% ^Ao'^ '^^ % \' s9 3^-^. % ^' ^*•••.v••■•>*^•■.%;-•••^>'*^ •-'■%'■•••"/. ••-.%:'"---\^'': '»..*V ;%.**■. ■.A..*V W*^- ••.■\,*^ y** -/% :/\ .'/% ,-'/%\^ ^-^0^ ^^d« ^^d« -^^0^ / M -^-^0^ ■'^^o^ ^^cN : -^f^o"^ : % .N^^ »S o^ iS q^ ''.^^'^' ^ ^V'-O'' ^^o'^ ^^■ >>, ^c;^ ^% <, ^0 " >^^ -^^ ^■^^^^^ ^'^^<^ '*<^.**' ■^^^^.^ [J?^ ^-^ I; ./•^ --W/./-^- '-.W.-'/^ 'vW--',/"*^ -."^i^,-,, ^':j^''Sp cP^^^r^^'^^ ^°^\;j^"'% c^^:,*^'^% C'°^ \..^ '■1 o cP^, ■ ^"""'>>'^^'ATK(AnruL.SA<-RAMKX TO. 1881. WV-^STRATCo HISTORY OR P'^^^ O / n IS' h \/(.^ u^ ■-S CONTENTS. PREFATORY. Page 3. ILLUSTRATIONS. Index on page.s 5, 6. HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA FIJOM 1513 TO 185(i. Inde.x on ]>age 7. HISTORY OF PLUMAS COUNTY. Index on pages 129-132. HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNT V. Index on pages 325-328. HISTORY OF SIEHIJA COUNTY. Index on pages 413-416. PREFATORY, The great scope of this work, including as it does the liistory of California from the time the earliest settlements were made, together with the separate histories of Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra counties, has rendered it an exceedingly laborious task, and the publishers congratulate them- selves on having exercised the utmost care and conscientious discretion in bringing the volume to its present completeness and accuracy. A glance through the succeeding pages will give some idea of the vast amount of labor expended, both in collecting and arranging the historical matter, and in preparing the numerous illustrations. The history of California in her primitive days, and the articles on the Fur Companies, Settle- ment of the Sacramento Valley, and Discovery of Gold, are the result of long and jiatient investi- gation by their authors, and may be considered the most authentic records of these events yet given to the public. The county histories that follow are intended to be clear, concise, and comprehensive, without attaining to an exuberance of detail which would be tiresome to the reader, or dealing in glittering generalities and florid rhetoric that would convey the least possible information in the greatest number of words. The purpose has been to present to the reader successive statements of the most important facts relating to the growth and development of the individual localities, and such only as the proof of which has been sufficiently proven by the reiteration of corroborative testimony, and the presentment of official records. How well the work has been done, we leave it to the reader to decide. It may be, that, notwithstanding the strenuous efforts made for correctness, errors have here and there crept in. If so, it should be remembered that in a work of this character, containing the many names and dates which it does, they are almost unavoidable. We would gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to our patrons who have aided us in the prosecution of the work by contributing from their stores of information, or in other ways assisting in making it what it is. Without their aid and patronage, it could never have been ]iublished. FAKISS & SMITH. INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. PaRe l?uscli & Co., Store 432 Barnes, B. AV., residence 220 Buck's Ranch 2G4 Brown, J. W., store 4S!S Buxton, G. Q., hotel 464 Bunnell, L. W., hotel 344 Beaton, A., resiciencc 308 Breed, L. N., portrait 340 Branham, James, portrait 3^4 Burnett, Hon. Peter H., portrait S8 Bidwell, Hon. John, portrait 108 Bourret, O., hotel • • 216 Byers, Hon. James D., portrait ... 332 Chapman, J. M., store 216 Chapman, A. P., residence 444 Church, A. D., residence 312 Gate, T). R, portrait IGS Congregational Church, Susanville 324 Court-house, Quincy 12S i ourt-house, Susanville 324 Court-house, Downioville 412 Clark, N., residence 35G Dakin, il. H., mills 400 Dakin, H. H., residence 400 Dick Temple 400 Discovery of Pacific Ocean ... 9 Doyle, S. A., hotel 400 Eggleston, B. T., residence 452 Eschbacher, F. A., hotel 448 Evans, A. B., residence 372 Ede, Walter, residence 232 Eisner Brothers, store 2IG Page Flournoy, R. S., residence 288 Forgay, N. B., residence 280 Finlayson, D. R., residence 248 Fort Defiance 324 Gansner, F., mill and residence 240 Goodwin, Hon. J. D., jxirtrait 144 Goodwin, Hon. J. D., residence 144 Hopkins Creek Mine 320 Harden, M., residence 492 Hosselkus, E. D., residence 272 Hartwell, Mrs. E. H., mill and residence . . 240 Hartweli, John F., portrait 276 Humphrey, G. W., residence 476 Hendel, Charles W., jjortrait 260 Hendel, Charles W., residence 260 Hall, W. P., residence 368 Hughes, B. B., store 216 Hall & Howard 21G Hall & Snyder, residence 388 Jump, Dr. A., residence 480 Johnson, William, residence 296 Jones, William E., portrait 304 Kennedy, H. H., residence 420 Kellogg. Hon. W. W., jiortrait 184 Kellogg, H. W., portrait 180 Luther, W. T., residence 460 Lassen, Peter, portrait 56 Map 8 Mohawk Bridge 224 Meylert, G. W., residence and store 376 Page Meylert, G. W., portrait 376 McLear, George S., hotel 200 McLear, portrait 200 Milford School-house 400 Monte Christo Mine 208 Marshall, James W., portrait 120 M. E. C'liurch, Susanville 324 McFadden, T., residence 392 Mooney, I. T., residence 456 Miller, James, residence 472 Martin, H., portrait 300 .Aliller, Mrs. W. H., hotel 360 M. E. Church, Quincy 128 Masonic Hall, Downieville 412 Meek, Stephen Hall, portrait 96 Masonic Building, Quincy 128 Merrill, Captain C. A., portrait 396 ^fain Street, Quincy 216 Nelson Point Bridge 224 Odd Fellows Hall, Downieville 412 Odd Fellows Building, Quincy 216 Pratt, Dr. Willard, hotel 336 I'lumas House, Quincy 152 I'luraas National 172 Pioneer School 128 Piihlic School, Susanville 324 Public School, Quincy 1 28 Rich J5ar 132 Rowland, F. ^f., residence 424 Page Reading, Major P. B.. portrait 72 Scott, J. A., hotel 440 Spaulding, H., residence 468 Shoo Fly Bridge 224 Spanish Ranch 192 Stover, R., residence 352 Sierra County Hospital 412 Strang, Jared, residence 484 State Capitol 1 Sutter, General J. A., portrait 64 Sutter's Fort in 1847 80 Sutter's Fort in 1 s80 104 Sutter's Mill in 1851 112 Seltier, C. F., residence 232 Thomas & Reed Mines 316 True, T., residence 400 Taylor, Jobe T., portrait 408 Thiiiniison, R., portrait 176 Town Hall, Quincy 128 Washburn, 7.,. B., residence 400 Ward, Alonzo, residence 496 Wyatt, J. R., office 216 Whiting, Fenton B., residence 136 Whiting, Fenton B., portrait 136 Welden, A. J., residence 284 Wemple, J. C., residence 400 Ward, Hon. John S., portrait 328 Wright; N. K., portrait 256 Wagner, Willi-im, portrait 264 Whitlock, James H., portrait 160 Weber, Captain Charles M., portrait 16 INDEX HISTORY OK CALIFORNIA FROM 1513 TO 1850. CHAPTER I. Pages Discovery of .and Failure to occupy California by Spain 9-15 CHAPTER II. Occupation of Lower California by the Jesuits 15-19 CHAPTER III. Conquest of Upper California by the Franciscans 20-29 CHAPTER IV. Downfall of the Missions 29-32 CHAPTER V. Spanish Military Occupation 32-37 CHAPTER VI. Fourteen of the Twenty-four Years that California was a Mexican Territory. ... 37-40 CHAPTER VII. The last Ten Years that California was a Mexican Territory 40-49 CHAPTER VIII. The Bear-Flag War, and What ledto it 49-63 CHAPTER IX. The War coniinenced by the Bear-Flag Party ends in the Conquest of California by the United States 64-69 CHAPTER X. The Flores Insurrection ' 0-82 CHAPTER XI. California after the Conquest, until admitted into the Union as a State, in 1850 83-93 THE GREAT FUR COMPANIES, AND THEIR TRAPPIX(i EXPEDITIONS TO CALIFORNIA 94-101 SETTLEMENT OF THK S.VCR.VMENTO VALLKV 102-112 THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD IN CALIFORNIA li;;-I26 k CHAPTER I. Discovery of and Failure to Occupy Oalifbrnia by Spain. Discovery of the Pacific Ocean — Fate of the Discoverer — A New Incentive for Diacoveries — Straits of Magellan — Pacific Ocean Named — Letter by Cortez — An Island of Amazons — A Country Abounding in Pearls and Gold — First Intimation of California and its Gulf — Lower California Discovered — Fate of the Discoverer — Cortez Sails, and Establishes the First Colony on the Peninsula — Uegardiug the Origin of the Name of California — Colony by Cortez Abandons the Country— Expedition t<3 Explore the Pacific Coast in 1543 — Spanish Policy in the Pacific Ocean — Sir Francis Drake's Expedition — He Abandons his Pilot on the Shores of Oregon — He Anchors for Thirty-six Days in a Bay that now Baars His Name, and Takes Possession of the Country — The Inducements for the Occupation of California — King Philip's Message — He Gives a Reason: Desires a Supply Station on the Coast of C'alifornia — A I 10 Questionable .statement as to the Indians, and what they Produced— A Glittering Scene in the King's Kaleidoscope — Venegas also Gives a Reason — He thinks the Pacific Coast a Sweet Morsel for the Lips of Kings — History of the Seventeenth Century Commences with the Voyage of Viseaino — He Searches for a Harbor where can be Established a Supply Station ; but his Genius Sends him out to Sea, and he Passes the Bay of San Francisco without Discovering it — He Anchors in Drake's Bay — The Wreck of the Ship tian Aiipy navigator, when he saw the compai-atively quiet water that lay before and around him, as he passed out upon this unexplored ocean I Five years after the departure of the Magellan expedition from Spain, Cortez wrote to his monareh, Charles V. (the letter l^ing dated Oct. 1.5, l^'2i), in which he .says that he is upon the eve of entering upon the conquest of Colima, on the South sea (Pacific ocean). Colima is now one of the States of 1 In Bryant's History of the United States it is recorded that — " But the man whose energy and perseverance led the way, Vasco Nufiez de Balboa, fell a victim, five j'ears later, to the jealousy and fears of the Governor of Darien, Peter Anais, who ordered him, after the niockery of a trial, to be beheaded." 11 Mexico. He further says that "the gre.at men there" had given him information of "an Ishmd of Amazons or women only, aljounding in pearls and gold, lying ten days jouniey from Colima," and the .S|ianish Jesuit historian, Miguel Venegas, writing one hundred and thirty years ago, says of that letter: "The account of the pearls inclines me to think that these were the first intimations loe had of California and its gulf." Its first discovery came in 15,34, liy Ortun Ximenes, a nuitineer who had headed an outhreak on board the ship of which he was pilot, that had resulted in the death of the captain and some of his officei's. The expedition had been fitted up for exploration purposes by order of Cortez, and after the commander was thus killed, Ximenes took charge and continued the search, discovered the Peninsula of Lower California, and landed at a point somewhere between La Paz and Cape St. Lucas, and while on shore he and twenty of his men were killed by the Indians. The remainder of the crew returned to Chametla, where they reported a counti-y found numerously peopled, among whose shores were valuable beds of pearls. Up to this time the word " California " had not Vieen applied to any ])art of the Pacific coast or its waters. In 1.536, Cortez fitted up an expedition, and set sail for the country found by the mutineers. He landed on the first day of May at the place where Ximenes was killed, giving the name of Santa Cruz to the bay. He established a colony there, and sent back his four vessels for supplies and such of his party as had remained behind. But one only of these vessels ever returned, and it brought no provisions. Cortez immediately embarked on the returned vessel and set out in search of his lost squadron, finding it strandeil on the coast of Mexico, hopelessly damaged. Procuring fresh stores he returned to his colony, that in his absence had been reduced to a famishing condition, many of whom died of starvation, or over- eating from the jirovisions he brought with him. The historian Gomara says (and mark the language) : "Cortez, that he might no longer be a spectator of such miseries, went on further discoveries, antured tjeasures, sailed north to search for the fabled Straits of Anian. Thriaigh it he proposed to pass home to England, and thus avoid a combat with the fleets of Spain, tliat lay in wait for him off the Straits of Magellan. His name was Captain Francis Drake ; but afterwaids the English monarch kniglited him because he had jnoved to be tlie most successftil robber on the high sesis, and now the historian records the name as Sir- Ei-ancis Drake. When near the mouth of the Umpqua river, in Oregon, he ran his vessel into a "poor harbor," put his Spanish Jiilot, Morera, a.shore, and left him to lind his way back, thirty-live hundred niik-s, through an unknown country thickly jjopulated with savages, to his home in Mexico. The feat must have been successfuUy accom]ilished, as the only account existing of the fact came through Spanish records, showing that he survived the ex]iedition to have told the result. Drake then moved on north until he had reached about latitude 48^, where the cold weather, although it was after the fifth of June, forced an abandonment of the Lope of a discovery of the mythical straits. The chaplain who accompanied the expedition, being the historian of the voyage, says of the cold, that their hands were numbed, and meat would freeze when taken from the fire ; and when they were lying-to, in the harbor at Drake's bay, a few miles up the coast from San Francisco, the snow covered the low tills. That June of 1579, three hundred yeai-s ago, must have been an extraordinary one for California. For a long time it was believed that Sir Francis Drake was discoverer of the Bay of San Francisco ; that it was in its watei-s he cast anchor for thirty-six days, after having been forced back along the coast by adverse winds from latitude 48°, near the north line of tlie United States ; but in time this was questioned, and now it is generally conceded that he is not entitled to that distinction. Who it was that did discover that harbor, or when the discoveiy was made, will probably never be known. What clothes it in mystery is that the oldest chart or map of the Pacific coa.st known on which a Ijay resembling in any way that of San Francisco, at or near the point where it is, was laid down, was a sailing-chart found in an Ea.st Indian galleon, captured in 1742 with all her treasure, amounting to one and a half million dollars, by Anson, an English commodore. Upon this chart there appeared seven little dots marked " Los Faralloues," and opposite these was a land-locked bay that resembled San Francisco harbor, but on the chart it bore no name. This is the oldest existing evidence of the discovery of the finest harbor in the world, and it proves two things : fii-st, that its existence was known previous to that date; second, that the knowledge was possessed by the Manila merchants to whom the chart, and galleon belonged. Their vessels had been not unfrequeutly v^Tecked upon our coasts as far north as Cape Mendocino; and as Venegas, writing sixteen years later, says nothing of .such a harbor, we are led to believe that its existence was possibly only known to those East India Jesuit merchants, and kept secret by them for fear that its favorable location and adaptation would render it a favorite resort for pu'ates and war-ships of rival nations to lie in wait for their galleons. With Sir- Francis Drake unquestionably lies the honor of having been the fii-st of the Eui-ojiean race to land upon the coast of California, of which any record is extant. The account of that event, given by Kev. Fletcher, the chaplain of the expedition, states that the natives, having mistaken them for gods, offered saci-ifices to them, and that, to dispel the illusion, they proceeded to offer up theii- owti devotions to a Supreme Being. The naiTative goes on to relate that, "Our necessaii-e business being ended, our General, with his comj)anie, travailed up into the countrey to their villiages, where we found heardes of deere by 1 ,U0O in a companie, being most large and fat of bodie. We found the whole countrey to be a warren of a strange kinde of connies; their bodies in bigness as be the Barbaric connies, their heads as the heads of oui-s, the feet of a Want (mole) and the taile of a i-at, being of gi-eat length ; under her chinne on either side a bagge, into the which she gathei-ed her meate, when she hath filled her bellie, abroad. The people do eat their bodies, and make accoiupt of their skinnes, for their Kuig's coat was 13 made out of tlifin." Tlie fiirnipr will readily recognize the little Inirrowing squirrel that ruins his fields of alfalfa, where the ground cannot be overflowed to drown them. "Our General called this countrev Nova Albion, and that for tvyo causes; the one in respect of the white bankes and cliffes which lie toward the sea; and the other bscause it might have some affinitie with our countrey in name, which sometime was so called. "There is no part of earth here to be taken up, wherein there is not a i-easonable quantitie of gold or silver. Before sailing away our General set up a monument of our being there, as also of her majestie's right and title to the same, viz.: a plate nailed upon a faire great poste, wliereupon was engraved her majestie's name, the day and yeare of our arrival there, with the free giving up of the province and people into her majestie's hands, together with her highne.ss' picture and arms, in a piece of five pence of current English money under the plate, whereunder was also written the name of our General." The incentive that prompted all nations to discoveries and oojupation along the Pacific coast is forcibly and plainly given by King Pliilip Til., of Spain, in his message to his viceroy in Mexico, in which he .states the reason why he issues an order for the further exploration of the coast and its occupation. The docimient was dated Aug\ist 16, 1606, and sets forth that, " Don Pedro de Acunna, Knight of the Oi-der of St. John, my governor and captain-general of the Phillipian islands and president of my royal audience there. You are hereby given to understand that Don Louis de Valasco, my late viceroy in New Spain, in regard to the great distance between the ))ort of Acapulco and those islands, the fatigue hardships, and danger of that voyage, for want of a port where ships might put in anture by the Dutch ])rivateei-s that were lying in wait for her. This was successfully accomjilished, the treasure- ship was conveyed safely in, but the act resulted in the abandonment again of the occupation of California. The society of Jesuits was then solicited by the government of Spain to undertake the conquest, and was offered §40,000 yearly from the royal treasury to aid them in the enterprise. But they declined the undertaking, and Spain was at last forced to abandon the attempt to occupy the country, though it was believed to be the rival of the legendary El Dorado, and a key to the defenses of her possessions already obtained in the new world. For one hundred and forty-seven years since Cortez first established a colony on her coast had the treasure of private citizens and the government of Spain been poured out in unsuc- cessful attempts to hold the country by explorations and colonies ; but the time had come when they were forced to yield its possession to its native tribes, and acknowledge defeat. CHAPTER II. Occupation of Lower California by the Jesuits. Why a Partial History of Lower California is Given— Father Kino or Kuhn — His Great Undertaking — His Plan — The Means— Tlie Mode of Applying the Means— His Exalted Qualities— Cost to Spain of a Failure to Occupy — The Difficulties that Beset the Enterprise — Father Kino Joined by Salva Tierra and Ugarte — The Order Given Permit- ting the Jesuits to Enter upon the Conquest — The Expedition Sails — It Lands and Takes Possession of the Country — The Indians Attack the Mission — They are Defeated and Sue for Peace — How the Priests Induced them to Work — The Plan of Operations Acted Upon by the Priests — It Proved to be a Success — They Became the Pioneers in Manufacturing, Ship-Building, Wine-Culture, Martyrdom and Civilization before they were Banished — The Reason why a Complete History of the Peninsula is not Given. It may occur to the mind of the reader, tliat any part of a history of the settlement of Lower CaUfomia, one of the states of Mexico, is not a pertinent subject to be reckoned properly among the events constituting the history of our California. Yet it would seem impoi-tant, when one comes to undei-stand that the peninsula was the door through which, in after time, civilization was to enter our golden land. It was the nvirsery where experience taught a religious sect how to enter, then exist, and finally subdue the land. In the preceding cha|)t«r is noted the last expedition before the final abandonment by Spain of any further attempt to occupy a part of California. With that expedition was a monk who had voluntarily 16 • abandoned a lucrative and honoi-able position as a professor in Ingolstadt College. He had made a vow, while lying at the point of death, to his patron Saint, Fi-ancis Xavier, that if he should i-ecover, he would, in the remaining yeai-s of his life, follow the example set in the lifetime of that patix)n. He did i-ecover, resigned his professoi-ship, and crossed the sea to Mexico, and eventually became the one who, as a mis- sionary-, accompanied that last expedition. He was a German by bii-th, and his name in hi.s native land was Kuhn, but the iSjianiards have recorded it as Father Eusebio Fi-aucLsco Kino. Father Kino had become strongly imju-essed in his visit to the country with the feasibility of a plan by which the land might be taken posse.ssion of and held. His object was not the con([uest of a kingdom, but the convei-sion of its inhabitants, and the Siiviug of souls. His plan was to go into the country and teach the Indians the principles of the Catholic faith, educate them to support themselves by tilling the soil, and improvement through the experience of the advantages to be obtained by industry; the end of all being to i-aise up a Catholic province for the Spanish crown, and people paradise with the souls of con- verted heathen. Tlie means to be employed in accomplishing this were the j)rie.sts of the order of Jesuits, protected by a small garri.son of .soldiers, both sustained by contributions from those friendly to the enter- jirise. The mode of applying the means wa.*;, to tii-st occupy some favorable place in the country, where, pro- tected by a small garrison, a storehouse and church could be erected that would render the fathers' main- tenance and life comparatively secure. This would give them an opportunity to win the confidence of the Indians, by a patient, long-continued, uniform system of affectionate intercourse and just dealing, and then use then- appeliteg as the means by which to convert their souls. It is difficult for us of the nineteenth century to appreciate the grand conception, to realize, the mag- nitude of the ta.sk undertaken by that monastic Hercules. With a heart that loved humanity because it had a soul, with a charity that forgave all things except a death in sin, infolding with affection all the images of the Creator, with a tongue that made the hearer listen for the voice of angels, with a faith in success like one of the cho.sen twelve, he became an enthusiast, and was to California what John the Baptist was to Christianity, the forerunner of a change to come. And the end is not yet — it will never be, for eternity will swallow it uji. Spain had spent vast treasures in that century and a half of unsuccessful effort to survey and occupy the upper Pacific coast. The fii-st colony, established in 1536 by Cortez, had cost 8400,000 ; the last, by ' Otondo, 1683, $225,400, to which add all the expensive efforts that occ\irred between those dates, and the total foots among the millions. So vast an outlay, followed by no favorable result, rendered the subject one of annpyance, and clothed with contempt any that were \-isionary enough to advocate a fur- ther prosecution of such an enterprise, so repeatedly demonstrated to be but a "delusion and a snare. " With such an outlook, uncheering, unfriendly, ■n-ith no reward to ui-ge to action, except beyond the grave, with a prospect of defeat and a probability of martyrdom as a result. Father Kino started, on the twentieth of October, 1686, to travel over Mexico, and, by preaching, urge his views and hoi>es of the enterpiise. He soon met on the way a congenial spirit. Father Juan Maria Salva Tierra ; and then arlother. Father Juan Ugart«, added his great executive ability to the cause. Their united efforts resulted in obtaining sufficient funds by subscription. Then they procured a warrant from the king for the oi-der of Jesuits to enter upon the conquest of California, at their own exjjense, for the benefit of the crown. The oi"der was given February 5, 1697, and it had required eleven yeai-s of constant urging to procure it. October 10, of the same year, Salva Tierra sailed from the coast of Mexico to put in operation Kino's long-cherished scheme of conquest. The exjiedition consisted of one small ves.sel and a long-lwat, in wliich were provisions, the necessarj' ornaments and furniture for fitting up a i-ude church, and Father Tierra, accompanied by six soldiei-s and three Indians. It was aix unpretentious army, going forth to 17 conquest, to achieve with the cross what the army, navy, and power of a kingdom combined had failed to do. On the nineteenth of October, 1679, they reached the point selected on the east coast of the peninsula, and says Venegas : — " The provisions and animals were landed, together with the baggage ; the Father, though the head of the expedition, being the first to load his shoulders. The barracks for the little garrison were now built, and a line of circumvallation thrown up. In the center a tent was pitched for a temporary chapel ; before it was erected a crucifix, with a garland of flowers. * * * The image of our Lady of Loretto, as patroness of the conquest, was brought in procession from the boat, and placed with pi-oper solemnity." On the twenty-fifth of the same month, formal possession was taken of the country in " his majesty's name, " anrocedure, and if their husbands would behave better, ]iromised them peace, au amnesty, and forgetfulness of all that was past ; he also distributed among them several little presents, and to remove any mistnist they might have, he took one of the children in hostage, and thus they returned in high spirits to the rancherias. " Tims was the first contest brought to a tennination eminently satisfactory to the colonists. The soldiei-s' guns had taught the Indians respect, and the sacks of corn allured them back for the priests to teach them the Catholic faith. We quote further from tlie Jesuit historian, Venegas, that the reader may get a coirect undei-stand- ing of the manner in which the fathers treated the aboriginal occupants of tlie country, and tlie way they conquered the ignorance, indolence and viciousness of those tribes. In si)eaking of Father Ugarte, the historian says : — ■ " In the morning, after saying mass, and at wliich he obliged them to attend with oixler and resjject. 18 he gave a breakfast of pozoli to those who were to work, set them about building the church and houses for himself and his Indians, clearing gi-ound for cultivation, making ti-enches for conveyance of water, holes for planting trees, or digging and preparing the ground for sowing. In the building part Father Ugarte was master, overseer, carpenter, bricklayer and laborer. For the Indians, though animated by his example, could neither bj- gifts nor kind speeches be prevailed upon to shake off tlieir innate sloth, and were sure to slacken if they (Ud not see the father work harder than any of them ; so he was the first in fetching stones, treading the clay, mixing the sand, cutting, caiTving and bai-king the timber ; removing the earth and fixing materials. He was equally laborious in the other tasks, sometimes felling the trees with his axe, sometimes with his spade in his hand diggbig up the earth, sometimes with an ii'on crow splitting rocks, sometimes disposing the water-ti-enches, sometimes leading the beasts and cattle, wliich he had procured for his mission, to pasture and water ; thus, by his ow]\ example; teaching the several kinds of labor. The Indians, whose narrow ideas and dullness could not at first enter into the utility of these fatigues, which at the same time deprived them of their customary free- dom of roving among the forests, on a thousand occasions suflSciently tried his patience — coming latt, not caring to stir, running away, jeeiing him, and sometimes even forming combinations, and threat- ening death and destruction ; all this was to be borne with unwearied jiatience, having no other recour.se than afiability and kindness, sometimes intermixed with gravity to strike respect ; also taking care not to tire them, and suit him.self to their weakness. In the evening the father led them a second time in their devotions ; in which the rosaiy was pi-ayed over, and the catechism explained : and the service was followed by the dLstribution of some provisions. At first they were very troublesome all the time of the sermon, jesting and sneering at what he said. This the father bore with for a while, and then proceeded to reprove them ; but finding they were not to be kept in oi-der, he made a very dangHrous experiment of what could be done by fear. Near him .stood an Indian in high reputation for strength, and who, jiresuming on this advantage, the only quality esteemed by them, took upon him- self to be more rude than the others. Father Ugarte, who was a large man, and of uncommon strength, observing the Indian to be in the height of his laughter, and making signs of mockery to the others, seized him by the hair and lifting him up swung him to and fro ; at this the rest ran away in the utmost teri-or. They .soon returned, one after anotlier, and the father so far succeeded to intimidate them that they behaved more regularly for the future." In writing of the same priest and his labors in starting a mission in an- other place, this historian relates that: "He endeavored, by little pi-esents and caresses, to gain the afiections of his Indians ; not so much that they should a-ssist him in the building as that they might take a liking to the catechism, which lie explained to them as well as lie could, by the help of some Indians of Loretto, while he was perfecting himself in their language. But his kindness was lost on the adults, who, from their invincible sloth, could not be brought to help him in any one thing, though they partook of, and used to be very urgent with him for, pozoli and other eatables. He was now obliged to have recoui-se to the assistance of the boys, who, being allured by the father with sweetmeats and presents, accom- panied him wherever he would liave them ; and to habituate these to any work it was necessary to make use of artifice. Sometimes he laid a wager with them who should .soonest pluck up the mesquites and small ti-ees ; sometimes he ofiered reward to those who took away most earth ; and it suflSces to say that in forming tlie bricks he made Iiirnself a bov with Ixiys, challenged them to play with the earth, and dance ii])on the clay. The father used to take off his .sandals and tread it, in which he was followed by the boys skipping and dancing on the clay, and the father with them. The boys sang, and were highly delighted ; the father also sang, and thus they continued dancing and treading the clay in ditfer«'nt parts till meal-time. This enabled him to erect his poor dwelling and the church, at the dedication of which the other fathers assisted. He made use of several such contrivances in oi-der to 19 learn their language ; first teacliing the boys several Spanish words, that they might afterwards teach him their language. When, by tlie help of these masters, the interpreters of Loretto, and his own observation and discouree with the adults, he had attained a sufficient knowledge of it, he began to catechise these poor gentiles, using a thousand endearing ways, that they should come to the catechism. He likewise made use of his boys for carrying on tlieir instruction. Thus, with invincible patience and firmness under excessive labors, he went on humanizing tlie savages who lived on the spot, those of the neighboring rancheriits, and othei-s, whom he sought among woods, breaches and caverns ; going about everywhere, that he at length administered baptism to many adults, and bi-ought this new settlement into some form." In this manner those devoted fathers struggled on through seventy years of ceaseless toil