Author: June Morrall

I think Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stepped down because she is going on the speech trail to make more money to pay off her legal debts, etc. She can earn lots of money making speeches.

Third party?

Story from John Vonderlin

Email John ([email protected])

West Shore Railway, Chapter 1

Hi June,

   This July 19th, 1895 article in the “Call,” spun
one more set of dreams about a coast railroad.
This one was a sure success. Ask them, they’ll
tell you. I just wonder if it’s too late to get in on it?

Enjoy. John

 RAILS TO SPANISHTOWN.

The New West Shore Railroad
Company Will Want
Central Basin.

Glimpses of the Project for a Railroad Down the Coast to
Santa Cruz.

   The new West Shore Railway Company, which announces its purpose to promptly build a railroad from San Francisco down
the line of breakers, through Halfmoon Bay and Pescadero, to Santa Cruz, is athing of real interest.

   The new railroad company, which filed articles of incorporation last Friday, says that it is going to build that road at once.

The company is yet playing in the dark, and the directors will afford only glimpses of their plans and expectations. Those who signed the articles of incorporation are: C. M. Sanger, Behrend Joost. R. S. Thornton, J. W. Eisenfurth, Louis F. Dunand, K. J. Willets and R. Herman. At an election yesterday the first five named were elected respectively president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and attorney of the company.

   At the office of Mr. Eisenfurth, the captalist, in the Crocker building, President Sanger, Vice-President Behrend Joost and a good-looking business lady were seenyesterday. The lady seemed to know more about the road than anybody, and to be the most discreet in reserving information.

Mr. Joost and Mr. Sanger joined in making the statement:

   The road will positively be built. We will begin work in sixty days and part of the material is already here. We don’t want to say just what the “material is, nor just where the road will run, nor much about our business, for we don’t want to show our hand, nor the
route, nor anything of the kind at this moment. We are going ahead and keeping out of the papers.

   The company was incorporated as the San Francisco and West Shore Railway Company, but the San Francisco was officially lopped off yesterday.

   Mr. Sanger went home and Mr. Joost and the business lady dropped intimations which showed that the company’s plans
are to enter the City limits near Colma, probably swinging in from the ocean by way of the San Pedro Valley and a tunnel, and then circling round the San Bruno hills and reaching the water front at about Central Basin, in the neighborhood of the Potrero. To this terminal ferry-boats are to be run from the business part of the
City.

   “We will probably ask for a lease of Central Basin similar to the lease given the Valley road,” said Mr. Joost, “and there will also be another branch connecting with the City by another route. No, the San Mateo electric road has no connection with it. We will run ferry-boats, I am willing to say.”

   The capital stock of the company is fixed at $2,000,000, of which the amount required by law is subscribed. The South Pacific Coast narrow-gauge road sold for $6,000,000.

   “No,” said Mr. Joost, “the road cannot be built for $2,000,000, but the amount of stock is placed at a low figure because we want to pay dividends right away and none of the stock is for sale. The money is arranged for, but I am not at liberty tosay where it will come from. Well, it will be both San Francisco and Eastern money.
It is all arranged. We don’t want to say much just now because we don’t want people to gamble on where we will go.”

It was told that most of those interested had been working up the project for three years and that the company has the rates and estimates of three surveys made in the past. One of them. Mr. Joost said, was made by Jay Gould’s direction several years ago, when he was interested in the Santa Fe road.

   “Stakes are set every foot of the way,” said Mr. Joost.

   The line will not be a very expensive one to build, Mr. Joost says. After getting through and across the range of tangled hills that turns into bluffs about Mussel Rocks on the shore, most of the way will be along comparatively level valleys that slope to the sea. The line will follow the shore, and for superb scenic attractions will offer the ocean on one side and mountains, redwood forests and fruitful valleys on the other. The distance by this route to Santa Cruz will be only seventy miles, and the great shortening of time to theLong Branch of the Pacific Coast is counted on as an immense advantage in the competition for passenger traffic.

   The ideas of the promoters is that such a railroad would at once popularize and populate Halfmoon Bay, Pescadero and other places as summer resorts. These places nave been famous in that way for years, but have been enjoyed only by visitors who were willing to make a very long, though charming trip, by stage over the mountains.

   The business inducements offered to a railroad by this stretch of rich and peculiar country are fully reckoned upon by these
railroad people. They have been presented in newspapers in inviting waysmany times in many years.

