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Articles by Bill Coate
Madera’s 20th century makers and shakers
As 1900 dawned in Madera its residents were ready for the 20th century, due in part to the coterie of indomitable pioneers that had gathered to lay the foundations for our hometown. Every fledgling community has its makers and shakers — those who stand out from the crowd — and Madera is no exception. This becomes apparent as one surveys the United States Census Report of 1900. The pillars of society leap from its pages.
Fresno’s first glimpse of Madera
MADERA — The new town laid out by the California Lumber Company in this county [Fresno], at the point where the company’s flume intersects the railroad,has been graced with the name of Madera — the Spanish term. for lumber. It promises to be quite a flourishing town, and the demand for lots is great. A public sale of lots is advertised to take place on Tuesday the 24th day of October at the town site.
Madera Unified reaches 60
The California gold rush was still in its infancy when Californians sat down to write their state constitution in 1849, and even in those rough and tumble frontier days, public education was at the fore of everyone’s mind. What followed in the wake of the subsequent population explosions in the Golden State was the proliferation of tiny, one-room schools, each forming a separate school district and generally governed by a three-man board of education. Hundreds of them dotted the countryside.
Stagecoach travel was not for faint of heart
It seems so far in the distant past, and yet it hasn’t really been all that long since the only method of transportation from Madera to the foothills and back was in buggies and stagecoaches or on horseback. Horse drawn vehicles strained at their harnesses in Madera County well into the 20th century, and today it all seems a bit romantic.
Civil War soldier’s lonely goodbye
This is a rather sad story. It’s about a man who took up arms to fight in the Civil War. He survived, settled in Madera County, and then was forgotten. His earthly sojourn ended in Raymond in May 1917, and when undertaker Robert S. Jay buried him, there was one, solitary mourner present — no minister, no hymns, no prayers, no flowers, just his embalmer and that one friend. The old soldier’s name was Alexander Stevens, and he was originally from Illinois.
Lincoln School lives again
On June 4, 1910, members of the Madera School Board determined to explore the possibility of building another school on the West side of town. Madera’s first school had been constructed east of the Southern Pacific railroad tracks, hence the name, Eastside School. In 1892, a second school was built, this time west of the railroad tracks. It was named Westwide School. In 1904, Madera High School was constructed. That left Madera with 2,500 inhabitants and just three schools to serve the community.
Meat cleaver put cook in hot water
Madera’s first Chinese residents came here from the town of Borden. They had arrived at that spot in 1872 with the laying of the Southern Pacific tracks, but when Madera was founded in 1876, most of them shifted their attention to the new little village four miles to the north. Just as it had been in Borden, when they moved to Madera, the Chinese were pretty much isolated in Chinatown on the west side of the railroad tracks.
Lumber flume meant work and fun
During the 33-year existence of the flume, which gave birth to Madera, more than one billion feet of lumber, floated down the big trough from the mountains toward the mill near where Millview School now stands. Built in 1876, by the California Lumber Company, the V-flume followed along mountainsides, through steep canyons, and often had to utilize trestles that were more than 60 feet in height.
Sheriff escorted cop killer to gallows
It was Friday morning, and although it was cold and windy in San Quentin, Madera County Sheriff John Barnett was up early. He had a date with the hangman, for this was the day that Walter P. Yeager would finally pay for the murder of Madera police officer, Clarence Pickett. “Portraits of the Valley” readers will remember that Pickett was shot to death on Nov. 10, 1923, near Berenda after he stopped a Dodge coupe for speeding.
Sunny Nishimoto’s silent acts of forgiveness
Scattered throughout Madera’s past are several quiet heroes — not heroes because of acts of bravery, but heroes because they engaged in silent acts of forgiveness repeated again and again, not in the context of a formal asking but rather freely given to the community. One of these was Sunny Nishimoto. Recognized in Madera for his easy smile and gentle laughter, Nishimoto is also remembered for his selfless generosity and genuine concern for his community, especially its youth.
