Volume 026-4 - October 1972 (5 pages)

easv for Fred Searls had he been so inclined. Fortunately he never desired to emulate Judge Niles Searls. He did serve as a clerk in the State Legislature while his father was a Senator in 1877, but politics held little interest for him. He was, however, affectionately called the ‘‘Judge’’ by the townfolk. He did enjoy his Lodge affilliations and belonged to about five organizations, and held a keen interest in the welfare of his beloved city, serving on many civic committees. Of the three lawyers owning the Searl’s law office, his was of the longest tenure fifty-three years in the little brick building across the street from the Courthouse. Having specialized in mining and corporation law, he was retained by most of the big mining corporations to represent them at all times, and these retainer’s fees, sometimes taken out in mining stock, became a good source of income. He fought many important mining cases in the County, State and Federal Courts, among them the celebrated Champion-Home case, the Champion-Wyoming and the Pennsylvania-W.Y.0.D. cases. He drafted the incorporation and title papers which established the hydroelectric industry of California, being employed for that purpose by John Martin and Eugene de Sabla, and was regarded as a state-wide authority on hydraulic and hydroelectric law. County people needing assistance found him to be a staunch friend, and he vigorously prosecuted cases for them, oiten without charge. He became a father image to many who sought personal or legal advice. It’s the little personal notes, however, dashed off between court sessions, that reveal the warm personality anddry humor of the man. On receiving aletter in 1909 from a former classmate, requesting funds to furnish a room for the Student’s Infirmary, he replied, ‘‘I have been so busykeeping students in the University at Berkeley, and keeping out of the Infirmary myself, that I do not feel particularly flushed. Herewith enclosed is a check for your order.,’’ The first son to graduate from the University was Robert, who became a lawyer and practiced in San Francisco. 6. Father and son spent many companionTHE FRED SEARLS' FAMILY able years discussing legal matters. Just before Christmas of 1912, Fred wrote to Bob, ‘‘The weather is good and I shall expect you, Gertrude and the ‘Boss’ to answer roll call on or about Dec. 24th., at Nevada City, Calif. HerewithI enclose fare for my grandson.’’ To Fred Jr., the next to graduate from U. C. in mining engineering, he wrote, ‘‘It has commenced to rain here, and our elegant holiday weather is over. Robert returned to Berkeley Sunday, leaving his wife and Frederick here. Will get the old familiar signal Shh, you will wake the baby!’’ To Niles, attending the University of California at Davis, his note in 1911 read, ‘‘Fred is making a visit and will leave Sunday night for Oregon. He is having quite a rest at home, that is, he was up at 6:30 this morning and left with Scarf on the 7 o’clock car. Meanwhile, he had some drills sharpened artd proposes to while away a few quiet hours in learning to strike uppers, I have a pre: judice against that term, having heard so much about men being on their uppers. Hope you have your ark built, as it is raining here today.’’ To Henry, studying medicine at the University of California, his note in 1913 read, ‘‘Herewith find draft for Fourself and Carroll for ‘the sont. Left to Right: Robert, Carroll, Niles, Henry and Am a little late in sending it as I = 5 * was waiting to clean up on the football Fred Jr., Little Helen is seated in the foreground. game. ‘Don’t bet on games of chance!’ also, let me supplement that remark, A ‘Don’t bet on games where there is no chance.’ I suppose you will stand this joke for the sake of the check..’’ ROBERT M. SEARLS, 1886-1953 San Francisco Attorney, who through To Carroll, on Sept. 6, 1912, ‘‘This Jegal procedure brought the Hetch month I will send check to you and let nec supply of water into San you take care of your big brother. BER CISCO. Allow him a little spending money as CARROLL SEARLS, 1894-1970 Attorney and General] Counsel for the your judgment dictates..It has been Newmont Mining Co., New York City raining here for four days and Miss NILES P. SEARLS, 1890-1961 Graduate of the Davis College of Helen is learning what it is to walk to Agriculture and farm expert. school in the rain..High School opened al P ; ' Monday. The new building is all right’’ Dis. BERR REARS. A692 CAliformiAy bow wetibes ING Sivthe (The abandoned Seven Hills School on in San Francisco. Zion Street.) F -1968 President of the Newmont Mining Co. In August1914, he wrote to his brother, eth ciaiaia ieee and life-long geologist and einine , Niles Searls Jr., in Berkeley, ‘‘Henry engineer. and Carroll are back safely from their camping trip. They will leave Sunday for college. Henry has secured a room HELEN SEARLS BRAY, 1897-1964 Graduated from the University of California School of Nursing.