to plant the cross through that worthless peninsula of Lower California — ^a land that God seemed to have left un- finished at the eve of ci-eation, intending it for solitude and the home of the cactus, the serjjent, and the tarantula. Tiie plan of subduing the savages will be readily seen from what Venegas records, and it proved to be successful. The missions, some of them always, all of them for a time, were supported by remittances from Mexico, until the Indians could be christianized and educated to woik, and, with the aid of the fathers, make the missions self-supporting. Within the first eight years there were expended, in estab- lishing six missions, fifty-eight thousand dollars, and one million two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollare in supporting the Indians that were subject to them. The after events that constituted the history of the peninsula are a continuous succession of strongly marked acts that would make an interesting book for one to peruse who is seeking the history of the Indians as a race; but not of sufficient importance as an adjunct to California history to warrant their relation in this work. Therefore they will be passed, enough having been given to show the reader how the Catholics became the conquerors of the country. In 1767, the Jesuits were expelled from the Span- ish dominions, and forced to abandon their work in Lower California; but they left behind them a record of having paved the way and solved the problem of how to subdue and control the native tribes of the West. They have left behind them the record of having become the pioneers in the culture of the gi-ape and in the making of wine on this coa.st, having sent to Mexico their \dntage as early as 1706. They were the pioneer manufacturei-s, having taught the Indians the use of the loom in the manufacture of cloth as early as 1707. They built, in 1719, the first vessel ever launched from the soil of California, calling it the Triumph of the Cross. Two of their number sufiered martyi-dom at the hands of the Indians, and the living were rewarded for those years of toil, of privation and of self-sacrifice, by banishment from the land they had subdued ; leaving, for their successors, the Franciscans, sixteen flour- ishing missions, and thirty-six villages, as testimonials of the justice and wisdom of their rule. CHAPTEK III. Conquest of Upper California by the Franciscans. Dominicans Sncceeil the Franciscans in Lower California — Why the Latter were Willing to (iive Way— The Original Plan of tlie Jesuits — The King of Spain Orders the Colonization of Upper California — The Expedition and its Objects — It Goes by Land and Sea — Loss of the Vessel .S7. Joseph — Mortality on Board the other Ships — The Party by Lanil Divides — A Description of the Pioneer of California — A Mule-driver Turns Doctor — Tlie Overland Expedition Arrives Safely at San Diego — An Epoch in the History of the World — The San Antonin Returns to San Bias — The Country Taken Possession of — How a Mission is Formed — Governor Portala sets out in Search of Monterey, and Discovers Instead the Bay of San Francisco — First Mission Founded — First Battle in California — An Almost- Baptized Papoose —Abandonment of the Country Decided Upon — Timely Arrival of the San Antonin Prevents Abandonment — Two New Expeditions Start in Search of Monterey — Monterey Found — What Junipero Tliought of the Port — They take Possession — Mission of San Carlos Established — They Proceed to Scire the Little Devils Away — Mission of San Antonio Established — First Irrigation in California and the Results — Mission Estab- lished near Los Angeles, called San Gabriel — Another Miracle — Governor Portala Ketums to Mexico, the Bearer of Welcome News — Father .Junipero also Visits Mexico — The Pioneer Overland Expedition from Mexico by Captain Aiiza — He returns to Mexico — Attempt to Destroy the Mission at San Diego by the Indians — The First Vessel Kn iwn to have been in the Harbor of San Francisco— Death of Father Junipero Scrro — Why a Full History of the Missions is not given — The General Plan of their Location, and Reason for it — Russians Interfere ^vith the Plan— Population as given by Humboldt. The Franciscan order of tlie Catliolio ('hiiicli had no sooner become possessed of the missions estab- lished on tlie peninsula by the Jesuits, than another order of tliat chuieli, called the Dominican, laid claim to a portion of them. The Franciscans deemed it a work and class of property that should not be segregated, and expressed a jireference of yielding the whole ratiier than a part, and eventually turned it all over to the Dominicans. This willingness to abandon the field to their rivals was not, what it might at first seem to be, a spirit of self-abnegation. It was rather tlie wisdom of the serjient that lay con- cealed under an exterior of apparent harmlessness like that of the dove. As before stated in this work, the process of occupying the peninsula of Lower California had been a school wherein the Catholic C'hurch had educated the world in tlie ]>ro]ier means to be employed in making a conquest of the coast Indians and their country. Tt had been a ]>art of the original plan of the Jesuits to extend the missions on up the country, along the coast, until a chain of connection had been formed from La Paz in the soutii to those .straits in the north that the nautical world supposed separated Asia from America, and called at that time the "Straits of Anian." But they were not per- mitted to p3rfe?t tli"^ plan, beini,' bmishe 1 before their CDnquests had reached beyond the limits of the jieninsula. The Franei.scans gave u]) the possession of the territoiy of their rivals to the Dominicans with the imi pose of entering fui-tlier north and taking jiossession of the country that lieretofore had only lieen seen "as through a glass darkly," and thus perfect the original plan. In this way they hoped to become pos- sessors of a better land, wliere legend had located the gold and rich siUer mines, from wlience the Aztecs liad drawn their treiusure. 21 In pursuance of this jjlan there was issucfl by the Spanish crown an order calling foi- the rediscovery of the bays in tlie upper coast, and an occupation of the country. In response to the order, an expedi- tion started in 1769, under the management of J unipero Sen'O, a Franciscan monk. His immediate intention was to found three missions in Up))er California — one at San Diego, one at Monterey, and the third between those places. The general object of the e.xpedition is laid down by Joseph De Galvez as being "To enlablish the Catholic religion among a numerous heathen people, axihnmi-ged in the obscure dark- ness of paganism, to extend the dominion of the King, our Lord, and to protect the peninsula from the ambitious views of foreign nations." He also sets forth that this had been the object of the Spanish crown since the report of the dis- coveries by Viscaino in 1603. It was deemed expedient to divide the expedition, and send a portion of it by sea in theu' tliree vessels, leaving the remainder to go from Mexico overland by way of the most northerly of the old missions. Accordingly, on the ninth of Januaiy, 1769, the ship Snn fVfrfos sailed from La Paz, followed on the fifteenth of February by the San Antonio. The last to sail was the San Joseph, on the sixteenth of June, and she was never afterwards heard from. The ocean swallowed her up, with the crew that had thus been summoned to join the ranks of the army that in the past centuries had sought by sea the rock-bound coast of California, to find instead the boundless shore of an unexplored etei'nity. The vessels were all loaded with provisions, numerous seeds, grain to sow, farming utensils, chui-ch ornaments, furniture, and ])assengers, their destination being the jjort of San Diego. The first to i-each that place was the /6an J « and said matins and j)rime, and afterwai-ds mass, as if he had never suffered such an accident, and to the astonishment of the Governor and the troop at .seeing the Fother in such health and spirits for the journey, which was not delayed a moment on his account. Such a man wa-s Junipero Serro, and so he journeyed when he went to conquer California. On July 1, 1769, they reached San Diego, all well, in forty-six days after leaving the frontier." They wei-e the la.st of the several divisions to arrive at that ])oint, and wei-e received with lieartfelt demonstrations by their comi)anions, some of whom had been anxiously awaiting their coming for nearly three months. This was one hundi-ed and twelve years ago, and was tlie era from which dates the commencement of a history of the European nice in our state. Then, for the first time, the Visigoth came here to make a home where he exj)eeted to live and to die. It was an epoch in time of gi-eat moment to the civilized world, a year freighted with events that in their bearing upon the family of men was second to none since that birth in a manger at Nazareth. Within it were ushered upon the stage of life the two great men, military commanders, Wellington and Bonaparte, whose acts were to shape the destinies of Eurojie; yes, of the world. That year not only -saw our beautiful state in swaddling-clothes, an infant bom to be nui-sed eventually into the family of civilized nations, but it .saw the seed of liberty planted among the granite hills of New England, and Father Time wrote upon one of the mile-posts of eternity, " 1 769, the commencement of a brighter day for the children of men." The membei-s of the sevei-al divisions were all, excepting those who died at sea, on the gi-ound at San Diego, and Father Junii)ero was not a man to waste time. In looking over his resources for accomplishing the work before him, he found that there were in all, including converted Indians that had accompanied him, about two hundred and fifty souls. That he had evei-ything neces-sary for the founding of the three missions, the cultivation of the soil, grazing the land and exploring the coast, except sailoi-s •23 !ind provLsions. So man}- of the former having died on the vo3'age, it was deemed advisable to have what remained sail on the San Antoido for San Bias, to procure more seamen and supplies. They accordingly put to sea for that purpose on the ninth of July, and nine of the crew died before that port was reached. Formal possession was immediately taken of the country for Spain, and the next thing in order was to found a mission at San Diego. Possibly it will be interesting to the reader to know what the ceremony was that constituted the founding of a mission. Father Fnincis Palou, whose writings were published in 1787, thus describes it: — " They immediately set about taking possession of the soil in the name of our Catholic monarch, and thus laid the foundation of the mission. The sailors, muleteers and servants set about clearing away a place which was to serve as temporary church, hanging the bells (on the limb of a tree possibly) and forming a grand cross. * * * The venerable Father President blessed the holy water, and with this the rite of the church and then the holy cross; which, being adorned as usual, was planted in front of the churcli. Then its patron saint was named, and having chanted the first mass, the venerable president ])ronounced a most fervent discourse on the coming of the Holy Spirit and the establLslimeut of the mission. The sacrifice of the mass being concluded, the Veni Creator was then sung; the want of an organ and other musical instruments being supplied by the continued discharge of firearms during the ceremony, and the want of incen.se, of which they had none, by the smoke of the muskets." After the establishments of a mission the next thing in order was the gaining of converts, and the practice being the same in Upper as in Lower California, will consequently require no further description. Everything being in tine working order, the vessel San Antonio having sailed for seamen and supplies, and formal possession having been taken of the coimtry, there remained only the neccessity of entering upon the remaining object that had attracted tliese ])ioneers to California. Consequently, an expediton was fitted out under Governor Portala's command, to go overland in search of the harbor of Monterey, that had been for one hundred and sixty-six years lost to the world. He started on the fourteenth of July, with all l)ut six of the available force, except converts that had come with them from Lower California. These were left with Father Junipero and deemed by him sufficient for his protection and that of the mission to be founded on the sixteenth, .showing a confidence in the natives that came near adding this to the already long list of disasters. Portala, with sixty-five persons in all, mo\ ed on up the coast, and reaching Monterey, planted a cross there, without knowing that he had found the place he was seeking. He passed on in his slow, tortuous way, up the country, until three and a half months had passed since his departure, when, October 30, he came upon a bay that Father Crespi, who accompanied the expeditinn and kept a journal, says, " they at once recoijnized . " What caused him to recognize it 1 Had they ever heard of it before ! This is the first unquestimied record of the discovery of the San Francisco harbor. In all the annals of history there is no evidence of its ever having been seen before, except that sailing chart, dated 17 40, and captured in 1742, with the galleon belonging to the Jesuit Manila merchants. Yet the exception is evidence strong as holy writ that in 1740 the bay had l)een found, but the name of the fii-st discoverer is lost to the world. Portala and his followers believed that a miracle had been performed, that the discovery was due to the hand of Providence, that St. Francis had led them to the place ; and when they saw it in all its land-locked, slumbering grandeur, they remembered that before they left Mexico Father Junipert) had been grieved because the visitator, General Galvez, had not placed in the list their patron saint, in selecting names for the missions to be founded in the new country, and when reminded of the omission by the sorrowing priest, he had replied solemnly, as from matured reflection : " If St. Francis wants a mission, let 24 liim show you a good port and we will put one there." •' A good port "' had been found — one where could ride in safety the fleets of the world, and they said "St. Francis has led us to his harhor," and they called it "San Fi-ancisco Bay." Thus for the tii-st time in liistory the name and locality were united. The expedition that was under California's first governor then returned, starting Nov. 1 1 , 1 769, and arrived at San Diego January 24, 1770, where he first learned of the perils through which, during his absence, had p;issed those he had left behind. It will be remembered that Portala stai-ted nortli on the fourteenth of July, two days before the tii-st mis.siou in Uj)j)er California was founded at San Diego. This day was cliosen as the one on which to commence the work of christianizing California, because on the sixteenth of July, five hundred and forty-seven yeai-s liefore, the Spanish armies had caused the triumph of the cross over the crescent in the old world, and the father deemed this the beginning of a victory of the cross over barbarism in the unexplored wilds of the great northwest. The first efl^oi-ts at convei-sion were of course unsuccessful. The slow process of getting the Indians' confidence, and then learning their ways and language, had fii-st to be gone through with. It would be hut repetition to detail the manner by which tliLs was done, as it was identical with that ])racticed by the Jesuits on the peninsula. There was this difl'ei-ence, however, that the Indians here cared nothing foi- the food given them by the padres, and would not eat it ; but they were quite willing to take anything else, cloth being their weakne.?s. Tiiey went out into the Viay on bahas, in the night, and cut a piece out of the sail of the vessel. They soon became tired of getting things by jjiecemeal. and undertook the same operation that hatl been attempted by the Indians with Father Tierra at La Paz, ninety yeai-s before, and with similar results. They watched their oii]>ortunities, designing to take the little garrisju unawares, and after having killed all, divide the ]noperty among themselves, and end the pertbnnance with a grand jubilee. Matters culminated just a month after the founding of the mission. Taking iulvantage of the absence of one of the priests and two soldiers, who had gone tem])orarily aboard the ship, they suddenly fell upon the remaining force of four soldiers, two jjadres, a carpenter and a blacksmith. The latter was a brave and fearless man, and led the defence by rushing upon the enemy with the war-cry of '• Long live the faith of Jesus Christ, and die the dogs, his enemies I " The result wa.s a defeat to the Indians, with severe loss in dead and wounded. The missionaries found, after the enemy luul retreateil, that they, too, had not come through unscathed. One of their converted Indians had been killed, one wounded, and a soldier, a priest, and the brave blacksmith, were also among the injured. This first battle in California occurreer California was a boy, who finally ventured to come among the Spaniards, and was, by presents and affectionate treatment, eventually so far won over as to liecome the means of communicating with liis tribe. As soon as this hatl been accomplished. Father Junipero ex])lained to him by some means that if the parents of some child would bring it to him to baptize, by putting a little water on its head, it would become by so doing a son of Gml iuid of Father Junipero, as well as a kindred of the .soldiei-s, that they would give the child clothes and take care of it and see that it always had plenty to eat, etc. The boy went among his people, and explained what the father had told him, and they finally made up a little plan to play a practical joke ujjon the good priest. They sent back the boy to t«ll the Spanianis that tliey would bring a child to be baptized, and the father's heart was made glad to tliiuk that he was soon to Ijegin the harvest of souls. He called the garrison together, assembled at the church the Christian Indians who had come from Mexico with him, and re- quested one of the soldiers to act as godfather in the coming ceremony of ])a])oose baptism into the Catholic Church. He awaited for a time with a glowing face and overflowing lieart f(jr the a]>proach of the parents with the infant. They soon came, foUowed liy a large concourse of their friends, and handed the little candidate, with big, black, twinkling eyes spread wide with wonder, to the father, signifying their desire to proceed with the baptism. He took the little fellow, put clothes upon him, and was pro- ceeding with the ceremony, having gone so far in it as to be in the act of raising the water to finish the operation by pouring it upon the child'.s head, when the almost Catholic baby was suddenly snatched from his arms, leaving the astonished father with the water suspended, while the laughing Indians rushed away with the infant. The soldiers were infuriated at this insult to religion and to their beloved priest, and would have taken summary vengeance on the scoflers, but were prevented from molesting them. In after jenrs whenever this incident was mentioned in his presence, teai's of sorrow would come to the eyes of this zealous missionary, as he thought of the sad end of that eai'ly hope. The whole scheme of occu]>ying northern or Upper C!alifornia came near proving a failure, because of the want of ability to sustain themselves until crops could be grown in the country sufficient to make the enterprise self-sustaining. Governor Portala, after liis return from the discovery of the San Francisco bay, took an inventory of the supplies. He found that there remained only enough to last the expedi- tion until March, and decided that if supplies did not arrive by sea before the twentieth of that month, to abandon the entei-prise and return to Mexico. The day came, and with it, in the offing, in plain view of all, a vessel. Preparations had been comj)leted for the abandonment, but it was postponed because of the appearance of the outlying ship. The next day it was gone, and the colony believed then that a nm-acle had been performed, and their patron saint had permitted the scene of the ve.ssel that they might know that help was coming. In a few days the San Antonio sailed into the harbor with abundant supplies, and they learned that the vision they had been permitted to see was that vessel hereelf; she had lieen forced by adverse winds to put out to sea again after coming in sight of the harbor. Upon the an-ival of the San Antonio two other expeditions set out, one by sea and one b}- land, in search of Monterey harbor, the land force in charge of Governor Portala. The party by sea w^as ac- companied by Father President Junipero, who writes of that voyage and its results as follows : — " My Dearest Friend and Sir — On the thirty-first day of May, by the favor of God, after a rather painful voyage of a month and a half, this packet, San Antonio, arrived and anchored in this horrible port of Monterey, which is unaltered in any degree from what it was when visited by the ex- pedition of Don Sebastian Viscaino, in the year 1G03." He goes on to state that he found the go\-ernor awaiting him, having i-eached the place eight days earlier. He then describes the manner of taking possession of the land for the crown on the third day of August. This ceremony was attended by salutes from the battery on board ship and discharges of musketry by the soldiers, until the Indians in the vicinity wei'e so thoroughly frightened at the noise its to cause a stampede among them for the interior, from whence they were afteVward enticed with difficidty. The interesting account closes with the following, to us, strange words: " We proceed to-morrow to celebrate the feast and make the procession of ' Coi'pus Christi' (though in a very poor way) in order to scare away whatever little devils there possibly may he in thin land." What a lamentable failure in the good father's pious design, possibly due to the poor way in which it was done. The nineteenth century has demonstrated tliat tlio.se little fellows have gi-owii amazmgjy, and multiplied beyond belief in California since that time. After the establi.shmeut of this second Miissioii.cMllcd San Carlos, which .soon afterward was moved to ■2Q the i-iver Carnielo.ii tliiril, the .San Antonio de Padna, was contemplated and tiually locatt-d July 14, 1771, about tliirty-live miles smith of Soledad, on the Aiitonio river, and about twenty-five miles from the coast. At this mission occiin-ed the fii-st instance of irrigation in California. In 1 780, when the wheat wa.s in full bloom, there came so severe a frost that it " became as diy and withered as if it had been stubble left in the field in the month of Augu.st." This wa-s a gi-eat misfortune, for the padres as well as the converts depended upon this crop for food. The priests caused a ditch to be at once constructed and water thus turned upon the field. This gave new life to the roots, young shoots sprang up and a bountiful harvest, the largest ever known to them, was gathered. The priest called it a miracle, the Indians belie^ed it to be one, and the consequence was a second hanest for the church, one of converts this time, as the result of the fii-st ii-rigation attemjited in our state. Possibly it is irrigation that the Christian churches stand in need of among us now. The mis.sion of San Gabriel was founded soon after that of San Antonio, the ceremony of establish- ment lieing performed on the following eighth of September. The point selected was about eight miles north of Los Angeles. Another miracle wiis supposed to have been worked at the founding of this mission. In fact, those old padres, .pious souls, seemed to believe that everything out of the ordinary everyday occun-ences was necessarily of sujiernatural origin, either from God or the de^•il. When they unfurled their banner at San Gabriel before an assembled host of yelling Indians, whom they were afraid were about to attack them, the astoni.shed natives beheld the picture of the Virgin Mary that was painted upon it, mistook it for a pretty woman, and, probably thinking it was time to put on some style, ceased their undignified howling, and running up before the vision of lovelines.s, threw down their beads at the base of the banner, as an ofiering of their respect. They then, like sensible Indians, brought something for the pretty woman to eat. We see nothing miiiiculous in this. The average Californian in our time will give uj) a row, put on his good beha\'ior, and cast ofterings at the feet of female loveliness, if it hapjwns around when he is on the warpath. In the meantime. Governor Portala had returned to Mexico, bearer of the welcome intelligence that Monterey had been rediscovered, that a much finer bay had also been found fiirther north, that they had named it after St. Francis, and that tlii-ee missions had been established in the new land. Upon the receipt of the news the excitement in Mexico wa,s intense. Guns were fired, bells were rung, congratu- latory speeches were made, and all New Spain was happy, because of the final success of the long struggle of their countiy to get a footing north of the peninsula. After the establishment of the San Gabriel mission the e\'ents that transpired for a time wei-e those incidental to the i-etention of what hail already been actjuii-ed, and the preparation for ]ios.sessing more. In September, 1772, the mission of San Luis Obispo was e.stablished between Los Angeles and Monterey, and then the father president returned to Mexico. He procured over twelve thousand dollars worth of supjilies, and returned by sea, accomi)anied by several new missionaries and some soldiei-s, and arrived at San Diego ilarch 13, 1773, to find his ])eo]>le on the verge of stjvrvation, li^•ing upon milk, roots and herbs. Before leaving Mexico he hail divided his ]>arty, sending the soldiers under command of Capt. Juan Bautistii Anza. They were to go by way of Sonoi-a and the Gila and Coloi-ado rivers, to ojieii a route bv land, that communication with the home goveniment might not in future depend wholly upon the hitherto treacherous se^i. I jion the success in establishing this overland route to Monterey depended the founding of the missions of San Francisco and Santa Clara, that Father Juni- pero so nuich desiretl. The coiui>aiiy arrived safely about the same time as did the division by sea, being the first, the ])ioneer o\erland journey from Mexico to California, and the descendants of the captain of the e.xpedition are still to be found as residents of this state. Dining the same month of Mareh, a party under guidance of Father Cres)ii, going overland from Monterey, nasseil tliroiigh where Santa Clara now stands, np along the east siile of the hay, finally arriv- ing on the thirtieth of the month, where Antioch now is. Thus they became the first of civilized men to look npon the stream that forty-six years after was named San Joaquin. In 1774, Captain Anza ret\irned to Mexico, to repoit the successful establishment of the route to Monterey, intending to come back as soon as possible with the necessary means to establish the noi-tliern missions. There was, in I77-t, another occurrence that it will not do to pa.ss silently by, as it Iirings into .strong relief the contrast between fii-st intentions and the final acts of the Catholic clergy in their spiritual conquest of the natives. The mission of San Diego was attacked, on the night of the fourth of Novem- l)er, 1774, by a large and well organized body of Indians, numbering about one thousand. They had been incited to hostilities by the representation of two apostate converts from one of the tribes, who, fleeing to the interior, gave their peojtle far and wide to understaml tJiat the missionaries contemplated using force in their efforts to subject the Indians to an adoption of the white man's religion. The battle was stubbornly contested by the tribes ; but they were beaten off with severe loss, after having killed three of the whites, one of whom was a priest, and wonuded the balance of the defenders. This was the last attempt to destroy the missions. Palou, in his account of this affair, says that the Indiaas were in- cited to the act by the devil, who used the two apostate converts as the means, causing them to teW false- hoods to their jifople in representing " that the fathers intended to put an end to the gentiles by making them become Christians by force." Although the proposition of force in conversion seems to have been (according to Father Palou, who was the priest that afterwards had charge of the San Francisco mission) the devil's suggestion, it was afterwards practiced by the fathers. A notable instance of this kind occurred in 1826, when a party was sent up into the country along the San Joaquin river to capture some subjects for conversion. They met with defeat at the hands of a tribe under the leadership of a chief called Estanislao, whose rancheria was where Knight's Ferry now is. Tiie Spanish lost three soldiei-s killed and several wounded in this battle ; and returning, a new ex- pedition was fitted out, including all the available force of the garrison (presidio) of San Francisco, the San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Clara missions. The Estanislao country was again invaded, and the result was a defeat and severe cha.stisement of the Indians, with a loss of one soldier killed by the ex- plosion of his musket. They succeeded in carrying of!', for the good of their souls, some forty-four captives, most of whom were women and children. The two battles gave the Spaniartls a wholesome fear of the up-country tribes, and they named the river where these battles were fought the Stanislaus, after the chief Estanislao, whose tribe lived upon its banks. The Indian name for that stream was La-kish-iim-na. The prisonere were taken to the missions and siimmarily transformed into Christians in the following way. We quote from Captain Beechey, who says : — " I happened to visit the mission about this time and .saw these unfortunate beings imder tuition. They were clothed in blankets and arraigned in a row before a blind Indian, who understood their dialect, and was assisted by an alcalde to keep order. Their tutor began by desiring them to kneel, infoi-ming them that he was going to teach them the names of the persons composing the Trinity, and that they were to rejieat in Spanish what he dictated. The neophytes being thus arranged, the speaker tegan : ' SantissimM, Trinidada, Dios, Jesu, Christo, Espiritu, Santo,' pausing between each name to listen if the simple Indians, who had never spoken a Spanish word before, pronounced it con-ectly or anything near the mark. After they had repeated these names satisfactorUy, tiieir blind tutor, after a pause, added ' Santos,' and i-eca.])itulated the names of a great many saints, which finished the morning's tuition. 2S [f, as not unfrequentiy liujijieiis, any of the ca|itiiveil Itulians sliow. a ie|>uj^iiance to convei-sioii, it is tlie practice to imprison tliem for a few days, anacket airived, and on the seventeenth of Sejrtember the presidio was located. Au expetlition to spy out the liuid was at once dispatched. It was as usual divided into two divisions, one to go by water and the other by land. The i-endezvous was to have been Point San Pablo, but the land party entei-ed the mountains east of the bay and soon found themselves on the banks of the San Joaquin rivei-, iind failed to connect. On the tenth of October the mission was founded at San Francisco. After this came the San Juan Capi.stitino, and then Santa Clai-a. With the founding of the latter ended the establishing of missions by that faithful Christian missionary. Father Junipero Serro. ' He died near Monterey in 1782, after having planted in the garden of the west for future generations the seeds of civilization that should, like the little seeds mentioned in holy writ, grow to liecome " a great tree, " under whose shadowy 1 The justlytpraised indefatigable missionary-priest, who founded the first nine missions in Alta California, died ifl that of San Carlos del Carmels, at the age of 69 years. His baptismal name, "Junipero," is identical with the Latin word Jioiiperits, the definition of which is "Arbor est crejiceiis in
