1908

holmes4title

BOSS SQUEEDUNK (CHARLIE HOLMES IV)

Jeff Elliott Leave a comment

He was Santa Rosa’s top lawman by day, top scallywag by night: Around the turn of the last century, Charlie Holmes was both Town Marshal and leader of the Squeedunks. It’s as if Bruce Wayne split his time between Batman and performing Monty Python skits.

This is the fourth and final chapter in the story of Charles H. Holmes Jr., who was surely among the most…colorful people to come from Santa Rosa. While this article is centered on his Squeedunkery, here we also find how all those loose threads introduced earlier were resolved during the 1910s, when Charlie was in his fifties.

Charlie always craved attention and as a kid he saw the Squeedunk’s Fourth of July antics were the biggest hit at the town’s celebrations. Having an audience with everyone you ever knew laughing and cheering because of a silly speech seemed an easy route to popularity, and for him it was. The first newspaper item about him appeared in 1894, when the 30 year-old Charlie stood on the corner Fifth and Mendocino streets and yapped about politics and bugs. In keeping with the spirit of nonsense, the editor commented “thunderous applause greeted his apostrophes” and joked he didn’t shut up until someone “brought the muzzle of a six-shooter on a level with his open mouth.”

– –

THE THREE (OR MORE) FACES OF CHARLIE HOLMES

Charles H. Holmes Jr. was surely the most talked about person in Santa Rosa 120 years ago, and that wasn’t always a good thing.

OUR OWN TOM SAWYER
TERRIFIC GUY, TERRIBLE MARSHAL
OH, LOATHSOME ME
BOSS SQUEEDUNCK

Now flash forward six years to 1900. Charles Holmes is a Spanish-American War vet (although his National Guard company never left the Bay Area), elected and then reelected as marshal, a popular afterdinner speaker and comic entertainer, and not the least of it, chairman of the “Ancient Order of Squeeduncks.”

The Press Democrat – which adored the Squeedunks and Charlie in equal measure – devoted much coverage to their planning sessions for the upcoming Fourth of July. The meetings were held at City Hall (probably in his marshal’s office) and mainly concerned which of the guys would be elected Squeedunk Queen. Dressing in women’s clothing was always a major part of the Squeedunk shtick, and that’s enough said about that. The most interesting element in those articles is that about two dozen members were named, revealing both how large the group was and how it cut across divisions by age and social status.

That version of the Squeedunks was entirely dependent upon Charlie, as witnessed by the group going dormant when he wasn’t around or wrapped up in his own troubles. From 1901 to 1908 they weren’t mentioned in the papers at all.

(Quick recap of those years as detailed in chapters two and three: 1901, office robbed of tax money, wife almost burned to death; 1902, not reelected, began working as plasterer in San Francisco; 1903, family house burned down; 1904, charged with rape for living with 14 year-old girlfriend; 1905, defends family against neighbor’s accusations of wife being abused; 1907, wife committed to asylum.)

Charlie kept a low profile in Santa Rosa between the time of his arrest for statutory rape and when his wife was locked away. Once Margaret went to the asylum for the rest of her life he began being mentioned in the local news again as active in his trade union and forming a company here to do plaster work. Notably, he and his crew would do all of the plastering in the post-earthquake courthouse. (It’s possible they were also responsible for the shoddy work on the exterior which would become a major excuse for tearing the building down.)

Come 1908, however, Charlie Holmes was here for good, and it was time to get the gang back together. That Fourth of July celebration in Santa Rosa was going to be peak Squeedunk.

“Holmes is a ‘cracker jack’ when it comes to being a funmaker on Squeedunk Day,” gushed the Press Democrat, resetting the clock to eight years earlier, before the scandals of his sordid relationship with a child, institutionalizing his wife and the suspicious robbery of his own office.

Indeed, Charlie and his pals put on the most spectacular Squeedunk show the town had ever seen, as detailed here earlier. They organized a separate parade, complete with elaborate floats managed by the “Committee on Freaks and Skates.” One wagon had a bush sprouting eggs and umbrellas as a poke at Luther Burbank; another made fun of the suffrage movement by portraying a woman enjoying a bicycle ride while men toiled at housework. There was a sea serpent (likely a Chinese parade dragon) labeled “What They Found in the City Water.” They produced and sold their own broadside, “The Truthful Lyre.” And keeping with tradition there were plenty of men in dresses and a float bearing their all-drag royal court.

The 1908 Squeedunks, Charles H. Holmes presumably wearing the circus ringmaster jacket. Photo courtesy the Sonoma County Library, title colorized using palette.fm
The 1908 Squeedunks, Charles H. Holmes presumably wearing the circus ringmaster jacket. Photo courtesy the Sonoma County Library, title colorized using palette.fm

That was the last hurrah of the Santa Rosa Squeedunks. The following year there was only a scaled-down Squeedunk parade in Sebastopol which was directed by Charlie, credited as “the grand keeper of the bale rope and oyster cans of the Squeedunks.”

Not that the boys completely retired to rest on their drunk and disorderly laurels. Later in 1909 Charlie and a bunch of them initiated a new member with a snipe hunt near the Rural Cemetery, newsworthy only because their sentry ran away after getting spooked someone was shooting at them.

Charlie lost interest in the Squeedunks after that and nothing more was said about a Santa Rosa chapter for years. The baton passed to Healdsburg and mainly Petaluma, where the “Growlers” came out for the July Fourth there. (I can find nothing on the meaning of the name, but it was originally formed by vets from their National Guard Company C.) The 1910 Growler parade was a complete Squeedunk clone: “The floats were ridiculous and amusing; the costumes – well some fit too soon, and others didn’t fit at all…The City Fathers were not forgotten by the Growlers and floats with banners telling their misdeeds were much in evidence.” (Petaluma Daily Morning Courier)

Perhaps he grew up (well, a little) in 1910 after he had married Nellie, his formerly teenage girlfriend who was 20 years old now. They kept house in a little place on Hendley Street for the rest of his life.

Squeedunk or no, Charlie still had to be the big cheese. His focus shifted to taking more respectable roles. Between 1911 and 1922, he served as Grand Marshal of either the Labor Day or Memorial Day parades at least seven times and when he wasn’t doing that he was marching as the Commander of the Spanish-American War vets. But the most significant change in his later years was becoming a leading figure – and perhaps the top leader – in the North Bay labor movement.

He was mentioned often in connection with union doings, starting with being here at a 1907 dinner for the Bricklayers and Plasterers’ Union soon after his wife went to the asylum. For much of the 1910s and 1920s he was president of the Sonoma County Building Trades Council and represented the area at meetings all over the state. This was a very important chapter in both his personal story and local history – but to be honest, I only have a general knowledge about the labor movement and am not qualified to opine about his role in it.

But his identity as a prominent labor activist came into play in 1920 when he ran for mayor of Santa Rosa. It was a curious bid, as Holmes had not held a public office since his term as City Marshal ended 18 years before, nor did he seem to be interested in party politics. Perhaps he would have reconsidered had he known it would lead the Press Democrat to hold him up to ridicule and shame.

The paper wasn’t openly anti-labor but it was always the voice of the Chamber of Commerce, so news about major strikes, picket line violence and Socialistic goals were reported in the scariest ways possible, often using screamer headlines. Even though the PD had been Charlie’s most enthusiastic cheerleader going back to the 1880s when he first began entertaining in minstrel shows and telling afterdinner jokes, the notion that an organized labor leader might be elected to run the city clearly gave business poobahs the nervous jibbers. So – friendships be damned.

The attack on Charlie was a scorching op-ed unlike anything I’ve read in the PD, before that time or after. It was shockingly personal and reached back to 1901, when the tax payments were stolen from his office (see chapter two). Editor Finley didn’t merely criticize Holmes for poor record keeping – which was a valid point – but went farther to call him dishonest, implying he had gotten away with stealing the money himself: “[T]here are some things which no self-respecting community can be expected to stand and one of them is to have a man who has already been tried in public office and has failed of his trust.”