   Just over the crest of the hills south of Colma is the San Pedro Valley from which great four-horse teams nightly draw great
loads of vegetables to the San Francisco markets and to the box-cars which daily leave Colma for the East carrying those cabbages and cauliflowers to Chicago andKansas City. A railroad would cheapen this transportation, gain a considerable revenue and stimulate gardening industry all through that region where the foggy moisture of the sea and the richness of the soil are peculiarly kind to the green thingssold in the market places.

   For fifty miles the dairy industry is extensive and waiting the stimulation a railroad would give. There are great redwood
forests close along the route, and deposits of bitumen, limestone and other minerals.

Mr. Joost says that the company will run spur tracks back into the valleys among the farms, dairies and forests and operate them with electricity ground out by mountain streams.

   The company will ask for bonuses and other aids as well as franchises and water front privileges as soon as it gets ready for
practical operations.

=======================

West Shore Railway, Part II

Hi June,

   Here’s another chapter in the West Shore Railroad Company’s plan. I’m going to ask the experts how this route differs from the one the OSR followed. They seem so sure of success in this article, I’m curious what happened to these “best laid plans.” Maybe Angelo or John can tell us.  This article was in the March 11th, 1894 “Morning Call.”  Enjoy. John

  

THE WEST SHORE.

 Work Commenced on the

New Road.

FIRST DIRT TURNED FRIDAY.

 It Will Penetrate a Splendid

Section of Country.

NEW ROUTE FULLY OUTLINED.

 Nothing New in the Railroad War

Except That the Presidents Now

Have It in Hand.

 San Francisco is to have a new railroad line, not one of those fragile creatures which exist only upon paper, but a railroad
in fact, and one that will traverse some of the best lands in the State, and which will afford its patrons as picturesque scenery
as is to be viewed in California.

The road referred to is tbe San Francisco and West Shore, which will at present be built from this city to Halfmoon Bay, a distance of forty miles, but which it is contemplated will be extended further at no distant day.

   Work was actively begun Thursday, when a large force of men were placed at grading and similar occupation, at and near Point San Pedro Signal station, and it is expected to prosecute the labor with vigor.

   The gentlemen who have this important enterprise in charge have met with many difficulties in tbeir efforts to push the pro-
ject through, and although they have achieved a sufficient degree of success in their plans to warrant them in beginning work there are yet many details of the matter in an embryo condition.

  The starting point ot the road in this city— is the place at which the passenger station will be located— is at Twenty-fifth street and Potrero avenue, butthere is a branch which will run out to the
company’s freight wharf, which will be erected adjoining Spreckels’ sugar refinery on the bay. The freight branch will runalong Sonoma street to Minnesota, thence cutting across in a southwesterly direction to the junction of Loomis street and Barneveld avenue, where it will connect with tbe main line.

   The latter, in its route from the terminal first named— Twenty-fifth street and Potrero avenue follows the survey along Barneveld avenue and through private property to Dickerson street, thence on through private property to Case street, thence folllowing Islais and Channel to the Mission-street road, south of St. Mary’s College, and passing under that road through a tunnel 150 feet long. From this tunnel on to Ocean View the channel of the same creek is followed, and Ocean View itself, and the Southern Pacihc track will also be tunneled by a passageway 3200 feet long, which will admit the road to the property of the Spring Valley Water Company, following it to Lake Merced. From this point tbe line will run on the south west side of the lake to Ocean Point, thence along the bluffs and table lands, 200 feet above the ocean, to Mussel Rocks, then swinging into the valley and following it to Salt Lake, located near tbe ocean, and going under McGinty’s Pass by a tunnel 250 feet long, which will give the road admission into the famous San Pedro Valley, which it skirts for a distance of several miles.

   At this point is San Pedro Cove, which promises one of tbe finest beaches for bathing and similar purposes to be found in the West. The locality is only sixteen miles from the city, and is in one of the
most fertile valleys in the State. Many streams run through the district, which literally abound with trout, and it is a favorite resort for people who go down there to camp in the summer.

   This valley is also famous as a vegetable producing locality, many thousand acres being devoted to this purpose and on which five crops are frequently raised in one year. Land used for this purpose, it is said, pays a rental of $10 a year peracre. There are plenty of fruits back in the hills, and the county is also noted for
the number of dairies successfully conducted there.

