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Diary Reveals Life of San Jose Newcomers

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Vol. 59, Issue 2 Diary Reveals Life of San Jose Newcomers June 2018 Morgan Fine’s diary provides wonderful in- By Paul Bernal sight into the daily life of an early American Inside this issue: farmer in Santa Clara Valley, including the In November 1849, Missourian Morgan entire family’s never-ending foiled attempts Diary Reveals Life of 1 Fine and his family settled in San Jose. He to eradicate squirrels. The most striking in- San Jose Newcomers was one of the first to arrive by wagon. The formation in this diary details how hard it Fine’s house was one of the first houses June Quarterly 4 was to build a farm from nothing (especially built between San José and Santa Clara, near with chronic illness); how difficult it was to Luncheon & The Alameda. Using a shingle froe, Morgan Presentation secure and keep quality laborers at this time; built a crude structure of boards near the how many valley residents came from Mis- “When San Jose Was 5 northwest corner of (what is now) Park Av- souri; and how these Missourians stuck to- Young; Law & Order enue and Naglee Street. In the area kitty- gether for business and survival. in Pueblo,” Part III corner from what later became the Rosicru- Secretary Cabinet at 6 cian Museum. Morgan Fine was a squatter, as were most of Suñol House his American neighbors, as they did not get California had yet to become a territory of deeds to existing Mexican land grants. Members Visit Grant 7 the United States. Although Morgan Fine (Continued pg. 2) Ranch Park witnessed the shift of Alta California from Mexico to America, Chapel of Roses, Oak 10 Morgan Fine was more Hill—Sketch by Jim concerned with how to Campbell survive as a newcomer. Essay Contest to 11 Fine spent all his ener- Return gy building a farm, selling crops, providing Busy Pioneers— 12 for his family, and Update on Projects fighting illness. Bellomy Ladies at 13 Santa Clara Library In 1853, Fine pur- chased a blank diary Welcome New 14 book for his annual Members account of “Importante Occur- Join our Team as a 14 rences.” California Greeter or Docent Pioneers of Santa Clara County member Irene Membership Report 15 Johnson donated Mor- gan Fine’s diary to the Time Travel 15 Pioneers. Morgan Fine Pioneers Gone to the 15 was Irene Johnson’s Golden Hills great grandfather. Morgan’s daughter, 2018 Board of 16 Amanda Fine married Directors Josiah McDaniel and Morgan Fine (1800-1879), his wife Louiza Belt Porter Fine (1809- they were Irene John- 1891), and their son John Finley Fine (b. 1852). They lived at what son’s grandparents. later became Park Avenue and Naglee Street in San Jose. California Pioneers Trailblazer june 2018 Page 1 Diary (Continued) The Fine house in the center (on the later-developed “South Side R.R.”) is near the intersection of what would become Park Avenue and Naglee Street in San Jose. This farmhouse depicts the Morgan Fine home- stead and fenced fields (beyond the house). The neighbor Moses Davis’s subdivided farms (foreground with the tree-lined avenues) came only at the end of Fine’s life. (From “Bird's Eye View Poplar City, Moses Davis,” Thompson and West Atlas, Santa Clara County, 1876. Location determined by Paul Bernal.) The Mission Santa Clara land became ness with each other, as opposed to blight, laborers not showing up, chang- federal government lands upon Califor- bartering with Mexicans, Catholics, ing economies, and strife. His writings nia joining the United States. So Fine Bostonians, or others. Missourians are tempered with humor, keen obser- did what most Missouri newcomers liked to buy their nails and boards from vations, faith, and focus. Morgan Fine were taught to do—just take up space Missourians, they tended to float loans persevered and succeeded, becoming a and say its yours. After many years in to each other, and they visited each farmer who made it in his newly court, and after some lot adjustments, other on the Lord’s day of rest. When a adopted Santa Clara Valley home. Morgan Fine’s land was finally con- new arrival came from Missouri, those firmed to him. already here assisted with the transition. Here are a few sample entries from As one would expect from siblings, Fine’s diary, the “Importante Occur- Morgan Fine’s main business was the Morgan Fine and his later-arriving rences” written in 1853. planting of potatoes. His secondary brother John Fine relied heavily on one farming was that of pigs and corn. He another—for loans, labor, building ma- February 4: Morgan tried to get out of was constantly buying lumber and nails terials, and advice. As was typical of grand jury duty but was not released— as his business and