Holmes’ response was also unique, writing a lengthy, rambling statement published in both the Press Democrat and Republican. The letter breaks down into three general themes:

*
I’M A GOOD CITIZEN   “I have strived to impress every man I met with my honesty of purpose; I have always been public spirited, and very favorable mention has your paper given me, as your records will show…Before I was a candidate, my influence was sought, my hands were clean enough.”
*
GIVE ME A SECOND CHANCE   “I have been told that the crowning glory of man does not consist that he never has fallen, but for every time he has fallen he has the manhood to rise again. If I had been the greatest of criminals I would have been entitled to the support and respect of right-thinking men. Societies are formed now to take the discharged convict and help him to become once more an honorable member of society. Why am I without the pale except when my services can be used gratis?”
*
I DESERVE PITY   “At that time I was just recovering from an operation. My father, whom I was supporting, was in the same condition. My mother had broken her shoulder. I had a wife partially insane, a crippled sister to support…God only knows how I struggled for years. Finally I lost father, mother, sister and wife in 38 months; alone I faced the world.”

The whole thing is so odd I encourage Gentle Reader to take a look at the transcript below. Other than seemingly confessing to the theft, his pity-me lament was shameless. His “crippled sister” Minnie was married to an Oakland police officer so while Charlie possibly helped with bills when she was dying of TB, it’s doubtful he was her sole support. As for his partially (!) insane wife, let’s not forget he dumped her in a state-run asylum. And as tears welled up in his eyes while writing about facing the world alone, I guess his teenage girlfriend somehow slipped his mind.

In the race for Santa Rosa mayor, Charles H. Holmes Jr. came in last among four candidates. As the job only paid about $17/wk ($266 in today’s equivalent) with no expense account, being mayor wasn’t about money or launching a political career – it was more like winning a popularity contest. It must have come as quite a shock for Charlie to discover the hometown crowd was cheering no longer.

After losing his bid to be mayor, Charlie continued parading but not as often. When he did appear in the papers it was nearly always a labor issue. His young wife Nellie was mentioned more frequently for involvement with charity work where she rubbed shoulders with Santa Rosa’s society women.

Nellie worked as a practical nurse (the portrait in the previous chapter shows her wearing a nurse fob watch) although it was never clear how much education she had – we don’t know if she attended Santa Rosa High, but if so, she did not graduate from it. She had her own car in the 1920s.

But all was not peaceful at the little house on Hendley Street. In 1924 they seemed headed for divorce and Nellie waived her rights to all property. The couple reconciled, but did not rescind the agreement.

Charlie died in 1926 after falling down stairs at the Elks Building where he was plastering. He was 62. The body was barely cold when a legal fight began over those papers Nellie signed a couple of years before.

Both Nellie and his sister Clara sought to be administratrix of the estate which included the house and three other lots in town, everything worth about $1,800 – less than a year’s average income. Nellie’s lawyer argued the property waiver was void because “she and her husband settled their differences and resumed marital relations which continued until his death,” as the PD put it. The court thought otherwise and Clara won.

Nellie moved to San Francisco where she continued to work as a nurse, eventually moving back to Sonoma County before WWII and remarried. She died in Santa Rosa in 1959 and is buried in Memorial Park as Nellie Holmes Fessler. Her death records again confirmed her age was 14 (at least) when she began living with Charlie.

Charlie was 30 years past his heyday by the time he died, and few likely worried over whether or not he would have a tombstone at the Rural Cemetery. As a benefit to veterans the federal government will carve and ship a standard headstone free of charge as long as the proper paperwork is submitted, including proof of military service. Clara filled out the application and the marker arrived here in 1928.

All well and good, tho it’s curious the Press Democrat printed a story about the marker arriving – an unusual topic for an article, to be sure. The item continues by noting “Captain Holmes served for many years with Company E, and also saw service in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American war and Filipino insurrection.” Yes, Charlie was a lieutenant (the gravestone properly states “Lt.” as he wasn’t boosted to captain until later) in National Guard Company E when it was mustered for the Spanish-American war. So he was indeed entitled to a government tombstone.

But Company E never left the Bay Area during their six months in the Army, so everything about them going to the Philippines wasn’t true. Who made up that part of the story? A PD cub reporter not bothering to check facts about something that happened so long before? Or was Clara spinning tales to “punch up” his service record?

It’s really not all that important to finger who got the facts wrong, although this serves as a good example of how easily the historical record can be corrupted. Still, we should be grateful his sister went to the trouble to get him a gravestone at all, given he likely wouldn’t have one otherwise. (Her own grave is next to Charlie and has a simple wooden marker.)

But the real problem is that the military epitaph, “Lt. Co. E. 8th CA Inf. Span-Am War”, says the very least about him. In a better world perhaps Clara could have twisted arms of his old pals and admirers to chip in for something more appropriate. Imagine taking a stroll through the old Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery and coming across a tombstone that read,


CHARLES H. HOLMES JR.
1864-1926
HERE LIES THE GRAND KEEPER OF
BALE ROPE AND OYSTER CANS

You’d say to yourself: By golly, that’s something you don’t see every day.

 

sources

THE FOURTH.

…The greatest feature of the celebration was the Squeedunks’ parade. The grand marshal of the day was W. F. Wines, who has the faculty of always doing things satisfactorily…The exercises after the parade consisted of an oration at corner Fifth and Mendocino streets by the orator of the day, Charles Cicero Holmes. It was an effort worthy of the occasion. He turned the calcium light of the oratory upon every conceivable subject. He got up and roared about Russian liberty and American tyranny. He talked with great tautology and with a phraseology that made every head swim. He talked of opolypods and thunderous applause greeted his apostrophes. The speaker evidently knew all about the protozoa and things men never knew before were luminous to him. He worked his long ears and talked like a “boss” at a Republican convention. He would have been talking yet had not some one in the crowd called him a sterilized liar and brought the muzzle of a six-shooter on a level with his open mouth.

– Sonoma Democrat, July 7 1894

 

…The Squeeduncks held high carnival in the afternoon. Some of the get-ups were very funny and some were rather vulgar. The best feature was the delivering of the orations and poem by Messrs. Holmes, Bradley and Orr, which contained many good local hits. Charley Orr as Susan B, and John McMinn, Jr., as the be-queen, were killing…

– Sonoma Democrat, July 11 1896

 

THE SQUEEDUNKS MAKE PLANS FOR THEIR SHOW

The Ancient Order of Squeeduncks met in adjourned session at the city hall Thursday evening with Chairman Holmes presiding.

The chairman announced that he had with the authority vested in him appointed the grand marshal of the parade on the Fourth, and that he being unable to attend the meeting, had requested him to announce the following named as his aides: Herman Bayer, Bill Swank, Jim Johnston, Jake Joost, Ed Kaelin, Henry Grama, L. Blum, Frank Brown, T. J. Dunn, A. O. Prentiss, Walt Middleton, J. J. Krawetzki, W. Schmid, Bill Beckner, Lon Roberts, M. McNamara, J. W. Seegelken, John Scoggans, “Dutch Ed,” Jake Lowrey, Hugo Hadrich, Billy Orr, John Stump, J. J. Giloolly, J. H. Lawrence, Charles Krause and J. H. Fowler.

On motion it was unanimously agreed that the Squeedunck queen be balloted for and that ballot boxes be placed at the “Bon Marche,” “The Elite” and “The La Grande,” and that the cost of the votes be one cent apiece, or five for a nickel, the proceeds to be applied to the expenses of providing the queen with a wardrobe.
It was agreed that $10 be appropriated for prizes for features in the parade, $5 to the best local hit and $5 to the best special feature, the judges to be announced later. The chairman announced that, owing to the late plague that had struck the town he would appoint the following committee on quarantine: Charles Lomont, Frank Powers, Robert Banbury O’Connor and Major Pye.

Mr. Holmes also announced that owing to the lack of proper restraining methods to keep his brother Squeeduncks in the path of rectitude pending the celebration, he would appoint the following committee on morals: William Healey, Gallant Rains, W. B. Griggs and Major Barnes.

The proposition as to whether the usual literary exercises or a meet of the A. B. H. T. C. P. should be held, provoked much discussion, but the matter was disposed of for future settlement.

A resolution was passed that the “dig-up” committee assume their duties as soon as possible, after which the meeting adjourned to meet in the city hall next Tuesday at 8 o’clock.

