In the 1913 California State Statutes, there are no name changes, probate issues, contract awards, etc., it only contains acts authorizing payments of claims to citizens.
In 1913 there were 17 claims that the State of California paid out. They ranged from $19,168.76 to $5.34. A couple of them really peaked my interest and so clickty-clack, off I went to investigate. Make sure to scroll down and read the great stories for some of these claims.
Chapter 424, pg 870
An Act to pay the claim of Thomas Nightengale in the amount of $10
Chapter 453, pg 883
An Act to pay the claim of Duane Bliss in the amount of $19,168.76
Walter Danforth "Duane" Bliss was an architect of considerable note. Among his many accomplishments, he designed:
City of Oakland Public Library, 1901
The Columbia Theater, San Francisco, 1909
The James Flood house, 2222 Broadway, Pacific Heights, San Francisco, 1912
City of San Francisco Public Library, Richmond Branch, 1914
The Metropolitan Club in San Francisco, 1916
Southern Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot, Sacramento, 1924
I wasn't able to find what the claim was for, but given the large amount, I am guessing he was paid for his services as an architect rather than a personal claim.
Chapter 494, pg 100
$100 payment to C. A. Palmer for services rendered by him as attorney for plaintiff in the case of people of the State of California vs. Deta Lima
Chapter 510, pg 906
$1000 payment to A. E. Smith of Modoc County
Chapter 518, pg 910
$5.34 payment to O. Nelson for grading of Park Blvd in the City of San Diego
Chapter 519, pg 910
$1609.40 payment to John Ewart for the filling and grading of American Street in the City of Stockton fronting the property of the Stockton State Hospital
Chapter 535, pg 917
An Act to pay the claim of Mr. Frederick Maskew in the amount of $88 for services rendered as Deputy Quarantine Officer of the State
Chapter 546, pg 927
An Act to pay the claim of Vincent Bona in the amount of $250
Chapter 607, pg 1132
An Act to pay the claim of J. Harry Russell in the amount of $3212.94
Chapter 620, pg 1152
An Act to pay the Claim of Jerome B. Graham in the amount of $182.83
Chapter 621, pg 1152
An Act to pay the claim of J. W. Galloway in the amount of $1000
Special Deputy John Galloway had arrested Herbert LeCornec, George LeCornec and J.W. McNamara for poaching steelhead trout in the Larkspur slough in Marin County. While his back was turned, Herbert LeCornec shot him in the head. Though severely injured, Deputy Galloway was able to return fire and shot and killed George LeCornec. Deputy Galloway made a full recovery. Herbert LeCornec was brought to trial for attempted murder, but unbelieveably the jury found him not guilty.
Chapter 623, pg 1153
An Act to pay the claim of Mrs. Foley in the amount of $500
Chapter 624, pg 1153
An act to pay the claim of Grace Elvira Raynaud in the amount of $5000
Special Deputy Ernest Raynaud was on boat patrol when he arrested Antone Balesteri and Salvatore Balesteri for catching striped bass with an unlawful net near San Quentin Point in Marin County. A third man, Carlo Balesteri was not arrested but accompanied the men. All of the men were in a boat. A struggle ensued and both Dept. Raynaud and Salvatore Balesteri were killed. Raynaud's skull had been beaten in and he had been shot between the eyes. Antone Balesteri escaped and was never apprehended. Carlo Balesteri was arrested, tried and convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in San Quentin Prison.
Different newspaper reports of the event differ slightly in their facts.
The San Francisco Chronicle: Warden Raynaud was working boat patrol with Deputy Commissioner M.S. Clark that day. Warden Raynaud made contact with and arrested two brothers, Antone and Salvatore Balesteri, for taking striped bass with an illegal net. They were taken into custody and placed on the warden's boat. A third man who was with them, Carlo Balesteri was also taken aboard the Warden's boat to act as an interpreter.
The Sacramento Union: Five friends of the Balesteri brothers stormed aboard the Warden's boat, attacking the wardens with clubs and oars while trying to free the two Balesteri brothers who had been taken into custody.
The San Anselmo Herald: Deputy Clark was able to shoot and kill Salvatore Balesteri and wound his nephew, Caloggero Balestri before being struck in the head with an oar. Deputy Clark was thrown overboard where one of the remaining Balesteri's tried to run him over with the boat. Other fishermen in the area rescued Deputy Clark, but Warden Raynaud died of his injuries.
Chapter 626, pg 1154
An Act to pay the claim of Joseph Nelligan in the amount of $1000
Chapter 627, pg 1154
An Act to pay the claim of Frank P. Cady in the amount of $1000
Regular Deputy Frank P. Cady and Special Deputy Joseph Nelligan arrested ten Indians for spearing spawning trout on streams running into Tule Marsh (aka Moon Lake), Lassen County. Three of them - Wilson Duke, John Hendricks, and John Pede - resisted arrest, disarmed Dept. Cady and shot both Dept. Nelligan and Dept. Cady. The ten poachers fled, leaving the two deputies for dead. Cady and Nelligan managed to get help and they made a full recovery. Pede and Hendricks were arrested, tried for assault for murder, found guilty and sentenced to 3 years at San Quentin Prison. Wilson Duke was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer and was sentenced to five years at San Quentin.
Chapter 699, pg 1444
An Act to pay the claim of William J. Burns in the amount of $10,000
William J. Burns was known as "America's Sherlock Holmes." In 1889, he entered the U.S. Secret Service, where he had considerable success in tracking down counterfeiting operations, both in the United States and Costa Rica. He also uncovered bribery and land fraud by government employees, leading to the conviction of several federal, state, and municipal officials. Burns left government service in 1906. He served as Director of the Bureau of Investigation (predecessor to the FBI) from 1921 to 1924.
With this information about William Burns, I was able to easily find him in newspapers to learn why he was paid $10,000. On 1 October 1911, James McNamara and his brother John McNamara blew up the Los Angeles Times building to protest a labor union dispute. 20 people were killed in the explosion. William J. Burns tracked the brothers down and when the McNamara's were convicted, Burns was given a $10,000 reward.
I left out one of the claims from above:
Chapter 622, pg 1153
An Act to pay the claim of Bert Blanchard in the amount of $5000
This claim deserves a post all its own. Coming Soon - how the death of Bert Blanchard uncovered a huge police scandal in San Francisco.
Sources:
Photo of William J. Burns courtesy of Wikipedia
Oakland Tribune, Monday Evening, April 28, 1913, pg 16, col 4
San Francisco Chronicle, Monday, March 17, 1913, pg 6, col 4
San Anselmo Herald, Saturday, April 19, 1913, pg 3, col 1
San Anselmo Herald, Saturday, May 3, 1913, pg 6, col 3
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, April 17, 1913, pg 1, col 1
The Sacramento Union, Friday, April 25, 1913, pg 9, col 1
NOTE: For some reason, this book is no longer available in Google books. Two weeks ago I was able to view and download for free.
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