wealth grew. In just farmers, some months Morgan was he was unhappy about having to serve the one year of his diary, he was con- down in assets, some months John was. because he was spending the better structing new fences, pens, barns, and They carried each other through the part of the month building fences and improving roads along his property. down times. chasing runaway animals, including “Bascom’s pigg.” Morgan was con- Morgan Fine gravitated toward fellow As the diary reveals, most every day stantly sending his “waggon” into the Missourian Methodists who also came was a struggle for Morgan Fine; set- Santa Cruz mountains to bring a steady to San Jose. They tended to do busi- backs, illness, bad weather, potato (Continued pg. 3) California Pioneers Trailblazer june 2018 Page 2 Diary (Continued) This 1866 map shows the lands of Louis Bascom, Amanda Fine, Morgan Fine, Moses Davis, and W.S. Chapman. Union Avenue Trailblazer was renamed Park Avenue. (Plat of Santa Clara, 1866.) is published quarterly by stream of redwood fence lumber and nails called to the house by my better half to the to his farm. shoot a cat for killing chickens, after 3 California Pioneers shots I succeed in slaughtering the var- of Santa Clara County February 17: Morgan stopped his son ment, Louiza thinks it has killed 50 chick- Established 1875 Carmel from going to school because ens.” Morgan needed him to harrow the ground Gayle Frank, Editor for potato crops—because the hired April 19: Morgan was very excited that “a hands were still working on the fences. fine sow produced 14 piggs.” Four died, Contact us at leaving Morgan with 10, which meant he [email protected] Sunday March 13: “staid at home and would have a good lot of pigs that year. had Brother Easton & Family, with Doct. P.O. Box 8208 Bascomb to dinner, Louiza brought a nice A 10,000 word article regarding Morgan San Jose, CA 95155 fowl to the table, the first of her raising in Fine’s fascinating diary will be available California, it seems like old times.” online for those who are interested. For © 2018 California Pioneers of more information contact author Paul Santa Clara County April 4: Morgan lamented the high prices: Bernal at [email protected]. “killed a fine hog worth $50.00, it cost The California Pioneers of Santa Clara County something to live in California.” Note: A photo of Morgan Fine’s great grand- is a 501(c)3 non-profit daughter, Irene Johnson is on page 6 as well as organization Tuesday, April 12: Morgan writes, “was additional photos of Morgan and Louiza Fine. California Pioneers Trailblazer june 2018 Page 3 Pioneers Quarterly Luncheon Luncheon cost is now $35* Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 Please make checks payable in advance to 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM California Pioneers and bring to Luncheon. THREE FLAMES RESTAURANT Banquet Room—1547 Meridian Ave. in San Jose Menu Selections Three Flames Special Steak Luncheon Presentation tri-tip steak topped with sautéed mushrooms “ New Film Shorts from Breast of Chicken Sauté Boneless breast with white wine & mushroom sauce the Pioneers Film Archives" [Both above served with red potatoes & fresh vegetables] presented by Pasta Rose Bill Foley Penne Pasta, tomato-Alfredo sauce, mushrooms, green onions and fresh basil Make Reservations by Wednesday, May 30th Email to [email protected] All of the above served with Salad, Coffee and Dessert No-Host Bar for soft drinks, beer and wine or call 408-554-7587 with your menu selection If, after reserving, you cannot attend the Luncheon Parking is limited in front of the restaurant; however, PLEASE call or e-mail to cancel your reservations. ample parking is available in the rear and close to a separate banquet room entrance. We have to pay for no-shows ! The Ladies at Lunch Thank you ladies for spending your luncheon time behind the tables. Meet the ladies who signed us in for the March Luncheon. (Photo: Tim Peddy) From left to right, Jan Paull, Barbara Peddy, Helen Rezendes and Tudy Johnson. * Lunch costs have risen. Pioneers do not make any profit from these charges. California Pioneers Trailblazer june 2018 Page 4 “When San Jose Was Young—Law and Order in the Pueblo” This is a reprint of a 1916 series about In the Pueblo law was enforced The ordinary citizens never local history written for San Jose’s Even- by the Alcalde, who was a des- failed to follow this emblem of ing News and attributed to Cora Older. pot, but occasionally benevo- justice to the Jusgado, where Part III lent. He walked with a gold- the Alcalde held court. The headed cane, an emblem of jus- Jusgado later became the city “At the close of the eighteenth tice, doubtless descending from hall.
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