– Press Democrat June 16 1900

 

Will Downton Chosen Queen

The advent of several ladies into the meeting of the Squeeduncks at the city hall Thursday evening caused some consternation until it was discovered that they were desirous of joining the order.

Chairman Holmes quickly recovered his composure and in the name of the order gave them a hearty welcome.

The following were elected honorary members, each to contribute $2O to the fund: Joseph Ridgway, John Cooper, Thos. Hopper and Robert Forsyth. It was decided to have the singing of the Pedigo-Brown-Woodward-Keenan quartet the concluding number of the literary program, thus enabling those who wish to avoid that part of the program to do so.

E. C. Parker was appointed drum major of the Squeedunck band.

The ballots for queen were opened and it was discovered that the coveted position had been won by Will Downton, he leading by great odds.

At the last moment an attempt was made to stuff the ballot box by Wm. Rohrer in favor of John Berrano. The illegal ballots were identified and thrown out. Similar treatment was meted out to the voter.

The following will be maids of honor to the queen: Charles Kirsch, Ray Poat, George Riddle and William Plover.

It being observed that the street cars run nearly as well off the tracks as on and at any old time, it was decided to have them in the parade. Meeting then adjourned to meet Saturday evening at the city hall.

– Press Democrat June 30 1900

 

GLORIOUS FOURTH
The Squeedunck’s Committee Granted More Funds

Major Juilliard presided at the meeting of the Fourth of July committee held Monday night. Some very satisfactory reports were made which tended to show that the visitors here will be well entertained. Chairman C. H. Holmes of the Squeedunck committee was present and spoke relative to the part the Ancient Order of Squeeduncks will play. Another appropriation was given the committee and all that is now wanted to make this entertaining feature a success is the co-operation of the young men of the town whose help is needed.

– Press Democrat, June 27 1900

 

Chas. H. Holmes Has Declined Appointment

Charles H. Holmes of this city, who headed the list of civil service eligibles, was recently offered the appointment of instructor in plastering and military drills at the Preston School of Industry at Ione, but was compelled to refuse it, owing to being under obligations to a number of contractors for work they had figured upon based upon his estimates for plastering.

Mr. Holmes is now working with a force of men at Middletown, where he is doing the plastering on the Odd Fellows’ building. The large Herrich merchandise store and the Herrich hotel being erected by George Norris. He also has other work pending.

– Press Democrat, June 30 1918

 

HOLMES SHOULD RETIRE

Charles H. Holmes, whose candidacy for the office of Mayor was recently announced, owes it to the fair name of Santa Rosa as well as to the cause he is supposed to represent, to retire from the race as gracefully as possible and allow the incident to be forgotten while it may. There is no disposition here to rake up old scores or revive unpleasant memories. Let sleeping dogs lie. But there are some things which no self-respecting community can be expected to stand and one of them is to have a man who has already been tried in public office and has failed of his trust.

Mr. Holmes is announced as the candidate of organized labor. He is not representative of organized labor as we have known it. While there may be some differences of opinion regarding its wisdom, the question even now being one that is under active discussion in the labor world, there can be no real argument as to the right of organized labor to enter politics if it so desires. Labor has that right, and no one will deny it. But it must come with clean hands, and present as its candidates men who are capable and worthy of public confidence. Mr. Holmes should be withdrawn, and some man of different repute sustituted [sic] in his stead.

– Press Democrat, March 13 1920

 

HOLMES ANSWERS SUGGESTION THAT HE ABANDON RACE

CHAS. H. HOLMES.

Charles H. Holmes, candidate for Mayor, has sent The Press Democrat the following reply to its recent editorial suggestion that he retire from the race:

Santa Rosa, Cal,. March 15, 1920.

Mr. Monitor of The Press Democrat;
Dear Sir — You did not finish about “Sleeping Dogs,” although you gave a very broad hint.

About eighteen years ago I was City Marshal and Tax Collector. At that time the City Tax Collector’s office was robbed twice, once when I was in Vallejo, placing a boy in the navy for his parents, and once while I was in town. As soon as I could pull myself together I assured the city that no one should lose one cent through me. I raked, begged and borrowed $559; I asked my bondsmen to put up $750.00, which I would return to them. At that time I was just recovering from an operation. My father, whom I was supporting, was in the same condition. My mother had broken her shoulder. I had a wife partially insane, a crippled sister to support. I sold my home for enough to pay the city and bond company, put my helpless family in the street without a roof, pawned my watches for enough money to place my old father in San Francisco, where I worked, and starved and my family lived in privation and want until my father died, blessing me. Both he and my mother insisted on the money being paid that their son. as they thought, could look every man in the face; God only knows how I struggled for years. Finally I lost father, mother, sister and wife in 38 months; alone I faced the world. I have strived to impress every man I met with my honesty of purpose; I have always been public spirited, and very favorable mention has your paper given me, as your records will show. I offered my life to my country three times, commissioned in 1898 and ordered to the last training camp, notwithstanding my age, offered a first-class sergeantship with foreign service, which I refused because I expected my commission. One year ago took the civil service examination for teacher of masonry and drill master in the state schools, passing first in the State of California, refusing a position repeatedly on account of the salary and H. C. L. [“High Cost of Living” – ed.]

After the robbery I let my name go before the Democratic convention the third time and came within five votes of being nominated on the first ballot. Your paper did not then refer to “Sleeping Dogs,” as I had not committed the crime then of being a laboring man’s candidate.

I have been told that the crowning glory of man does not consist that he never has fallen, but for every time he has fallen he has the manhood to rise again. If I had been the greatest of criminals I would have been entitled to the support and respect of right-thinking men. Societies are formed now to take the discharged convict and help him to become once more an honorable member of society. Why am I without the pale except when my services can be used gratis? In forming the new ordinance for prevention of cruelty to animals, could you not include men? If it is any satisfaction to send a man who was always your friend home in agony and shame to find his wife – in tears, you have it, and the fact that you have said that which you did, proves that I am a law-abiding citizen. As to the right of the laboring man to enter politics. I failed to find where the laboring man loses any of his rights to citizenship by becoming a laboring man. Your efforts to capture the labor vote reminds me of a man catching a horse, a pan of corn in one hand (fair promise), a halter in the other for his neck. Before I was a candidate, my influence was sought, my hands were clean enough. I even signed one candidate’s petition, which I do not regret as he impressed me as a man of honor. Organized Labor invited the candidate to come before them because they thought some of them might be elected, and they wanted to know what manner of men they might be. As to me, not representing labor, let me say, in a mass meeting of delegates, representing every union man in town, after I had repeatedly refused, even stating that I had signed a candidate’s petition, I was unanimously nominated; they would not I take “No” for an answer. I was as much surprised as the other candidate.

I have lived in Santa Rosa forty-eight years. The people are intelligent enough to decide for themselves without any mud-slinging. I will leave the case in their hands. I feel, Mr. Monitor, that my heart is as pure as my hands, except from honest toil, as clean as yours. As to “Sleeping Dogs,” let the man without sin cast the first stone. I am not unmindful of the fact that there are sleeping dogs in every man’s life. Let both confess and cancel. I stand for anything that a patriotic American stands for: an economic administration, building for time, buying not the cheapest but the best, good schools and all that go with them, including salaries that will enable the teachers to live under American conditions, the encouragement of everything that will make a payroll in Santa Rosa, good streets and every form of modern improvements, consistent with our circumstances, the retaining in office of any public servant faithful to his trust; that all men, organized or unorganized, to be paid a wage that will enable them to live decently. Finally that all the taxpayers’ money shall be spent that every part of the city will get its pro rata.

Respectfully,
CHAS. H. HOLMES

– Press Democrat, March 16 1920

 

Charles H. Holmes, former City Marshall of Santa Rosa, Spanish-American war veteran and captain of Company E. N. G. C. of this city in the days of the old “Dandy Fifth” as the Regiment was then known, died early yesterday in the General Hospital as the result of injuries received last Saturday in a fall down the steps of the new Elks Building.

Holmes death came as a shock to many old time friends in Santa Rosa. He was about sixty-two years of age and was born in Nevada county of pioneer parentage. He was one of the oldest Native Sons in Santa Rosa and a member of Santa Rosa Parlor. He belonged to other organizations. By trade he was a plasterer.

