JUL-AUG 2006 - Livermore Heritage Guild

Livermore Heritage Guild
“Help Save Yesterday For Tomorrow”
P.O. Box 961, Livermore, Ca. 94551
WWW.lhg.org
July/August 2006
William Wallace Brier
Pioneer Missionar y
On February 16, 1850, a young minister and his bride left
Crawfordsville Indiana, traveled up the Ohio River and
across Pennsylvania to New York. The young man was
William Wallace Brier; his wife, Elizabeth Brier. They were
bound for California under the auspices of the American
Home Missionary Society, which managed both Presbyterian and Congregational Church missionaries.
The couple left New York May 2 and reached
Chagres, Panama, ten days later. After crossing the isthmus
they reached the Pacific shores to find 3,000 people
awaiting transportation to San Francisco. Not until July 18
could they secure passage up the coast. During the wait,
Brier wrote home that he had “preached every Sabbath
since the first. I have had large congregations as could be
accommodated, sitting and standing."
The Briers arrived in California to learn that he had
been assigned to establish a church in Marysville. He left
his pregnant wife at Mission San Jose with relatives, and in
his letters to his wife, noted: “On the 8th of September I
preached my first sermon in this place. All the stores were
open and business was as on weekdays. I stood under an
oak tree in the Plaza while I sang an old sacred song (of
‘camp meeting’ origin), many came running from every
quarter to hear what was up.”
Mrs. Brier, wrote 50 years later: “A lot had been
given us in Marysville. Mr. Brier, with the help of a cheap
carpenter ($10 to $16 a day was the usual price), had built a
Phone (925) 449-9927
Vol. XXXVII, No. 5
house, the dimensions of which were 10 x 20 feet. It was
not finished when I went into it. We could see the stars
through the cracks. But when it was lined in calico, it was
very cozy. We had a partition of calico to make two
rooms. Mr. B. made a bedstead and a lounge. The top
had hinges. It was the only closet we had. It served as a
spare bed frequently. Two rooms were added the following year. There were more cloth tents in the town than
wooden houses. So we were quite swell.”
She continued: “Services were held in the Court
House. Women were few. Our Elder used to say that he
came to church to see the baby as much as to hear the
sermon. Ours was the first in town. Men have stopped by
our door and with streaming eyes say ‘I would like to see
the baby. I left one at home.’”
Rev. Brier worked tirelessly to solicit funds to
construct a Presbyterian Church in Marysville. He raised
about $6,000 within the community, even going to mining
camps on foot, where he would preach and take up an
offering, raising several hundred dollars that way.
Brier’s health had been poor since an attack of
Chagres fever in Panama. He found the summer heat in
Marysville almost unbearable and subsequently asked to be
relieved.
He and his family returned to the Bay Area, settling
in the village of Centerville, building one of the first homes
there. He continued his missionary work, organizing a
Presbyterian Church in Centerville in June 1853. Over the
next twenty years Brier organized Presbyterian Churches in
Alvarado, Livermore (1871), Pleasanton (1876), Milpitas,
Continued on page 7
Preservation of the old
Midway School
The Mulqueeney family recently donated the old
Midway School that was in use on Midway Road in the
Altamont hills from 1873 to 1946 to the Livermore
Heritage Guild so that the Heritage Guild can begin the
process of finding the school a new home in Livermore.
The old school has been located on the family ranch
since the early 1950s.
currently in the possession of these three groups.
This is a unique opportunity that will never be available
again. Thirty years ago the Livermore Heritage Guild
was in the process of restoring the old May School for
similar purposes when it was destroyed by arson. At
that time it was felt an opportunity to enrich the students
learning experience was lost forever. The recent
discovery of the Midway School has given the
community one more chance to recreate a living history
experience for our students. We must not let this last
chance slip away.
The family and the
Livermore Heritage
The Livermore
Guild want to see the
Heritage Guild is
school restored and
spearheading an effort
used as an
to bring this school
educational
back to life. It is not
experience for
our intention to make
students and
this a museum but
educators in
rather a unique
Livermore, similar to
classroom. Ultimately,
the way the old
we assume that
Tassajara School and
whatever institution
the old Murray
provides the location
School are used by
will assume primary
Dublin. The facility
responsibility for its
can be used by
Midway School as it is today on the
operation and maintenance. We hope
various groups wanting to offer
Mulqueeney Ranch.
to see a plaque with the school’s
educational programs in the city. The
history, including its time on the
Livermore Heritage Guild hopes to
Mulqueeney Ranch, placed on or near
offer classes in Livermore’s history in
the
school
after
restoration.