  • c yeai-s that succeeded the first settlement at San Francisco, there were established in C'alLfornia twelve other missions, making twenty -one in all, which, in accordance with the plan of Spain, were located along the coast, making a chain of occupied territory that wovdd serve to keep of}' foreign settlement. The situations selected were of course made with i-eference to the soil, as upon its productions maintenance must eventually depend. Wliere the boundary limits of one ended another began, so that the coast was all owned by the missions from La Paz on the peninsula to 8au Francisco. The interior was the great storehouse from which to gather, in the beginning, proselytes to the Catholic faith — in the end, slaves to work their plantations. North of the bay the Russians interfered with the general plan, by establishing a settlement in 1812, in what is now Sonoma county. This was followed by an attempt, on the part of the padres, to surround the invaders by a cordon of mis.sions, and, in pursuance of the plan, San Rafael, in 1817, and San Francisco de Solano, in 1823, were e.stablished : but further efforts in this line were cut short by the "march of human events." The time had come when the system, instead of being an aid, was an impediment to the elevation of the human race, and it was forced to give way. Then commenced its decline, followed soon by its passage from the stage of action. The number of converted Indians, in 1802, given by Humboldt, was 7,945 males and 7,617 females, making a total of 1-5, .562. The other inhabitants, being estimated at 1,300, not including wild Indians, making the total population of California at that time 16,862. The term "wild Indians" was applied to such as were not reduced to control by the padres. CHAPTER IV. Downfall of the Missions. Beginning of the End — WTiat Weakened their Power— Their Mode of Dealing Injures the Natives, and is not .Just to their own Race — The First Blow — Secularization Ordered — The "Pious Fund " — An Opposition Party Springs up — The Handwriting on the Wall — Tlie Final Struggle — A Colony that Fails to Get the Goose that Laid the Golden Kgg — Wreck of the Brig at Monterey tliat Carried Napoleon from Exile — The Priests Destroy what they have BuUt Up — The "Father of his Country " -The End, when they are Sold at Auction — The Last Missionary -The Final Result .\chieved — A Table that is a History in itself. The cloud, no larger than a man's hand, commenced to gathei- over the missions in 1824, when Mexico became a republic, having declared he:- independence from Spain two yeai-s before. The spirit that resulted in making of Mexico a free country, was one calculated to lessen the force of traditions that had bo\ind up the church with the state, thus weakening the power of the former. Heretofore, all things had been made subservient in California to the purpose of making a Catholic of the Indian. In pureu- ance of this idea, he was either persuaded or forced to go through the forms of worship ; but nothing was done to develop a higher mental standard. In fact, the opposite was the result. They were Uiken care of like any other slaves, and such er of the white race, calculated in any way to interfere with the genei-al plan of jjroselytism. The ten-itoiy was claimed for the Indian, and the ])adres were his mastei-s. The European was not encouraged by them to own or settle upon land, for it might become an element of discord in the country. The soldiei-s that protected them in their operations were not allowed to many, excejit in rare cases, as the oflspring or the parent might admit the idea into their heads that they, too, were of consequence in the general plan of the Creator. Such a state of things could not last. 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CO ^I CO to O -1 Cl w S" ; o to -^i oj to o to -J CS -J ^ -J -I Cl ^ ^ n CO to -^ 4*- '- to *- Cl S'OD ~n 00004^ — pS- ,0000 0030 ^ ^ . to ? CC CO -J lO 4^ --1 CO 4^ M 4i. O OC CO Cl to QO '^ » OOOOOCiOJO cn f 3 _s_ 1— « < t* '^SR.^jr'. *^. *^P- 1 H (A CD S o _ g 1 ►^oo s: OO — CT - §. O O O Cl Ct ^I to 05 ■ to 05 = n s^ CJiOCTOStOOO-^ 50 > OOO-lCnOOOT " *-- 1-^ to O OS to CO OS ^1 o > cnootoco^jo^o 1 * ■ lO •^ ^1 CD -O OS « » ~. - 1 Cil » o •Ji c DOI ! * ■ H Ul Ul H C-l ^ l-H 03 a l-H o > I-I ^ o M 02 F^ s: ^ i o l-H CQ ^ o m H ^ K 00 CO p 32 were permitted to go to waste, the olive groves were neglected, the missions were allowed to decay and the slaves (Indians) were turned loose to starve, steal or die. The California legislatm-e, in 1840, appointed administratoi-s, who took charge of the property, and a general system of plunder seemed to be the order of the day. In 1843, General Micheltorena restored the mined mission establishments to the control of the padres, and in 1845 the end came, when what remained ])assed at an auction sale into the hands of whomsoever would buy. The last of those missionaries — Father Altomii-a, the missionary priest and founder of the mission of San Francisco Solano, otherwise known as Sonoma, who, in 1828, accompanied by Padre Ripol, of the mis.sion of Santa Barbara, left California in the American Virig Harbinger, for Boston — wa,s living, in 1860, at Temieriffe, one of the Canary Islands. Thus passed from the country a system of occupation that pa^ed the way for ci\ilization. It wiis conceived in en-or, executed in blindness, and ended in disaster to the ])eople it sought to benefit. It only served as a means by which anotlier race gained a footing — to crush out and anniliilate the one that was found in the land. Tlie annexed table is a history in itself. It represents the )>opn]ation and wealth of California in 1831. It will be observed that the total j)opulation was 23,0l'.5; of this number only 4,342 were of the free races, the balance of 18,683 being Indians, subject to the missions ; no accotmt was taken of those i-umiing wild. CHAPTER Y. Spanish Military Occupation. Two Separate Interests in the Original Plan nf Occupation - What tliey Were — Why one Eventually Kailcil- Duties of the (Jovernor — What was a Presidio — The Forts — Monterey Captured by Pirates — .Soldiers, their Duties and Character — Ranches — A Pueblo, ^^^lat it was, How they were First Started — The First Grant — Why it was Given, and what Followed .Six Years Later — Christian Population of California in 1749, 1755, 1790 — Policy of Spain towards Foreign Nations — Captain Cook must not Enter the Harbors of Cahfornia — Home of the Missions and Home of the Free Joined in One Thought— The First Writing Books— Earthquakes of 1800, 1808, 1812, and 1818 — The Russians' First Appearance in California — A Sad, Historic Tale of Love — Russian Occupation — Declaration of Independence from .Spain — List of .Spanish Governors. In the original jilan for the occuj)atiou of the Californias, there were two distinct objects sought : one by the church, another by statesmen, and they formed a co-partnenship, as each was essential to the other. The church sought to extend lier influence and increa.se her iiiembcrshiii ; to this end all her energies were bent. The statesman reiiched out to secvn-e for his nation a country that he liclieved would become a jewel in the crown of Spain, and was willing to aid the chincji if sjie would contribute to this end. The statesman would protect, by the military arm of this goverinnent, the priest who was to make of the Indian a convert, who as such would become a subject of 8]iain. With numerous converts there would be numerous subjects bound by religious affinity to defend their country against invasion by any other nation. Thus would be created a Spanish province that wotdd become a bulwai-k of defense against encroacinnent by hostile nations upon the more soutliern possessions of the mother country. We have in previous chapters seen what the end was of the operations and design of the church; that it made slaves instead of citizens of its converts, and the disastrous results to the Indians ; thus 33 adding weakness instead of strength to the crown's defences, and in this way preventing the attainment of the result sought to be accomplished by the statesman, in his use of the church for political pui-poses. Let us now take a brief view of the governmental part of the political co-partnership between church and state for conquest, its operations and iinal resvilt. Side by side the priest and soldier entered California. The latter took possession of the land for Spain, the former for the church, and the officer in command of the militai-y was governor of the territory; his duties were to furnish ganisons to protect the missions, to aid in every way the efforts of the padres in theii- efforts for converts. To do this, the country was divided into military districts, eventually four of them, each having its seaj)ort, wheie the commandant of the district made his headquarters and kept the principal forces. Fortifications were built, consisting of a fort and three or four hundred rods square of land, enclosed with adobe walls, perhaps twelve feet high, on which were planted small cannon. Inside this inclosure were the officers' quarters, and the soldiers' barracks, chapel and store-house, and the jilace was called a j)resiproached her colonies on the Pacific, fearing trouble if they were permitted to get a foothold. As an instance in point, on the twenty-third day of October, 1776 (the year in which our fathei-s declared their independence^, the viceroy wTote to the governor of California that " The king having received intelligence that two armed vessels had sailed fi-om London under the command of Captain Cook, bound on a voyage of discovery to the Southern Ocean, and the northern coast of Cali/omia, commands that ordei-s te given to the governor of California, to be on watch for Captain Cook, and not permit him to enter the ports of California." Thirteen years after this, the governor of California wrote to the captain commanding the preside of San Francisco, saying : — Whenever there may arrive at the port of San Fi-ancisco a ship named Columbia, said to belong to Gen. Washington, of the American States, commanded by John Kendi-ick, which sailed from Boston in September, 1787, bound ou a voyage of discovery to the Eussian establishments on the northern coast of this peninsula, you will cause the same vessel to be examined with caution and delicacy, using for this purpose a small boat, which you have in your possession, and taking the same measures with every other suspicious foreign vessel, giving me prompt notice of the same. May God pi'^serve your life many years. Pedro Faces. Santa Barbara, May 13, 1789. To Josef Arguello. Koi- the first time the Spaniard had joined in the same thought tlie home of the missions and the '■home of the frt-i'. " The suspicious craft, "said to belong to Gen. Wivshington, " .sailed north without entering the poit of San Francisco, and discovered the Cohnubia river. Before we turn the last i)age in the history of the eighteenth century, let us take a look at a brief letter written by the captain connnanding at Santa Barbara to the governor of California, which says : — 35 I transmit to you a statement in i-elation to the schools of tlie jn-esulio, together with six copy-books of the chikh-en who are learning to write, for your sujierior information. May our Lonl preserve your life many yeai-s. Felipe (ioycochea. Santa Barbara, February 11, 1797. Those copy-books are now the proj)erty of the state, having fallen into the hands of the government when California was taken from Mexico. They exhibit in the sentences copied (such as "Jacob sent TO SEE HIS BROTHER, " " The IsHMAELlTES HAVING ARRIVED, " itc. ) a j)eculiarity of the times — that of fastening a thought of divinity upon everything. There is hardly a geographical name in this couutr}-, of Spanish origin, but it is the name of a saint. Even the names given by the priests to the natives, when they baptized them, were usually taken from the bible. Imagme the name of Jesus given to a dirty, ignorant, beetle-browed digger Indian, with the instincts of a beast. Truly it is said, " Familiarity bi-eeds contempt." It is not with tlie intention on our part of leading the mind of the reader into this channel that the copy-books are here referred to, but to show the marked tlifference characterizing the policy of the church and state, that in the end made the latter triumph. The pi'iests taught the Indians to say mass and repeat the names of saints, to work under instruction, and no more. The military captains and governor encouraged the children of the free settlers in learning to read and write ; the church gradually developing dependence in the Indians ; the state gradually developing independence in tlic free settlers. The Indian converts numbered about 12,000, the free settlers about 1000— one to twelve in fiivor of the church. Yet it needed no "wise man of the East" to foretell the final result. The nineteenth century was usheied in amid the convulsions of nature in California, at San Juan Bautista. The captain of the presidio writes to the governor on the tliirty-lirst of October, 1800, as follows: — " I have to inform your Excellency that the mission of San Juan Bautista, since the eleventh inst., has been visited by severe earthquakes ; that Pedro Adriano Martinez, one of the Fathers of said mission, has inform me that during one day there were six severe shocks ; that there is not a single habitation, although built with double walls, that has not been injured from roof to foundation, and that all are threatened vnth ruin ; and that the Fathers are compelled to sleep in wagons to avoid danger, since the houses are not habitable. At the place where the raucheria is situated, some small openings have been observed in the earth, and also in the neighborhood of the river Pajaro there is another deep opening, all resulting from the earthquakes. These phenomena have filled the Fathers and inhabitants of that mission with consternation. The Lieutenant Don Raymundo Carillo hius assured me tlie same, for on the eighteenth he stopped for night at this mission (San Juan) on his journey from San Jose, and being at supper with one of the Fathers, a shock was felt, so powerful, and attended with such a loud noi.se, as to deafen them, when they fled to the court without finishing their supper, and at about 11 o'clock at night the shock was repeated witli almost equal strength. The Fathers of the missions say that the Indians a.ssure them that there have always been earthquakes at that place, and that there are certain ca\aties caused by the earthquakes, and that salt water has flowed from the same. All of which I communicate to you for your information. May the Lord preserve your life many yeai^s. Hermenegildo Sal. Monterey, October 31, 1800. In this connection it may be well to give the letter wiitten by the captain of the /iresiJiu at San Francisco to the governor, on the seventeenth of July, 1808, which says: — 36 I have to report to your Excellencj' that since the twenty-fii-st of June last up to the present date, twenty-one shocks of eartliquake have been felt in this preaidw, som.e of which have been so severe that all the walls of my house have been ci-acked, owing to the bad construction of the same, one of the ante-chambers being destroyed : and up to this time no gj-eater damage has been done. // has been for tlie ti'mii of material to destroy, there being no other habitations. The barracks of the fort of San Joaquin (the name of the fort at the presidio) have been threatened with entire ruin, and I fear if these shocks continue, some unfortunate accident will happen to the troops at the presidio. Grod presence the life of your Excellency many years. Lfis A.rguello. San Francisco, July 1", 1808. AVhile services were in progress on a Sabbath in Sejitember, 1812, an earthquake shook down a church at San Juan Capistrano, the roof falling in, thiltv pereons being killed, and the building destroyed. On the same day the church at Santa Inez was thrown down. In 1818, the church at the mission of Santa Clara was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1807, the Russians fii-st made their appearance in California, with unequivocal intention of becoming a party in interest. In May of that year, one of the vessels of the empire sailed into the harbor of San Francisco, having a distinguished Russian official on board. Count Von Rosanoff, the royal chancellor of the czar. He came with the design of entering into a political compact that had in view California as the base of supplies for the more noi-theru of the fur stations of his peoi)le. Pending the negotiation, he met Dona Concepcioii Arguello, a daughter of the commanding officer, whose dark eyes made a captive of the empei-or's envoy, and caused the " stranger of the north" to .seek a double alliance, a union of hearts and .states. There were, however, serious obstacles looming up, that cast an ominous shadow tieyoiid. The young count was a conscientious member of the Greek Churcli, while the fair Dona, his promised Viride, wa.s a daughter of the church of Rome. Yet what obstacle ever retards the feet of love? what chasm can it not span with hope( On the \\4ngs of fancy he would seek the czar, and, as trusted agent, ask for permission of his msister to lie allowed to serve his countiy and the crown, by binding the province of Spain to the destiny of Russia, witli a commei-cial treaty guaranteed by a matrimonial alliance with a daughter of one who was a ruler in the land. Armed with the consent of his own prince, he would away to the south and convince tiie king of Castile that the interests of the church should jneld to those of state. That the interests of state were for Spain and his own country to join hands in their outlying colonies of the Pacific — what could be plainer ! Success was cei-tain ! With this fond hope he sailed, and when passing by swift stages through northern Siberia, en route for home, he was thrown from a horse and killed. A sad end to that beautiful dream of a life, the only tale of love that has become a part of California's history. The fair Dona watched in vain for her lover's return ; and when he came not, she took upon hei-self the habit of a nun, devoting her life to the teaching of the young, and care of the sick ; dying at Benicia, in 1860, i-espected and l()\e(l by all who had known her. The death of the count put an end to further negotiations, and we find that in a very different spirit Russia took possession of the port at Bodega in 1812, coming with one hundred soldiei-s and one hundred northern Indians. They established themselves about thirty miles ft-om the fort. They erected, in 182(1, Fort Ross, and Iiaving held possession of that immediate section of the country for thirty yeai-s, finally sold to (.'apt. J. A. Sutter what could not Ite easily transported, and because of request to do so by the United States, left California in 1842, as unceremoniously as tliey had come. Fi-om this point they shipi)ed supplies to their fur station in Russian America (now Alaska.; They raised grain, stock, and trapped exten.sively in the adjacent waters, having, in 1841, as many as eight liundred Russians in the country, ;is well ii-s nuinerous natives in their employ. 3 In 18:22, Mexico declared hei- independence of Spain, and ('alifornia imitated her example on the nintli day of April of the same year. We have but to append tlie names of the difterent Governors that had been appointed to the California province during the tifty-five years it had been subject to that empire, and drop the mother country from our histoi-y : — From To (Jaspar de Portala 1769 1771 Felipe Barri 1771 1774 Felipe de Neve 1774 1 782 Pedro Pages 1782 1790 Jose Antonio Ronieri 1 790 1 792 Jos6 Joaquin de Arrillaga '. 1792 1 794 Diego deBorcica 1794 1800 Jose Joaquin de Arrillaga 1800 1814 Jose Argiiello 1814 1815 Pablo Viaicente de Sola 1815 1822 CHi^PTER VI. Fourteen of the Twenty-four Years that California was a Mexican Territory. California's First li evolution —The Indians, in Attempting to Imitate their Superiors. Burn tlieir Chief— California' .Second Revolution and what she Became— A Proposition to Change her Name— Colonization Law Indicates a Change of Policy — Colonization and Secularization Ordered Four years Later— Pious Fund— Furs as a Source of Revenue — Foreigners Settling in the Country — The Government is Suspicious of them — Jedediah S. Smith's Forlorn Hope— Serious Troubles Begin— The First Insurrection in California— Secularization Attempted — The Brave Victoria and the Third California Revolution— The First Revolutionary Blood— Tale of Victoria— Anarchy Reigns— Figueroa Takes the Reins of (ioverument — His Difficult Position— His Colony under Hijar— The Second Insurrection Occurs at Los Angeles —Death of Figueroa — Population of California in 183.5. On the ninth day of April, 1822, ten of the principal officials of California, including the governor, and, by proxy, the father president, signed at Monterey a declaration of inde]iendence from Spain, trans- ferring their allegiance to Mexico. The document was a primitive aflair ; the struggle wa-s without the shedding of blood ; and with hardly a ripple upon the political sea, this province was transferred to a new master. When the Indians came to know that the whites had deposed tlieir king, it had a corresponding effect iqion them. They also had a chief that was unpopular among them, and, in imitation of their superioi-s, jiroceeded to remove him from power in a summary way, and in a manner that indicated a lack in those converts of a complete knowledge of the principles of the Christian religion. They called a general meeting, and, after a day of festivity, closed the carnival by making a bonfire of their chief. The priests gave them a severe verbal reprimand for the barbarous act, when it came to their knowledge, and the Indians' rejily was :— " Have you not done the same in Mexico ! You say your king was not good, and you killed him. Well, our captain wji-s not good, and we burned him ; if the new one should lie bad, we will bui-n him too." In 1824, Mexico became a republic, similar in form to that of the United States. California, without change of pulse, simply accejjted the situation ; but not having sufficient pojiulation for a state, 38 she became a territory under tlie new regime. As a territory, slie was entitled to have a dele^jate in congress, wlio could sjieak but not vote ; to have a governor whose title was to be " Political Chief of the Territory," and to have a legislature, to be called the " Territorial Deputation." Tliat deputation, July 13, 1827, entertained the proposition of changing the name of California to "• Moctesuma," but it failed. In August of the first year of the rejniblic, Mexico passed a colonization law, in nianv res]x>cts so liberal that it clearly demonstrated a change in the j)olicy heretofore practiced, of considering California only in the light of a monastic province. Four years later, congress adopted rules for the enforcement of the colonization laws, and ordered tlie secularization of the mLssious. This wii.s an unequivocal step, that indicated an intention to have the civil outgrow the church ]iower in the territory. The year pre\-ious, in 1827, the government had seized seventy-eight thousand doilai-s of the pious fund, and from that time forward what remained of it became a strong motive power in the final straggle between church and state. In the meantime, the governor of California had learned that in the watei-s of the interior there existed a wealth of furs, that was important as a source of revenue. These fure were valued abroad — the Russian occupation had taught them that — and they sold licenses to trap. In time the trapjjers became better informed in regard to the country than were the Spaniards ; and gi-adually its value became wider known, and a trapper here, a sailor there, settled along the coast, until finally a formidable foreign element had fastened itself in the country. Yet this foreign element was viewed with mistrust, both by the civil (iovernment and the church. An instance of this kind was strongly exhibited in 1S27, by the act of Father Duran, who was in charge of the San Jose mission. A company of American trappers, commanded by the first American that ever passed into California from over the mountains, wius encamjied near that mission, when the father sent an Indian to ascertain why they were there. The following letter, taken back by the priest's envoy, speaks for itself: — Reverend Father : — I understand, through the medium of one of your Christian Indians, that you are anxious to know who we are, as some of the Indians have been at the mission and informed you that there were certain white people in the country. We are Americans on our journey to the River Columbia ; we were in at the Mission San Gabriel in January last. I went to Sau Diego and saw the Genei-al, and got a jjassport from him to pass on to that j)lace. I have made several efforts to cross the mountains, but the snows being so deep, I could not succeed in getting over. I returned to this place (it being the only ])oint to kill meat), to wait a few weeks until the snow melts, so that I can go on ; tlie Indians here also l>('ing friendly, I consider it the most safe point for me to remain, until such time a.s I can cro.ss the mountains with my horees, having lost a great many in attempting to cross ten or fifteen days since. / am a long touysfrom home, awl am aiixious to get tltere as soon, «« the nature of tlte case will admit. Onr situation is quite unpleasant, being destitute of clothing and most of tlie nece^ssaries of life, loild meat being ottr principal subsistence. I am, lieverend Father, your strange but real frii')id and Chrlxllan brother, ■ May 19th, 1827. J. S. Smith. For further information in regard to Mr. Smith and his ovei-land trip, the reader is referred to the account of the ti-apper occu])ation of California in another cha))ter. Serious trouble l)egan in California in 1830, when, one night, a hundred arnu'd inon mider Soliz suqirised the territorial capital, Monterey, and captured it without any one being hurt, gsxining a blootl- less victory. In a few weeks, his party wa-s defeated by that of the governor, and the only thing worthy of further note regarding this insurrection was the clause in the Soliz manifesto, declaring his intention .•5!) to not interfere, with foreiynerx in the coiintr;/. This showed tliat the foreign element liail l)ecome sufficiently strong on the coast at that time to make it policy not to incur its ill-will. Escheandia, the governor who had defeated 8oliz, was a man of poor liealth and narrow \aews. He attempted to enforce the mission law of 1813, but was removed from office by the arrival of anew governor, the fiery Manuel Victoria, who j)ut a stoj) to Escheandia's schemes of secularization. Victoria introduced liis ])lan of governing to the Californians by ordering a couple of convicted cattle- thieves shot on the plaza. This stopped cattle-stealing, but the shooting, not being authorized by law, furnished his enemies wdth an excuse for setting on foot another little i-ebellion, led by Portala, the friend whom he had trusted most. The hostile forces met, northerly from and near Los Angeles. Portals was at the head of two hundred vagaljonds, Victoria being followed by about thirty soldiers and friends. The governor called upon the rebel leadei' to sui'render, and thus learned, for the first time, that the friend In; had trusted was befoi-e him in arms. A freiizy of "sacred fuiy" seemed to seize the heroic Victoria, at tliis exhibition of base treachery, and drawing his saber he hurled himself upon the enemy like an avenging Nemesis, driving them, almost single-handed, from the iield. The first revolutionary blood was shed in California that day. The governor moved on victorious to the mission of San (iabriel, where he was forced to halt, because of the numerous wounds he had received. At his side had fallen in the recent conflict one of his bravest supporters, the giandfivther of our late governor Pacheco; and, no longer being able to flash that death-dealing saber in the face of his foes, with his staunchest defender slain as brave men die, he was left with no alternative but to give his word to resign as governor, and leave forever the territory, when called on to do so liy the jackals that had rallied from the recent defeat, when they learned that the lion was no longer able to defend himself. He kept his word, as the truly brave always do, though urged not to do so ; and returning to Mexico, entered a cloister, devoting the remaining years of his life to religious pursuits. When Victoria left, anarchy came, and California was given \ip to misrule, confusion, robbery and murder. The mission Indian was informed that he was free, and what was freedom \vithout it included a right to do wrong, a right to steal, and a right to rob ? It was a happy day for the distracted land that saw Jose Figueroa pick up the reins of government in January, 1833. In August of that year, the Mexican congress passed the colonization and secularization laws, and the dismemberment of the missions commenced. It was when the dissolution was taking place of the old church plan of government, with ignorance and bigotry to contend with, accumulated at the last as a result of her misguided policy, that Figueroa was placed between it and the \'igorous young gi-owth of the new policy, that looked moi* to the prosperity of a race superior to the Indian. He was expected to deal justly, as between these two contending elements, and to render justice to either was to gain the ill-will of the other. To add to his perplexities, a colony of about three hundred pei-sons wa-s sent by the home government with a governor at their head, to take charge of affi\ii-s in California. The membei-s of the colony were to receive fifty cents per day, until they arrived in the ten-itory. But before they reached it, Santa Anna had over- turned the home government and sent ordei-s overland that put the new colony and its governor under the control of Figvieroa, who sent them all to the mission of San Francisco Solano, north of San Francisco bay. They were discontented, and became a source of great trouble to the governor. A couple of them, assisted by some fifty others, inaugututed a revolt at Los Angeles on the seventh of March, 1835 ; but the afiair ended with the day. Six months later the body of Figueroa lay dead at Monterey. He had been a true fi-iend, an able statesman, a conscientious ruler, and, finally, heai-tsick and discouraged, he lay down to die. Peace to his ashes — he w:us the ablest governoi- Mexico gave to ( 'alifni'nia, thougli her ])eople ga\-e him little peace while living, l)U( loved ami honored him when dead. 40 At thLs tinif, in 1835, according to Fin-lips, the free |io|]iilatioM of ( 'uliforuia iiuiiiImmimI, not including Indians, at Los Angeles ' 1 ,500 San Jose 600 Santa Cruz or Branciforte 150 In other jiarts of the Territory 2,750 Total in 1835 5,000 " " 1802 1,300 Increase in 33 years 3,700 Mission Indians in 1835 18,683 " 1802 15,562 Increase in 33 years 3,121 CHAPTER Vn. The Last Ten Years That California was a Mexican Territory. Wars from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 1836— Alvarado, Assisted by the Graham Rifles, Overturns the Territorial (Jovernment — Conditional Declaration of Independence, November 7, 1836 — The Graham Kifles Persuade the Southern t'alifornians that Liberty is Desirable — Carlos Carillo Levies War and is Captured — Castro Describes the Action — Two Days' Battle and One Man Killed — Foreignei-s viewed with Suspicion — Alvarado Appointed Governor by Mexico, and California Loses her Conditional Independence — Foreigners Imprisoned and Sent to San Bias in Irons — Mexican Authorities Set the Prisoners Free and Imprison the Guard — Graham Returns to California to Confront those who had Arrested him — French and Americans Enter Monterey Harbor to Demand an Apology, but find no one to make the Demand from — General Micheltorena Arrives, to Relieve both Alvarado and Vallejo — His Vagabond Soldiers — Startling News Interrupts his Triumphal March — Commodore Jones Caj)tures Monterey — Alvarado Starts a Revolution by the Seizure of San Jose — Micheltorena Starts in Pursuit of the Rebels, Headed by Castro, and Captain C. M. Weber Brings him to a Halt— Castro Returns and Forces Micheltorena to Surrender — Why Captain Weber Interfered — Micheltorena Asks Sutter for Help and he Immediately Responds — Weber's Susceptibility to the Charms of the Fair Causes him to visit Sutter's Fort, where he is Sus])ected of being a Spy, and Put in Irons— Sutter's Expedition — What it Consisted of— It Moves South — The Embryo Stockton Depopulated — Fate of Poor Lindsay— Dr. Marsh — His Views of what the Policy of the Foreigners should be- Sutter First Learns from Forbes that the Same Class of Men are Helping Castro, that he is taking with him to Aid Micheltorena — Sutter Receivetl with Military Honors —Castro Captures the Advance Guard of the tJovernor — The Battle of San Fernando — Foreigners Fraternize— Sutter Withdraws from the Field and Micheltorena Sur- renders — Articles of Capitulation — Micheltorena S.ails for Mexico —Sutter Returns to his Fort in the North — Pio Pico Appointed as the Last of the Mexican Governors of California — List of Mexican Governors of California. The year 1836 was charged with events that were important in tlieir final results, in molding the destiny of California. In tlie United States, Arkansas was admitted into the Union a.s an fi|ual, and Wisconsin was organized as a territory. The Creeks in Georgia, and the Seminoles, under Osceola, in Florida, wei-e waging a fierce war against the whites ; while on tlie bonier between the United States and Mexico, the Texans had lioisted the Lone Star flag, and forced a recognition of theii- independence from Mexico. Contention seemed to impregnate the air in Nortli America, and California did not e.scape. 