   Lake Mathilda, a large body of fresh water on the Tobin estate, is also a great place for trout-fishing, and in fact the new road promises to open up a territory which will be a great favorite with sportsmen.

   After leaving San Pedro Valley tbe road will strike San Pedro Point No. 1, passing through a tunnel 1300 feet long out upon
the bluffs 210 feet above the ocean, and on to San Pedro Point No. 2. through which another tunnel 600 feet long will be driven.

   Again the valley lands will be entered which lead on to Point Montara, where the United States fog signal is located, and
running behind this the road will reach the table lands which it will follow for a short distance and then swing back into the valley to Half moon Bay, which it will skirt for about eight miles until it reaches the temporary terminus at Spanishtown.

There were no new developments in the railroad rate war yesterday aside from the statement made at the Southern Pacitic
general office tbat the trouble had now passed into the hands of the two presidents of the contending roads.

It is rumored tbat as soon as the heavy work on tbe road between San Luis Obispo and Santa Margarita is finished the Southern Pacific Company will straighten its line out of this city from Fourth and Townsend streets through to the stockyards in South San Francisco, thus avoiding the big curve now made in  the line
running out by way of Valencia . street, and running almost directly south from the depot. This will necessitate the tunneling of tbe big hill just this side of the stockyards.

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A new-old story by June Morrall

[Image below: Frederick Marriott]

 

Frederick Marriott & His Flying Machine

[Note: Frederick Marriott came to San Francisco from England propelled by dreams of gold and flying. Failing at the former, he turned to the latter, launching his dreamship, the “Avitor Hermes,” in 1869 in San Mateo County.]

The skies were clear and spirits high 138 years ago when shareholders with Aerial Steam Navigation Company gathered near Shell Mound Park–where Broadway in Burlingame is today–for the test flight of the Avitor Hermes.

In this age of hydrogen-filled balloons the Hermes was a technological leap forward, cigar shaped and equipped with a steam engine.

Invented and built at the San Mateo County Avitor Works, the Hermes was aviation pioneer Frederick Marriott’s entry in the world’s race to tame the skies for fun and profit.

Marriott zealously believed that the future belonged to steam-propelled, lighter-than-air-craft, despite the emphasis in London, Paris and Berlin on designing heavier-than-air flying machines.

So confident was Marriott of his invention, that he had raced its development against completion of the transcontinental railroad, linking the West and East coasts.

Born in 1805 in Enfield, England, Marriott witnessed the Industrial Revolution’s scientific and engineering breakthroughs, revolutionizing everyday life. The Age of Scientific Wonders captivated people, and they embraced the outpouring of inventions, including the amazing steam engine.

In his youth, Marriott traveled from England to India as an employee of the East India Company. Upon returning to his native country, his wealthy wife made it possible for him to invest in various enterprises, most of which failed. Finally he settled on a journalism career, helping launch the “Illustrated London News,” known for its graphics of the latest scientific advances, including mechanical balloon inventions.

By the 1840s Marriott’s vision of flying contraptions had reached the realm of science fiction. Equally imaginative were the names of his fanciful air carriages: “Blazing Comet,” “Lively Sal,” and “High Flyer.”

Almost religious in his fervor to conquer the sky’s highways, he boasted of future aircraft delivering mail and and passengers from San Francisco to New York–and ultimately to all the great cities of the world.

His tenure at the “News” probably put him in contact with two British aeronautical historical figures: civil engineer William Samuel Henson and inventor John Stringfellow. As proprietors of the Aerial Transit Company, they were experimenting with heavier-than-air flying machines. In the capacity of stockholder and publicist, Marriott joined the company,but one year later the two inventors bought him out.

In 1843 Marriott viewed an unofficial exhibition of the Ariel, William Henson’s model steam-driven “aeroplane,” propelled by two six-bladed pusher air screws at London’s Adelaide Gallery, where scientific experiments were conducted. Enveloped by a cloud of steam, the Aerial reportedly stunned observers who watched the flying machine roll along the ground and take off into the air. But experts declared the trial indecisive: problems with the model’s power-weight ratio left anxious sky- watchers to await the next episode in the conquest of the air.

Marriott’s flying machine “mania” was next nourished by an astonishing aviation exploit published by the “New York Sun” in 1844, which announced the balloon, “Victoria,” had crossed the Atlantic Ocean in three days.