Madera’s political turf wars began in 1926
For the first 19 years of its existence as an incorporated city, Madera’s political machinery ran without rancor or hard feelings, for the most part. Most office seekers simply offered their services to fill various community needs and did little to tarnish the political landscape. During those early years, challenges to incumbent office holders were rare.
Remembering Judge Crocker
The year was 1958, and President Dwight David Eisenhower was looking for a few good judges. Since one of the federal vacancies he was attempting to fill was in California’s San Joaquin Valley, he wound up appointing Madera County Superior Court Judge, M.D. Crocker. It was an excellent choice, but one that might never have been made possible had it not been for the ambition of a couple of judges from a neighboring county.
The principal reflects
“The dedication of King Husein School on Friday revealed what it looks like to believe in something bigger than yourself and then take action to make it happen. It was an incredibly meaningful day for me. It was much more than just a ribbon cutting. “Because I live so close to the school, I had the privilege of watching it come to life. I would run or drive by the site as it was being built, watching the building slowly take shape.
Soul of King Husein School unveiled
The affair was billed as a ribbon-cutting, but it turned out to be so much more. In reality, what took place was a revelation of what can happen when one individual surrenders himself to the common good, and inspires an entire community. This describes what happened Friday in the auditorium of King Husein School when local, national, and international dignitaries joined students and the general public to dedicate Madera’s newest educational institution.
Remembering Brooke Wissler
Every year in November, my mind is filled with memories of the Mordecai family. This is when the descendants of George Washington Mordecai gather at Refuge, the ranch he founded in 1868. It is impossible to think about them without remembering that day, almost 40 years ago, when I led my sixth grade class down the winding dirt road leading from the highway to the Mordecai Ranch to visit the grave of Mr. Mordecai.
Madera’s conscience
For The Madera Tribune Borden’s Cumberland Presbyterian Church, shown here circa 1900, stood right beside Rev. W.B. McElwee in his protestations against Madera’s Grand Fiesta of 1901. It issued a denunciation of its own. The Rev. William B. McElwee was an ecclesiastical workhorse. He and his wife, Emily, came to Madera in 1891 to pastor the local Presbyterian Church. He had been born in Missouri in 1838 and ordained into the Christian ministry when he was 35. Although the Rev.
One last look at Madera’s ‘Chinatown’
For The Madera Tribune Frank Tuck, second from the left, leads a delegation of history lovers in unveiling a plaque honoring the Borden Chinese Cemetery. The Chinese were among the first settlers in Madera. Most of them came here from the little town of Borden, four miles to the south. By the late 19th century a bustling Chinatown thrived in the area that had been set aside for them by the founding fathers, who fought to keep the Chinese on the west side of the railroad tracks.
The people spoke — Madera incorporated
For The Madera Tribune Craig Cunningham (center) led the move to incorporate Madera in 1907. Madera’s early history has several watersheds. The town was founded in 1876; it became the county seat in 1893. Construction of the brand new granite courthouse was commenced in 1900, and the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company began operation in 1902.
Red white and blue for me and you
Cat Campbell/For The Madera Tribune A favorite blue food is homemade blueberry muffins, to enjoy any time of day. This year, everywhere we turn, there is great emphasis on the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, especially because of our country’s 250th birthday. So, the colors of our flag are just about everywhere.
The old wild west was alive in Grub Gulch
For The Madera Tribune Grub Gulch, circa 1900. GOLD! That precious metal drew thousands of placer miners to what is now Madera County, and by 1851 they were calling their gathering Grub Gulch. Through the years Grub Gulch emerged from its “tent city” status to take on all of the characteristics of a settled community. In time the town could boast of two hotels, a rooming house, five saloons, a grocery store and a general merchandise store.