Many of the old-timers will remember that Holmes took an active part in the Fourth of July celebration of the years ago. He also took a prominent part in Union Labor movement here and elsewhere.

The deceased is survived by a wife Mrs. Nellie Holmes and a sister, Miss Clara Lee Holmes. The body is at the parlors of Lafferty and Smith pending funeral arrangements.

– Press Democrat, March 9 1926

 

Two Seek Property Left by Charles Holmes, Local Plasterer

The widow and sister of a Santa Rosa man, killed recently in an accident, appeared in the superior court yesterday to contest for control of his estate. Both are seeking letters of administration in the $2,000 estate of the late Charles Holmes, Santa Rosa plasterer. The sister, Clara Lee Holmes, contends that the widow, Nellie Holmes, surrendered her rights to the estate through a property settlement more than two years ago.

Mrs. Holmes admitted in court that she and her husband had, in February, 1924, entered into a written property settlement in anticipation of a separation. But, she contended, this agreement was set aside when later she and her husband settled their differences and resumed marital relations which continued until his death.

W. L. Ware and George W. Murphy appeared as counsel for Mrs. Holmes while the sister was represented by A. W. Hollingsworth. The case was submitted to Superior Judge R. L. Thompson on briefs.

– Press Democrat, May 19 1926

 

The estate of the late Charles H. Holmes, former Santa Rosa plasterer, in which his sister, Clara Lee Holmes, was recently successful over the widow, Nellie Holmes, in a contest for letters of administration. is valued at $1,797.63, according to an appraisal filed in the superior court yesterday. The property includes a house and three lots in this city, worth $1,650, and personal property aggregating $147.63. A. W. Hollingsworth is attorney for the administratrix. Donald Geary, state inheritance tax appraiser, made the inventory.

– Press Democrat, June 10 1926

 

A property settlement agreement entered into more than two years ago by the late Charles Holmes, Santa, Rosa plasters, and Nellie O. Holmes, his wife, was binding and final, according to an opinion filed yesterday by Superior Judge R. L. Thompson, denying the wife’s plea for letters of administration in the $2,300 estate and granting letters to a sister, Clara Lee Holmes. In the recent contest for control of the estate Miss Holmes contended that the settlement closed her sister-in-law’s interest in the estate, but Mrs. Holmes held that resumption of marital relations, after drafting of the, agreement in contemplation of separation, had annulled the agreement. A. W. Hollingsworth was attorney for the sister, who is put under $500 bond as administratrix.

– Press Democrat, May 27 1926

 

CAPT. HOLMES’ GRAVE MARKED
Tombstone Supplied by U. S. Government for Spanish War Veteran’s Grave

Recognition of the services he performed as captain of infantry during the Spanish-American war and as a militia captain in old Company E of this city has come in death to Captain Charles Holmes, Santa Rosa contractor, who died about three years ago. An impressive tombstone to be placed above his grave in a local cemetery was received yesterday by Clara Lee Holmes, his sister, from the surgeon general’s office of the United States army after a year of effort. Captain Holmes served for many years with Company E, and also saw service in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American war and Filipino insurrection. In Santa Rosa, he maintained an active interest in military, and patriotic affairs, and was instrumental in securing the cannon and shells that stand silent guard over the cemetery in which he sleeps.

Miss Holmes yesterday expressed her appreciation to the American Legion, United Spanish War Veterans, union labor organizations and others for their assistance in procuring the tombstone from the government.

– Press Democrat, September 7 1928

Read More

nellieholmestitle

OH, LOATHSOME ME (CHARLIE HOLMES III)

Jeff Elliott Leave a comment

Pity Charlie Holmes; his bad luck streak continued as his wife nearly burned to death.

That misplaced sympathy appeared in a 1901 Press Democrat item (transcribed below). Today we find it offensive the PD would cast him as the main victim, but turn of the century Santa Rosa is a far throw away from the here and now. The odd story of Charlie Holmes – and particularly, the troubled history of his relationships – offers a revealing peek at how much of a dark side our ancestors were willing to tolerate from someone they otherwise admired.

As explored in the previous two chapters, Charlie was front and center for every banquet, holiday parade and amateur stage show. He joined every club he could and was an officer in our local National Guard Company E. Charlie was elected City Marshal (same as being a Chief of Police) in 1898 and was easily reelected two years later.

– –

THE THREE (OR MORE) FACES OF CHARLIE HOLMES

Charles H. Holmes Jr. was surely the most talked about person in Santa Rosa 120 years ago, and that wasn’t always a good thing.

OUR OWN TOM SAWYER
TERRIFIC GUY, TERRIBLE MARSHAL
OH, LOATHSOME ME
BOSS SQUEEDUNK

As Marshal, his duties included being the city tax collector and on November 19, 1901 it was discovered his office had been robbed overnight. Nearly $1,300 – equal to about two years of a worker’s earnings – was gone, but nobody knew at the time how much was missing because Holmes’ wasn’t paying attention to bookkeeping. Worse, the PD article suggested it was an inside job. If that were true, Charlie was the main suspect but regardless, he was on the hook to pay the money back if it was not recovered.

It was two days after the theft that Margaret Holmes had her accident, her clothes catching fire after she fell while carrying a lighted oil lamp. Charles was still at his office but others in the household came to her rescue. “The flames were extinguished, but not before Mrs. Holmes sustained several bad burns,” it was reported.

The PD did not suggest the accident might be related to stress from her husband’s legal woes. The paper observed, “…Mrs. Holmes is subject to sudden spells of illness…one of the attacks spoken of came on and she fell with the lamp.” More about this in a minute.

At the time the Holmes’ had been married thirteen years and were living with his sister and parents. The former Margaret May Ward came to town as a teenager, having a sister and aunt in Santa Rosa.

It’s good she had family here because it appears Margaret had few, if any, friends. Local newspapers from that time padded their pages with every sort of social item – who attended club meetings, who visited someone after dinner, who spent the day in San Francisco – an endless procession of whos. But it’s rare to spot Margaret doing anything.1 Now contrast her lack of outgoing activities with Charlie’s packed social calendar and a portrait emerges of a couple who were likely estranged for years.

Charlie’s career as a lawman ended in 1902 and he was required to pay back the stolen (?) tax money, as detailed in the previous part of this series. He was back to his old day job of plastering, working mainly in San Francisco. And then came 1904, when he was arrested and charged with statutory rape.

That October it came out Holmes was living in Calistoga with a young woman he said was his wife. The emphasis was on young – although he insisted she was over seventeen (California’s age of consent was then 16), she was not. The “wife” of 40 year-old Charles H. Holmes was actually fourteen.

Holmes was held at the Napa jail for a week as a relative of hers and the Napa District Attorney scrambled to find proof of her age. He was released after posting a $2,000 bond, the girl previously freed the day after their arrests. Near the end of the year the Napa DA dropped charges, mostly on their word and the assurances of her uncle that she was over 17.

What Santa Rosa thought of his adultery/statutory rape is unclear. The Press Democrat suggested it was well-known and had been going on for some time: “Judging from sentiment expressed around town yesterday the arrest of the former marshal did not occasion much surprise among those who knew or had heard of alleged previous familiarity between the man and girl.” The Republican reported the opposite: “The arrest of Holmes on the charge caused great surprise among his friends in this city.”

The girl was Nellie Holmes and both local newspapers were quick to add they were unrelated, the same last name being a coincidence. She and her mother – also named Nellie – lived in Santa Rosa with her aunt, four cousins and her grandmother.2 The eight of them were crammed into a tiny house on First Street across from the Grace Brothers brewery warehouse. There can be no dispute this was the poorest part of town.

Nellie Holmes, probably c. 1915. Image courtesy Sonoma County Library which labeled it as "Mrs. Charles Holmes 1903".
Nellie Holmes, probably c. 1915. Image courtesy Sonoma County Library which labeled it as “Mrs. Charles Holmes 1903”.

Charlie kept a low profile and wasn’t seen much around town. He was still working as a plasterer in San Francisco and presumably staying there as well (it’s unknown whether Nellie was with him or not). Margaret, his mom and sister (his father had since died) were now living on Sonoma Avenue because their previous house had burned down – feel free to also wonder whether that might have been the result of another lamp accident.