41 Tlie govermnont was ovcrtiirntxl honi that yeUr by Juan 15. Alvarado, a native (Jalifornian, who for several years had been clerk of the territorial deputation. The dispute grew out of a point of military etiquette between him and the governor, as to the posting of a gnard, and waxed so fieice that Alvariulo was forced to flee from the capital to avoid arrest. He sought the home of a Tennessee trapper in the Santa Cruz mountains, named Isaac Graham. He entered the log caljin a fugitive ; he passed out of it a conspirator. A few days later, at the head of fifty foreigners, led by that traj)per, and one hundred native Californians unrler Jose Castro, he entered Monterey at night, and forced a greatly superior force to surrender. The governor, his officers and soldiers, were sent out of the country, and the foui-th revolution in California had been accomplished; this time, the foreign element, led by an American, being used as the motive power, with success as a result. On the seventh of November, a few days after the successful termination of the revolt, the territorial deputation met at Monterey and j)assed six resolutions, of which we give three: — 1st. — Upper California is declared to be independent of Mexico during the non-rc-establishment of the federal system which was adopted in the year 1824. 2d. — The said California shall be erected into a free and governing state, establishing a congress, which shall dictate all the particular laws of the country and elect the other supreme powers necessary, declaring the actual " Most Excellent Deputation " constituent. 3d. — The religion shall be the Roman Catholic Apostolic, without admitting the exercise of any other ; but the Government will not molest any person for their particular religious opinions. * * * Santa Anna had nullified, that year, the constitution of 1824; and they wanted it back again, and proposed to l)e a free people until their wishes were complied with ; but they failed to get what they desired. The home government fulminated some fierce proclamations, and then subsided. Alvarado was placed at the head of the new government, and Mariano G. Vallejo was made general of the army. The northern part of the state readily accepted the new government, but south they viewed it with i-eserve, and General Castro was consequently sent there with Graham and his fifty riflemen, when, as Tuthill aptly says; "All that portion of the country was readily persuaded that independence was desirable." The uncle of Alvarado, Carlos Carrillo, was sent a commission as governor, by the home government, and he immediately levied war upon his nephew, but was, with the assistance of the Graham Rifles, as promptly captured as he had been prompt to commence hostilities. In the report by General Castro to Governor Alvarado, made March 28, 1838, he thus mentions the battle that resulted in Carrillo's capture : — "I have the honor to announce to your excellency that after two days' continued fighting without having lost but one man, the enemy took flight, under cover of night, numbering one hundred and ten men ; and I have determined to dispatch one company of mounted infantry, under command of Captain Villa, and another of cavalry lancere, under command of Captain Cota, in their pursuit, remaining myself with the rest of the division and the artillery, to guard this point. * * *" A two days' conflict, with constant tiring, covers the battlefield with one dead enemy! "There were giants in the earth in those days." Alvarado had begun to look with suspicion upon his allies, the foreigners, who had transformed him from a clerk to a governor. Time sufficient had elapsed to learn the result of foreign influence in Texas. It had overshadowed the descendants of the Spanish race there, and the Americans had become their rulers. To aggi-avato matters, Graham and some of his men, not being famed for their modesty, openly declared that, but for them, Alvarado would not have succeeded in the first instance, and that his contmuance in office wius due to the same cause. Cert^iinly, Alvarado was justified in being alarmed at the outlook, and especially so because of the ever-present obtrusive reminder by the Graham Rifles of then- importance to him as a political or military power in the territory. To maintain independence 3 42 from Mexico necessitated a dependence upon those foreigners, and to be dependent upon them was to foster an element that would eventually become their mastei-s. Circumstances seemed to force a choice as between Mexican and foreign dependence, and the instincts as well as sympathies of race drew the Californians back, to harmonize with that from which they had declared themselves conditionally fi-ee. In pui-suance of this policy, Alvarado, immediately after the suppression of the armed attempt by his uncle to reinstate Mexican rule in California, opened conciliatory negotiations, that resulted in his being appointed provincial governor in 1 838. In return for this he acknowledged the authority that he had formerly rebelled against, and was then, in 1839, apj)ointed governor. The necessity for the Graham Rifles was passing away. California was divided into two districts, the line of division running east from San LuLs Obispo. Castro was made prefect in the north, and Pena in the south — Governor Alvarado having his headquai-ters, as before, at Monterey. Graham and his followers had finally become so obnoxious to the authorities that it was determined to seize and .send them out of the country. This captain of the formidable Rifles unwittingly furnished them with the necessary excuse. Having a fast hoi-se, he challenged CaUforuia to produce a faster one, and a Yankee accepted the challenge. To make all secure, writings were di-awn, setting forth the con- ditions of the horse-race. A government spy chanced to see the document, and as it was written in English it was unintelligible to him. This was sufiicient; what he lacked in knowledge was made up in imagination, and Alvarado was promptly informed of a deep-laid conspu-acy to overthrow the government. Immediately Greneral Castro was ordered to seize Graham and all his coadjutors, the order being executed on the night of Aj)ril 7, 1840. Simultaneously through California that night the foreigners — except Sutter, his men, those comiected with the Hudson Bay Company, and the Russians in Sonoma — were ai'rested and taken, about one hundred of them, to Monterej-. Some twenty of the mo.st dangerous were put in irons and shipped to San Bias, on the Mexican barque Guifaoscana. From there they were conducted overland on foot to Tepic, by General Castro, where he and the guai-d wei-e placed under aiTest and the prisoners set free. This cool reception of Castro by the Mexican authorities was due to the influence of the American and British consuls, who entered their protest against the treatment their countrymen had received at the hands of the Californians. Graham and his men were quartered at the best hotel, clothed, armed, equipped, and in July, 1841, were sent, at government expense, back to con- front the astonished Alvarado and amazed inhabitants of CaUfomia, who had celebrated the day of their banishment by a public mass and general thanksgiving. After this, Graham and all over whom he had influence could be counted on as certain to oppose whatever Alvarado, Castro or Vallejo favored. In the meantime mattei-s had moved with unusual quiet in the country, except the ripple caused by two war vessels, one French and the other American, that had sailed one day into the harbor at Monterey, soon after the seizure of the foreigners, to demand an apology for that act; but finding no one to whom to address the demand, they had sailed away again, and no apology was made. The governor, learning of the intention of the commandei-s of those vessels, had immediately set out to quell an imaginary insurrection in the interior, and thus avoided the disagi-eeable consequences of his acts. A niLsunderstanding hail arisen, during this tenii of quietude, between Vallejo and the governor, each being anxious to get rid of the other, and both had wi-itteu to the home government asking for the other's removal. Both of these requests were complied with. General Micheltorena was appointed to fill the offices of general and governor, suid arriving at San Diego in August, 1842, immediately assumed control, backed by a formidable numl)er (four hundred) of veteran convicts that had come with him as soldiers, to become the stiinding army of California. Mexico had sent them from her prisoiLs to insure the maintainancc of her authority in the tenitory. 43 He was received like a prince, because he was sustained by an army, and was making a kind of triumphal tour of the state. About tliirty miles out from Los Angeles, when on liis way to San Diego, his progi-ess was an-ested by the receipt of news to the effect that Commodore T. A. C. Jones had, on the nineteenth of October, seized Monterey, the capital, and hoisted the American flag, declaring that Upper California was the property of the United States. The news was received by him about 11 p. m., on the twenty-fourth of October, and the next day he issued from the mission of San Fernando that extraoi-diiiary proclamation to the Californians which reads : — " Drive all your horses and cattle from the sea-board to the mountains, and starve out the enemy." Some one, probably Josh Billings, has said that an absence of body is better than presence of mind, in case of danger; and although Micheltorena had not consulted with Billings, he was evidently of the same o])inion. The day succeeding the capture, Jones became satisfied that he had made a mistake in supposing that the United States had declared war against Mexico, and consequently took down the American flag, apologized, fired a salute as the Mexican colors were run up in its place, and sailed on the twenty-fir.st for Mazatlan, from whence he forwarded dispatches to his government, laying before it the details of the transaction. On the seventeenth of Januai-y, 184.3, he sailed into the port of San Pedro, landed, and, accom- panied by his stafi", visited Los Angeles, where Micheltorena gave a ball in honor of the visit. This visit was made by Jones that he might, as far as possible, eradicate the injurious effects of his premature seizure of Monterey. He looked over the bill of damages presented by the California government, among which were an item of $3,000 for damages to the Mexican troops, because of their rapid march to the interior, on receipt of the news of his seizure of Monterey. The appointment of Micheltorena had reduced the rank and importance of all three of the native California oflicials, Alvarado, Vallejo and Castro ; and it resulted in bringing those parties together again, causing them to unite in an effort to expel the governor that Mexico had sent them, with the vagabond soldiery he had brought into the country with him. Ho.stilities were inaugurated ia November, 1844, by the capture of the mission of San Juan by Vallejo and Castro, where the surplus ammunition had been stored by the governor. After the capture of the magazine stores, the insurrectionary forces fell back up the country, taking San Jose in their march, passed up the east side of San Francisco bay, towards the present site of Oakland. The retreating force was under the command of General Jos6 Castro, and was a couiile of days' mai-ch in advance of Micheltorena, -with whom he was afraid to risk a battle. Up to this time the foreigners had not operili/ appeared in the contest, although W. (i. Ray, who, with J. A. Forbes, was in charge of the Hudson Bay Comjiany's business in California, had become heavily involved, in secretely aiding the forces under Castro to arm themselves. But about twelve miles north of San Jos6 there suddenly appeared in front of Micheltorena's advancing columns a little band of brave men, the irrepressible foreigner, that caused them to halt in their march. The circumstances that led to this obstruction of the governor's line of progiess, and the results that were caused by it, were related to us by Capt. C. M. Weber, who commanded that little comi)any of brave men, who, with arms, demanded that the advancing ai-my pass around and not through San Jos6. Those circumst^mces were embodied in the history of San Joaquin county, written by us in 1878, and from that work we copy the following:— " The captain (Weber) was in business at the pueblo of San Jos6 when the war broke out, and was acquainted with, and pei-sonally friendly with Micheltorena and Castro. He had a very large stock of 44 goods in tlie ])lace, and was anxious on account of it. He knew that the sokliei-s under Miclieltoi-ena were mostly convicts, turned loose from the i)risons in Mexico, and were dependent upon the meagie revenue derived fi-om forced loans and plunder for their pay. His goods would be a rich prize, and if they once entered San Jos6 they would be sure to help themselves to what he liad ; consequently all his interests wei-e oj)posed to the occii[iation of the town by such a body of men. As Micheltoi-ena advanced, Jose Castro became alaraied, and, leaving the village to its fate, i-etreated uj) the valley towards Oakland with his forces ; thereupon Captain Weber addressed a conmiunication to the commander of the advancing forces, stating that Castro had left there, and asking him if he would not pass to one side of the pueblo, and not enter it with his troops. Micheltorena replied that he found it necessary to jiass through San Jos6 in pui'suit of Castro. In the meantine, the captain received prompt information to the effect that the governor had lost control of his soldiei-s, who insisted on entering the village for plunder, whereupon he caused the tocsin of war to be sounded through the streets. The people assembled and the captain presented the position of affair.s, and told them that he believed with a force composed of citizens and foreignei-s in the place the advancing aimy could be chocked, and forced to take a different route in their line of march after Castro. A company was immediately formed, i>laced under his command, and moved out to meet the enemy — a handful against a host. He sent a courier in advance to Micheltorena, advising him of what he was doing, and that it was done, not in a sjiirit of ojjposition to him i)ersonally or the aiuse he represented, but with a determination to protect their homes from plunder. The foi-ces met some twelve miles out from the village, and for several days the entii'e anny, numbering several hundred, wiis held in check by this little band of daring men under Captain Weber. Castro, hearing of the fact, became ashamed of himself, turned back from his retreat, joined the captain with his forces, took command of the army, and forced Micheltorena to surrender, and, finally, to agree to leave California and return to Mexico. Micheltorena immediately withdrew with his forces to Monterey, as Castro supposed, to embark for Mexico, according to the aimistice. This was not, however, a part of the governor's plan. He had sent jiost to Sutter, at the fort on the northern frontier, offering him, as an inducement to come with a force to his assistance, to confirm all the grants of land that Sutter, as a justice, had reconuuended. Immediately the captain set on foot active operations to raise a battalion to march to the governoi-'s relief, not knowing at the time that many of the foreign population were in active co-operation with Castro and the native Califomians. Capt. C. M. Weber, supposing that the war had ended, made a visit to Yerba Buena (now San Fi-ancisco), and while there learned that some families haected state of things existing on the frontier. Everylmdy was in active prepara- tion for a renewal of hostilities; and instead of Ijeing received as a friend, he found himself \iewed with mistrust that culminated in his being placed under an-est. A council of war was called, and supjx)sing that he had come among them as a .si)y in the interest of Castro, they signed the following document as the result of their deliberations: — We the subscribei-s, chosen as a council of war, have unanimously resolved the following: 1st. That Mr. Wel)er be put in irons, and detained in the fort (New Helvetia) xuitil such time as we may i-eceive oixlei's from his excellency the governor (Micheltorena) as regai-ds liis disposal. 4r) 2nd. Thit Mr. Pear.son B. Reailins; 1)9 roqiio.stel to kee]) Mr. Wehor in a convenient room, and afford him such uece.ssiiries as circum.stances may admit of and hi.s safe detention may require. J. A. Sutter, John Townsend, Wm. Dicke, Isaac Graham, Edward McIntosh, Jasper O'Farrell, S. J. Hensley. J. BiDWELL, Secretary. For thirty-three years this document, in which thi; founder of Sacramento orders the founder of Stockton put in irons, has been kejit by tlie hitter, almost forgotten, among his choice pajters, and was, with others, kindly photographed for us in 187?^, by his orders. The personal feeling existing at that time between these two men was friendly ; but Sutter, as well as the others, feared to risk tlie jwssible result of turning loose so formidable an opponent as Mr. Weber had proved that he could be, if he felt so disposed. Lieut. David T. Bird, who later was for many years a resident of Yolo County, accompanied Captain Sutter on the expadition, and remiined with him until his return to the fort. To the lieutenant, also to J. Alexander Forbss, who was a strong supporter of Castro and a friend of the captain, we are indebted for many of the facts incident to the campaign that resulted in the surrender of Micheltorena at San Fernando. It was in January, 184.5, that the force, under command of Capt. John A. Sutter, took up its line of march to join the Mexican governor at Monterey. The command consisted of about one hundred and fifty Indians, arms! with muskets, under the leadership of Raphero, a Mokelko chief, and some sixty frontiersman, armed with hunting rifles, commanded by Captain Gant. There were no lieutenants or sub-officsi-s, Sutter and Gant being the only ones having any authority among the whites. There was one brass field-piece, mounted on trucks, taken along that was not brought back. There were but three pei-sons from the west side of the Sacramento river — Wm. Knight, D. T. Bird and Granville Swift — who accompanied the expedition. As the little army moved south, it camped at the place where Stockton now stands, one night, and Thomas Lindsay, the only inhabitant of that place, joined them, and Stoskton was left depopulated. At that time Lindsay's tule house and the cabin of a man named Sheldin, on the Cosumnes river above the Spanish trail, were the only habitations between Sutter's fort and the residence of Dr. Mai-sh, at the base of Mount Diablo. Poor Lindsay ! he returned a few weeks later from San Fernando, and was mui-dered at Stockton by the Polo Indians, within a few days after his ari-ival. The expedition camped one night at the ranch of Dr. Marsli, whose sympathies were with Castro, and who bslieved that the pr.3sp3rity of California demiudel tlii? expulsion of Michel torena ; yet he considered the true policy of foreigners to be that of nulsiou of Micheltorena. The tenitorial tlcputiition declai-ed Pio Pico governor, and when he ceased to hold that ])osition Califoniia had become a part of the United StiVtes. The following are the names of the governoi-s of California fi-om the time she ceased being a province of Spain until site became a territory of the United States, a jiei-iod of twenty-six years : — 49 Mexican Governors of California. From To Pablo Vicente de Sola 1822 1823 Luis Arguello 1823 1825 Jos6 Maria Echeanilia 1825 1831 Manuel Victoria 1831 1832 Pio Pico 1832 1833 Jos6 Figueroa 1833 1835 Jose Castro 1835 1836 Nicholas Gutierrez 1836 Mai-iano Chico 1 836 Nicholas Gutierrez 1836 Juan B. Alvarado 1836 1842 Manuel Micheltorena 1842 1845 Pio Pico 1845 1846 CHAPTEE VIII. The Bear-Flag War, and What Led to it. Population in 1S41 —Immigrants of that Year — Unpleasantness with a Grizzly Bear — After 1841, Immigration Increases ^Thomas 0. Larkin's Estimate of the Population in 1846 — What Captain Weber Says of the Intention of For- eigners in California in 1841 — A Lone Star State to be Carved out of California under Certain Circumstances — Where the Division Line was to be Drawn — Serious Departure from the General Policy — Attempt to Organize to Prevent its Recurrence — An Apparently Harmless Document, behind which Lurked Treason — ^^^ly it Failed to AccompUsh the Result — Weber Appointed by Castro to Command the North Frontier — J. Alex. Forbes Appointed British Vice-Consul — Dispatches for Fremont and the United States Consul — Fremont Enters California — He Visits Monterey, and Asks General Castro for Permission to Recruit in the San Joaquin Valley — The Request (Jranted — A Singular Move on the part of Fremont — He Makes toward Monterey — Is Accused of having Stolen Horses — Is Ordered to Leave the Territory — He Fortifies himself and Defies the Authorities of California — What Followed — Important OtScial Documents — Fremont Abandons Camp and Retreats to the Nortli — He helps Mas- saci'e some Indians, and then Passes over the Line into Oregon — Lieutenant (iillespie Overtakes him, with Secret Dispatches — The Niglit Tragedy at Klamath L;ike — The l)iegon Road Party Finds Fremont's Camjj — Fremont Returns to California, and the Bear-Flag War is Inaugurated on the 10th of June, 1846, on the Banks of the Cosumnes River — Sonoma Taken and the Bear Flag Hoisted on the 14th of Juno — The Organization — The Prison- ers Sent to Sutter's Fort— Young Fowler and Cowie Sent to I'rocure Powder, aild Never Return — Their Tr.-»gic Fate^Lleutenant Ford Defeats de la Torre — Fremont Joins the Revolutionists — He Orders Three Persons Shot, in Retaliation — Torre Leaves the Upper Country with his Forces — Castro's Movements — Fremont Becomes the Head of the Revolution — End of the Bear-Flag War. In 1841, M. De Mofnvs estimated the population of California, not inchiding the mis.sion or wild Indians, as 5,000, and gives their nationality as 50 Americans 360 English, Scotch and Irish 300 Otlier foreigners 90 European Spaniards 80 Mexicans 170 Half-breeds, about 4,000 Total population, other than Indians 5,000 De Mofi-as' object in writing of, and giving statistics in regard to, the Pacific coast, was to show the French how tliey could acquire California as a j)rovuice ; and he distributes tliat 5,000 population over the country as follows : — San Diego, Presidio of 1,300 Monterey, Presidio of 1,000 Santa Barbara, Presidio of 800 San Francisco, Presidio of 800 Scattered through the Territory 1,100 Total 5,000 He says, in his report to the French government, that there were, in 1841, large numbers of immi- grants coming from the United States over the plains to the Pacific coast. Most of them were on tlieir way to localities further north, but there were two comj)anies that reached this State ; one of them by the Santa Fe route, under charge of WUliam Workman, an-ived at Los Angeles about November. Among that company were : — William Workman, died in 1876 Los Angeles. John Roland " Benito D. Wilson " Albert Ci. Toomes Tehama Co. WUliam Knight, died in 1849 Yolo Co. William Gordan, died October 3, 1876 Thomas Lindsay, killed in March, 1845, by Indians, at Stockton ; William Moore, Wade Hampton, Dr. Gamble, Isaac Givens, Hiram Taylor, Colonel McClure, Charles Givens, Frederick Bachelor, Dr. Meade, Mr. Teabo, and Mr. Pickman. The other of the two companies, under charge of J. B. Baitelson, came by the way of Humboldt river into the San Joaquin valley, and anived at Dr. Marsh's residence November 4, when they dis- banded. The foUowiug are tlie names of all of that company : — Names. Re.niarks. Captain J. B. Bai-telson Captain of the party ; returned to Missouri ; is now dead. John Bidwell Lives at Chico. Josepli B. Chiles Still alive. Josiah Belden Lives at San Jose and San Francisco. Charles M. Weber Stockton ; died in 1881. Clia.s. Hopper Lives in Naj>:i county. Henry Hiiber Lives in San Francisco. Mitchell Nye Had a ranch at Marysville ; prolialily now alive. Green McMahon Lives in Solano county. Nelson McMahon Died in New York. Talbot H. Greene Returned East. Ambrose Walton Returned East. John McDonel Returned East. George Henshaw Returned East. Robert Ryckman Returned East. Wm. Betty or Belty Returned East, via Santa Fe. Charles Flugge Returned East. Gwin Patton Returned East ; died in Missouri. Benjamin Kelsey Was, within a few years, in Santa Barbara county, or at Clear lake, Lake county. Andrew Kelsey Killed by Indians at Clear lake. James John or Littlejohn Went to Oregon. Henry Brolasky Went to Callao. James Dowson Drowned in Columbia river. Major Walton Drowned in Sacramento river. George Shortwell Accidentally shot on the way out. John Swartz Died in California. Grove Cook Died in California. D. W. Chandler Went to Sandwich Islands. Nicholas Dawson Dead. Thomas Jones Dead. Robert H. Thomas Died in Tehama county, March 26, 1878. Elias Barnet In Polk valley, Napa county. James P. Springer John Rowland Among the list of those arriving in 1841 are the names of several who became prominent in Cali- fornia history. One of these, Green McMahon, in May, 1846, had an encounter with a gi'izzly bear. McMahon was not anned, but he is inclined to think the bear was, and says he is not satisfied j'et that it was not the beginning of the Bear-Flag war, that culminated in the Americans taking Sonoma, about four weeks later. Before the wounds that he had received in the fight were healed, he joined tlie Bear- Flag party, and eventually marched with Fremont to the south. It was of such material the little army was composed that made California a part of the United American States. After 1841, immigi-ation materially increa.sed, not only from the United States, but from other countries. Although it had taken seventy-two years for one thousand persons to come from abroad and settle hei-e, yet in 1846, only five years later, Thoma.s O. Larkiu, the American consul, estimateil the foreign population to be eight thousand, divided as follows : — Americans 2,000 Other foreigners, favorable to the United States 3,000 " foreigners, neutral or opposed to the United States 3,000 52 Captain C. M. Weber, wlio was a member of one of those companies of 18-tl, informed us, in 1879, that upon his anival in California he learned of two things that caused him to remain here. The first was, that the Graham Rifles, having assisted Governor Alvai-ado in a state quaiTel, that had resulted in the seizure by the governor of the foreigners in 1 840, had taught them not to interfere in matters of state when lacking the power to control. It had, in consequence, come to be generally understood that they were to let state or national differences among the natives alone, that they were to adopt the policy of non-intervention iu revolutions or ilisturbances between the Californians and theu- government, and that Kucli was to continue to be their policy until the time should come wlien numbers would make their wLslies in-esistible. The second included their hopes for tlie future, that caused such an increase of immigration in the five yeai-s succeeding 18-11. The first was a j)olicy to be pursued, as time sj>ed on its way, while prepai-ation was being made for a great event. The second was to be that event, and the event to be achieved was the wresting of California, or a part of it, fi-om Mexico, and erecting therein an independent "lone star state," to eventually become an additional gem in the crown of Coluuibia. We would not like to have the reader misunderstand the situation at that time, or tlie attitude assumed by Americans or those from other countries. They did not come liere as fillibustei-s or conspii-atoi-s ; but being not of these who are the privileged class in England, in France, in Russia, or the nations of the old world, they consequently all, as well as the Americans, felt an instinctive leaning towards a gorei-n- ment that recognized civil equality, and had within itself sufficient strength and firmness V) insure pro- tection and an absence of public commotion. They saw no way to achieve such a result, e.xcept by a separation from Mexico, the country of endless change, and then imitating or joining the United States, a nation possessed of both liberty and stability. Their predilections were necessarily in favor of such separation from Mexico, in favor of such imitation of the land where liberty dwelt, and in favor eventu- ally, if permitted, of becoming a part thereof. Having such feelings, they were talked among themselves, and thus it came to be understood generally that at some time they would unite in producing that result, in harmony and with co-operation of the native Californians, if possible, without their assistance, and in hostility to them, if necessivry. The jilan of operations was indefinite, and, as far as perfected, was known but to a few — to Sutter, to Dr. Marsh, to Captain Weber, to Graham, and svich as those — and by them considered as a matter for the future, to be laid away until events and increased population should warrant its being brought to the front. In the meantime they were to avoid ci-eating a party in the country hostile to themselves, by their non-interference in state matters, and increase the foreign popu- lation by inducing immigi-atiou from other countries. One part of the general plan was to seize the northern portion of the territory, in case the whole of Alta California, because ot unfriendliness of the natives, could not be .segregjited from Mexico. The division line, north of which was to l)ecoine a " lone star .state," was to be the San Joaquin river, the San Prancisco, San J'ulilo and Siiis\iii bay.s. The re;i.son for selecting this as the line of division was because it gave a water boundary, and, on the east side of the Sacramento, an Indian line of frontier defense, in the jwrson of Jose Jesus, the chief whose tribe lived on the up-coimtry side of the San Joa- quin river. This latter was an import;int consideration, as he was a chief who had gained, in his foi-ays and combats with the native Californian and Spaniard, a name that carried terror alike to the hearts of both. A knowledge of these fiicts was the principal inducement that caused Captain Weber to locate his gi-ant north of the San Joiujum, that, should it become eventually neces.sary for a separation upon this line, his land would lie within the lioundaries of the new state. A serious departure from the j>olicy that hay the hitter in 1S79, in whose pos- session the original had been preserved through all those years. The following, except the heading, is the document, with the Captain's certificate iis to its true meaning attached : — An Apparently Harmless Document, Behind which Lurked Conspiracy and Treason. The undersigned, in common with all other foreigners with whom they have been able to communi- cate pei-sonally, being very desu-ous to promote the union, harmony and best interests of all the foreigners resident in California, have thought that tiiis desirable object can be best attained by the meeting of some individuals from each of the ditt'erent districts of the northern part of the country. We therefore hereby invite the persons of foreign birth, whether naturalized or not, to send two or more of their num- ber to represent them in a meeting, to be held in the Pueblo de S. Jose, on the f mirth day of July next. It is considered to be very desirable that Monterey, Sta. Cruz, Yerba Buena, Sonoma and the districts of the Sacramento should be fully represented. In the meantime, we think it will be obvious to every man of sense or reflection, that the foreigners ought carefully to refrain from taking any part, either in word or deed, in any movement of a political nature that may take place in the country (amongst native Mexicans). Pueblo of St. Joseph, March 27, 1845. Wm. Gulnack, Danell Milnee, Wm. Knight, Peter Daveson, Peter Slegarty, Daniel Fisher, John Burton, George A. Ferguson, John Marsh, Geo. W. Bellamy, James Rock, Charles M. Weber, James W. Weekes, Thomas Jones, George Fraezher, John Daubenbiss, Willard Buzzill, Thomas Cole, Thomas G. Bairn, H. M. Pierce, Guillerme G. Chard. Benj. Welburn, John Haines, Captain C. M. Weber's Certificate. Tills photogi-aph is from an original manuscript in my possession, thiit had, in addition to the ob- jects therein expressed, the purpose of preventing the recurrence of the event that had violently placed the foreign population in arms against Cixch other, in the expulsion of Micheltorena from the country, by perfecting a more systematic organization, the ultimate eflects of which shoulil, when they became sufficiently strong, result in wresting from Mexican rule that portion of California lying north and ea-st of the San Joaquin river, and north and west of tlie bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun, and making it like Texas, an independent state. Charles M. ^V eber. Stockton, Feb. 1, 1879. 