Juneteenth: Celebrating Emancipation
On Friday, communities across America, including Madera, put a stamp of approval on Abraham Lincoln’s attempt to end slavery, notwithstanding the fact that he didn’t live to see its ultimate success. On Jan. 1, 1863, the great emancipator issued an executive order declaring an end to human bondage in America, but there was a problem. He left some holes in the order. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation didn’t free all of the slaves.
Tragedy at second base
For The Madera Tribune Not even the death of a second baseman in 1901 could keep players from playing baseball in Madera. One of the worst accidents in Madera’s history took place on May 4, 1901, when Fred Kirkpatrick, a young man in the full flush of his manhood, was accidentally killed while playing baseball. The Madera team, to which Kirkpatrick belonged, was practicing for a game. The batter hit a pop fly toward second, and Kirkpatrick and James O’Mara started for it from different directions.
Pogue heads a long line of sheriffs
For The Madera Tribune Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue. We don’t know precisely when the office of sheriff came into being, but educated estimates place it sometime before the Norman Conquest of England. When William the Conqueror crossed the Channel, he found the countryside already divided into administrative units called shires, and within each shire was a reeve whose responsibility it was to conduct the King’s affairs.
Lumber meant more to Madera than just a name
For The Madera Tribune Building the flume that brought life to Madera. Although the search for precious metals brought the first pioneers to Madera County, it does not account for the establishment of civilization in the area. It took more than picks and shovels to provide stability. It was the lumber industry that gave the local economy its first permanent base. In the process, the town of Madera was born, but for awhile it was just barely alive.
Madera tragedy tugged at nation’s heartstrings
For The Madera Tribune More than 50 years ago, these 10 Madera children were orphaned when their parents, Robert and Joyce Morris were killed in a car wreck caused by a drunk driver going the wrong way on Highway 99. From left to right are Judy, 16; Kathleen, 17; Edward, 3; Michael 10; Jeffrey, 8; Linda 15; Carole, 14; Robert and Roberta 11; and Theresa, 12. The driver was drunk as he traveled north in the southbound lanes of Highway 99.
The glory of ‘Cottonwood Creek’
For The Madera Tribune George W. Mordecai, the Prince of Cottonwood Creek. This is the beginning of the story of how Cottonwood Creek became the magnet that drew Madera County’s founding father to California. It also tells how changing the name of “Cesar Chavez” school to “Cottonwood Creek” school was a serendipitous decision. It all began in 1868 when a group of Southern planters decided to abandon Dixie to escape the Yankee rule of Reconstruction. Three of the Rebels, S. A. Holmes, Major C. A.
Judge Lynch once ruled Madera County
For The Madera Tribune This photograph of Spring Valley School in O’Neals was taken in 1894, one year after Victor Adams was hanged from a tree just up the road from the school. His body was left hanging for two days, and youngsters walking to school no doubt contemplated the consequences of breaking the law. Madera County has generally been a law-abiding place. Most of the time law and order has prevailed.
Madera’s killer fire
For The Madera Tribune The Madera Theater. As Madera moved into the 1940s, many looked forward to the return of good times. The Great Depression was over, and Prohibition had wilted away. Agriculture had replaced lumber as the town’s economic base, and business downtown was booming.
Madera Democrats celebrated early
For The Madera Tribune Madera’s Captain R.P. Mace led the celebration of the Democratic victory in the election of 1884. In November of 1884, Grover Cleveland was elected to the Presidency of the United States, the first Democrat to be so honored since 1856, and his party was jubilant. Joyous celebrations proliferated throughout the nation, but none like the one thrown in Madera. Most of the nation’s Democrats waited until the votes were counted before throwing a victory party.
Gruber’s saloon bites the dust
For The Madera Tribune The Fountain Saloon was located at Gateway and Yosemite. George Gruber, the owner, is shown here, second from the left. In 1907, Madera with a population of just more than 2,000, had 13 saloons within its city limits. The town’s trustees went on record as opposing such a high saloon/citizen ratio, and expressed a determination to reduce it. In this they were supported by a vocal segment of the population, especially the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.
