A H Heffron and Wm. Light; Committee of Order, S Bailey, W L Chenoweth and Sam Martin. All are invited, and from what we know of the good people of that section, we can assure all that attend, a most enjoyable time. It seems fitting to commemorate the stirring scenes of '76 amid the rugged coast hills, where the liberty inspiring breezes that float over the Pacific away the tops of the gigantic redwoods. And where nature Iands an air of grandeur majesty to the scene.

1879 July 9 Press Democrat, Volume VII, Number 122 Fourth of July Picnic-

At Occidental - The patriotic residents or this section met at Chenoweth's ranch on the Fourth of July, pouring in from all parts, until more than a thousand were present. A.P. Meeker acted as President of the Day, and the literary exercises consisted of the reading of the Declaration of Independence, by James McCaughy, of Bodega, and an oration by John Goss Esq. of Santa Rosa. After which Chaffe's Band discoursed sweet music, and the platform was quickly covered with dancers, who passed the day in the most enjoyable of social pleasure. At the proper time, the baskets were opened and the picnic feast was spread, of which all partook. In the evening the dance was continued at Occidental Hall, and late in the morning the merry revelers parted, and in dreams lived over again the pleasures of the day. The spirit of liberty that animated the patriots of 1776, lives and develops in the mountains, and in the redwood covered canyons, where the roar of the Pacific reverberates day and night, can be found those whose hearts beat in unison with patriotic pride at the mention of the honor and glory of of our institutions.

1879 July 17 Press Democrat, Volume VII, Number 129 Editor Democrat

ln reading your valued paper I noticed a letter from Occidental which stated we had purchased a $75 organ for our Sunday school. We purchased of L. C. Patterson, of Santa Rosa, a $275 Chapel organ for our Sunday school and with these hard times $200 is quite an item to be left out. Respectfully Yours, Purchasing Committee

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