The Livermore Heritage
May each year to 3rd-grade classes and thus supplement
Guild will support these efforts in whatever way we can.
the current curriculum on the area’s history.
Gary Drummond and the Heritage Guild provide
downtown walking tours to 3rd-grade students every
year. The Guild also maintains a traveling History Mobile
that visits third grade schools each May. However, the
experience provided by the History Mobile may be
better served in the historic setting of the restored
Midway School. The success and enthusiasm for these
educational experiences for the young students is evident
by the ever increasing number of participants each year.
The important first step in the Midway project is to find
a secure site that will provide safe access to the school
for younger students. The Heritage Guild feels this could
best be accomplished by the city of Livermore, LARPD,
and the School Board meeting to discuss possible sites
Currently the Heritage Guild is undertaking preservation
steps to maintain the school in its current condition on
the Mulqueeney family ranch while all the options
available are being explored. We have established a
Midway School Restoration Fund and will manage a
special bank account into which funds donated to the
moving and preservation of the school will be
deposited. The Livermore Heritage Guild pledges that
50% of all membership fees received for the 2006/2007
fiscal year will be donated to this fund.
Livermore Heritage Guild
Board of Directors
2
Reception for Midway School
Alumni
Apparently it was a common practice for new teachers to find jobs with smaller, remote schools at the
time. The teacher was given an outline of the courses
and expected to spend a designated amount of time
on each subject, every day. Administrators from the
school district visited the school regularly, attending
classes to make sure the students were receiving a
proper education. A
graduation certificate
from the eighth grade,
report cards and Anna
Freisman’s teaching
contract from Midway
school were shared
with all at the reception.
The LHG held a reception June 17, 2006, at the
Carnegie Library for several Midway School students
and one of their teachers. Anna (Freisman) Schofield
taught at Midway School from 1938 to 1942. Students of Anna, and
other teachers, at the
reception included
Elizabeth Derby,
Edward Derby,
Francis Costa,
Manuel Costa, Lois
(Mulqueeney)
Walker, and Dolores
(Mulqueeney)
Cronwell.
After a presentation
and slide show by
Barry Schrader on his
research on the
school, each guest
was asked to relay
Midway School Renuion, June 17, at the Carnegie Library. Back row,
their memories of the
l to r: Edward Derby, Elizabeth Derby, Frances Costa, Manuel Costa;
school. Everyone was
Front Row: Anna (Freisman) Schofield (teacher), Lois (Mulqueeney)
very enthusiastic
Walker, Dolores (Mulqueeney) Cronwell.
about the experience
of attending a one
room school house. They all felt it was an experience
that was a once in a
lifetime opportunity
where they were able to
develop unique relationships with the
teacher as well as their
fellow students. Experiences were relayed of
fishing trips, school
plays with costumes
made by the teacher,
and various weekend
Above, Midway School Diploma
activities that could only happen in that type
of environment. The guys remembered the
metal rings they used to play on in the yard.
Above Right, Midway School class of 1941
Anna Freisman talked about Midway School
being her first teaching assignment.
3
Hopefully, with the
restoration of Midway
School, today’s
students will have the
unique experience of
attending a one room
school house, even if
only for a day.
Ice Cream Social to say
Goodbye Kay and Barry
Kay and Barry Schrader’s many friends are invited to
wish them goodbye and good luck at an Ice Cream
Social, Sunday, July 9, 6 pm to 8 pm at the Asbury
United Methodist Church, 4743 East
Avenue in Livermore.
Please RSVP acceptances by July 5th to
Jolene and David Abrahams, 737 El
Caminito, Livermore CA 94550; 4479386.
If you have photos or memorabilia of
the Schraders' many activities, which
would fit into a scrapbook, please bring
them with you. Or, if you have a story
about Kay or Barry, please write it
down and bring it to add to the scrapbook.
The Schraders’ last Livermore project
is the preservation of the old Midway
School, (See the article on Page 2),
and they have requested that a fund be
set up for donations for the school.
Anyone wishing to honor the many
contributions Kay and Barry have
made to Livermore are invited to make
donations to that fund.
Make checks payable to Livermore
Heritage Guild (write “for Midway
School restoration” on the check) and
mail to Livermore Heritage Guild,
Attn: Midway School Fund, P.O. Box
961, Livermore CA 94551.