Exactly a year after his Napa arrest for cohabiting with a child, Holmes was again in the news for another awful incident.

In the middle of the night Sonoma Ave. neighbors were awakened “by a series of shrill cries” from Margaret, who was heard to be shouting, “murder,” “police” and “let me go.” The Santa Rosa Republican further reported they “heard sounds of slaps being administered as if someone was chastising a child.”

The night officer was summoned and told “Mrs. Holmes had made the outcry while in a state of epilepsy.” What the Press Democrat had discreetly called “sudden spells of illness” that caused her to be severely burned must have been an epileptic seizure.

The 1905 Republican item suggested the neighbors believed the Holmes were abusive: “…The woman is an almost helpless invalid and the people of the vicinity where she resides declare the woman is not given proper attention and treatment…It is believed that her condition of epilepsy would be removed if her surroundings were changed. The people of the neighborhood feel that Mrs. Holmes is entitled to the protection of the community…”

After reading that article in the evening Republican newspaper, Charles immediately ran to the PD office where he was certain to find a more sympathetic reporter. He claimed not to be at the family home that night (yet was apparently somewhere else in town?) and what the neighbors thought was slapping was really Margaret “clapping her hands while not responsible for her actions.”

A following issue of the Republican stated “the family declare[d she] had been clapping her hands and talking incoherently” and revealed Margaret had been hospitalized repeatedly: “…[she] has been subject to epilepsy which has gradually progressed until at times she passed from the epileptic state to that condition of insanity in which she is wholly irresponsible for her actions. The lady has been taken to private sanitariums in times past and her case has been pronounced hopeless.”

Let Gentle Reader note the Epilepsy Foundation says a only small number of people with epilepsy also have psychotic disorders, and also that emotional stress can lead to seizures.

Little was written in the papers about the Holmes family over the following two years. We don’t know what any of them were doing as the Great 1906 Earthquake struck. Charlie happened to be on the scene of a 1907 shootout at a downtown restaurant (predictably, he was attending a banquet).

Then in May 1907, Margaret was committed to the Mendocino State Asylum for the Insane near Ukiah. She died there of pneumonia the next year. She was 39 years old and it was a few days past their 20th wedding anniversary.

The widower Charles did not dawdle when it came to burying his wife. She died on a Friday. Her remains arrived in Santa Rosa on the Saturday train. The funeral was early Sunday afternoon. If your family read the Press Democrat over breakfast, you had only a few hours notice should anyone desire to pay their respects. If your family read the evening Republican, she was in the ground before you cracked the paper and knew she was even dead.

Margaret M. Ware Holmes is buried in the Rural Cemetery, but not in the Holmes family plot where Charles’ parents were, and where he and his sister would later be. Her grave is next to the parents of “Bud” Parks, who was the leader of Santa Rosa’s brass band. Charlie almost certainly knew Bud well because they both appeared at the same sort of social functions, but it’s doubtful Margaret knew any of the Parks, who died several years earlier. It was just an empty grave site for sale. Today there is no tombstone and likely she never had one.

Soon after New Year 1910 there was a small notice in the Press Democrat: Charles H. Holmes Jr. had married Nellie Holmes in a quiet ceremony. He was 45, she had recently turned twenty. “Their friends wish them much happiness,” the newspaper said warmly.

NEXT: BOSS SQUEEDUNK

 


1 Whenever I found a mention of Mrs. Charles H. Holmes, a closer look revealed it was usually her mother-in-law, the editor being sloppy and not specifying between Mrs. C. H. Holmes Sr. and C. H. Holmes Jr.
2 Nellie Olga Holmes was reportedly born December 9, 1889 in San Francisco but an inquiry by the Napa District Attorney in 1904 failed to turn up a birth certificate or other documentation. Her Press Democrat obituary gave her age as someone born in 1889. In the June 1900 census she was listed as born in December 1889. Her grandmother was named as Elizabeth Granque, but other spellings included Giauque and Gaigue.

 

sources

Mrs. Holmes Badly Burned

Some people seem to have more than their share of trouble. Thursday night Mrs. Holmes, wife of City Marshal Holmes, met with a very painful accident. Unfortunately Mrs. Holmes is subject to sudden spells of illness and while the other members of the household were upstairs, with the exception of her husband, who was still at his office, she started to walk across the floor with a lighted lamp. While doing this one of the attacks spoken of came on and she fell with the lamp. The burning oil set fire to her garments. The fall was heard by those upstairs and they came to her assistance. The flames were extinguished, but not before Mrs. Holmes sustained several bad burns.

– Press Democrat, November 23 1901

 

GIRL’S AGE MUST BE ASCERTAINED
CHARLES H. HOLMES WILL REMAIN IN JAIL AT NAPA PENDING INVESTIGATION
Effort Made to Secure a Bail Bond in This City Yesterday If One Should Be Required by Authorities

Inquiry at the office of Sheriff Dunlap of Napa last night elicited the information that nothing had been done in the Holmes case yesterday, beyond an endeavor to ascertain the true age of Nellie Holmes, the girl with whom Charles H. Holmes cohabited at Calistoga. Holmes and the girl were still in jail last night.

District Attorney Benjamin of Napa learned yesterday that he could find the age of the girl by consulting the records of San Francisco, and he at once sent there for the information. If she is found to be over sixteen years of age the charge is reduced as far as the law goes, but if not the consequences are very serious when it comes to punishment after conviction.

Holmes was visited in jail yesterday by a Napa attorney. An effort was made by a relative of the accused man here yesterday to arrange for a bail bond, if one should be required and pending the result of the investigation. It is not thought one was secured.

William Porter, who married an aunt of Nellie Hoimes went over to Napa from this city yesterday, it being thought that he could furnish absolute information as to the girl’s age. This he was not able to do, and then consulting the records in San Francisco was suggested and adopted by District Attorney Benjamin. Judging from sentiment expressed around town yesterday the arrest of the former marshal did not occasion much surprise among those who knew or had heard of alleged previous familiarity between the man and girl.

– Press Democrat, October 20 1904

 

HOLMES IS IN JAIL GIRL COMES HOME
NELLIE HOMES IS RELEASED FROM DETENTION AT NAPA COUNTY HOSPITAL
Former City Marshal Remains in Custody While Girl’s Age is Being Investigated by the Authorities

Charles H. Holmes was still in jail at Napa last night while the girl with whom he had been living with at Calistoga until the hand of the law was laid on both of them, Nellie Holmes, returned to this city. She was seen and conversed with by a Santa Rosan on the Southern Pacific train last night, and from what she told him, he did not feel very kindly disposed towards the man in jail, made by Holmes’ sister yesterday night and it was learned that District Attorney Benjamin was still investigating as to the girl’s age, and that nothing new had been done in the matter. According to a statement made by Holmes sister yesterday it is likely that bail bond may be furnished her brother today. This is not certain, however.

During her stay in Napa Nellie Holmes was kept in the Napa County Hospital. She was released from there Thursday afternoon on a written order sanctioning her release signed by District Attorney Benjamin. She will have to appear as a witness in the event of the Holmes case coming to trial. What was stated yesterday morning, must be stated again this morning and that is, until District Attorney Benjamin is satisfied as to the correct age of Nellie Holmes, proceedings on the charge of rape will not proceed.

– Press Democrat, October 21 1904

 

HOLMES RELEASED ON $2,000 BOND
FORMER CITY MARSHAL RETURNS TO TOWN AFTER DETENTION FOR SEVERAL DAYS
What Disposition Will be Made of His Case is Still Undecided But Meanwhile He is a Free Man

Charles H. Holmes, former city marshal is in town from Napa. He secured his release from detention at Napa on furnishing a two thousand dollar bail bond. It is not definitely known what the outcome of the case will be. It will be remembered that the man was arrested a week ago last Tuesday in company with a girl named Nellie Holmes of this city at Calistoga. The charge upon which he was arrested was that of rape.

– Press Democrat, October 26 1904

 

HOLMES WILL BE RELEASED
District Attorney of Napa County Finds That Girl Was Over Sixteen Years Old

The charge of rape preferred against ex-Marshal Charles H. Holmes in Napa will probable be dismissed shortly. District Attorney Ray Benjamin has made a thorough search of records to ascertain the age of the young woman and is of the opinion that he will have to dismiss the case against Holmes by reason of the fact that the girl is over seventeen years old.