Fighting roosters ruled Madera
For The Madera Tribune Cockfighting has always been popular in Madera. Posing with their birds before a fight in 1905 are, clockwise from top left, John Barnett, Walter Brown, Frank Barnett, and Fred Barnett. John Barnett later became sheriff of Madera County. “Two men arrested in cockfight raid at Madera home.” “Deputies arrest 2 at cockfight.” “Maderan faces cockfighting charges.” These recent headlines in the Madera Tribune give evidence of the persistence of cockfighting in our fair city.
In praise of an Okie
For The Madera Tribune Ed Gwartney. The late Ed Gwartney was a self-described product of the “Okie” migration who never earned a high school diploma but became a pathfinder of new trails in the teaching of history. He was the founder of the James Monroe Children’s Museum, and he has left it to others to build on his passion that created the unique educational laboratory for teaching California history on the campus of James Monroe Elementary School.
Board renames Chavez Elementary
The Madera Unified School District’s School Board has voted to change the name of Cesar Chavez Elementary School to Cottonwood Creek Elementary School. At first blush, this appears to be a fairly safe move. How much trouble can a creek bring on a school? On the other hand, however, how much pride will the new name engender? Actually, the name change was not a slam dunk deal.
Carles Beckett; the rest of the story
For The Madera Tribune Chief Encouragement Officer Carles Beckett. When Carles Beckett graduated from Fresno State in 1967 and began his career in education, he could look back on his first 22 years and recognize that his life had been a series of miracles. Born in Piggott, Arkansas, he spent his first nine years living in a tent in a Buckeye, Arizona cotton camp and in a chicken coop on a chicken ranch in Petaluma, California.
Carles Beckett, Madera’s CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer)
For The Madera Tribune Carles and Georgia Beckett on their wedding day. It was four in the morning, July 17, 1954, when the woman crumpled to the floor. Her sobbing woke her four children; in an instant they joined her, brokenhearted and weeping uncontrollably. The policeman standing over them watched helplessly. He had just told the Beckett family that their father and husband would not be coming home. He had been killed earlier that day in an automobile crash.
Lu Teaford: Queen of the Mountains
For The Madera Tribune Lu Bowman and Otis Teaford are shown here on the day of their wedding in 1914. The husband and wife were inseparable, even while hunting big game on horseback in the high country. Otis Teaford was the son of George Teaford, an early Madera County supervisor. I will never forget that day in 1992, when Bill and Doris Seabury took me to North Fork to meet Lu Bowman Teaford.
Trouble at Madera’s swimming pool
Tension was in the air in Madera in 1947. The long-standing exclusion of African-Americans from the City’s swimming pool was being challenged, and the integration attempts weren’t setting well with some of the town’s power brokers, especially the publisher of the Madera Tribune.
Stagecoach travel was not for the faint of heart
For The Madera Tribune Stagecoaches like the one shown here in front of the hotel at Hildreth, not far from Coarsegold, carried passengers from the mountain towns of Madera County to the Valley. Most of the trips were safely conducted, but occasionally disaster struck, like that time in 1901. It seems so far in the distant past, and yet it hasn’t really been all that long since the only method of transportation from Madera to the foothills and back was in buggies and stagecoaches or on horseback.
Stagecoach driver turned to bounty hunting
For The Madera Tribune Hiram Rapelje is shown here, second from the left, posing with the posse that shot train robber John Sontag, who lies wounded on the haystack. Madera County has produced its share of rough and tumble, two-fisted drinking, street fighting pioneers. They pop up all through the pages of local history to spice up the pieces of our past. Very near the top of a list of such characters is Hiram Lee Rapelje, a local stage driver who was as quick with his guns as he was his fists.