Only later was it revealed that the “New York Sun’s” newspaper report was pure fiction, deftly blended with scientific data. The “Balloon Hoax” was the creative work of soon-to-be famous author Edgar Allan Poe.

Though filled with dreams of flying his own machines, Marriott sailed for San Francisco via Cape Horn to dig for gold. Instead, he succeeded as a banker, providing real estate loans out of  a tent -office in San Francisco. He used profits to finance the building of his own lighter-than-air steam-powered balloon.

Closing down the banking business, Frederick Marriott fell back on his journalistic talent, founding the quirky “San Francisco News Letter” in 1856. Originally a sheet of blue paper, with news items on one side, the “Letter” had one side blank for pioneer San Franciscans to correspond with their relatives worldwide. The novel ideal brought him immediate success.

In the 186os Marriott’s “News Letter” announced the formation of the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain, an organization welcoming him as a member.

Although the Society favored heavier-than-air flying machines, Marriott kept focussed on developing a gas-filled fantasy air carriage.

Marriott’s longtime love affair with flying machines finally changed from a dreamy vision to an actual model in 1866. In his Avitor Works building near Ansel Easton’s Shell Park Course, the cherubic Marriott proudly inspected the the lighter-than-air machine created by his engineers.

He dubbed the craft the “Avitor Hermes,” probably named for the mythological Greek god of science and patron of science. When perfected, Marriott felt certain the small steam engine would lift the “stately little fellow” 120 feet off the ground, propelling it forward at speeds of 100 miles per hour.

Drawing on his public relations skills, he used the News Letter to publicize his invention. One gimmick was a page devoted to futuristic “Avitor Literature,” Marriott’s version of science fiction. He fantasized air carriages  cruising the skies from New York to Hong Kong to Jerusalem and Baghdad, encountering and ducking all kinds of atmospheric dangers.

His “Letter” drummed up support for the Hermes, including that of Belmont banker William Ralston.

Weather and technical problems forced postponement of the gaseous craft for three years, although in 1867–to keep interest alive–Marriott gave a “San Francisco Bulletin” a peek at the Hermes. The reporter described a “hybrid between a fish and short-billed, short-necked, plump bird stretched out in the act of flying. The outlines and general features are as unlike the sketches and caricatures that have been put out as a crab is unlike a quail…”

After the reporter’s visit, the design changed to resemble what many defined as a 37-foot-long cigar shaped balloon, inflated with hydrogen gas. A ribbed propeller, not unlike that of a steamship, pushed the machine ahead while a rudder steered it.

With problems resolved, Marriott set new dates for private and public showings of the patented Hermes, but he was to suffer great disappointment on May 10, 1869, when the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads joined rails, snuffing out his dream of upstaging that historic event.

Nonetheless, on July 2, a nearly windless day, Aerial Steam Navigation Company shareholders rode the San Francisco-San Jose Railroad to the Millbrae station in San Mateo County. From there, buggies escorted the men a mile-and-a-half to Shell Mound Park.

At the appointed time, Hermes floated out of the Avitor Works and across Ansel Easton’s Shell Mound Park to the center of the field. The two-bladed propellers powered up and the hydrogen gas lifted the Hermes slowly into the air. Two men, standing fore and aft, held lines fastened to the Hermes–preventing the balloon from floating away–and followed the craft around the track at a dog trot. The performance, said to have covered approximately one mile, at 5 mph was accomplished twice.

Marriott’s “San Francisco News Letter” trumpeted the successful Hermes flight.

Two days later Marriott had to demonstrate the Avitor Hermes could perform again, this time in front of 100 viewers at Shell Mound Park. But stiff breezes deemed an outdoor exhibition impossible, so the craft was brought back inside the Avitor Works where the Hermes was powered up and rose off the ground.

The “New York Times” pointed out that the Hermes had demonstrated its inability to steer into or against the winds. Yet there was “germ of success” since the machine rose in the air and was propelled forward and backward.

The “San Francisco Daily Alta” exuded disillusionment, believing the source of power insufficient and the present affair hopeless.

In late July, the Hermes was exhibited at San Francisco’s Industrial Pavilion where thousands of school children paid ten cents each to view the air carriage rise above the floor.

Then, in a tournament, Marriott changed his mind about the feasibility of steam-powered, lighter-than-air balloon craft. In the 1880s he announced plans to build a 150-foot long, heavier-than-air flying machine called the “Leland Stanford,” and slated a future test flight from Woodward Gardens in San Francisco to Menlo Park. Marriott’s application for the new patent was turned down on scientific grounds.