It will be remembered that Holmes was arrested at St. Helena several weeks ago where he had been living with Nellie Holmes a young girl of this city and passing her as his wife. Holmes was following his trade of plastering. They had rented a single room in the residence of Mrs. Collins mother of the county clerk of Napa County and lived in that one apartment.

The arrest of Holmes on the charge caused great surprise among his friends in this city. He was kept in jail several days while relatives here searched for bondsmen. These were finally secured and the accused man came to this city. The girl with whom he had been living was detained by the Napa county officials for several days. She stoutly maintained from the first that she was more than sixteen years of age. Although the name of the parties are the same there is no blood relationship between them.

– Santa Rosa Republican, December 9 1904

 

WOMEN CAUSE POLICE CALLS
Mrs. Holmes Startled Sonoma Avenue Last Night by Cries of “Murder” — Case Investigated

The police department had two hurried calls last night both of which were responded to by Officer Don McIntosh and in each instance the calls were occasioned by women.

About midnight the residents of Sonoma avenue were alarmed by a series of shrill cries of murder police and fainter cries of “Let me go” emanating from Mrs. Anna Holmes [sic] the wife of Charles H. Holmes. The whole neighborhood was aroused and when the officer arrived it was explained to him that Mrs. Holmes had made the outcry while in a state of epilepsy. The neighbors however had heard sounds of slaps being administered as if someone was chastising a child, this fact also being reported to the police.

The woman is an almost helpless invalid and the people of the vicinity where she resides declare the woman is not given proper attention and treatment. It is more than probable that the case will be called to the attention of the proper authorities and an effort made to have Mrs. Holmes removed to an institution where she can at least receive proper treatment. It is believed that her condition of epilepsy would be removed if her surroundings were changed. The people of the neighborhood feel that Mrs. Holmes is entitled to the protection of the community…

– Santa Rosa Republican, October 20 1905

 

Mr. Holmes Statement

Charles H. Holmes called at this office last night and stated that his wife was not suffering from epilepsy at the time of the excitement at his residence Thursday night. He says that she was experiencing one of a series of spells she has had lately in which she temporarily loses her reason. He stated further that the noise heard as if some one was being slapped was in reality Mrs. Holmes clapping her hands while not responsible for her actions.

Mr. Holmes was not at home on Thursday night when his wife’s cries awoke the neighborhood. Mrs. Holmes has been an invalid and afflicted with epileptic fits for a long time. The poor woman is deserving of much commiseration.

– Press Democrat, October 21 1905

 

Feel They Are Doing All in Their Power

Charles H. Holmes and his mother and sister who have the care of the invalid wife of Mr. Holmes feel that they have done and are doing everything for that lady which lies in their power to do. Mrs. Holmes’ condition is at times precarious and for eighteen years she has been subject to epilepsy which has gradually progressed until at times she passed from the epileptic state to that condition of insanity in which she is wholly irresponsible for her actions. The lady has been taken to private sanitariums in times past and her case has been pronounced hopeless. At the present time the mother and sister of Mrs. Holmes are caring for the lady who is practically an invalid and they feel that the lady could probably get better treatment at a proper institution for epileptics and that her removal to such an institution might be advisable. The case is being attended by Dr. J. W. Cline whose prescriptions have always brought her out of the condition of epilepsy and the doctor is giving the patient every attention.

On a recent night when neighbors were called to assist in caring for Mrs. Holmes the lady had a particularly heavy spell and the family declared had been clapping her hands and talking incoherently before assistance came to them. Two strong men were required to hold Mrs. Holmes in her bed for a number of hours until the medicine given her had time to act properly. As Mr. Holmes cannot be away from his employment the care of his invalid wife naturally devolves upon his mother and sister. Residents of the City of Roses have been at the home where the woman was being cared for and have noticed her peculiar mental condition.

– Santa Rosa Republican, October 23 1905

 

MRS. CHARLES H. HOLMES CALLED BY DEATH

Mrs. Margaret May Holmes, wife of former City Marshal C. H. Holmes, died at Ukiah on Friday, and her remains were brought to this city Saturday morning. Mrs. Holmes had long been a sufferer and death was a happy release to her. She had many friends in Santa Rosa, where she had lived for many years. The funeral will take place this afternoon and the Very Rev. A. L. Burleson will be the officiating priest. The hour of the funeral will be at half past two o’clock this afternoon.

– Press Democrat, June 7 1908

 

Wife of Charles H. Holmes Passes Away

Charles H Holmes received a telegram Friday afternoon informing him of the death of his wife at Ukiah. The sad message stated that Mrs. Holmes had been taken sick on the day before with acute pneumonia and the disease was too much for her for the following day she passed away.

Her maiden name was Margaret May Ward and she was a niece of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Bumbaugh of this city and a sister of Mrs. Samuel Brittain. She was born 38 years ago in the state of New Jersey and her parents died while she was quite young. Nineteen years ago she was married to Charles H. Holmes. The remains were brought down on the morning express and the funeral services will be announced later.

– Santa Rosa Republican, June 7 1908

 

CHARLES H. HOLMES WAS MARRIED MONDAY

A quiet wedding in this city on Monday was that of Miss Nellie Holmes and Charles H. Holmes, former city marshal of Santa Rosa and a prominent labor union man. The Rev. Geo. T. Baker, rector of the Episcopal church, was the officiating priest. The ceremony was performed at the residence of Mrs. Cox, on Hendley street. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes left for San Francisco in the afternoon. Their friends wish them much happiness.

– Press Democrat, January 11 1910

Read More

homeoiltitle

DREAMS OF AN EMPIRE OF OIL

Jeff Elliott Leave a comment

It cut through the summer night like a star fallen to earth, its blue-white flame casting deep unnatural shadows for miles. “I have lived in Petaluma for forty-five years. It was the grandest thing I ever saw,” said Frank Lippitt.

“Put me down as saying we are just on the verge of a new era of prosperity,” Richard Skinner told the Petaluma Morning Courier. “The striking of gas will put Petaluma before the world as the ideal manufacturing center.” Forget the eggs, forget the chickens; soon there will be oil rigs on every farm and field and everyone in town will be as rich as the McNears. Richer.

This is the first of three articles on the Sonoma County speculation oil boom in the early 20th century. Although this installment covers just a single oil field near Petaluma, during those years petroleum prospecting companies were sprouting overnight with their “experts” rushing everywhere, signing oil leases on lands from Occidental to Bennett Valley to Two Rock. So also forget the hops and the grapes, the dairies and the orchards – no more Redwood Empire but rather an Empire of Oil.

But these particular stories are really not about the search for oil. They are about stock swindles and fraud scams – crimes which not only occurred here, but apparently were endemic to oil prospecting all over the country at the time. Then there are related mysteries about how much the local bigwigs and newspaper editors knew about what was really going on and chose to keep quiet. As found below, the Petaluma Daily Morning Courier seemed particularly eager to keep a lid on news that may have raised eyebrows.

Andy Ducker and his family had a 363 acre sheep ranch three-quarters of a mile east of (what’s now) Petaluma Adobe State Park. It was never explained what set the wheels in motion but we can assume in 1907 Andy told someone about the thick black gunk seeping out of the ground in a few places. In August a man named Larimore showed up and he signed a lease to allow drilling on part of his property. If they didn’t strike oil at least he’d get a free water well out of the deal, the 68 year-old rancher said.

Within weeks, prospects were starting to look like a sure thing. “At a depth of only about sixty feet the men have come across strong indications of oil,” wrote the Argus. “Blue soil, which has a strong petroleum smell is being brought up by the auger and there is such a flow of gas that one man was put out of commission on Tuesday.”

With the test drilling over, the project went on hiatus to raise money for purchasing gear and staffing up, so Larimore and others formed the Petaluma Oil and Development Company.* It would control the project on Andy’s farm and another place nearby as well as selling stock. There were 100,000 shares available at one dollar apiece.