The event is sponsored by the
Livermore Rotary, Livermore Heritage
Guild, and Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society.
Will Coleman
VOLUNTEER
CORNER
LHG always needs volunteer help. Have fun, meet
other members of the Heritage Guild, and contribute
to the preservation of Livermore history. Some
immediate needs:
Work with collections
David Abrahams is in the process of inventorying our
items that are in storage in the Harp Room. Helpers
don’t need to be computer literate to do this! David
will be available to train anyone who wants to help.
The work involves examining the contents of boxes,
matching material to what has already been entered
into the computer, and entering correct locations.
Nothing difficult! But it is a lot of fun to open these
boxes of wonderful Livermore memorabilia and see
what treasures the Guild has. If you are interested in
helping, please call David at 447-9386.
and cleaners…
Want to help out but uncomfortable with your
knowledge of Livermore history? You would be very
valuable helping with the cleaning of the exhibit cases
and the space. Come in at least every two weeks every week if you’re so inclined – to clean
fingerprints off of cases, dust, tidy up, clean the front
door glass, the desktop, or general housekeeping.
Contact Anna Siig at 447-5475 or Email:
[email protected]
Livermore Echo, April 22, 1909
Many New Laws Enacted
Among bills of general interest
signed recently by Governor
Gillett are the following:
Help save Midway School
Are you handy with a hammer or paintbrush, good
with negotiations, interested in the history of education? If you’d like to help in any way to save Midway
School please contact Larry Mauch at
[email protected]. See article on Page 2 for
more information.
Help with the newsletter
If you have limited time, a fun way to help out is to
join fellow LHG members preparing the newsletter
for mailing. We will meet at the Carnegie Library
Saturday, August 26th at 11:30 to fold, collate, label,
and chat. Call Maxine at 447-7401 to be sure there
hasn’t been a delay in printing or just drop in.
Still looking for historians…
We always need volunteers to research and help
select and mount exhibits. If you’re interested in
Livermore history, have an artistic inclination, or
simply want to help edit, mount, or hang photos,
we’d love to have you. Call Anna Siig, 447-5475.
Senate Bill 342, Anthony - Providing penalties for the unlawful
wearing of union pins.
Bill 423, Transue - Prohibiting
the sale of liquor within four
miles of any camp of laboring
men, excepting only established
saloons and stores.
Senate 624, Stetson - Limiting
the interest of salary loan brokers to 5% per month.
The Governor failed to sign bills
insuring the better training and
qualifications of persons acting
as chauffeurs and repealing the
compulsory vaccination law that
provided that vaccination shall
be practiced only when smallpox
exists.
Activities
In early June, the LHG fire truck appeared in the
Livermore Rodeo Parade to the delight of parade
viewers. The fire engine will
also appear in the Alameda
County Fair Parade, a Foresters
event, and will 'star' in a 30second spot for Channel 30.
The LHG has
had a busy spring
this year. The
Duarte Garage
hosted the
Studebaker Club
on April 30th.
Visitors were
treated to the
sight of lovingly
preserved cars
and conversation
with enthusiasts.
Studebakers lined up inside the Duarte
Garage and on the driveway as enthusiasts chatted and looked over the cars.
On Saturday,
May 27th, the
Guild held its
annual auction and dinner. The event drew a large
and enthusiastic crowd. Ninety-eight adults and
three children
bought tickets for
the pasta dinner.
Auction sales
amounted to some
$4,500.
Thank
you to those
who donated items
for auction and
once again made the
event fun and
successful!
Lynn Owens acts as auctioneer as his wife,
Linda, spots bidders. The annual auction raised
more than $4,500 for LHG projects.
We also had a very busy schedule of Downtown
History Walking Tours for local third-grade children.
In an eight-week period, tour guides Patti Curcio,
Marie Abbott, and Gary Drummond guided 573
children, teachers, and parents in the hour-long
walks. Beginning in 2001 with 123 students, the
walks have proven very popular with students,
teachers, and parents. Participating schools this year
included Our Savior’s Lutheran School, Leo Croce
Elementary School, Sunset Elementary School, St.
Michael’s Parochial School, Emma Smith Elementary
School, and Portola Elementary School. The Downtown History walks are an adjunct to the local history
curriculum taught in the third grade.
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E
L
CALENDAR
LHG Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 5, 7 pm.
Carnegie Library, downstairs.
he Arcadia picture history book Early Livermore
written by the Livermore Heritage Guild is due out
on July 31 . The retail price is $ 19.99 plus $1.75
tax or $21.74.