The Avitor Hermes, built at San Mateo County’s Shell Mound Park, was consumed by a fire in San Francisco, according to extensive archives at the San Mateo County History Museum in Redwood City. 

Frederick Marriott died in San Francisco on December 16, 1884, never fully realizing his dreams of conquering the air. Some say Marriott remains an unrecognized aviation pioneer, inventor of a steam-driven aircraft which made successful flights in California 34 years before the Wright Brothers legendary event at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

 

….more coming….

From San Mateo Times & Gazette, 1890s

Enthusiastic Silver Advocates at Half Moon Bay

Words of Commendation for Supervisor McAvoy from a Prominent and Substantial Source

Half Moon Bay

Is [Presidential candidate William] McKinley going to carry Spanishtown? Well I guess not judging by the Democratic enthusiasm last Saturday night at the organization of the silver club. With only a few hours notice, thirty citizens were gathered in Pacific Hall. W.J. Savage called the meeting to order. Mr. Keeling was elected temporary chairman. In a few minutes he explained the objects of the meeting. Then the rolls were offered for signatures and all present signed and one was a convert from the McKinley Club. 

Armand Levy was elected permanent chairman; Joseph McCarthy, secretary, Ed Campbell, F.B. Mosely, J.P. Quinlan, vice presidents, Joseph Debenedetti, treasurer, George Keeling, Alvin Hatch, Sidney Smith, F.B. Mosely and W.J. Savage managing committee. As each officer was elected he was called upon for a speech. To show the confidence of the members in their cause, the secretary was instructed to debate the issue of the campaign at any time or place agreeable to the gold men, the debate meeting to be open to the public, outside talent barred.

The McKinley club had been in existence a fortnight but that of free silver on the night of its organization almost doubled it in membership, and yet they dare say this town is for gold. The club meets again next Saturday night. Several good speakers will be on hand to speak upon the issues of the day. The public is invited to attend. Anyone who wishes to join the cause of the people against Hanna and the rest of the monopolists will find the roll at Levy Bros. store. Sign it and work for prosperity.

[Image below: A small march down Main Street when “Red’s” stood across the way from Isadore’s Garage, all long gone. I will add pix of much older 4th of July photos for your enjoyment.]

An old-new story by June Morrall (I wrote this in the 1970s)

July 4th Celebrations at Half Moon Bay in the 1890s: A Portrait of One Day

All day long a steady stream of visitors poured into Half Moon Bay, many of them from as far away as San Francisco. By noon, the line of horse and buggies parked along Main Street resembled a crowded city scene.

A local newspaper estimated that at least 300 “strangers,” showed up, adding up to one of the largest gatherings ever seen in the 1890s to celebrate the Fourth of July.

The townspeople were prepared. As early as the day before, they were busy getting ready for the 114th anniversary of American independence. Everyone pitched in to decorate, draping bunting and streamers over business establishments and private homes.

Not only the American flag, but a display of banners from all over the world produced an instant flash of color. It was a warm, lightly breezy day and the flags lazily floated out of all but a few homes in the entire “valley.” 

Overnight the old Coastside town achieved a patriotic look.

Promptly, at sunrise, early pioneer W.A. Simmons fired the town’s five pound cannon and led the national salute. Soon afterward, droves of folks arrived from the country in a holiday mood. Young and old dressed for the special occasion, filling Main Street, a dirt road then, as the popping sound of small firecrackers filled the air.

It seems that whenever a committee is responsible for a big event, like this Fourth of July in the 1890s, there were differences between the members that had to be worked out–and they were, according to some amicably solved.

Others said the plans almost backfired. 

But on the day of the event you wouldn’t know there had been any troubles, and the rolling vehicles, prancing horses and excited children pointed to a successful, lively atmosphere.

[Image below: A Half Moon Bay float….]

The crowd’s noise was muffled when the ceremonial unfurling of the flags began in unison from the roofs of the businesses on and around Main Street including Levy Brothers, R.I. Knapp’s Plow Factory, William Pringle’s Harness Shop, Boitano Brothers and Debenedetti’s. 

But the sound of loud firecrackers soon broke the solemnity of the moment as clusters of visitors started talking above the noise, looking forward to the next event: the parade.