easv for Fred Searls had he been so inclined. Fortunately he never desired to emulate Judge Niles Searls. He did serve as a clerk in the State Legislature while his father was a Senator in 1877, but politics held little interest for him. He was, however, affectionately called the ‘‘Judge’’ by the townfolk. He did enjoy his Lodge affilliations and belonged to about five organizations, and held a keen interest in the welfare of his beloved city, serving on many civic committees. Of the three lawyers owning the Searl’s law office, his was of the longest tenure fifty-three years in the little brick building across the street from the Courthouse. Having specialized in mining and corporation law, he was retained by most of the big mining corporations to represent them at all times, and these retainer’s fees, sometimes taken out in mining stock, became a good source of income. He fought many important mining cases in the County, State and Federal Courts, among them the celebrated Champion-Home case, the Champion-Wyoming and the Pennsylvania-W.Y.0.D. cases. He drafted the incorporation and title papers which established the hydroelectric industry of California, being employed for that purpose by John Martin and Eugene de Sabla, and was regarded as a state-wide authority on hydraulic and hydroelectric law. County people needing assistance found him to be a staunch friend, and he vigorously prosecuted cases for them, oiten without charge. He became a father image to many who sought personal or legal advice. It’s the little personal notes, however, dashed off between court sessions, that reveal the warm personality anddry humor of the man. On receiving aletter in 1909 from a former classmate, requesting funds to furnish a room for the Student’s Infirmary, he replied, ‘‘I have been so busykeeping students in the University at Berkeley, and keeping out of the Infirmary myself, that I do not feel particularly flushed. Herewith enclosed is a check for your order.,’’ The first son to graduate from the University was Robert, who became a lawyer and practiced in San Francisco. 6. Father and son spent many companionTHE FRED SEARLS' FAMILY able years discussing legal matters. Just before Christmas of 1912, Fred wrote to Bob, ‘‘The weather is good and I shall expect you, Gertrude and the ‘Boss’ to

answer roll call on or about Dec. 24th., at Nevada City, Calif. HerewithI enclose fare for my grandson.’’ To Fred Jr., the next to graduate from U. C. in mining engineering, he wrote, ‘‘It has commenced to rain here, and our elegant holiday weather is over. Robert returned to Berkeley Sunday, leaving his wife and Frederick here. Will get the old familiar signal Shh, you will wake the baby!’’ To Niles, attending the University of California at Davis, his note in 1911 read, ‘‘Fred is making a visit and will leave Sunday night for Oregon. He is having quite a rest at home, that is, he was up at 6:30 this morning and left with Scarf on the 7 o’clock car. Meanwhile, he had some drills sharpened artd proposes to while away a few quiet hours in learning to strike uppers, I have a pre: judice against that term, having heard so much about men being on their uppers.. Hope you have your ark built, as it is raining here today.’’ To Henry, studying medicine at the University of California, his note in 1913 read, ‘‘Herewith find draft for Fourself and Carroll for ‘the sont. Left to Right: Robert, Carroll, Niles, Henry and Am a little late in sending it as I = 5 * was waiting to clean up on the football Fred Jr., Little Helen is seated in the foreground. game. ‘Don’t bet on games of chance!’ also, let me supplement that remark, A ‘Don’t bet on games where there is no chance.’ I suppose you will stand this joke for the sake of the check...’’ ROBERT M. SEARLS, 1886-1953 San Francisco Attorney, who through To Carroll, on Sept. 6, 1912, ‘‘This Jegal procedure brought the Hetch month I will send check to you and let nec supply of water into San you take care of your big brother. BER CISCO. Allow him a little spending money as CARROLL SEARLS, 1894-1970 Attorney and General] Counsel for the your judgment dictates...It has been Newmont Mining Co., New York City raining here for four days and Miss NILES P. SEARLS, 1890-1961 Graduate of the Davis College of Helen is learning what it is to walk to Agriculture and farm expert. school in the rain....High School opened al P ; ' Monday. The new building is all right’’ Dis. BERR REARS. A692 CAliformiAy bow wetibes ING Sivthe (The abandoned Seven Hills School on in San Francisco. Zion Street.) F -1968 President of the Newmont Mining Co. In August1914, he wrote to his brother, eth ciaiaia ieee and life-long geologist and einine , Niles Searls Jr., in Berkeley, ‘‘Henry engineer. and Carroll are back safely from their camping trip. They will leave Sunday for college. Henry has secured a room HELEN SEARLS BRAY, 1897-1964 Graduated from the University of California School of Nursing.