History Talk, Wednesday, July 12, 7:30 pm. Bob Taylor
presents “The Great Flood of 1862.” Livermore Civic
Center Library. $2 suggested donation. Light refreshments provided.
Buy before July 31st and pay only 1 penny of tax!
That’s $20.00!
LHG Board Meeting, Wednesday, August 2, 7 pm.
Carnegie Library, downstairs.
Pay by cash or check at the Livermore History
Center in the Carnegie Building or at the July history
talk.
History Talk, Wednesday, August 9, 7:30 pm. Don
Meeker will talk about the Arcadia book, Early Livermore.
Livermore Civic Center Library. $2 suggested donation.
Light refreshments provided.
Announcement for
Livermore Heritage Guild
Annual General Meeting
.LHG Board Meeting, Wednesday, September 6, 7 pm
Carnegie Library, downstairs.
Livermore Heritage Guild Annual General Meeting,
Saturday, September 9, 5:30 pm at the Duarte Garage.
$20. Photographer David Abrahams will present a slide
show from the 1976 Livermore Bicentennial. See story,
opposite column.
September 9, 2006. Save the date!
The Annual General Meeting and dinner for the
Livermore Heritage Guild will be held on September
9, 2006, at the Duarte Garage. All paid-up and life
members of the Guild will receive an invitation in
August. Invitations will include reservation forms.
David Abrahams, a Livermore photographer, will
present a slide show created for the 1976 Livermore
Bicentennial celebration.
History Talk, Wednesday, September 13, 7:30 pm.
Retired fireman and unofficial fire department historian
Tom Bramell presents “The History of the Livermore Fire
Department.” Livermore Civic Center Library. $2
suggested donation. Light refreshments provided.
NEW MEMBERS
Brier Continued from Page 1
The Livermore Heritage Guild welcomes
and in 1860, organized a congregation in Red Bluff.
Renee Lueckfeld of San Ramon
That same year (1860), Brier was appointed Superintendent of Missions for Nevada where he founded the
Masthead photo: First Presbyterian Church, Fourth and K
church in Carson City in 1861, the oldest PresbyteStreets, Livermore.
rian Church in that state, and the church in Virginia
Contact Us
City in 1862. In all, he organized at least ten
Larry Mauch 443-8596
churches in California and Nevada. In the mid-1860s President
1st
vice
president
Don Meeker 447-0472
he served as Alameda County Superintendent of
& History Center Curator
Schools.
2nd vice president
Jolene Abrahams 447-9386
William Wallace Brier died on June 3, 1887,
& Membership
66 years old, and is buried in the cemetery which
Treasurer
Dick Lerche
Secretary
Susan Junk
surrounds the First Presbyterian Church in
Auction
Anna Siig 447-5475
Centerville.
Duarte Garage Curator
Newsletter editor
By Gary Drummond
7
Bill Junk 447-4561
Bill Junk 447-4561
Maxine Trost [email protected]
A Brief Word from the President
As you can see from this newsletter, the Mulqueeney family has donated the Midway School to the
Heritage Guild. We are actively talking with City staff, the Livermore School Board, and others about possible
sites for the school. The hope is it will be used as an educational site for children. We have been very pleased
with the interest shown in this project to date. The Heritage Guild has established a special account for
donations toward moving and restoring the school. The cost of moving the school is estimated at $24,000. If
you would like to contribute please make a check payable to the “Livermore Heritage Guild” or “LHG”,
marked “for Midway School restoration”. Our hope is to have a home for the school and have it at least
partially restored by September 2007.
We are contributing 50% of all 2006/2007 “renewals” or “new membership” fees to this fund as well.
September is the time for renewals! Tell a friend about the Heritage Guild, if they join they will automatically
be contributing to a great cause.
The Heritage Guild recently held a reception for Anna (Freisman) Schofield, a teacher at Midway
School and several students. The one room school was closed in 1946. I want to thank Jolene and David
Abrahams as well as Marie Abbott for making this a fun event for the alumni of Midway School as well as
their families.
The Guild was pleasantly surprised by a recent substantial donation from the Livermore Foresters
towards our general fund. The Board of Directors will be meeting soon to decide how best to allocate these
funds; we have several projects in the works. The Board wishes to extend our sincere thanks on behalf of the
Livermore Heritage Guild membership to the Livermore Foresters.
Larry Mauch