54 When the tinie came for the meeting it was found that, for various reasons, the gathering was not as formidable as had been desired. It included but few besides those living in the immediate vicinity of San Jo86, consequently no general plan for combined movement was adopted ; had there been, it would have produced no result different from what afterwards was achieved in the occupation of the country by the American army and navy. But the means would have been different, and history would now contain no account of the "Bear-Flag war," a movement that might be classed as a spontjineous combus- tion caused by a large dose of Americanism tinctured with ap])rehensions, which only attained a local predominence before it was, fortunately for itself, swallowed up and absorbed by the greater force that was, and still is, moving to the march of destiny under the stara and stripes. On the twelfth of April, Jose Castro, because of assistance rendered in defeating Micheltorena near San Jos6, and the consequent arrest by Sutter, at New Helvetia, signed C. M. Weber's appointment as captain, giving him command of the northern frontier. He did not perform the duties that were unex- pectedly a.ssigned to him, but we give the document that the reader may underatand the feeling assumed to be entertained by General Castro towards those of the Americans that had, so recently, been in hostility to him. Translation by J. Alex. Forbes, from an Original in the Possession of Captain C. M.Weber. Office of General Commanding in Upper California. As chief of this office, and duly appreciating the important services you have rendered this depai-t- ment, as also the zeal and good- will you have constantly manifested for the security and progress thereof, I now have the pleasure of inclosing hei-ewith a commission appointing you provisionally captain of auxiliary infantry, as a slight recompense for your sufferings ; and in my report of this appointment to the superior government, I have recommended your merits favorably, and strongly urged the confirma- tion of your commission. The first important matter that invokes the care and attention of this office is the security of the country, for which purpose I shall require the services of persons who will co-oj>erate for carrying into full effect all orders emanating from this office ; and having all confidence in you, I do not hesitate in selecting you as the immediate agent for this object, hereby authorizing you, on your return to the northern frontier, which is now unprotected, to take such measures as you shall deem necessary for the defence thereof. For this object you will require to be informed jiarticularly what number of the foreigners actually residing thei'e were letjally admitted to this department, what are their present views, and whatever else you may deem conducive to the establishment of the security and progi'ess of the country. If any of the foreigners who j)articipated in the movement of 3Ir. Sutter (in favor of General Micheltorena) should desu-e to settle permanently in California, and feel doubtful of the protection of the government, you can freely offer to all those wliom you may find useful and industrious all the guarantees they may desire for establishing themselves in this dej)artinent, and for living securely in the exercise of their respective occupations. You will also infonn them that the friendly feeling of this office towards them is already secured to them by the stipulation of the agreement celebrated on the field of San Fernando ; and you may assure all those referred to in that document, as well !is other foreigners residing on the frontier, that they shall receive all the protection within the scope of my authority. If, after making the above-mentioned scrupulous investigation, you should deem it necessary to enlist a military force to take arms promptly in any urgent ca.se, for efficient defense of the country against foreign aggression, or fi-om internal incui-sions of Indians against the lives and j)roi)erty of the inhabitants of tliis department, I hereby empower you to enlist such force, to be composed of men of 55 your confidence and whom you may believe proper for this service, to wlioni you will state the object of this enlistment and the obligations of each of them for the fulfillment of the duties adherent thereto. You may also appoint, provisionally, the necessary officers for said military force, and on my arrival at the frontier (within a short time) I will ratify the measures you may have taken in this matter, as I believe they will be effected in conformity with our institutions and my wishes. I have only to repeat to you that I confide implicitly in your prompt and efficient action in this important commission, with the requisite prudence and in conformity with the interest you have so often manifested for the good of the country, whose integi-ity, as also the honor of my official position, are therein deeply interested. I have the pleasure of transmitting you this note and to offer you my distinguished respect. God and Liberty. (Signed) Jose Castro. Monterey, April 12,184.5. To Chas. Weber, Esq., Captain of Auxiliary Infantry. January 15, 1843, J. Alex. Forbes was appointed vice-consul for England, and from that time forth the interests of Great Britain became an active element in the affairs of California. In October, 1845, governmental dispatches were written at Washington for the instruction of Thomas O. Larkin, the American consul at Monterey, and one to Fremont, who was then on his way with sixty-two well-armed men, going overland to the Pacific coast, where he arrived, at Sutter's Fort, December 10. In the early part of November, Lieut. A. H. Gillesjiie, by order of the president, became the bearer of those dis- patches, and he committed to memory the one directed to Thomas 0. Larkin, and then destroyed the document before reaching Vera Cruz, for fear its contents would compromise his government if, by any mischance, it should fall into Mexican hands. At that time war had not been declared, yet the diplo- matic horizon was thunder-charged. Fremont had divided his party before reaching California, sending a portion under Lieut. T. Talbot by a route farther south, and they were to rendezvouz near Walker's pass, on the eastern side of the Sierra. On the seventh of January, 184G, Fremont left Sutter's Fort and moved down the San Joaquin Valley in accordance with the original plan. He failed to find Talbot and returned to the fort, and from there he went by water to Yerba Buena, thence to San Jose, where he heard of Talbot and sent Kit Carson to pilot him in. Not waiting for the return of Carson, he again visited Yerba Buena, and then went overland to Monterey, where, on the twenty-seventh of January, he was presented by Mr. Larkin to General Castro, of whom he asked the privilege of remaining in the San Joaquin valley for .sufficient time to recruit his company. The permission was granted, but Castro refused to put it in writing, intimating that the word of a Mexican officer was sufficient. From that point Fremont joined his command at San Jos6, and, instead of going to the San Joaquin valley, moved with his force back towards Monterey. This was a singular act on his part, and is explained by a statement that he found, on his arrival at San Jos(5, that supplies necessaiy for the force could not be purchased there, which necessitated a return to Monterey, where such stores as were desired could be obtained. This is a questionable explanation. Fremont was in San Jose six days before he met Castro, and probably knew whether there were such supplies at that ))lace as he wanted or not; and his askmg permit to move his force to the San Joaquin, and then, without any explanation, going in an opposite direction, marching towards the most important military fort in the territory with an armed body of men known to be recklessly brave, was, considering the strength and feeling of the foreign population, an act that justified General Castro in ordering him out of the territory. When en route for Monterey, Fremont had halted for a time at a ranch owned by Captain Fisher, about ninety miles out, ami while stopping there a Mexican rode into camp and claimed as stolen some 56 of the lioi-sas lielonging to the command. The charge was known to tie false, and tlie pai-ty making the claim was summarily ordered to leave. He immediately instituted legal proceedings before a civil tri- Imnal to test the ownership of the disjiuted projierty, and Dolores Pacheco, the alcalde of San Jose, summoned Fremont to a])[)ear liefore liim at once and answer \o the charge of holding in his pos.session propert)' claimed bj- a citizen of California. The charge was evidently a case gotten up for the emer- gency, the object of it being to stop the Americans from their march to the sea-coast, and failing in this to force them to so act in ho.stility to the law of the country as to warrant the calling out of a military force to expel them from it. The reply to the summons, dated February 21, w;is couched in language chai-acteristic of Fremont, and closed as follows : — You will readily understand that my duties will not permit me to appear befoi-e the magistrates in your towns on the comjjlaint of every straggling vagabond who may chance to visit my camp. You inform me that unless satisfaction be immediately made, by the delivery of the animals in question, the complaint will be forwarded to the governor. I will beg you at the same time to enclose to his excel- lency a copy of this note. I am, veiy respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. Fremont, U. S. Army. To Sr. Don Dolores Pacheco, Alcalde of San Jose. After this unceremonious disposal of the attempt to arrest Ids march by the civil authorities, he continued his route towards Monterey until the fifth of March, when he received the following communi- cation from the hand of an officer, backed by about eighty lancers : — Monterey, March 5, 1846. I have learned, with much dis.satisfaction, that, in contemjit of the laws and authorities of the Mex- ican Republic, you have entered the towns of the district under my charge with an armed force, which the government of your nation must have placed under your command for the purpose of examining its own ten-itoiy ; that this prefecture orders you, immediately on the i-eceipt of this communication, to return with your party beyond the limits of this department, with the underetanding that if you do not comply, this prefecture ^\t11 take the necessary measures to compel you to respect this determination. God and liberty, Manuel Castro. Senor Captain Don J. C. Fremont. Instead of leaving the tenitory as ordered, the next morning found him bidding defiance to the California powei-s frum his fortified camji in the adjacent mountixins on the summit of Pico del Gabelen (Hawk's i)eak), 2,200 feet above the level of the sea, with the Americiin flag fiistened to a limbless tree and floating out upon the morning air, forty feet above the heads of sixty-two as bi-ave defendei-s as ever mai-shaled under its folds. On the sixth. General Jos6 Castro moved out from Monterey with about two hundred men and a six-pounder, to see if Fremont was leaving the temtory, and finding him entrenched, Castro occupied his time until the tenth in making demonstrations against the Americans, falling short alwaj's of resvching a point within rifle-range of their entrenchments. Before startmg Ciustro had written the following letter to the war minister of Mexico : — In my communication of the 5th instant I announced to you the arrival of a captain at the head of fifty men, who came, as he said, by order of the government of the United States, to survey the limits of Oregon. This person presented himself at my headquarters some days ago, accompanied by two individuals (Thos. O. Larkln, consul, and Ca]>tain Wm. A. Leidesdorff, vice-consul), with the object of asking permission to procure provisions for his men that he had left in the mountains ; which was given to him. But two days ago, March 4, I was much surprised at being informed that this pei-son ^ JP^^Z^A^ OC Cl^^ was only two days' journey from tliis place (Monterey). In consequence, I immeiliately sent liini a communication orilering him, on the instant of its receipt, to )5iit himself on the march and leave tlie department ; but I have not received an answer, and in order to make him obey in case of resistance, I sent out a force to observe their operations, and to-da)', the sixth, I march in person to join it and to see that the object is attained. The hurry with which I undertake my march does not permit me to be more diti'use, and I beg that you will inform his excellency, the president, assuring him that not only shall the national integrity of this party be defended with the enthusiasm of good Mexicans, but those who attempt to violate it will tind an impj-egnable barrier in the valor and patriotism of every one of the Californians. Receive the assurance of my respect, etc God and liberty. Jose Castro. To THE Minister of War and Marine. Monterey, March C^, 18-tG. The American consul at Monterey became seriously alarmed for the safety of Fremont's command and Americans generally, on account of his operations, and forwarded letters to our consul at Mazatlau, asking, if any United States war-vessels were there, for one to be sent immediately to their assistance. Commodore Sloat received the dispatch, and at once ordered Captain Montgomery to sail for ^Slonterey with the Pm-tsniouth. The consul maintained communication with Fremont, arranged for a sailing vessel to hover along the coast to receive his party if they were driven theie, and then anxiously awaited the result. On the tenth, Alexander Cody delivered to him the following communication : — March 10, 18-46. My Dear Sir : I this moment received your letters, and, without waiting to read them, acknowl- eiige the receipt, which the courier requires immediately. I am making myself as strong as possible, with the intention, if we are unjustly attacked, to fight to extremity, and will refuse quarter, trusting to our country to avenge our deaths. No one has reached our caniji, and from the heights we are able to see the troops mustering at St. John's and preparing cannon. I thank you for your kindness and good wishes, and would write more at length as to my intentions, did I not fear that my letters woidd be intercepted. Very truly yours, J. C. Fre.mont. To Thos. O. Larkin, Esq., Consul for United States, Monterey. A fear that the letter would be intercepted undoubtedly prevented the writer from saying, " I will abandon my camp to-night, and bivouac in the valley of the San Joaquin without unnecessary delay ; " for John Gilroy, visiting it on the night of the tenth, found only the smouldering fires, abandoned pack- saddles and unessential camp equipage of Fremont's command. On the eleventh they were in the San Joaquin valley, en route for Oregon, having been joined b}- Talbot's detachment. They arrived at the trading fort of Peter Lassen, on Deer creek, near the north line of California, on the tliiitieth of March, 1846, remaining there and in the vicinity until the fourteenth of April. During his sojourn at Lassen's, a report was circulated that a number of Indians had congregated at a j)oint, since known as Reailing's Ranch, with intent to open hostilities against the few .settlers scattered thro\igh the northern country. The surveying party, joined by five volunteers from the trading post, marched against them, and a slaughter took place of the natives in their rancheria, of not only the braves, but their squaws and little ones, a few only e.scaping by swimming the river. Let us Ijelieve, that we may not blush for our nice, that only the Indians accompanying Fremont participated in the slaughter of women and children, and we may rest assured that it was not authorized by the officer in command. Two companies of emigi-ants, on their way from California to ( )regon, had been at Lassen's ranch 58 with Fremont and liis jiiiity, fixni wliicli jjoint tliey made the final stjirt of their journev. Tliey went iij) tlie Sacramento rivei- anil followed the old Hudson Bay Coiijpany trail through Shasta valley. Fremont had about fifty men, ha\'ing given discharges to a number in the Livermore valley. He turned off the regular trail and proceeded up Pit river, or, as it was then called, the east fork of the Sacramento. He proceeded by way of Cloose, Clear and Tule lakes to the west .shoi-e of Klamath lake, whei-e l:e camped for a few days. On the ninth of May, Samuel Neal and M. Sigler rode into camp with the information that a United States officer was on their trail with official dispatches, and would fall a victim to the savages if not rescued, the two messengers ha\-ing only escaped by the fleetness of their animals. Immediately the Pathfinder, at the head of four Indians, five trappers and the two messengers, eleven as brave men as ever faced an enemy, was galloping away along the west borders of the lake to the south, and before night had placed sixty miles between him and his camp, in his eagerness to reach and rescue from dangei- the messenger of the government. He crossed the line into California, and camped for the night on the bank of Hot creek, a little stream emptying into Klamath lake from the sovith. Just at sundown Lieutenant Gillespie, accompanied by Peter Lassen, who had undertaken to guide him to Fremont, rode into camp, and the messenger that had been for six months and six days traveling with the secret orders of his government, at last stood face to face with him to whom the orders were .sent. How little those men knew, as they held each other's hands in greeting, how much of the futui-e histoiy of two gveat 7iations was to be changed, because they two had met tfuit uiyht. How little they' compre- hended, as the gloom of night closed down upon the waters of Lake Klamath, what would have been the forthcoming results ere the morning, to them, and in the years beyond to their country, had not the shades of that particular night found them sitting by the same camp-fire. Long into the night those officers consulted and planned for the future. The secret dispatches were no longer a secret to Fremont, but have remained such till this day to the country, their contents being only known from the results produced. At length the camp was hushed and all of those seventeen men were sleeping, not even a sentinel to watch for danger, when Kit Cai-son, who always in his slumbere rested on the verge of wake- fulness, heard a dull, heavy thi(d, and in an instant was on his feet calling to Ba.sil Lajeune.sse, who was lying on the other side of the camp-tires a little out in the gloom, to know what was the matter there. Getting no response, the next instant his startling cry of " To arms ! the Indians I the Indians !" brought evei"y living man in the camp to his feet. There were no ordera given ; there was no time for ordei-s. Instinctively the trappers. Kit Carson, Lucieu Jlaxwell, Richard Owens, Alex. Godey and Steppenfeldt s|)rang together. The Modocs, at the alarm, had instantly charged upon the friendly Indians ; Deime, the Iroquois, and the brave Lajeunesse were dead, the heroic Crain, a Delawai'e, was sinking, filled with arrows, three of them in his heart, as the five mountain men nished to their assistance and killed the Modoc chief, when his followers fled, and the midnight aflray was over. The morning revealed the trail of the assailants, showing their numbers to have been about twenty. The dead chief was recognized by Lieutenant Gillespie as the Indian who, the previous morning, had made him a present of a salmon, with which he had broken a fast of forty hours. This act, with others, had led him to believe the donor fiiendly, and had caused him to go on his way unsuspicious of danger from that source. But the body of the chief lying tliere showed that luul Gillespie failetl to reach Fremont's cam]) that night, he would have met with death at the hands of the savages, who had been following during the day, intent upon his murder ere the morning. Had Gillespie fallen a victim before delivering the message that recalled Fremont to California, that officer would have continued his way into Oregon, and the settlei-s would not have ventured upon a declai-ation of wai- ; Commodore Sloat would not have believed that he had a cause sufficient to justify him in seizing the country, and Sir George Seymour wovdd have taken ])osse.s.sion of California for the British crown when he sailed into 50 Monterey; ami if the Golden State hail not remaine I a indviiice of (ircat Bntaiu iiutil the present time, it would have been because she was forced to yield it to the United States at the end of a bloody war. On the eleventh of May, Fremont abandoned his main cam]) and commenced his march toward the south. Some fifteen men were left secreted near the abandoned locality, to intercept any Indians that might visit the place after they had left. A few hours later the detail overtook the main body, having in their possession two .scilp*. Just before night, the advance guard of ten men, under Kit Carson, came suddenly upon an Indian village. They chargeil into it, killing m my, and burned the [dace, luit spared the women and children. Still later that day another skirmish was had, and Kit Carson's life was saved by Fremont, who rode an Indian down who was airuing an ai'row at the scout. The Modocs fought with that same des- perate bravery that characterized many of their after encounters, but after this disastrous result of their first attack upon the whites, it would seem as though they would have given them a wide berth in future, but the reverse was the fact. Years afterwards, a Modoc chief related the occurrence to Hon. Ijindsay Applegate, and in response to a question as to why the\' had made the attack upon Fremont, said that these were tlie first white men they ever saw, and wanted to kill them to keep any more from coming. In the sjiring of 1846, a company of Oregonians organized a volunteer expedition for the j)urpose of exploring a route west, from Fort Hall, into southern Oregon, and thence into Willamette valley. This party consistt^l of Capt. Levi Scott, John Jones, John Owens, Henry Boggus, William Sportsman, Sam- uel (jroodhue, Robert Smith, Moses Harris, John Scott, William G. Parker, David Goff, Benjamin F. Burch, Jesse Applegate and Lindsay Ajiplegate, the last of whom has written an account of their trip from a diary kept by him. It was on the Fourth of July, 1846, that the road party reached Klamath river, nearly two months after the attack on Fremont's camp. Mr. Applegate's narrative says : " Following the river up to where it leaves the Lower Klamath lake, we came to a riffle where it seemed possible to cross. William Parker waded in and explored the ford. It was deep, rocky and rapid, but we all passed over safely, and then proceeded along the river and lake shore for a mile or so, when we came into the main valley of the Lower Klamath lake. We could see columns of smoke risiag in every direction ; for our presence was already known to the Modocs, and the signal-fire telegi-aph was already in active operation. Mov- ing southward along the shore, we came to a little stream (Hot creek), coming in from the southward, and there found pieces of news])apers, and other unmistakable evidences of civilized people having camjied there a short time before. We found a place where tlie turf had lieen cut away, also the willows near the Ijank of the creek, and horses had been I'epeatedly driven over the place. As there were many places where animals could get water without this trouble, some of the party were of the opinion that some persons had been buried there, and that horses had been driven over the place to oljliterate all marks, and thus prevent the Indians from disturbing the dead. The immense excitement of the Indians on our arrival there strengthened this opinion. * * * At this jilace we arranged our camp on open ground, so that the Indians could not possibly approach us without discovery. It is likely that the ex- citement among the Modocs was caused, more than anything else, by the apprehension that ours was a party sent to chastise them for their attack on Fremont." The next morning the expedition left Fremont's unfortunate camp on Hot creek, found and ci-osseJ the famous natural bridge at Lost river, and located the emigrant road, known as the northern route, by way of Black Rock and Rabbit-Hole springs, to the Humboldt river and Fort Hall, which point they reached in August. Here they found a large number of emigrants, some bound for California, but the majority for Oregon. Of these latter they ]»ersuadcil one hundred and tifty. uitii forty-two wagons, to GO try the new route tliey liad just laid out. Among others who declined to go this way and kept on down the Humboldt was the ill-fated Donuer party, whose terrible suflerings ou the shore of Douiier lake that long and cruel winter form such a sorrowful page in the histoiy of California. The road party hastened back to the Willamette valley, and sent oxen and hoi-ses-back to assist the emigi'ants and get them safely to the valley. The Modocs scored one more white victim that fall, for one of the emigrants loitered behind the train near Lost river, and the Indians pounced upon him and took his .scalp to their island home in the lake. From that year this road has been largely used by emigi-ants to southern Oregon and northern California. In 1848 the old pioneer, Peter Lassen, led a company of emigrants with twelve wagons over the road, turning off at Pit river and going down that stream, and crossuag over to the head of Feather river, which he followed down to the valley. This route has been much used, and is known as the Lassen road. After his disa,strous adventure in the Modoc conntiy, Fremont continued his journey south, and wthout further adventure reached Butte creek, in the vicinity of the Buttes, on the twenty-seventh of ■May, where he camped for several days, and was visited by a number of settlers. The next move of his little force was to the junction of the Yuba and Feather rivers, where they were found on the eighth of June by William Knight, after whom a landing on the Sacramento river, in Yolo county, and a ferry on the Stanislaus river were named. He informed the settlers, some twenty of whom he fotind there, that Lieut. Francisco De Ai'ce, General Castro's private secretary, had the day before crossed the river at his place with some eighty horees, which he was taking from Sonoma to Santa Clara, \o be used in mounting men to expel the Americans from the country. News had just reached camp that Captain Sutter had the day before (the seventh) returned to his fort from what is now San Joaquin county, after having had an encounter with the Mokelumne Indians, and had been glad to draw off and get safely on his own side of the Cosumnes river. It wjis suj)posed that General Castro was at the bottom of all the trouble with the natives in the valley. ThLs was prob- ably nut true, yet the settlers believed it, and the result was the same as though the statement had been correct. On the morning of the ninth of June, eleven men, led by Ezekiel Meriitt, left Fremont's camp in jnii-suit of Lieutenant De Arce. On the way tour others joined the jiarty, and at break of day, on the morning of the tenth, the fifteen settlers charged into De Arce's camp and captured the whole party. Castro's lieutenant was allowed to retain his arms and riding-horse, as was each member of his jjarty, and to continue the journey to San Jose, but the extra horses were taken and the next morning were driven by the captors into Fi-emont's camj) on Bear river, he having moved to that ])oint in their absence. This was the first overt act of hostilities by the American settlers in what is termed the " Bear-Flag war," and its being plarmed in Fremont's camp, advi-sed by him, starting from within his picket-lines and returning to liis headquarters with the sjioils of success, make the transaction conclu- sive evidence of what were the secret instiiictions conveyed by Lieutenant Gillespie to that officer on the banks of the Klamath lake. Interjiret those instructions by their effects and they would read, " War will soon be inaugurated with Mexico. By advices from Consul Thomas O. Larkin, at Monte- rey, we are led to believe that England is using strenuous effoi-ts, through Vice-Consul J. Ale.x. Forbes, to become jwssessed of California. To prevent the consummation of such a result you will immediately incite those favorable to the LTnited States to take up arms and declare that territory a republic, such position being maintained until the opening of hostilities between the United States and JNlexico war- rants this government in oi);'nly taking possessiou of that country. Remember, always, that until such time shall come, you are not, by word or act, to make it possible to trace the responsibility of what is done with certainty to this department, etc., etc." After Merritt's return to camp, the question of what, under the then supjiosed state of affairs, was best to be done, was discussed, and it was finally deter- 61 mined to seize Sonoma, Ijecome passessed of the military stores of tint place, an 1 declare iudepsnon the scene was like tapping a nest of hornets ; out poured from the habitation, as though a hive of l)ees was swarming, eighty-five men, whose hoi-ses were hitched ready for mounting, in rear of the house. It was a mutual surprise jiarty. Ford had not expected to find over twenty-five of the enemy, and believed that the fourteen sharpshootei-s under his eouiinand woiilil be fully equal to that nun\ber. Innneiliateiy the action began. It was no time for Ford to hesitate ; he at once formeil in two platoons, and charged, forcing the Californians back. ■He then dismounted the fom-teen sliarpshooters, and stationed them behind trees. When the enemy made a charge, the unening rifles emptied eight of their saddles, as the flying hoi"se came careering ilown iqion them. This was too much, and tliev tied, wlien three more were added to the number of those who would fight no more battles. This ended the encounter, and the Americans were victoiious. W. L. Todd and a companion jirisoner had been left behind in the house in the confusion of the surprise, and made their escape, and Ford returned to Sonoma with his prisoners and cajitured hoi-ses. Fremont halted but a few houi-s at Sonoma, and then pushed on to San Rafael, where he remained sevei-al days ; anil while he was there Genei"al Castro moved, on the twenty-seventh of June. ni)rth from Santa Clai-a to near San Leandro, on the ranch of Estudillo, with possibly 250 men. One of Fremont's scouts cap- 63 tiireil an Iiuliaii, wlio had a letter from do la Torre to Castro, containing a staten\eut that ho (Torre) would that night concentrate his forces and attack Sonoma the next morning in Fremont's absence. Away rode the Pathtinder to Sonoma to frustate the sclieme, but no enemy put in an appearance. On the contrary, it proved to have been a strategem to get rid of the Americans from the vicinitv of San Rafael while the Californians were making their escape by water from Saucelito to join Castro, a feat which they successfully accomplished. On the twenty-eighth