Almost a year passed before work resumed on the Ducker farm, but there was much going on behind closed doors. In fact, this is like the point in a good mystery story that Gentle Reader will return to at the end and groan, “aha! the clues were there all along!” To make that easier, I’m highlighting certain names in the following paragraphs. (Spoiler alert: None of them were who they were said to be.)

Unable to woo a sufficient number of Sonoma County investors, Larimore went to the East Coast to pitch a deal. There he met Charles Gregg.

In April 1908 the Morning Courier printed, “An eastern oil syndicate has purchased a controlling interest in the Petaluma Oil and Development Company…” The very next day, the same paper quoted a director of the company denying it. But the Petaluma Argus (which had a different editor and publisher than the Morning Courier) wrote a few weeks later, “…It is an open secret that Mr. Gregg, to whom has been assigned an undivided one-half interest in the lease holdings of the company in [the Ducker ranch] is in reality the chief of the fuel department of the Western Pacific Railway Company, and is representing that company in his dealings here…”

The headline on that Argus story was “WESTERN PACIFIC BUYS OIL LEASES AND WILL BORE WELLS NEAR TOWN”. And again, the Morning Courier said it wasn’t true: “The Western Pacific is in no way connected with the company which is to operate [here]…” It certainly made sense for Western Pacific to invest in oil drilling; the railroad’s California operations were in a bind because they had to buy all their oil from other companies, namely Southern Pacific or Standard Oil.

Although drilling had yet to begin by September, Gregg showed up in Petaluma accompanied by a San Francisco banker named Norton C. Wells who, like Gregg, did not appear to have any experience in the oil business. Together they formed the Ramona Oil Company, with Wells as manager and Gregg as VP. The titular president was a very well-known and respected Southern California oilman who may not have ever visited this area. Within a few months he “retired” and Gregg became the head man.

Ramona Oil subleased half of the property controlled by Petaluma Oil & Development and took control of the project, buying all equipment and contracting Petaluma O&D to do the labor. Any profits were to be split fifty-fifty.

The Petaluma Home Oil Company was among the oil prospecting operations formed near Petaluma in 1909 (Charles Gregg was also VP of this company) and only existed for eight months. This well, which was five miles south of town on the Petaluma creek, did not strike oil or natural gas. Image courtesy Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
The Petaluma Home Oil Company was among the oil prospecting operations formed near Petaluma in 1909 (Charles Gregg was also VP of this company) and only existed for eight months. This well, which was five miles south of town on the Petaluma creek, did not strike oil or natural gas. Image courtesy Petaluma Historical Library & Museum

As boring continued into 1909, the real action was taking place at the county clerk’s office. Besides Ramona and Petaluma O&D, there was now the Petaluma Home Oil Company, the Robinson Creek Oil Development Co. and a half-dozen more new companies. The Argus reported one speculator had 6,000+ acres under lease. “All that can be heard on the streets now is oil and gas and a man who is on the inside, informed an Argus reporter on Wednesday that inside of a year there will be a forest of derricks around Petaluma and that numerous oil wells will be sunk.” And that was all before everyone suddenly went nuts.

On August third the Argus presented a huge, war-is-declared banner headline: “STRUCK A BIG FLOW OF NATURAL GAS”. At about 800 feet Ramona hit a reservoir with enough pressure to blow some equipment a hundred feet in the air. This had actually happened sometime in late spring and the crew was completely unprepared to handle it; the high-pressure gas which was blasting from the well was apparently only partially contained for weeks until a special device arrived from Texas to cap it. Ramona asked the local papers for a news blackout until it was installed, but it was the talk of the town that something big was afoot.

The Morning Courier reported, “Petaluma is teeming with rumors concerning the oil situation on Sonoma countains [sic] and the Ramona and Petaluma Oil Companies but no one really knows anything except the oil men themselves and they are positively non committal. One thing is certain – every day or two a Ramona official pops quietly into town, accompanied by a stranger and just as quietly pops out again…”

After the well was capped the editor of the Argus was invited to the site for a demonstration:

…When this valve was opened and the gas allowed to escape, the writer was standing a few feet away. An instant later he was some fifteen feet away and had his hands over his ears to shut out the noise, which was deafening. The gas escaped from the two-inch pipe with a rush and a roar that was not only deafening but astounding. Nothing could be seen except an occasional misty vapor that was gone immediately, and there was very little odor. Little pieces of wood dropped at the pipe outlet would be instantly caught up and carried through the air a hundred feet or more. The gas was permitted to escape for some minutes during which period of time roar and rush of the mysterious pressure seemed to grow greater rather than to diminish. When the valve was closed, the quiet of the open country was welcome to overtaxed ear drums.

Unlike the Morning Courier, the Argus wasn’t a cheerleader for the project until then: “We must confess that we have all been somewhat skeptical as to the quantity and quality of gas in the Ramona company’s Ducker ranch…” but now the paper was all in. The well could supply enough gas for a city 10x the size of Petaluma, the paper boasted, and a pipeline must be built immediately. “This means a vastly ‘Greater Petaluma’ in a very short space of time.”

A week later, Ramona announced they were going to ignite the gas flow for an evening public demonstration. “When the news became generally known on the streets Wednesday the first thing people spoke of was where they would go to watch the spectacle,” reported the enthusiastic Argus. The next night up to 300 people were at Andy Ducker’s farm to watch the show. Others in Petaluma saw the flame from their porches and windows as far away as D street.

“Oil, oil, oil, is all that can be heard on the streets of this city at the present time, and everyone is enthused over the prospects of striking big ‘gushers’ in this vicinity,” the Argus remarked afterwards, adding “the all prevailing question is ‘Have you any oil stock?'”

Ramona stock was in short supply, but by the end of the month there was a new corporation: Bonita Oil Co. with $1 million in shares at 25¢ each. It would drill on a nearby ranch (Patocchi’s) but Gregg was the head of this operation, too, and Norton C. Wells was called a “heavy stockholder” in both Bonita and Ramona. By the end of 1909 a strong supply of natural gas was also struck in the Bonita well.

Although little actual news developed over the following months both the Courier and Argus kept readers whipped up with a steady flow of oil-related hype. The Ramona well was using its own gas to supply power to a steam engine used for drilling as well as cooking in the work shed! A “flying machine” was spotted and it might have been an oil prospector! A man knocked on Andy Ducker’s door at 10 o’clock at night and wanted to buy his entire property! The Courier remarked, “many new faces are seen on the streets and at the hotels, the owners of said faces being bent on getting in on any oil boom which may suddenly spring up.” One name that started being mentioned in association with Gregg and the Ramona well was John W. Frank, who supposedly had located potential well sites on other ranches. But as we’ll learn in the next chapter, Frank had actually been involved since the beginning.

Come 1910, however, things began happening fast. Both the Ramona and Bonita Oil Companies were sold to an English syndicate, Consolidated Oil Fields of California Ltd. The general manager of all these projects was now J. W. Frank.

There was bad news: In May, a massive wind storm destroyed all the derricks and sheds, setting drilling work back many weeks and costing many thousands, which today would be many hundreds of thousands.

There was good news – no, great news: In early summer a new well on the Ducker ranch finally struck oil.

John Frank managed the announcement like a master showman. Scores of investors, bankers, reporters and state officials were personally invited to come up here on August 15, although no one knew for sure what was to be revealed. Not even Andy Ducker knew exactly what was afoot until he was told to get into a big Buick that pulled up to his farmhouse.

As the group walked towards the new well, pools of oil were seen seeping out of the ground and the acrid stink of petroleum grew stronger. Superintendent McDonald explained the oil sands on the ranch were particularly deep, which was associated with fine quality oil. Once they reached the derrick and a four-inch pipe was lowered into the borehole and when it was pulled up, the pipe was thickly coated in oil.

Cassius M. Webb, the lawyer for Ramona Oil was standing too close and got splattered with the gunk yet could not keep from smiling. It was agreed by all there was indeed oil “in paying quantities” but there was some disagreement as to how much it would produce, with estimates ranging 200-400 barrels per day. Either number would be perfectly fine.

Word spread like lightning once the group returned to town. “The community is stirred up to a high pitch and crowds are swarming that way,” reported the San Francisco Call. They brought buckets and five gallon cans which they dipped into the trench holding the overflow, then at home transferred their liquid gold into bottles and fruit jars to show off as souvenirs.