It was early in the morning, and at 10 a.m. sharp, the honorary “president of the day” headed for Schuyler’s Hotel to take his place at the head of the procession. All the movers and shakers took their place as they marched down Kelly Street, preceded by the Half Moon Bay Cornet Band , in their third public appearance, opening up with a rousing rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Behind the band was the eye-catching Fourth of July float, dressed up with pretty local girls, carefully decorated and drawn by an impressive team of horses moving at a fast pace.

Once on Main Street, the parade turned south toward Miramontes Street; the procession stopped outside the school located nearby. (Meanwhile children scrambled to catch-up, as the older folk strolled alone or rode along slowly in their carriages. Yes, it was a Norman Rockwell scene.)

Near the school, and in the shade of a grove of big old Cedar trees, stood a recently constructed stage, also decorated with heavy bunting and flags. At the time, what was called a tableaux,” where “actors and actresses” created a live picture, a symbolic statement, was anxiously awaited. This day’s tableaux was called “Colonial Times,” and it was obvious as the nervous actors, 13 identically attired girls in all-white,  assembled on the stage. Each girl bore a sash with a name of the original 13 colonies.

But more actors joined the group representing “Liberty,” “Army,” “Navy,” “George and Lady Washington,” all frozen in a symbolic silence.

The event’s “presidents” role was to introduce the participants as well as the children and adults who read poetry or sang, for that was the popular entertainment of the 1890s. [In fact, when the eccentric Tunitas Creek sculptress Sybil Easterday was a child, she acquired fame for her cuteness as well as her elocution skills.]

There were a series of recitations, names of which we are unfamiliar with today: “Independence Day,” “E Pluribus Unum, and halfway through the program Rev. B.F. Taylor delivered an uplifting address. The program ended with the audience singing “America,” as the curtain dropped on the frozen tableaux.

The Half Moon Bay Cornet Band struck up a tune called “Our Flag is There,” and the inexperienced school kids did their best singing in tune the exciting number known as “Red, White and Blue.” 

All this made for great fun, and at the right moment, a new flag was raised by school officials. It was a perfect day. The flag fluttered in the light breeze followed by a growing ripple of applause from the crowd.

More festivities followed with a grand party at the “Pacific Hall,” with music provided by the Melville Brothers, a popular contemporary band. At midnight the the ladies committee served a hot meal at the Ocean Shore Hotel (the location of which I do not know as I do not know where the “Pacific Hall” stood, either.) This Fourth of July was so much fun for everyone that no one wanted to leave until dawn approached.

————-

But the following year, when the Fourth of July rolled around, the event was disorganized, without focus and direction. It was the sudden death of an important citizen, and the subsequent funeral, that threw all the plans for the celebration off schedule.

The committee was frazzled without their  leader, so recently buried. [No I do not know who he or she was.] The festivities did not begin at 10 a.m. but four hours later; the band did not play on time. Songs were canceled, and so were the literary recitations. 

Things got so bad that the committee just wanted the event to be over. They didn’t even want it to happen, but there were those expectations. The schoolchildren were encouraged to rush through their carefully prepared performance; the Declaration of Independence was hastily read, the words mumbled. Usually a highlight, hardly  anyone showed up for the afternoon barbecue. The entire day was an embarrassment.

The dark clouds of a ruined event just wouldn’t let the sunshine in. The day included a baseball game between the Monitors and the Scrubs and the usually avid fans could muster any enthusiasm when, after three quick innings, the Monitors clinched the title. 

The only redeeming feature were the famous  horse races held on Main Street (trotting, buggy and half-mile races) The rural farming community had a deep respect for fine Coastside horses, and that excitement drew the crowds. [You might notice a few balconies that still exist above businesses on Main Street from which families watched the races and parades.] 

This Fourth of July that began in a shaky state got better when locals competed in foot races to demonstrate their physical agility. In the 100 yard sprint, Joe Quinlan, came in first and won a silk shirt. There were races for married men and an unscheduled race between two mules. 

In the end, although this Fourth of July could have been a total disaster, a couple of hundred guests showed up at the Pacific Hall for supper, and the Fourth of July committee, although thrown off without their capable leader, declared the day a partial success. 

 

 

more to come….

Story by Peter Adams

Email Peter ([email protected])

Have attached some photos for a light note.  these are of my taking out noah, who is ‘gibby’ from the popular kid tv show icarly, for his first ocean kayak adventure. …beautiful day!