of June, three Ciliforniaus, bearers of dispatches from Castro to de la Torre, were captured by Fremont's conmiand at Point San Quentm, and all of them were shot by Fremont's orders, in retaliation for the inhuman nuirder of the two Americans at Santa Rosli. The name of the oldest of those unfortunate victinis of the chances of war was Don Jose Reyes Berryessa, who left a wife and nine children to mourn the unhappy fate of the father. The other two were youn" men, twin brothers, named Ramon and Fi-ancisco de Haro. On the twenty-ninth of June, General Castro returned to Santa Clara, and July 1, Fremont, with twenty men, crossed the bay and spiked the guns at the presidio. He started on the second for Sonoma from Saucelito, after having received supplies from the American barque Moscow. Before starting, however, he took pos.session of a generous supply of amm u- nition that had been left with a guard by Ciaptain Montgomei-y, of tlie war-vessel Porlsnyjitth, on sho re to dry, placed there expecting Fremont would capture it. This ruse was adopted m furnishing munition of war to the rebels, to avoid making the United States government responsible for the act. Bafore leaving Sacramento, Fremont had sent Dr. Robert Semple with ten men to capture Capt. R. T. Ridley, the commandant of the fort at Yerba Buena. Tlie feat was successfully accomplished, and Captain Ridley was delivered at Sutter's Fort on the eighth of July, as a prisoner of war. Fremont arrived at Sonoma on the fourth of July, and on the following day his battalion was organized, two hundred and fifty strong. The people assembled there, declared their independence, and chose Fremont to take the management of affairs. On the sixth he started with one hundred and eighty men for Sutter's Fort, by way of Knight's Landing, and on the tenth, when within nine miles of there. Captain Jack Scott brought to him from Sonoma the news that Commodore Sloat had captured Monterey on the seventh ; that Mont- gomery had hoisted the American flag at Yerba Buena on the eighth, and that the Stars and Stripes had been raised at Sonoma on the tenth. On the morning of the eleventh of July, Robert Livermore carried to Sutter's Fort the same welcome news, and the Bear Flag came down as the Stars and Stripes went up, amid general rejoicing and a salute of twenty-one guns from the little brass four-pound cannon called " Sutter ; " and thus was ended the Bear- Flag war, by the United States taking the struggle ofi from the hands of those who had commenced it. General Castro received the news of Sloat's operations on the eighth, at Santa Clara, and immedi- ately started for Los Angeles with his forces, taking along with liim three prisoners, Capt. C. M. Weber, Washburne and D. T. Bird, having captured them in Santa Clara as they were about to join a company then congregating in the adjacent mountains to assist in the noi-thern insurrection. CHAPTEK IX. The War Commenced by the Bear-Flag Party Ends in the Conquest of California by the United States. Authorities at Washington want more Territory — The War Cloud — Our Minister Leaves Mexico and Hostilities Begin — Battles Fought — War Declared — Lieutenant Gillespie Delivers to Fremont Important Dispatches, that Cause him to Turn Back from Oregon and Re-enter California — Commodore John D. .Sloat Suspects that ^^'ar has been Inaugurated in the East— He sails to Monterey and Salutes the Mexican Flag — Dispatches from the North Ad\'ise him of the Bear-Flag War— Critical State of Affairs — He Decides not to Act and then Changes his Mind — Mon- terey Seized and the American Flag Kaised there — Sloat's Proclamation — Flag Raised at YerVia Bueua, Sonoma and Sutter's Fort — Fremont Goes Overland to Monterey and Captures the Mission Arsenal of San Juan •with its Munitions of War — Wliat Bewildered Commodore Sluat — Interview V)etween Sloat and Fremont— Sloat Refuses to assume further Responsibilities in the Prosecution of the W'&t — Commodore Stockton Takes Command of the Land Forces and the California Battalion is Formed by him out of Fremont's Command — Sloat Sails for Washington and Fremont for San Diego — Stockton Issues his Proclamation and then Sails for San Pedro — His Strateg}' and its Kffect — What Castro's Envoys Wanted — Stockton Captures Los Angeles — Why it was a Bloodless \'ictory — Cas- tro Takes Captain Weber along as a Prisoner when he Leaves the Country — The Country Organized as a Territory of the United States — Stockton's Scheme of a Brilliant Military Movement — He Visits Verba Buena — AMiile there he Learns of the Insurrection at Los Angeles, under Flores, and the Danger of (Jillespie's Capture — A Furious Ride —The Rider. For many yeare the authorities at Washington bad been exercLsing theu" diplomacy with a view of adding to the area of tlie United American States, liy an aciiuisition from Mexico of Texa,s, New Mex- ico and California — that included what is now Colorado and Arizona. Texas had revolutionized in 1835, gained her indejjendence in 1836, and was admitted into the Union December 29, 1845. The Mexican authorities were seriously opposed to the absorption of that State by then- rivals of the north ; and our Government being seci'etly not opposed to a collision, misundei-standings rapidl}' accumulated after that event, until April 1, 1846, when Slidell, oui- minister, left Mexico, the act being in itself equivalent to a declaration of war on the part of the United States. On the nineteenth of the same month Lieutenant Porter of our army was defeated near Matamorsus, Mexico ; and hostilities had be- gun. The battle of Palo Alto was fought on the eighth of May, and on the next day that of Resaca de la Paliiia, both on the soil of Texas, our army bei)ig commanded by Brigadier-General Taylor. On the tliirteenth of that month war was declaimed against Mexico by the United States. On the day that the battle of Resaca de la Palma was fought in Texas, Lieutenant Gillespie delivered his private dispatches to Captain Fremont, near the north line of California, w-hich turned him back with the intention of taking that territory from Mexico. War had begun, but the fact was not known on the Pacific coast. Com. John D. Sloat commanded the Pacific sipiadron, and was at Maziitlan with private ordei-s to seize California as soon as he learned of the commencement of hostilities, and not to wait for official mfonnation. Thirty days after the battle of Palo Alto was fought he sailed from Mazatlan, with a clear sky and liefogged brain, not having received any direct message stating that war was in progress between Mexico and the L^nited States, but strongly impre.ssed with a suspicion that such was the case. 65 On the second of July Sloat sailed into the hailior of Monterey, and .saluted the Mexican lla». The Levant and C ijaiic, were already lying in that port, and all were anxiously awaiting developments, as the jiassing time was unquestionably charged with influences that ere many days, possibly hours, would decide the destiny of California. The fourth of July came and passed, yet can-ied with it no inspiration that caused the Commodore to risk planting the flag on Mexican soil. The sixth came, and still he hesitated, when just before night a little sail appeared in the ofiing, standing into the harbor. It wiw a launch, sent from Yerba Buena by Captain Montgomery, with Lieutenant N. B. Harrison and a crew of sixteen men, to advise Sloat of the Bear-Flag war in the north. They had l>een tifty-six hours at sea ; and, as tliey moored alongside the flag-ship, were refused permission to leave their boat, and instructed to hold themselves in readiness to return immediately with dispatches for Captain Montgomery, orderinc him to lender no assistance to the Americans in their insurrection on the nortliern frontier. The fatigued and weatherworn condition of the little crew so workeil upon the oflicers of the flag-ship that they intei-ceded for them, and Sloat modified his order so far as to allow them to come on board for the night. The news spreading in the squadron of the teno)- of the proposed order to Captain Montgomery caused considerable excitement and regret, as the oflicers were of the opinion that circumstances war- ranted the seizure of the country. So strongly were they impressed with this l)elief tliat R. M. Price, the purser of the Cynne (since governor of New Jersey), determined to visit the commodore, thouijh it was late at night, and urge his taking immediate jiossession of Monterey. He did so, was kindly received by that oflicer, and fortunately was successful in his mission, returning to his vessel with orders from Sloat for Cai)t. William Mervine to notify the people of Monterey that he should hoist the Stars and Stripes there, in the name of the United American States, at 10 a. m. in the morning. The orders to Captain Montgomery were changed, and he was instructed to take possession of Yerba Buena ; and Lieutenant Harrison, in the morning, started on his return >vith the dispatches. In accordance with the notice, at 10 a. m. on July 7, 1846, Captain Mervine landel with Purser Price and Lieutenant Higgins, supported by two hundred and fifty men, raised the American flag, and took possession of the town and country in the name of the government, Purser Price reading the commodore's proclamation to the people in both English and Spanish. We append the proclamation, as it is the declaration by which California liecame a ])art of the United States. The instiniment shows that Sloat must have had tolerably correct information as to the beginning of the war and the progress it had made, although it was from sources not American, conse- quently not relied upon by him until strongly urged. He was afraid of repeating the blunder made by Commodore Jones, who seized Monterey in 1842, having been induced to do so by false information received of a war between the United States and Mexico, that had come to hira through a similar channel. PROCLAMATION. To THE Inhabitants of California. The central government of Mexico having commenced hostilities against the United States of America, by invatling its territory, and attackiiig the troops of the L'nited States, stationed on the north side of the Rio Grande; and with a force of seven thousand men, under command of .General Arista, which army was totally destroyed, and all their artillery, baggage, etc., captured on the eighth and ninth of May last, by a force of two thousand and three hundred men, under conmmnd of General Taylor ; and the City of Matamoras taken and occupied by the forces of the United States ; and the two nations being actually at war by this trans.action, I shall hoist the standard of the United States at Monterey immedi- ately, and shall cairy it tliroughout California. 66 I declare to the inhabitants of California that, although I come Ln arms with a powei-fiil force, I do not come among them as an enemy to California ; on the contrary,. I come as theii- best friend, as hence- forth Colifomia will be a portion of the United States ; and its peaceable inhabitants will enjoy the same rights — princii)les they now enjoy — together with the privilege of choosing their own magistrates and other oflScers, for the administration of justice among themselves, and the same protection will be ex- tended to them as to any other State in the Union. They will also enjoy a permanent government, under which liff, ]iroperty and the constitutional right and la^v^ul security to woi-shiji the Creator in the way the most congenial to each other's sense of duty, will be secured, which, unfortunately, the central government of Mexico cannot afford them, destroyed as her resources are by internal factions and cornii)t oflBcei-s, who create con.stant revolutions to promote their own intei-est and oppress the people. Under the flag of the United States, California will be free from all such troubles and expenses ; conse- quently, the country vnll rapidly advance and improve, both in agriculture and commei-ce, as, of course, the revenue laws will Ije the same in California as in all parts of the United States, affording them all iiiamifiictui-es and produce of the United States free of any duty, and on all foreign goods at one-quarter of tlie duty they now pay. A gi-eat increase in the value of real estate and the products of California may also be anticipated. With the great interest and kind feeling I know the government and people of the United States possess towai-d the citizens of California, the country cannot but improve more rapifUy than any other on the continent of America. Such of the inhabitants of California, whether native or foreigners, as may not be disposed to accept the liigh privileges of citizenship, and to live peaceably under the government of the United States, will be allowed time to dispose of their property and to remove out of the country, if they choose, without any restriction ; or remain iu it, observing strict neutrality. With full confidence in the honor and iutegj-ity of the inhabitants of the country, I invite the jiulges, alcaldes and other civil oflicers to execute their functions as heretofore, that the public tranquility may not be disturl)('il ; at least, until the government of the territory can be more definitely airanged. All jiersons holding titles to real estate, or in quiet possession of land under color of right, shall have those titles guaranteed to them. All churches and the property they contain, in pos.session of the clergy of California, shall continue in the same rights and possessions they now enjoy. All provisions and supplies of every kind furnished by the inhabitants for the u.se of the United States shi)js and soldiei-s will be paid for at fair rates, and no private property will be taken for public use without just compensation at the moment. John D. Sloat, Commander-in-chief of the U. S. force in the Pacific Ocean. On the eighth of July Captain Montgomery landed at Yerba Buena and hoisted the Union coloi-s on tlie Fhiza : on the tenth, at Sonoma, the Bear Flag was lowejxjd and the Stare and Stripes run up in its place. The same day, nine miles from Sutter's Fort, Fremont unfurled the banner that had waved in the breeze at Gal>elau Mountain on the previous sixth of Mareii, when the goverimient of California had been startled into :i realization of the presence iu its territory of a jiower that was to begin for them a new civil eiM. Fremont stiu-ted wi:li liis command for Monterey, by way of San Jose, immediately after the raising of tlie flag at Sutter's Fort, and on the seventeenth dashed up to the mission of San Juan, located about thirty miles from Monterey, and captured that ))lace without the firing of a gun. This mission was the 07 govornment arsenal, where surplus ammunition and arms belonging to the authorities were stored, Since the time when Jones had captured Monterey, the governors of California, not wishing to run the risk of their military stores falling into the possession of some other ill-informed commander of a war- vessel, had removed from the sea-port all arms, ordnance and ammunition not deemed necessary for inimedi- ate use. Such articles as were at the time stored at the mission fell into Fremont's hands, consisting of: — Cannons 9 Kegs of Powder 20 Muskets (old) 200 Cannon shot 60,000 He had been in possession bnt one hour when Purser Fountleroy, with a company of mounted marines, rode into the place, having been sent by Sloat on the same en-and. The next day, the eighteenth of July, Fremont and Gillespie entered Monterey, and there ensued an immediate interview between Commodore Sloat and those parties. Fur months the commander of the Pacific squadron had Ijeen groping in a mental fog. He had taken command in the western waters, knowing that the men who represented our government at Washington desired the annexation of California. He knew that war was a popular means through which they expected the end was to be accomplished ; a means to which a strong party in the States was opposed. He knew of the efforts of our consul, Larkin, to achieve the residt by a far different process, the repetition of the Texas plan of first independence, then annexation ; that previous to Fi'e- mont's arrival Larkin's plan was in a fair way of producing the desired result. He knew that both of these programmes were being seriously interfered with by the British government, which also wanted California, and proposed to have her if possible. He knew that he was placed in command with the expectation that he wovild act promptly in the furtherance of either of those plans that should finally be adopted, ivs the one best calculated for success. The question that to him had become a momentous one was, which policy should he pursue in the absence of any certain information as to the one the government had adopted. He believed that Fremont possessed information of the secret intention of the Washington authorities, not yet made yjublic or transmitted to hini, and that tlie knowledge of such secret intention had caused that officer to levy war. This last belief, confirmed by the overland runners among Indians and natives, that on dates named battles had been fought, had been his inward justifi- cation for having taken possession of the territory and issued to the people his proclamation ; although he had been forced to take that responsibility because of the imminent danger in longer delay of the country being seized by Admiral Sir George Seymour for the British crowni. That interview was an unpleasant one on the part of all. The commodore asked Fremont upon what authority he had commenced hostilities against Mexico in California, and was informed that it Wius upon his own responsibility. In turn, Fremont was tolil by that officer that he could continue to prosecute it upon his own responsibility, as he, Sloat, did not propose advancing farther in the premises ; that he should turn the control of affairs over to his junior otticer, and return to Washington. Commo- dore K. F. Stockton, who had arrived on the fifteenth, and rej.orted for duty to Sloat, now asked per- mission of that officer to assume command of the laud forces. The retpiest was gi-antcd, and Fremont at once i-epoi-ted to him for duty ; and fioni that time forth there was no hesitation in the policy to be pursued. On the twenty-third of July, the old commodore sailed for home, and Stockton assumed full command of land and naval forces of the United States on this coast. That day, the California Bat- talion* was organized, and sailed, under Fremont, for San Diego, f rom where he was to join in the * Printed reports bj- a committee to the State Senate iu 1852 say July 12th— evidently an error, as Stockton did not arrive in California until the fifteenth. (See Appendix to Senate Proceedings, page 557. ) 68' iulvance ou Ciistro. On the twenty-eighth of July, Stoskton issucil liis i>i-ofl;iiu ition ; ou the first of August, he sailed from Monterey, took possession of Santa Barbara, on his way down tlie coast, without opposition, and finally disembarked hLs forces at San Pedro on the sixth, where he learned that Castro wiis at Los Angeles, thirty miles inland, with a force of between seven huudi-ed and one thousand men and seven pieces of artillery. Immediately npon landing, his camp became one of instruction, where the marines were drilled in the manner of forming in line, in hollow squares, changing front, etc., movements that might be neces- sary on land and in resisting a cavalry charge. Five days were occupied In this, during which two flags- of-truce entered camp with messages from Castro, their principal object being to ascertain the strength of the invading force. Stockton was a strategist, and received Castro's envoys in front of the yawning mouth of an iuinien.se mortar, .so covered with skins and blankets as to have the appearance of a cannon in comparison with wliicli the Mexican ordnance (hviudh'd into insignificance. They were further enter- tained by observing, at some little distance away, a steady moving force of American infantry, marchuig in column of twos directly from them over an elevation, Vjeyond which they disappeared ; judging from the time it took them to jjass over the place where they could be seen, they must have numbered three thousand men or more. They were Stockton's three liuiidred niirinei, marching in ojien order, with an interval of ten feet between each set of twos ; but they were moving directly away from the observers instead of across their line of vision, and this little discrepancy was not detected. The communication from Castro was disposed of by Stockton in a mauner that gave strength to the general appearance of perfect confidence in his ability, by force, to dispose of the territorial army and authority with ease. General Castro had asked a truce until the war was ended between theii- respective governments in the East, when each was to acquiesce in the result of final negotiations between the United States and Mexico as to which of those countries should possess California. The proposition was haughtily rejected, and a demand made for the immediate surrender of the entire Mexican force in the country, u]ion pain of summary treatment if the demand was not at once comjilied with. Tiiose envoys returned to Los Angeles fully impressed with the hopelessness of any resistance, and the conquest was practically achieved. On the eleventh, Stockton moved from San Pedro toward.s Los Angeles with his three hundred men and six jjieces of artillery, and on the thirteenth cmtered and took ]iossession of that place without firing a shot. His strategy had won him a bloodless victory. U|)on the approach of his ilreaded host, with whom was supposed to be the monster gun, the army of Californians melted away, finally being disbanded by the general, who, seeing no hoj)e in the contest, had himself taken to flight, and was losing no unnecessary time in his efibrts to reach Sonora, Mexico. When Castro disbanded his army he did not release the three prisoners captured at San Jose. Lieut. D. T. Bird says: — "We were separated, and each sujiposed the others had been shot." Bird and his companion were taken towards Monterey and made their escape; Cajitain Weber was forced to accom- pany the general in his flight for two days, and wsi-s then released. Castro Jiad feared to give him liberty sooner, knowing that with the captain free his own chances for escape were materially lessened. The wliolc country was in possession of our forces ; the ile.Kican flag was flying nowhere in it. Fremont joined Stockton, who issued a proclamation organizing the territory and recommending the fifteenth of Septemlwr as the day on which the people should assemble and choose otticei-s under his or- g^niz.'ition. He detaileil Cajitain Gillespie with fifty men to remain at Los Angeles, and Lieut. T. Talbot witli ;i small force to Imld Santa Barbara, sent a detachment to San Diego, and returned with the remainder of his command to Monterey. Having closed the war in California, he now contemplated a tnore extensive campaign, a daring scheme, that, had it been successfully prosecuted, would have been the most lirilliant achievement of the Mexican war. The following dispatch explains the design : — 69 (Confidential.) TJ. S. Frioate "Congress," Bay of Monterey, September 19, 1846. Dear Sir : 1 have sent Maj. Fremont to the nortli to see how many men he ooukl recruit, witli a view to embark them for Mazatlan or Acapulco, where, if possible, I intend to land and fight our way as far on to the city of Mexico as I can. With tliis object in view, your orders of this date in relation to liaving the squadron in such jihxces as may enable me to get them together as soon as possible, are given. You will, on your anival on the coast, get all the information you can in reference to this matter. I would tliat we might shake hands with General Taylor at the gates of Mexico. Faithfully, your obedient servant, R. F. Stockton, Commodore, etc. To Capt. Wm. Mervine, IT. S. Frigate Savannah. The commodore, hearing rumors of hostile movements among the Indians in the north, sailed for Yerba Buena, where he found that the information was incorrect, and was received at that place by the inhabitants with banquets and general rejoicing. This state of things was doomed to a short-lived existence ; the hope of " shaking hands with General Taylor at the gates of Mexico " vainshetl, as a courier dashed into Yerba Buena with the news that he had, four days before, worked his way out of Los Angeles, where Captain Gillespie was besieged by the Californians under General Jose Ma. Flores, who had hoisted the standard of revolt. This was one of the most noted rides on record, performed liy John Brown, called by the Spaniards Juan Flacco, who died at Stockton, California, in 1863. When Captain Gillespie found that he must have assistance or surrender, this man volunteered to convey dispatches calling for relief. He succeeded in working his way through the enemy's lines, but was dis- covered as he was passing beyond their reach, and a determined pursuit was at once dispatched to cajtture or kill the courier. His horse was shot under him, and escaping on foot he i-an twenty-seven miles to the rancho of one friendly to the Americans, and again mounting, rode three hundred and fifteen miles to Monterey in three days, and not finding Stockton there, rode to Yei-ba Buena, one hundred and thirty miles, between sunrise and eight o'clock p. M. of the same day. CHAPTER X. The Flores Insurrection. Flores and his Associates Learn that they have Siirremleied ti> a Force Inferior in Numbers to that of the Californians — The Effect of such Knowledge — The Insurrection Breaks out— Jolin Bro\vn, the Courier^C'aptain (iillespie Surrenders, Conditionally, at Los Angeles — Lieutenant Talbot Escapes with his Command from Santa Barbara — The Flores Proclamation of War— The Savannah Dispatched to San Pedro — Arrives too Late — Our Forces Re- pulsed — Fremont Sails for Santa Barbara — t)ommodore Stockton Sails for San Pedro : Lands there ; Ke-embarks, and Sails for San Diego — He Establishes himself There, and Opens a Camp of Instruction — tJeneral Kearny Appears upon the Scene — He is Defeated, and Sends for Help — The Rescue and Retnm— Kearny Refuses the Chief Command, and Serves under Stockton — Fremont Leaves Santa Barbara and Marches to Monterey — He Sends Dispatches to Sutter's Fort, Asking for Recruits-Two Companies go from there to Join him — Recruiting Soldiers in the North — San Joaquin County Indians Join Lieutenant Bartlett — A Battle on the Road between San Jose and Monterey — U. S. Consul Larkin's Description of it — The ('a'i/ornia Stnr of November 21, I84t), on the .Same Subject — Fremont Marches to the Assistance of his Recruits — Captain (-'harles M. Weber Sends Horses to Fremont by Lieutenant Bryant — The California Battalion Starts for Los Angeles — List of the Officers and Companies — There are Three Incidents Worthy of Note in their March : first, an Indian Spy Shot ; second, Don Jose de Jesus Pico Condemned to be Executed, but Reprieved ; third, the Terrible March down the Mountain on Christmas Night— Closing in on Los Angeles — Hostilities Break Out in the Rear of the Army under Francisco Sanchez — Lieutenant Bartlett Captured — List of the Force that March to his Rescue- The Battle at Santa Clara, and Surrender of Sanchez— Stockton's Command, what it Consisted of — He Moves on Los Angeles— Rattle of the eighth anil ninth of January, 1847 — He Enters the Town, and the Flag is again Hoisted there— The Enemy Sur- render to Fremont —Articles of Capitulation — The Insurrection Ended. At the time Stockton captured Los Ajigeles there were u number of Mexican oflicer.s who sun-en- dered a^ prisoners of war and were allowed to go free on their ])arole. Aniong those set at liberty was Gen. Jos6 M. Flores. When he and his associates came to know that the force of the Americans was far inferior in numbers to what they had supposed at the time of the surrender, they were filled with chagrin and shame, and Flores, forgetting that he was bound by the laws of honor and of nations to refrain from hostile acts while under parole, connnenced gathering his scattered forces immediately after tiie commodore had sailed for the nortli, and on the twenty-thiixl of September, forty days after the capture of Los Angeles by Stockton, he invested the place and demanded the surrender of Captam Gil- lesi)ie and his fifty :.ien as prisonei-s of war. From the besieged gan-ison John Brown, as a courier, made his escape and famous ride. Captain tMllespie was forced to surrender, conditionally, on the thirtieth of September, and retired to Monterey. Lieut. T. Talbot was next besieged at Santa Barbara by an overwhelming force, but refused to s\n lOTider, and tinally maile his escape to Monterey. The following proclaniatiou shows that the people of Southern e'alifornia were animated by a l>itter feeling of hostility, and that something more than imaginary big guns and large armies would be required to subdue them ; plainly, it meant " war to the knife :" 71 Mexican Army, Section of Operations, Angeles, Oct. 1, lS4(i. Fellow Citizens : It is a montli and a half that, by himentable fatality, fruit of cowardice and inability of the tirst authorities of the department, we behold oui-selves subjugated and oppressed by an insignificant force of adventurers of the United States of America, and placing us in a worse condition than that of slaves. They are dictating to us despotic and arbitrary laws, and loading us with contributions and onerous burdens which lia\e fur an object the ruin of oui' industry and agriculture, and to force us to abandon our property, to be possessed and divided among themselves. And shall we be capable to allow ourselves to be subjugated, and to accept by our silence the weighty chains of slavery l Shall we permit to be lost the soil inhei-ited from our fathers, which cost them so much lilood and so many sacritices I Shall we make our families victims of the most barliarons slavery I Shall we wait to see our wives violated ; our innocent children punished by the American whips ; our property sacked ; our temples profaned ; and, lastly, to drag through an existence full of insult and shame ! No ! a thousand times no I countrymen ; fii-st, death ! Who of you does not feel his heart beat with violence ; who does not feel his lilood boil, to contem- plate our situation ! And who will be the Mexican who will not feel indignant, and who will not rise to take up arms to destroy our oppressors i We believe there is not one so vile and cowardh'. With such a motive the majority of the inhabitants of the districts, justly indignant against our tyrants, raise the cry of war with arms in their hands, and of one accord swear to sustain the following articles : — 1st. We, the inhabitants of the department of California, as members of the great Mexican nation, declare that it is, and has been, our wish to belong to her alone, free and independent. 2<1. Consequently, the authorities intended and named by the invading forces of the United States are held null and void. 3d. All the North Americans being enemies of Mexico, we swear not to lay down our arms till they are expelled from the Mexican territory. 4th. All Mexican citizens, from the age of fifteen to sixty, who do not take up arms to forward the present plan, are declared traitors and under pain of death. 5th. Every ^Mexican or foreigner, who may directly, or indirectly, aid the enemies of Mexico, will be jinnished in the same manner. 6th. The ])roperty of the North Americans, in the department, who niay, directly or indirectly, ha\e taken part with, or aided, the enemies, shall be confiscated and used for the e.xpenses of war, and their persons .shall be taken to the interior of the republic. 