Madera’s long, hot summer
For The Madera Tribune Duane Furman, shown here, was MUSD superintendent during the racial unrest of 1974. In the summer of 1974, racial trouble erupted in Madera. A 16 year-old male student at the high school threw a young coed, fully clothed, into the school swimming pool. Two female high school teachers, Rose Harper and Sharon Weldon, tried unsuccessfully to question the perpetrator.
Madera County bully got his due
For The Madera Tribune Coarsegold, home of the Magnet mine. William McNaughton was foreman of the Magnet gold mines near O’Neals at the turn of the 20th century. Apparently the community did not hold him in very high repute, especially when it came to paying his debts. Such was McNaughton’s reputation that when one of his prospective miners learned the kind of fellow for whom he was going to work, he quit before he started.
Another look at Madera’s ‘Chinatown’
For The Madera Tribune Tung Lin Leong, a young resident of Madera’s Chinatown is shown here in this 1903 photograph taken in Madera. The Chinese were among the first settlers in Madera. Most of them came here from the little town of Borden, four miles to the south. By the late 19th century a bustling Chinatown thrived in the area that had been set aside for them by the founding fathers, who fought to keep the Chinese on the west side of the railroad tracks.
In the beginning…
For The Madera Tribune “Captain” Russell Perry Mace, Madera’s first resident. The United States was celebrating its one hundredth birthday. Custer had just made his last stand, and Ulysses S. Grant was in the last year of his presidency. The year was 1876 — a watershed not only in the history of America but in that of the San Joaquin Valley as well, for that was the year Madera, California, was founded.
Madera’s first lawman to fall in the line of duty
For The Madera Tribune Clarence Pickett, shown here, was the second Madera lawman to fall in the line of duty. It has become an embedded piece of Madera’s past that Clarence Pickett was Madera’s first lawman to fall in the line of duty. The young officer was gunned down on Nov. 10, 1923 while attempting to arrest a drunk driver. A second look at the record, however, casts doubt on the claim that Pickett was the first to fall, as the following story illustrates.
Pioneer woman found life difficult in Madera
For The Madera Tribune Matilda Gilmore Brown, shown here on the left in this 1957 photograph, was the daughter of John Gilmore and Jennie Cunningham Gilmore Mace. Madera pioneers Craig Cunningham and Mrs. George Goucher are shown with her celebrating Old Timer’s Day. Elizabeth Evans held the hand of her 4-year-old son, Charles, as she watched her husband march off to war with his friend Russel Perry Mace.
Chavez decried ‘Wetbacks’
Lamented ‘illegal immigrant Mexicans’ Opponents of illegal immigration recently discovered that they had support for a long time from an unexpected source. Recently released interviews with iconic union organizer Cesar Chavez have revealed that the founder of the United Farm Workers vigorously opposed immigrants who left their homes in Mexico and entered the United States illegally to labor in agriculture.
Madera embraced the Farnesi family
For The Madera Tribune Alfredo and Caterina Farnesi. The woman left her little Italian village in the province of Lucca and walked along the dusty road with a cart full of flowers to sell. Suddenly she stopped and thought, “I don’t want to live this kind of life anymore; I want to go to America.” The year was 1921, and the young women was 22 year-old Caterina Tocchini.
Madera’s jail couldn’t hold ’em
For The Madera Tribune This historic courthouse was torn down and replaced with a modern facility in 1953. Before that year was out, there had been three major breakouts at Madera’s new jail. In 1898, Madera did away with its old, wooden jail and replaced it with a brick and granite building. For years this stately structure, with its imposing tower, stood on 6th Street in all of its aesthetic glory.
Cesar Chavez image tattered
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Cesar Chavez, an icon in the farm labor movement, was accused of sexual assault by Delores Huerta, his partner in the movement. Sexual abuse allegations surface The iconography of the legendary Cesar Chavez was left shredded last week when Delores Huerta, his partner and confidante in the farm labor movement, accused the late union organizer of sexual assault.
Westfall: A sheriff of second chances
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