The euphoria lasted less than a month. A discouraging report from the State Mining Bureau about the oil well was waved off by the Petaluma papers as being no more than an opinion.

But then came the shocker: The Ramona and Bonita oil companies – those sure-fire investments who had locals clamoring to buy stock shares at any price – were secretly controlled by a man who was about to screw over everyone connected with the projects, including investors. And this fellow was no ordinary sleazy businessman: He was an infamous swindler whose financial crimes made him the last man anyone in America would trust with a single penny.

 

NEXT: THE CROOK WHO CAME FOR PETALUMA’S OIL

 


* There was a previous corporation also called the Petaluma Oil and Development Company, which was formed in 1901 with different board members; that business was dissolved in 1906.

 

Image courtesy Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
Image courtesy Petaluma Historical Library & Museum

  

sources

WILL BORE FOR OIL

John M. Larimore, representing a syndicate has secured a lease of a portion of the Andy Ducker ranch and bore for oil. The gentleman is also negotiating for a lease of one hundred acres on the Murphy ranch.

– Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, August 23 1907

 

On Saturday articles of incorporation of the Petaluma Oil Development Company were filed with the County Clerk by Lippitt & Lippitt attorneys for the corporation. The new company is incorporated to mine for oil, petroleum, gas, gypsum, asphalt and like-products and the capital stock is $100,000 divided into 100,000 shares at one dollar per share. The directors are J. W. Larimore. J. W. King, J. H. Mossi, J. J. Lopus and G. L. Barry. As is well known the company has a lease on portions of the Ducker and Murphy ranches east of town and some time ago began boring for oil and already have most excellent prospects and feel confident of success. Mr. Larimore, the head of the new company is one of the best oil experts on the coast and gave up a very lucrative position in order to devote his entire attention to the local project. He is confident that there is an abundance of oil here.

– Petaluma Argus, October 26 1907

 

An eastern oil syndicate has purchased a controlling interest in the Petaluma Oil and Development Company, whose plant is located in Vallejo township near this city. Mr. Smith, one of the new stockholders was here on Sunday looking over the plant. The gentleman is an oil expert and is confident that the yield of oil will be rich. He wanted to lease all the Andy Ducker ranch to bore for oil, but Mr. Ducker did not wish to lease any more of his farm. The new concern will put the work through and will at once begin operations.

– Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, April 15 1908

 

WESTERN PACIFIC BUYS OIL LEASES AND WILL BORE WELLS NEAR TOWN

…It is an open secret that Mr. Gregg, to whom has been assigned an undivided one-half interest in the lease holdings of the company in [the Ducker ranch] is in reality the chief of the fuel department of the Western Pacific Railway Company, and is representing that company in his dealings here. The Western Pacific must have its own oil land in California if it can get them at any price for at present the oil industry including the wells, tanks, pipe lines, cars, etc. are controlled either by the Southern Pacific or the Standard Oil Company.

– Petaluma Argus, July 30 1908

 

The oil company which recently leased a part of the Petaluma Oil and Development Company’s land near this city will begin to drill for oil in a few weeks. The company organised in San Francisco this week and is composed of prominent oil men who have oil interests throughout the state. Messrs. Gregg and Wells who are members of the new company were in Petaluma Thursday on business in connection with the Petaluma interests…The Western Pacific is in no way connected with the company which is to operate despite the erroneous published report given out some time ago.

– Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, September 18 1908

 

TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES

The Petaluma Oil and Development Company and the Ramona Oil Company are two different companies. The Petaluma Oil and Development Company first leased the land which is to be operated by the Ramona Co. They have been working on the proposition for over two years.

It was through the efforts of the Petaluma Oil and Development Company that the Ramona people leased a part of the land.

The Petaluma Company had experts at work on the property paying them $70 a day. It was found the sand contained 14½ per cent of oil, the oil being 16 1-8 gravity at 6 feet deep. The local company went to Petaluma people in an endeavor to have them take up the matter but they refused, then they went elsewhere and finally interested C. W. Gregg of New York who came out and took up the matter. After he had his own experts try the ground he consulted the Petaluma company and finally they leased half of their lease to the gentleman and sold him the machinery and equipments for less than one half of what the instruments originally cost them. Mr. Gregg then organized a company which are now working on the same spot where the Petaluma Oil and Development Company placed their derrick. The Petaluma Oil and Development Company still retain half of the land and are independent of the new company but are working in conjunction.
– Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, October 9 1908

 

OIL AND GAS RUMORS FILL THE AIR

Petaluma is teeming with rumors concerning the oil situation on Sonoma countains [sic] and the Ramona and Petaluma Oil Companies but no one really knows anything except the oil men themselves and they are positively non committal. One thing is certain – every day or two a Ramona official pops quietly into town, accompanied by a stranger and just as quietly pops out again,

One other fact is certain, there is no Ramona oil stock for sale. One man in Petaluma – and he, by the way, is not in the confidence of the Ramona Oil Company management – has been trying for some time now to buy stock and has offered as high as two dollars a share but without success.

People generally believe that the oil men know that they have a good thing…

– Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, July 23 1909

 

All that can be heard on the streets now is oil and gas and a man who is on the inside, informed an Argus reporter on Wednesday that inside of a year there will be a forest of derricks around Petaluma and that numerous oil wells will be sunk. Already practically all ot the available land from Reclamation to Penngrove has been bonded and one local citizen representing large interests has over 6000 acres under his control.

In addition to the Ramona Oil Co., Petaluma Oil & Development Co., Petaluma Home Oil Co. and the Robinson Creek Oil Development half a dozen companies are being organized to work on lands on all sides of this city.

Farmers in some instances have joined forces, pooled their lands and will work on the co-operative plan, Others are organizing for the purpose of leasing with better results. Already the country is full of oil prospectors and it looks as if Petaluma is on the verge of a big oil excitement…

– Petaluma Argus, August 4 1909

 

WILL LIGHT THE GAS OF RAMONA OIL WELL

On Thursday the residents of Petaluma and vicinity for miles around will witness a spectacle which those who have never been in the oil fields have never seen. For on that evening the great flow of natural gas which has been tapped by the Ramona Oil Co. at its well on the Ducker ranch will be lighted and a great column of burning gas allowed to burn for several hours. It has been the intention of the company to light the gas and show the people of Petaluma what a supply they have for some time past but the event was postponed until the necessary appliances could be made ready.

The gas will shoot up through a one-inch pipe to a height of twenty feet above the derrick, or about one hundred feet from the ground. On the main pipe above the derrick there are three cross arms, all of which including the main pipe, are perforated and through these perforations the burning gas will shoot forth. On account of the great pressure of gas the flame will be an enormous one and the light will be intense. The sight will be one which everyone should see, and when the news became generally known on the streets Wednesday the first thing people spoke of was where they would go to watch the spectacle…

– Petaluma Argus, August 11 1909

 

HUNDREDS VIEW FIRST ILLUMINATION OF GAS WELL. BUSINESS MEN EXPRESS VIEWS

The illumination of the Ramona Oil Company’s gas well on Thursday night was a grand success.

A few persons seemed to be disappointed that the big torch did not flame up into the air 100 or 150 feet.

In regard to this it may be said that the apparatus was not rigged for such a display but that with the right sort of rigging such an effect could doubtless be compassed.

Some fifty automobiles were on thr ground together with 250 or 300 people and a great number viewed the fireworks from their homes.

In regard to the display F. K. Lippitt said: “I have lived in Petaluma for forty-five years. It was the grandest thing I ever saw.”

[15 other comments, including:]

Robert Woods: “We saw the illumination from the City Hall. It showed up good. It’s a great thing for Petaluma.”

Coroner Frank L. Blackburn said: “I can’t tell gas from gasoline. I got ‘burned’ several years ago with oil stock, but for Petaluma generally, and the investors especially, I hope proves an everlasting gusher. It takes just such gambles as this proposition to prove a community’s wealth.”

R. M. Skinner said: “Put me down as saying we are just on the verge of a new era of prosperity. The striking of gas will put Petaluma before the world as the ideal manufacturing center.”

George P. McNear: “It looked fine.”

– Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, August 13 1909

Read More