7th. All those who may oppose the present plan will be punished with arms. 8th. All the inhabitants of Santa Barbara, and the district of the north, will be invited immedi- ately to adhere to the present plan. Jose Ma. Flores. Camp in Angeles, Sept. 24, 1846. (Signed by more, flinu three hundred persons. ) As soon as Brown, the courier, reached Yerba Buena, October 1 , Stockton dispatched the Savannah to San Peilro, with three hundre^l and twenty men under Captain Mervine, to aid Captain Gillespie. They arrived too late; and landing, met the enemy some twelve miles out, and were repulsed with a loss of five killed and six w ounded. Fremont was recalled from Sutter's, and sailed for Santa Barbara on the twelfth, with one hundred and sixty men, from where he was expected to mount his command and join in the recapture of Los Angeles. Stockton .sailed from Yerba Buena as soon a.s he had com- pleted plans by whicli he deemed tlie north would lie made secure, and disembarked at 8an Pedro on the twenty-third of October. Some eight hundred of tlie enemy were there, but did not attempt to prevent the landing, anil fell back into the interior. When he had landed it was found that the chances of procuiing supplies were very limited, and knowing that he had no safe anchorage for his vessels, and wishing to give Fremont time to mount his battalion, he decided to re-embark and sail for San Diego, where he unfortunately beached one of his vessels, but made a landing, drove the enemy from the place and took possession. He immediately established himself there and commenced erecting a fort, making shoes, saddles, and viuious things necessary in the outfit for his ai-uiy, not forgetting the drill that was to convert his marines into land forces. Capt. S. J. Hensley was sent tlown the coast, and succeeded in capturing one hundi-ed and forty horses and live hundred cattle. On the third of December a courier rode into camp with a dispatch from Genei-al Kearny, stating that he was ajijiroaching from the east and wished to open communication. The same evening, Captain Gillespie was sent with thirty-five men to meet the general and escort him to San Diego. Three days later, another messenger upon a foam-fiaked hoi-se brought the startling news that Keamy had been flefeated at San Pasqual with a loss of eighteen men killed and thirteen wounded, the general and Cap- tain Gillespie being among the latter, and that one of his howitzers had been captured. Other inforniii- tion followed that led Stockton to believe the case was not desperate, and prevented his moving with his whole command, as he had at fii-st cimtemiilated ; but on the ninth Kit Carson, Lieutenant Beal and an Indian reached him, direct from General Kearny, asking for reinforcements. The news soon sjii-ead in the camp that Keamy was besieged at the hill of San Fernando, hemmed in, out of ammunition, provis- ions nearly exhausted, and encumbered with womuled, was standing at bay, anxiously looking towards San Diego for relief ; that the enemy kejit the exhau.st«d troops constantly harassed from every side, and unless succor came speedily they would have to choose between death and surrender. The long-roll sounded to arms, and the response showed the eagerness of those sailoi-s to be led to the rescue of their comrades and the dragoons. Two hundred and fifty men were selected and despatched under Lieutenant Gi-ay to the scene of action, and on the night of the tenth the Caltfornians suddenly retreated, having heard the advancing hoof-beats of horses upon the road as the mounted marines moved on the gallo]) march to raise the siege. On the twelfth the exhausted little command entered San Diego. The general had left New Mexico, having conquered that territory and established a civil government there, and was on his way here, knowing that California had been already subjugated, to establish a civil government. He had with him but a small detachment of dragoons and Kit Carson, whom he had met on his way east with dispatches, and turned back. Commodore Stockton offered to yield the command of the army to General Keamy, but the compliment was declined, and the general took service under Stockton. In the north, Fremont had found that it was imjiossible to mount his command at Santa Barbara, and had moved up the country to Monterey, where recruiting, as well as the procuring of horaes to ti-ans- form his force into cavah-y, was prosecuted with energy. On the evening of the twenty-eighth of Octo- ber, a courier from Fremont at Monterey arrived at Sutter's Fort, the beai-er of dispatches, giving to the north the news of the defeat of Captain Gillespie at Los Angeles, Lieutenant Talbot at Santa Barbai-a, and Captain Mervine at San Pedro, and in the dispatch Fremont asked for hoi-ses and men. On that day J. F. Reed, of the ill-fated Donner jtarty, reached Sutter's Fort. He immediatelj- ]5vit down his name as a recruit for the war, in the conii)any that commenced its organization that night, which after- wai-ds became two companies, one commanded by Captain Burroughs, who was killed on the sixteenth, near San Juan, the other by Capt. R. T. Jacobs, Lieut. Edwin Bryant (afterwards alcalde at San Fiiui- cisco) and Lieut. (Jeoi-ge M. Lippincott. In this comjiany five men enlisted at the ranch of William Gordon, in Yolo county ; also Mr. Grayson, who lived in a log house near the mouth of Capay valley. 73 Seven men were temporarily camped on Puto creek, en route for Sonoma. Lieutenant Bryant chanced to pass that way, and five of them became recruits ; and thus the spark, kindling to a flame, swept the country, swelling the little battalion of 180 to 428 before it had moved beyond Gilroy in its march toward Los Angeles. A company was enlisted in Napa valley and vicinity, commanded by John Grigsby, D. T. Bird, of Yolo county, being its second lieutenant. Another company, under Captain Thompson, recruited by Captain Weber at San Jose, was added to the California Battalion. The organization of the company at Sutter's Fort had not yet been completed, when about sixty, the total number at the rendezvous at the time, left for Monterey under command of Captain Burroughs, having in charge some four hundred government horses that Fremont had requested should be sent to him. On the sixteenth of October, Brj'ant, Reed and Jacobs started south with what recruits had as- sembled at the fort since the departure of the main body. In passing through what is now San Joaquin county, they were joined by thirty Indians, among whom was the chief, Jose Jesus. They arrived at San Jose on the twenty-first, where they first learned of the engagement that had taken place on the sixteenth between those preceding them under Captain Burroughs and the Californians, ten miles south of San Juan, on the Montei-ey road. What had led to this encounter and its results is thus described by Thomas O. Larkin, United States consul, who was a prisoner at the time. " On the fifteenth of November, from information received of the sickness of my family in San FrancLsco, where they had gone to escape the expected revolutionary troubles in Monterey, and from letters from Captain Montgomery, requesting my presence respecting some stores for the Portsmouth, I, with one servant, left Monterey for San Francisco, knowing that for one month no Californian forces had been within one hundred miles of us. That night I put up at the house of Don Joaquin Gomez, sending my servant to San Juan, six miles beyond, to I'equest Mr. J. Thompson to wait for me, as he was on the road for San Francisco. About midnight I was aroused from my bed by the noise made by ten ("alifornians (unshaved and unwashed for months, being in the mountains) rushing into my chamber with guns, swords, pistols and torches in their hands. I needed liut a moment to be fully awake and know my exact situation ; the fii'st cry was, ' Comoestamos Seiior Consul,' ' Vamos Senor Larkin.' At my Itedside were several letters that I had re-read before going to bed. On dressing myself, while my captors were saddling my horse, I assorted these letters and put them into diffei-ent pockets. After taking my own time to dress and an-ange my valise, we started and rode to a camp of seventy or eighty men, on the banks of the Monterey river. There each officer and jn-incipal person passed the time of night with me, and a remark or two. The commandante took me to one side and informed me that his people demanded that I should write to San Juan to the American captain of -volunteers, saying that I had left Monterey to visit the distressed families on the I'iver, and request or demand that twenty men should meet me liefore daylight, that I could station them, before my return to town, in a manner to protect these families. The natives, he said, were determined on the act being accomplished, I at fii'st endeavored to reason with him on the infamy and the impossibility of the deed, but to no avail ; he said my life depended on the letter ; that he was willing — nay, anxious — to presei-ve my life as an old ac- quaintance, but could not control his people in this affair. From argument I came to a refusal ; he advised, urged and demanded. At this period an officer called out ( * * * * come here — those who are named). ^ said : 'In this manner you may act and threaten night by night; my life on such condition is of no value or jdeasure to me. I am by accident your prisoner — make the most of me ; write I will not ; shoot as you see fit, and I am done talking on the subject.' I left him and went to the camp-fire. For a half-hour or more there was some commotion around me, when all disturbance subsided. 74 "At daylight we started, with a flag flying and a drum beating, and traveled eight or ten miles, when we camped Ln a low valley or hollow. There they caught with the lasso three or four head of cattle belonging to the nearest rancho, and breakfasted. The whole day their out-ridei-s rode in every dii-ection, on the lookout to see if tlie American company left the mission of San Juan, or Lieutenant- Colonel Fremont left Monterey ; they also rode to all the neighboring ranches and forced the rancheros to join them. "At one o'clock they began their march with one hundred and thirty men (and two or thi'ee hundred extra horses); they marched in four single files, occupying four positions, myself, under charge of an oflScer and five or six men, in the center. Theu- plan of operations for the night was to rush into San Juan ten or fifteen men, who were to retreat, under the expectation that the Americans would follow them, in which case the whole party oiitside was to cut them otf. I was to be retained in the center of the part)'. Ten miles south of the mission they encountered eight or ten Americans, a part of whom retreated into a low ground covered with oaks ; the othere i-etumed to the hou.se of Seiior Gomez, to alarm their companions. For over one hour, the hundred and thirty Californians sun-ounded this six or eight Americans, occa- sionally giving and recei^•iIlg shots. During this period I was sevei-al times requested, then commanded, to go among the oaks and bring out ray countrymen, and offer them their lives on giving up the rifles and persons. I at last ofiered to go and call them out on condition that they should return to San Juan or go to Monterey, with their arms ; this being refused, I told the commandante to go in and bring them out himself "While they were consulting how this could be done, fifty Americans came downi on them, which caused an action of about twenty or thirty minutes. Thirty or forty of the natives leaving the field at the firet fire, the remainder drew ofi" by fives and tens until the Americans had the field to them- selves. Both parties remained within a mile of each other until daik. Our countrymen lost Captain Burroughs, of St. Louis, Missouri, Captain Foster and two others, with two or three wounded. The Californians lost two of theii- countrymen and Jose Garcia, of Val., Chili, with seven wounded." The Californian, of November 21, 1846, published at Monterey, says, in addition to what was recoi-ded by Larkin, that " Biirroughs and Foster were killed at the first onset. The Americans fired and then charged on the enemy with their empty rifles and i-an them off. However, they still kept rallying and tiring now and then a musket at the Americans, until about 11 o'clock at night, when one of tlie Walla Walla Indians ofiered his services to come into Monterey and give Colonel Fremont notice of what was passing. Soon after he started he was pursued b^- a party of the enemy. The foremost in pursuit drove a lance at the Indian, who, trying to parry it, received the lance througli his hand ; he immediately, with the other hand, seized his tomahawk and struck a blow at his opponent, which split his head from the crown to the mouth. By this time the others had come uji, and with the most extraordinary dexterity and braveiy the Indian vanquished two moi-e, and the rest ran away. He rode on towards this town as far as his horse was able to cany liim, iind then left his hoi-se and saddle and came in on foot. He airived here about 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning, Nov. 17th." Fremont at once marched to the assistance of the Americans, but failed to meet the enemy, and camped at San Juan, where for sevei-al days he waited for reinforcements. The first night after his arrival at the mission some of the soldiei-s were attacked, wOien sleeping, by numerous half-starved dogs that had been left liehind by the people when they removed from the mission. One soldier hatl his nose bitten ofi", and in the morning some three hundred of these famishing curs were shot 1||' order of Fremont. On the twenty -sixth of November, Lieutenant Bryant left San Jo.se en i"oute for San Juan, to join the battalion. He had with him between two and three hundred horses, which Capt. C. M. "Weber had suc- ceeded in securing for our forces, and had availed himself of this opportunity to foi-ward them. On the thirtieth of N()veml)pr. the battalion stai-ted for r,os Angeles, commanded l)y Colonel Fremont, under 10 whom were 428 men, rank and file, including Indians and servants, accompanied by about 600 loose horses for a change. The Vmttalion was officered as follows : — Officers. Rank or Remarks. J. C. Fremont Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. A. H. Gillespie Major. P. B. Reading , Paymaster. Henry King Commissary. J. R. Snyder Quartermaster. Wm. H. Russell ; . . Ordnance Officer. T. Talbot Adjutant. J. J. Myers Sergeant- Majoi-. Appointed Lie\itenant in June, 1847. Companj/ A. Richard Owens Captain. William N. Loker 1st lieutenant. Appointed Adjutant Feb. 10, 1847. B. M. Hudspeth 2d Lieutenant. Appointed Captain February, 1847. Wm. Findlay Lieutenant, Appointed Captain February, 1847. Company B. Henry Ford Captain, Andrew Copeland 1st Lieutenant, Company C. Granville P. Swift ' Captain. Wm. Baldridge 1st Lieutenant, Wm. Hartgrove 2d Lieutenant. Company D. John Sears Captain. Wm. Bradshaw 1st Lieutenant. Company E. John Grigsby ■ ■ Captain. Archibald Jesse 1st Lieutenant, D. T. Bird , , , . . 2d Lieutenant;^ Company F, L. W. Hastings (author of a work on California) Captain, M. M. Wombough 1st Lieutenant, J. M. Hudspeth 3d Lieutenant, Company G, Thompson Captain. Davis 1st Lieutenant. Rock ... 2d Lieutenant. 76 Comj)any H. K. T. Jacobs Captain. Edward Bryant (later alcade of San Fi-ancisco) 1st Lieutenant. Geo. M. Lippincott 2d Lieutenant. Artillery Company. Louis McLaiie (afterwards Major) Captain. John K. Wilson (made Captain in January, 1847) l.st Lieutenant. Wm. Blaekbuni (later alcade at Santa Cruz) 2d Lieutenant. This company had two pieces of artillery. There were a number of officers who did not accompany their battalion on this march, but were pei-forming duties in other parts of the state, as follows ; — S. J. Hensley Captain. S. Gibson (lanced through the body at San Pasqual) Captain. Miguel Pedrorena (a Spaniard) Captain. Stgo Argiiello (a Californian) Captain. Bell (an old resident of Los Angeles) Captain. H. Rhensliaw 1st Lieutenant. A. Godey 1st Lieutenant. Jas. Barton 1st Lieutenant. L. Argiiello (a Californian) 1st Lieutenant. The mai'ch south was during the i-ainy season, and the suffering of the troops before reaching Santa Barbara on the twenty-seventh of December was very severe, and the loss in horses was so great that not enough were left to mount the command. Only three events of special interest had occurred \ip to that time on the march through the country. The tii-st was the capture of an Indian, who was condemned and shot as a syiy on the thirteenth of December, about fifteen miles out from the mission of San Miguel, on the road to Han Luis ( )bispo. He was fired upon by a file of soldiei-s, and, says Lieuten- ant Biyant, " He fell upon his knees, and remained in that position several minutes without uttering a groan, and then sank upon the earth. No human being could have met his fate with more composure or witli stronger manifestations of courage. It was a scene such as I desii-e never to witness again." We called Lieutenant Bird's attention to this passage in Bryant's work, and he said, " It's all right except the courage i)art. I saw him shot, and thought he was badly scared." The dead Indian had been the sei-vant of Jose de Jesus Pico, and two days later his master was captured at San Luis Obispo, and condemned to be executed, but a procession of females with covei-ed faces, except the leader, who was, says Bryant, " of fine appearance, and di'essed with remarkable taste ***** whose beautiful features * # * * required no concealment," visited the quai-tei-s of Fremont, praying that the life of Pioo might be spared, The Colonel deemed it policy to grant a pardon and the jirisoner went free, although he was to have been executed for having broken his parole. The third c\ent wjus the ten-ible march of the army, on Christmas day and night, from the summit of St. Ines mountain down int.o the valley of Santa Barbara. Again we introduce an e.vtraot from that excellent journal kept bj- Lieutenant Bryant, when accompanying the California battalion sis an offloer in its march to Los Angeles : — '' December 25th .-^Christmas Day, ^nd a memorable one to me. Owing to the difficult}- in hauling the camion up the steep ^ooUvitlea of the nioiiutHins, the main body of the battalion did not come up with us until twelve o'clock, and before we commenced the descent of the mo\mtain a furious storm com- menced, i-aging with U violence rarely surpassed, The rain fell in torrents, and the wind blew almost with tlie force of ii tornado. This fierce strife of the elements continued without abat(mient the entire afternoon, and until two o'clock at niglit. Driving our horses before us, we were compelled to slide secretary of state. On the eighteenth of January, Kearny left for San Diego with his di-agoons. On the nineteenth, Stockton also departed for San Pedro, where he embarked and sailed for Mexico. On the twenty -second, Fremont issued at Los Angeles his ]ir(x;lamatiou, signing it as "Governor and Commander-in-chief of California." On the next day, Com. W. B. Shubrick arrived at Monterey, and assumed the title and duties of com- niander-in-ehief, as evinced in his proclaiiiatiou of February 1, 1847. One month later he joined Gen- eral Kearnv in the following circular order, it being practically a notice to Fremont that he was an usm-jjer, iind that if he jilayed at being governor any longer, it would be at his own j>eril : — Circular. To all lohom it inai/ concern, be it known — That the president of the United States, d&sirons to give and secure to the people of California a share of the good government and happy civil organization en- joyed by the people of the United States, and to protect them at the same time from the attacks of foreign foes and from internal commotions, has invested the iindei'signiMl with separate and tlistinct powers, civil and military, a cordial co-opemtiou in the exercise of which, it is hoped and believed, will have the happy result desired. To the commander-in-chief of the naval forces the president has assigned the regulations of the import trade — the conditions on which vessels of all nations, our own as well as foreign, may be admitted into the ports of the territory, and the establishment of all jiort regidations. . To the commanding military officer the president has assigned the direction of the operations on land, and has invested him with adniiiiisti-ative functions of government over the jwople and territory occupied by the forces of the United Stiites. Done at Monterey, capital of California, this first day of Mareh, 1847. W. Bradford Shubrick, Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces. S. W. Kearny, Brigadier-General U. S. A. and Governor of California. On the same day Kearny issued the following proclamation as Governor, in which he ignored the existence of the treaty of Couenga, and notified the Califomians that they were citizens of the United States and were absolved from allegiance to Mexico : — Proclamation to the People of California. The president of the United States having instructed the undei-signed to take charge of the civil government of California, he enters upon his duties with an ardent desire to promote, as far as he is able, the interests of the country and the welfare of its inhabitants. The undersigned has instructions from the president to i-espect and protect the religious institutions of California, and to see that the religious rights of the people are in the amplest manner preserved to them, the constitution of the United States allowing eveiy man to woi-ship his Creator in such a manner as his own conscience may dictate to him. Tiie undei-signed is also instnicted to protect the persons and projierty of the quiet and peaceable inhabitants of the country against all or any of their enemies, whether from abroad or at home ; and when he now iussures the Califoi-nians that it will be his duty antl pleasure to comply with those insti-uc- tions, he calls ujjon tliem all to exert them.selves in presei-ving order and tranquility, in promoting har- mony and concord, and in maintaining the authority and cfliciency of the law. 85 It is the wish and design of the United States to pioviiU' for California, with the least possible delay, a free government, similar to those in her other territories, and the people will soon be called upon to exercise their i-ights as freemen in electing their own representatives to make such laws as may be deemed best for their interest and welfare. But, until this can be done, the laws now in existence, and not in conflict with the constitution of the United States, will be continued until changed by competent authority ; and those pereons who hold office will continue in the same for the present, provided they swear to support the constitution and to faithfully perform their dutj'. The undei-signed hereby absolves all the inhabitants of California from any further allegiance to the Republic of Mexico, and will consider them as citizens of the United States. Those who remain quiet and peaceable will be respected in their rights and protected in them. Should any take up arms against or oppose the government of this territory, or instigate othei-s to do so, they will be considered as enemies and treated accordingly. When Mexico forced war upon the United States, time did not permit the latter to invite the Cali- fornians as friends to join her standard, but compelled her to take possession of the country to prevent any European power from seizing upon it, and, in doing so, some excesses and unauthorized acts were no doubt committed by persons employed in the service of the United States, by which a few of the inhabitants have met with a loss of property. Such losses will be duly investigated, and those entitled to remuneration will receive it. California has for many years suffered greatly from c'omestic troubles. Civil wars have been the liiiison fountains which have sent forth trouble and pestilence over her beautiful land. Now those fountains are dried up, the star-spangled banner floats over California, and as long as the sun continues to shine upon her, so long will it float there, over the natives of the land as well as others who have found a home in her bosom ; and, under it, agriculture must improve, and the arts and sciences flourish, as seed in a ricli and fertile soil. The Americans and Californians are now but one people. Let' us cherish one wish, one hope, and let that be for the peace and quiet of our counti-y. Let us, as a band of brothers, unite and emulate each other in our exertions to beneflt and improve this beautiful, and, wliich soon must be, our happy and prosperous home. Done at Monterey, capital of California, this first day of March, A. D. 1847. and in the seventy- fii-st vear of independence of the United States. , S. W. Kearny, Brigadier-General U. S. A. and Governor of California. Lieut. E. Bryant records that " The proclamation of General Keai-ny gave great satisfaction to the native as well as the immigi'ant pojiulation of the countiy." That was probably true, as regarded the immigrants and some of the natives, but as to a majority of Californians it was not correct. They had been forced to surrender upon agreed conditions, signed at Couenga, and those conditions had been ignored. It was a breach of faith, and they were justified in doubting the integi-ity of those into whose hands they had fallen. On the eleventh of March, orders reached Fremont that satisfied him of the intention on the part of the home government to sustain neither Commodoi-e Stockton nor himself. He received ordei-s to either disband the California battalion or muster it into the United States sei-vice ; and that force refused to be mustered, and asked for their pay. Fremont immediately visited Kearny at Monterey, to see if his men could be paid, and was ordered to return and ship by water such of his command to Monterey as would not muster, and to follow it by land. 86 Upon Fremont's return to Los Angeles, he found that OoL P. 8t. George Cook, of the Mormon battalion, had arrived during his absence and demanded possession of his artillery, the demand not hav- ing been complied with. Col. R. B. Mason (afterwards governor) visited Los Angeles with the inten- tion of mustei-ing out or into the United States senice the battalion. He wa.s followed early in May by General Kearny, when Fremont yielded to the pressure, and on May 31, 1847, started with General Kearny overland for the east, a prisoner. He was tried at Fortress Monroe, and convicted by a military court-niartiiil of having been guilty of mutiny, disobedience and disorderly conduct, and was sentenced to forfeit his commission in the army. The president approved the finding of the court, but ordered him on duty again. This he declined, and abandoned the military service. A few years later he narrowly escaped being made president of the United States, because of the opinion that had become rooted in the minds of the people, that he ha
  • ened, and the men who went in found the body of Beeson, part way out, lying on his face, close to the car-track. He had evidently come as far as he could, and when overpowered had i>ut his mouth to the ground to kee]) the smoke from entering his lungs. The smoke was still too thick to go farther; and nothing more could be done until Thursday morning, Avhen the other three bodies were recovered. Cullen was a very strong man, .■uid had evidently made a desperate struggle. He had managed to get n\> the raise some fifty feet from his comrades, there was over- come, and fell. Cashman .and Cornelius had not left the " breast " where they were at work. Cashman was found sitting or squatting on his heels, with his hands over his face. Cornelius was lying a few feet from him. Beeson and Cornelius were taken to (ireen\ille for burial on Thuisday^ and the bodies of Cashman and Cullen were brought to Quincy and buried in the graveyard about ten o'clock Thursday night, the rapid decomposition of the bodies making it necessary to bury them as soon as possible. 228 ANDERSON'S ADMINISTRATION. As an instance i>t' unusu;il integrity anil honor, and as a triljute to a pioneer wlm lias left an unimpoacliable record lieliind liim. we mention tlie following: In tlif year 1853 Charles A. Anderson of Moliawk valley made a jiresent of a ranch in Mohawk valley to Thomas Wash, an old friend of his who hailed from his native county in Virginia. For many years Mr. Wash lived in possession of the property, and in 1879 died without a family. He left a will at his demise, naming Charles Anderson as his executor, but having the projierty to othei- ]iartiis. Anderson faithfully settlcil up the affairs of the state, using the utmost economy and the most scrupulous honesty in the transaction of the business. On the eleventh of November, 1881, he remitted to the heirs of Wash the sum of thirteen hundred dollars, having received himself from the estate the paltry compensation of one hundrt'il and fifty dollars for his services. Mr. Anderson left Plumas county November 12, 1881, with only twenty dollars and fifty cents in his pocket ; but he has left behind him a record that but few men, placed in similar circumstances, can boast of — the record of an honest man, " the noblest work of God." RECORD OF CONVICTIONS OF FELONIES. Crime. Convicted. .Sentence. Disposition. William S. Harper. .Murder Oct. 19, 1857. . . .10 years... .Pardoned Aug. 28, 1866. Fred Ashton Rape Sept. 9, 1858 3 years Escaped Jime 25, 1859. William Dixon Rajie Sept. 17, 1858 2 years Escaped Sept. 19, 1859. John Jenkins Murder July IG, 1859 Death Hanged Oct. 28, 1859. Thomas Elder Murder July 19, 1859 ... .Death Hanged Oct. 28, 1859. Jolm Morrow Larceny May 27, 18G 1 4 years Escaped July 22, 1862. Clark Rugg Larciil 4, 1860. Henry Scholl Aug. 1, 1857 . . .Supt. 25, 1857. Henry L. Tuekey May 19, 1858 Died Dec. 9, 1858. John Rohinson March 26, 1859 Died June 28, 1862. John S. West, (Scofiel.l) Pel). 12, 1860 Died May 24, 1881. Leonard Voglc April 22, 1860. .Jan. 19, 1861. C. Demerrit Aug. lij, 1860 . . Sept. 29, 1860. Henry IJrown May 14, 1863. .June 10, 1863. John Brown Nov. 9, 1863 Died April 6, 1865. Philip Theo. Sagenbacli June 7, 1866 Died June 9, 1866. Wm. II. Jacobs June 30, 1866 Died Nov. 26, 1868. Geo. F. Davis July 31, 1866. .July 12, 1867. John McQuinn Aug. 2, 1 866 Died May 8, 1867. Francis M. Goodwin Nov. 22, 1866. .May 28, 1867. Thomas Fitzgerald Dec. 1, 1866. . .Aprd 4, 1867. John Peterson March 12, 1867.March 28, 1869.Uet'd voluntarily, d. M;ir. 13, 1872. Ramon Navarro June 24, 1 869 . . Fob. 28, 1870. Lewis Jabier June 6, 1 870 . . . May 11, 1 871 . J.-unes Cannovnn June 2, 1871 Still in asylum. Ann Crocket Jan. 23, 1873 Died Jan. 27, 1874. Henry Marks March 26, 1873 Still in asylum. Frank M. Goodwin, 2nd time. .Oct. 29, 1873. ..Juni' 29, 1874. Cliarles Wilson June 3, 1874 Still in asylum. Geo. H. Engelbeck Oct. 2, 1874 Died Nov. 22,1876. Patrick Brannon Oct. 9, 1874.. ..Feb. 4, 1875. Andrew Powers Oct. 18, 1874 Eloped Jan. 22, 1875. John A. Ryan Oct. 23, 1874... Nov. 20, 1874. Harriet F. Winchell Nov. 4, 1874. . .Dec. 15, 1874. Stephen Manuel Dec. 16, 1874 Dieanied by hundreds more, they again came well supplied with provisions. These were brought on the backs of mules and horses, which were with great difficulty, and not without frequent disastrous accidents, conducted into the deepest recesses of the mountains. A few specu- lative individuals engaged in the business of packing goods to the mines, which they sold at trading posts owned by themselves, or disposed of to other merchants who had opened trade emporiums in shake shanties, brush houses, or canvas tents in nearly every infant mining camp that hail sprung up. This was for several years the only means for transi)orling heavy articles into the county. There were two routes of travel into this section: one from Marysville, through Strawberry val- ley to Onion \ alley, and the iniddle fork of Feather river, and thence on to American valley; and 231 "lie from Bidwell's liai- to Buck's Raneli, Spanish Ranch, American and Indian valleys, and the mines on tlie north fork and east branch. The former was the first one opened, but the latter has been the most important. Pack-trains varied in size from two or three mules to half a h\iudred, a few even greater. Three hundred pounds were considered a good load for a mule ; but occasionally such articles as safes, printing-presses, pianos, etc., weighing several hundred more, were brought on the back of a lusty muK'. The constant passage of these trains over the mountains made a trail that was soon after, by a little work, made passable for wagons and stages, especially on the lower route as far as Onion valley. It was not, however, until toll roads were built by private enterprise, and the county had spent considerable money on public highways, that the freight wagon and stage succeeded the old pack-mule and mounted express. EXPRESS LINES AND DOG-EXPRESS. The express lines wore quite an institution in the pioneer days. It was several years before any post-ofBces were established in the county or any mail service inaugurated, and the ]ieople had to de]iend upon the express for all postal accommodation. Tiiose who came here in 1850 left all thought of receiving any letters behind them, and when they were occasionally brought from below by friends who came later, or an occasional pai-k-train, they were agreeably surprised. Early in the spring of 1851, Frank Everts started Everts, Snell, & Co.'s express from Marysville to Onion valley and Nelson Point. Later that year he became agent for Adams & Co., as bankers, at Nelson Point. Everts, Snell, it Co. were succeeded by E. Wilson & Co. In 1854 Wilson's express ran only to Gibsonville, and from that point Morley & Caulkins ran to American valley and Elizabeth- town, a route previously ojiened by Wilson. These exj)resses ran in connection with the great express of Adams & Co., who also did a large business in banking and buying gold-dust. The failure of that firm in 1855 caused a financial jianic in California, and ruined hundreds. Before they closed their doors they instructed Mr. Everts, their agent in this section, to forward all money and dust to the central office. Foreseeing that it would all be absorbed, Mr. Everts notified all his customers of the condition of .affairs, and permitted them to withdraw their deposits. He gained no favor from the failing firm by this act, but saved scores of hard-working miners from losing the result of their toil, and his memory still remains green in the hearts of the pioneers of Plumas county. Frank Everts and his brother, H. C. Everts, then established a headquarters for express and the ])urchase of gold-dust at La Porte. Morley «fc Caulkins still ran the express on that route till 1857, when Morley and E. E. Meek took the route and consolidated the same year with Whiting & Co., who were running on the route from Oroville to Rich bar. The first man to bring letters to Rich bar was Herman Cam|i, in the fall of 18.')0. He came up from Marysville on a mule. That winter he was succeeded by John R. Buckbec. Two trips were made per month, bearing letters and papers, for which they charged the modest price of two dollars and a half for letters, and a dollar less for papers — a price that was soon modified materially. He soon sold to Captain William E. Singer anil Annan Fargo, who ran under the name of Singer & Fargo until 1852, when they look in W. S. Dean, and were known as Singer, Dean, & Co. The firm collapsed in 1855, and Singer & Morrow (Thomas H.) continued the business. Morrow had started a mule-train for passengers, in 1854, connecting at Bidwell's bar with the stage for Marysville. Dean now ran the passenger business while Singer & Morrow operated the express. They ran to American and Indian valleys, Rich bar. Rush creek, 12-mile bar, north fork of Feather and Humbug valley, until 1857, when a loss of confidence caused them to sell out. In August of that year Morrow was taking 232 §8,000 on horseback from Bidwell to Marysville. He reached the latter place about daylight, on foot, with the story that his horse had fallen with him at the Honcut, and then run away with the money. The story was generally discredited ; and the firm sold to Henry C. Everts an! Feiiton H. Whiting, who combined with George W. Mork'v and Emerson E. Mei-k, proprietors of the line on tiie other route, and formed the well-known firm of Whiting «fc Co. Meek sold out in 1858, Morley in 1859, and Everts and Whiting continued the business till succeeded by Wells, Fargo, it Co., in 1868. Mr. Whiting is now, and has been for more than a decade, county clerk of Plumas county. Frank Everts resides in Indianajjolis, Ind. His brother Henry met his death at the hands of the Apaches in Arizona a few years ago. Mr. Meek resides in Marysville, where he has held the posi- tion of clerk of Yuba county several terms, in which office he is now the dejiuty. Morley is a resi- dent of East Saginaw, Michigan. The method of carrying express in the early days was by mounted messengers. At first they traveled somewhat leisurely, making but two trips per month : but as competition sprang up be- tween the great rival companies with which these mountain expressmen connected, speed became a great consideration, .iml the messengers made every exertion to acconqilish their journey as quickly as j)ossible. Letters, newsj)apers, small parcels, and gold-dust were the articles carried l>y the expressmen, the postal business being the most important and the most remunerative. Letters for this region were sent to the Marysville post-office as a general thing, and the messenger, armed with a long list of ]iatrons, was permitted to go into the ])ost-office there and overhaul the mail. For this jii-ivilege he paid the postmaster twenty-five cents for every letter he found belonging to his patrons in the mountains. These he carried home on his return journey, and charged the re- cipient one dollar for each letter delivered. Newspapers were taken up for fifty cents. Letters were taken down to be mailed for half-price. One instance is related where a messenger delivered thirteen letters to a man and collected thirteen dollars. They were all delayi'd letters from the man's wife, and the last one was, of course, the only one of much interest. During the winter of 18.52-53, the expressmen had a hard time of it on the route from Bidwell, being compelled to leave their mules at Peavine, and fight their way on foot through tln' snow. At that time snow-shoes were unknown here, and the luckless messenger had to plunge anress business with jirofit. During the year 1858 he procured three large, strong, intelligent dogs of the Newfoundland and St. Bernard breeds, and broke them in to work in harness that he had made esjiecially for the purpose. When winter came, with its mass of snow, he harnessed them to a sled which had been constructed at a cost of seventy-five dollars, and made a trial trip. It was a magnificent success. Oh the sled was a small chest in which were cavrieil the U. S. mail (a post-ofliice having been estab- lished two years before at Quincy), letters, and exjiress packages. This, with himself and an occasional passenger, sometimes made a load of 600 pounds, with which the dogs would race across the frozen crust of the snow at the top of their speed, apparently enjoying the sport as much as the human freight they drew. Mr. Whiting drove and managed the dog-express iu person, the route being from Huckcye to Meadow valley, a distance of twenty-two miles. Snow-shoes were RESIDENCE OF WALTER EDE. r-.V/ • RESIDENCE OF C.F.SELTIER. :blDENCE OF C.F. SELTI 233 used by the driver in going nj) steep grades, or tlirougli tlie deep snow, to lighten the load for the patient animals. The dogs were driven tandem, sometimes four being used in a team. Stages had been put on the route in 1858, and express and mail were carried in tlieiu as Ii>ng as the roads remained open, but as soon as the blockade of snow was laid, the dog-ex])ress was brought into requisition; and for weeks the only connecting link between I'lunias and the outside world was Mr. Whitintt and his sallant canine friends. Mail and express were lirouLiht over from La Porte to Quincy by a messenger on snow-shoes, the Norwegian shoe having finally bi^en introduced ; ami this method is still in use on that route when the road is blocked with snow. The dog-team was dispensed with in 1865, when the horse snow-shoe was introduced, enabling the stage to pass over the snow. Whiting & Co. soon after abandoned the business to Wells, Fargo, & Co., who now continue it on the regular stage line. STAGE LINES. The first staging dates back to 1851, when a joint-stock company was organized in Onion valley, by .McElhany, Thomas, & Co., to run a stage from that point to Marysville twice a week. There was a great deal of travel on this route at that time, and the enter]irise was a remunerative one until winter set in. The line was then discontinued, and in the spring was not resumed. The next passenger enterprise was inaugurated in 1854, by Thomas H. Morrow, who ran a saddle train of mules for the transportation of passengers between Bidwell and American valley. The next year he was succeeiled by W. S. Dean, who ran the mules for a year, and then put on stages He continued the line till the summer of 1858, when he sold out to the celebrated California Stage Co., which conducted the business two years, making tri-weekly trips from Oroville to Quincy, going through in a day, but connecting with the dog-express in winter. In 1860 Dr. S. T. Brewster, who had been running a saddle-train, bought the line, and operated it until 1866. He was succeeded by William Smith, then Kicharut the shoes on a four-horse team. When first put on, some horses cut themselves about tlie feet witli the plates, but soon learn to spread their feet so as not to interfere. A few become good snow-horses at once, while others seem incapable of learning to use the shoes. Horses which have become used to the snow seem to use as much intelligence and judgment in battling with this tleecy drapery of the mountains as a man would be expected to have. The many instances related by the drivers, of tlie sufferings and hardships endured by them and their faithful animals, impress one fully of the danger of traveling in the Sierra during the severe winter storms. QUINCY AND SPANISH-RANCH WAGON ROAD. The er;i of the sul)Stitutill road. PLUMAS TURNPIKE COMPANY. This company was formed March 28, 1860, for the purpose of constructing a road from the Plumas mills to Indian Valley. The projectors were A. C. Light, W. II. Hariwell, John K. Brett, Thomas E. Hayden, John Harbison, C. Miller, R. I. Barnelt, J. H. Whitlock, E. H. Pierce, and John M. Bass. The road was surveyed by Mr. Whitlock, completed, and used as a toll road until 1870, when the new road by way of Spanish creek was built. Since then it has been but little used, save by horsemen and footmen. 235 CHICO AND HUMBOLDT WAGON-ROAD CO. Bv the Act of April 14, 18G3, tlie legislature granted a franchise to John Hidwell, J. C. Man- (leville, R. M. Cochran, E. B. Poml, ami John Guill to constrnct a toll road from Cliico to Honey lake, on the eastern boundary of the slate. They incorjjorated the following year, with the above title, and completed the road, which was designed as a route to Idaho and the Humboldt mines. It is still used as the stage road from Chico to Susanville. OROVILLE & BECKWOURTH-PASS WAGON ROAD. The certificate of incorporation of this company was filed June 18, 18(30. The declaration of intention states that the object of the organization was the construction of a wagon road from the town of Oroville, by the way of the north or the middle fork of Feather river to Beckwourth pass. The .subscribers to the articles of incorporation were N. C. Cunningham, R. C. Chambers, Richard Irwin, Samuel Goodwin, James H. Houck, R. E. Garland, J. E. Edw-ards, David Every, John Hardgrave, and Jobe T. Taylor. The project failed, no work having even been commenced. QUINCY AND INDIAN-VALLEY WAGON ROAD. By the Act of March 3], 18G6, a special election was called on the question of voting $10,000 in aid of the construction of the road from Quincy to Indian valley, by the way of Spanish creek. The company was organized witii W. A. Bolinger, president, A. F. Blood, secretary, and S. J. Clark, treasurer. Work was commenced under the management of William H. Blood ; but as the county failed to vote a subsidy, and Mr. Blood died after a few miles had been constructed, the project was abandoned. In March, 1870, the legislature authorized the county to issue bonds to the amount of 820,000 for the completion of this road. A. W. Keddie, county surveyor, was directed to make a survey of the route, and then the contract for construction was let to John D. Goodwin, who represented the interests of William G. Young and M. B. Bransford, for the S"20,000 bonds. The terms were that they were .to build the road from Dixie cailon to the crossing of Little Black Hawk, and to have the tolls of the road for ten years ; $1,500 more were paid to complete the road to Quincy. The road was constructed at an expense th.at left but little if any margin to the contractors, and is one of the most im]iortant of the arteries of communication in the county. LA PORTE AND QUINCY WAGON ROAD. I'lumas has never enjoyed an undue share of special legislation. Among the few such Acts passed in her behalf, none has ever redounded more to the creilit of her representatives in the legislative halls, nor resulted in greater benefits to her citizens, than the one of March 31, 1866, authorizing certain parties to construct a wagon road, above named, and the one of the same date ordering the special election to be held throughout the county on the first day of May of said year, for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the county the proposition to issue bonds of said county in the sum of ^20,000 to aid the construction of said roail. Tlie people of Goodwin and Plumas townships, more particularly, were deeply interested in the success of this measure. On the one hand, the farmers of American valley and its vicinity sorely felt the need of a market in which to find a certain demand for their hay, grain, butter, etc. Their condition at this time was anything but a prosperous one. The home or local demand was trifling, compared with the supply '23G of such products; but on the other side of the ridge, the residents of Sawpit, Gibsonville, L:i I'ortc, and otlier mining towns were annually consuming large amounts of farm and dairy proilucts, and depending for their supply upon the farmers of the lower valleys or foot-hills. Realizing the mutual benefits to be derived from the construction of the road, both liy the farmers of American valley and the miners and merchants of the localities named, they readily ami heartily indorsed tiie proposition. Yet strange to say, strong opposition sprang up in many localities — even in Anieiican valley. The board of supervisors, pursuant to law, ordered a special election to be held May I, 1866, at which the proposition contained in the statute should be submitted. At said election there was returned a total vote of 1,529. Of these, there were t)44 votes against the proposition, leaving a handsome majority in favor of it. Immediately thereafter an organiza- tion was formed for the purpose of constructing the road. Capital stock, *10,flOO. Ten per cent, was j)aid in, and the work, under the superintendence of E. H. Pierce, commenced Upon the dis- bursement of a considerable sum, the county became discouraged ; when Coidy & Co., bankers of La Porte, came forward, assumed the undertaking, and in the summer of 1867 completed the road, at a cost of some *.30,000 — or xlO,000 more than they received from the county. The bonds, drawing 10 per cent, per annum, were duly issued to that firm. A celebration was had at La Porte shortly after tlie completion of the road, which was largely attended by residents from different sections of the county, particularly American valley. The opposition to the road manifested at the election alluair and collection of the tolls on this road has been annually aw.arded to the lowest biilder. The road is 34i miles long. As was remarked above, the building of this road was a pet measure of the people of La Porte, who had just succeeded in freeing themselves from Sierra county, and becoming attached to I'lumas, anil now desired this road to make themselves in fact what they were in name —a part of Plumas county. The vote cast at that place was, to say the least, a lusty one. While Quincy cast but 116 votes, thirty-two of them against the road. La Porte came forward with a solid vote of 467 in favor of the proposition. AVhen Dr. Brewster came to Quincy with the La Purte returns, the astoiiislunent at the magnitude of the ballot was unbounded. To all inquiries, however, the mes- senger sim])ly replied that there were a good many minors there that year. One of the officers of election, who said he could no longer see any reason for maintaining silence on the subject, gave liie writer full particulars of the affair, which, being summed up, ami omitting names of the par- ticipants, show that those highly virtuous officers started business briskly on the morning of the election by putting 250 ballots in the bo.v and 250 names on the poll-book. As the majority for the measure in the county was but 241, it can be readily seen that the election was won before a legal ballot had been cast. The vote of L.i Porte was 467. while at the next election hut 175 were cast at that precinct, raising the presum])tii){i th.it the '■ good ni.my miners "" had gone in search of other diirgings. 237 , THE $10,000 FOLLY. Under the same law tliat autliorizod the county to eunstnicl the roail from Quincv to Indian valley, the county was ponnitted to issue S7,000 in bonds to re}iair the road from Quincy to Beck- wourth valley. Ned Smith, then a member of the board of supervisors, was ajijiointed to receive the bonds and carry out the provisions of tiie statute. In addition to the bonds, an appropriation of $3,000 was made to complete the wtirk. Mr. Smith received $929, at ten dollars per day, for his services in overseeing the contractors, which was thought by many to be a charge for over- seeing himself. liED-CLOVER WAGON ROAD. On the nineteenth of May, 1870, the certificate of incorporation of the Clover Valley Turnpike Co. was filed in the clerk's office at Quincy. The object of the organization was the construction of a road from a point near Coppertown, in Genesee valley, to the state line at the Summit, for the purpose of getting a route to Reno. The chief projector was Thomas E. Hayden. A proposition to give a subsidy to the road was defeated at the general election in 1872, by a vote of 379 to 118. Hayden raised a subscription iu Imlian valley, but failed to complete the road, and transferred it to John Hardgrave. This gentleman gave it to the county, and it was then completed at considerable expense. It is now kept by the county as a toll road, and is the route taken by the stage from Greenville, via Taylorville and Beckwourth i>ass, to Reno. OROVILLE AND HONEY-LAKE ROAD. April 28, 18')7, the legislature jiassed an Act "To provide for the construction uf a wagon road from Oroville, Butte county, to and intersecting at the most practicable point the line of the proposed National Wagon Road that has its terminus at or near Honey lake, Plumas county.'' William L. Upton, of Butte, and William Buckliolder and R. C. Chambers, of Plumas, were named as commissioners to construct the road. The Act also jirovided for the issuing of §20,000 bonds each by the two counties, provided such measure received the indorsement of the people at the fall election. The undeilying object was to secure the passage through this county of the overland railroad, which every one felt certain would be constructed before many years. The United States military road which had been surveyed to Noble's pass, and the exploration of a route for a rail- road by Lieutenant Beckwith on the same line, led many to think that this would be the route chosen for any transcontinental raih-oad — as it was for a certain distance. It was thought that a good road from Oroville to Honey lake would be the means of deflecting any railroad from Beck- with's route to Ft. Reading, thus securing a shorter line to San Francisco. This opinion is still held by many, who assert that if this road had been built as projected the Central Pacific would now be running through Noble's pass ami tinough Phnnas county. However, it was impossible to con\ince the voters of Butte and Plumas of the fact, and the measure was defeated in both counties, and the jiroject abandoned. OROVILLE AND VIRGINIA-CITY RAILROAD. The articles of incorporation of the above company were filed in the office of the secretary of state, at Sacramento, April 2, 1867. The object stated was to construct a railroad from Oroville up the north fork of Feather river to Juni'tiou bar: thence up the east branch to the month of 238 S|>aiiish creek; thence up lL:it .j or securiti/, to the Oroville and Virginia City Railroad Company, bonds in the sum of two hundred and thirty thousand dollars, and which, when paid, will amoimt, for ])rincipal and interest, to the enormous sum of six hundred and ninety thousand dollars ; and we do emi)hatically protest against the same, and denounce it as the most outrageous and barefaced swindle ever attempted to be forced u|ion a free jieople ; and believing that the provisions of said bill are not only wholly impolitic but grossly inequitable and unjust, we do earnestly petition the honorable board of 239 supervisors of said county, as our representatives, and the guardians of our interests, either to resign, or to adopt some other adequate means by which to prevent the issuance of said bonds." The board did not meet in special session, as provided in the statute, but crime together at their regular May term. The board at that time was composed of T. J. True, chairman, Charles E. Smith, and M. D. Smith. On the fifth of May they entered the following on their record : "Ordered, that the district attorney be instructed on behalf of the board to investigate the books and records of the Oroville and Virginia City Railroad Company, and report to this board as soon as possible as to whether saincisco. TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE. In the summer of 1874 an agent of the Western Union Telegraph Company visited Plumas with a view of ascertaining what the people would do towards constructing a telegraph line from Sierra City, via Jamison City and Quincy, to Taylorville and Greenville. A t^ubscription pajier was started for the purpose of raising money to aid in the work, each subscrilier having the amount con- tributed placed to his credit, and he was permitted the free use of the line to the e.xlent of his subscription. The subscribers in the American valley and vicinity who paid and used their credits were: G. W. Meylert, $200; J. D. Goodwin, SloO; W. E. Ward, §75 : William Schlatter, $25; A Cohn A Bro., $50 ; A. Hall, 850; Thompson it Kellogg, 8100; Thom.as Hughes, 850; Richard Jacks, S25 ; John W. Thompson, S50 ; A. W. Keddie, $25 ; J. H. Haun, $20 ; D. M. h'ull, 820 ; J. E. Edwards, SlOd; J. R. Wyatt, 8100; F. B. Whiting, $100; L C. Boring, $75; J. C. C'h.apman, $25; E. T. Hogan, $50; N. K. Wright, 50; T. L. Haggard, $25; Plumas Water Co., $100; Sam Lee, 825; C. Lee, 850; E. A. Heath, $50; J. F. Hartwell, $25; making, with a number of small amounts. $1,800. In Taylorville: W.G.Young, SlOO: John Hardgrave, $100; Rosenberg Bro. »t Co.. $50; Brans- ford it Smith, $100; total, $350. In Greenville: J. H. Wliitlock, $250; C. H. Lawrence. 8250; J. S. Hall, $100; J. H. Maxwell, $100; W. B. Lathrop. J50 ; A. D. Mclntyre, $25; Oliver Drake, $50; I'orlable Saw Mill Co., $20; G. II. McPlierson, $33.33; N. B. Forgay, $25; H. C. Bidwell, $150; J. A. Hickerson, $2.50: total, $1,055.83. :Mr. Lamb, the superintenf the comi^any now is. There are also a store and a hotel kept on the hill. Four companies nf Italians ]iay the com- pany a monthly rental for the privilege of working tailings from the mill, in doing which they are running about forty arrastras very profitably. Jamisox. — -This is a small village on the creek of the same name, each named after a i)ioneer of this section. In an early day it was a prosperous mining camp, and a store was established as early as 1853. The first physician was Dr. Geiger, who built the celebrated Geiger grade from Washoe to the Comstock. J. Kitts kept a hotel in the early times, the same one managed later by George S. McLear. The town has lived along as an adjunct to the mines ever since its founy Willoughby Brothers, O. B. Dolly, and J. F. Bachcr & Co. There are two hotels, the Mountain House by Willoughby Brothers, and the Jolmsville. Besides these, there are two meat markets, and the usual complement of saloons. Mohawk Lodge No. 292, I. O. O. F., was instituted at this place by J. M. Chapman, D. D., Sei)tembcr 8, 1880. The charter members were John Ne^ ille, M. Willoughby, R. C. Bryant, John Daly, and F. Rodoni. The hall is over F. Kodoni's saloon, and is well furnished. The lodge had a membership of 25 on the first of January, 1882, with the following officers: John Neville, N. G. ; R. C. Bryant, V. G. ; C. Stinson, R. S. N. G. ; Thomas Delbridge, L. S. N. G. ; R. Tramaloni, R. S. V. G.; C. Rosetti, L. S. V. G. ; M. Willoughby, Sec'y; V- Rodoni, Treas. ; W. M. Pratt, I. G. ; John Daly, W. ; Dr. Chas. M. Hill, Con.; J. C. Knickrem, K. S. S. ; F. Meffley, L. S. S. MoH.\WK Valley. — This is a narrow strip of land lying on either side of a stream of the same name, and well adajited to dairying purposes, to which use it is largely put. As you enter the valley in going from Quincy to Reno or Truckee, you first come upon the quiet roadside home of Uncle Billy Parker, an old pioneer, well and favorably known throughout the whole section. He also keeps a store for the accommodation of the sparsely settled neighborhood. Nest is the 243 20- Mile House, kept by the Cromberg brothers, .at which is a post-office called Crombei-g. Next is Suttdn's, where is Mohawk post-office, William Knott, postmaster. It was established in 1869, willi tiie same sentleman in office, and was recently removed to its ])resent location. Here Mr. Sutton keeps a hotel for the entertainment of travelers, and a store and saw-raill make quite a villagi'. Next is the tine Howe truss bridge, erected in 1881, at an expense of >ii3,877. Some ilistance beyond the liridge is Wash post-office, established in 1875, and named in honor of an old and respected citizen, Mr. Wash, recently deceased. Located near Sutton's, on a beautiful knoll sloping to the east, is the quiet Mohawk burying-ground. The site was chosen by a Mr. Trimble, who became the first to be interred there. At the head of the valley, close up to the encircling mountains, is Sulphur Springs ranch and hotel, property of George S. McLear, member of the board of supervisors for this district. This is one of the most beautiful and attractive of the mountain resorts of Plumas. It lies on the sunny side of the valley, 5,000 feet above the sea, overlooking fine meadows, beyond which rise the lofty, snow-capped peaks of the Sierra summits. The water of this spring is warm, and known as white sulphur. It has never been analyzed, but is believed to closely resemble the famous springs of Virginia. The hotel building contains three stories, is finely furnished, and pleasingly managed by Mrs. McLear and her estimable daughter Frankie. It is located on the stage road from Quiney and Plumas Eureka to Truckee, and the Sierra Iron and Quiney R. R. Co. will soon have a narrow- gauge track connecting the valley with Reno. Prominent among the residents of the valley is Mr. G. W. Meylert, extensively eng.aged in dairying and raising vegetables. He supplied the Plumas Eureka Company the past year with 120,000 lbs. of potatoes, 30,000 lbs. of cabbage, 20,000 lbs. of turnijis, 7,000 lbs. of beets, 7,000 lbs. of carrots, and 26,000 lbs. of onions. There are some gravel mines in the valley, a quartz ledge owned by Hapgood & Co., which prospects well; also some rich iron ore yet undeveloped, but which gives promise of great value. The valley and adjacent mountains are covered with a heavy growth of excellent timber, and the coming of the railroad promises to work wonders in the development of the latent resources of this region. The first settlement in the valley w.as made in the early part of June, 1851, by Asa Gould and a few others on the Mohawk ranch, now the property of Mrs. King. The same party, witli a few others, among whom were Jamison, whose name was given to the town of Jamison, and a Mr. Friend, located the Sulphur Springs place, now the property of Mr. McLear, early in the following July. The name Mohawk was given to the valley by these first settlers, in honor of the valley by the same name in the Allegheneys, from which some of them came. George Si-eae McLear. — This gentleman was born in the town of Mount Jory, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1828. He was the third child and second son of Arthur and Isabel (Si)ear) McLear, who were both natives of the same county. When he was seventeen years of age his father died, and he went into a furniture manufactory, where he learned the cal)inet trade. After completing his education in this branch, he removed to Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he followed the same business. In February, 1855, he went to New York and sailed for San Francisco, where he arrived on the sixth of March. From there he went to Georgetown, El Dorado county, and followed mining and carpentering for a short time. His next move was to Weaverville and Yreka, in northern California, on a prospecting trip. Soon he returned to Thompson's flat, near Oroville, where he worked at carpentering until the spring of 185G, when he removed to Jamison creek, and spent three ye.ars mining; after which he purc'li ised the liotel ki-pt 244 liy Friend & Byers. It was destroyed V>y fire some time after, and lie engaged in merchandising for five years. He disposed of his store in 1887, and )iurchased tht' Sulphur Springs rancl\ and hotel. On the seventeenth of October, 1867, he married Mrs. Mary J. Purdom, and by this union there are four children, George, Isabel, Maud, and Edith. Mrs. McLear's maiden name was Holmes. She was a daughter of William and Margaret Holmes, of the north of Ireland, where she was born on the second day of February, 1843. When about twelve years of .age she came to the United States, in company with a brother and sister, and settled in Galena, Illinois. She came to California in 18Gl,and sto])ped in Honey Lake valley, where, on September 16 of the same year, she was married to T. C. Purdom, wlio died in 1864. They had one daughter, Frankie, wlio was born June 14, 1862. Mr. McLear is a republican in polities; in 1879 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the board of supervisors, and in 1880 was elected to the same office for three years. An engraving of the Sulplnir S[)rings hotel, of which he is proprietor, can be seen on another page of this volume. Gdri>on W. Meylert. — Seckn and Abigail (Nichols) Meylert, the former a native of Germany .and tlie latter of Connecticut, reared a family of nine children, the youngest of wliom, the subject of our sketch, was born at Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1837. He was educated at Lewisburgh, Pennsylvania, and at the Ilcnsselaer Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, New York. At the age of seventeen he made a trip to China, and thence to California in 1855. He resided for a time in San Francisco, and tiien went into business in Sacl'amento, where he was at the time of the flood of 1861-62. From thence he came to Plumas county, where he has resided and engaged in active business jmrsuits ever since. For the past eight years he has been a contractor at the Plumas Eureka mine. He has .always taken an interest in public atlairs; was superintendent of tlie county schools for several years; was one of the jirojectors of tlu' Sierra Iron and Quincy R. 11. Co., in which lie is a large stockholder. He is a member of Plumas Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., and Plumas Lodge No. 60, F. & A. M. Mr. Meylert is extensively engaged in ilairying, for which purpose he keeps about 120 cows on his ranch in Mohawk valley. He has 1,200 acres of tine laud for pasture and meadow, from which he cuts 250 tons of liay. He also raises great quantities of vegetables. February 27, 1864, he married Miss H. E. .Madden, daughter of G. W. Madden of Taylorville, in this county. Mr. Meylert has recently been appointed by the ] (resident to take charge of the United States land ottice at Snsanvillc. Mks. R. King. — This lady is a resident of Mohawk valley, and was born in Syke, near Bremen, Germany, Septeml)er 12, 1825. She was married in Germany to a Mr. Dieterick. In 18o5 they came to California directly tVoni Germany, and settled at (iibsonville. Here her first son, Henry Dieterick, was born; and here also Mr. Dieterick died. In 1857 she removed to Mohawk valley ; and in the same year was married to Fred King, who lived on the Sul])liur S])rings ranch, where three of their family were born : Fred M. (who « as the second boy born in the valley), Nellie C, and Ida E. Charles D. was born in Marysville; Nellie died January 7, 1878, after a brief illness of four days. Mrs. King now lives on the Mohawk ranch, and is the post- mistress of Wash post-otfice. John W. Hill. — He was born in Monroe county, Missouri, January 24, 1834, and is a son of Wesley and Elizabeth Hill, who were natives of Bourbon, Kentucky. He crossed the plains with his father in 1849, remained in the mines until October, 1851, when he returned to the states, and came to C.-difornia again in 1852. His father ilied en route across the plains. He settled in Napa county, and followed farming and stock-gj;owing until 1857. Then he removed to Arizona, and raised stock until I860, w'hen the Indian troubles drove him out. His next move w.as to Texas. 245 Here he joined the coniniainl of General Sil)ley, and served in the Confederate army until parolled in 1864. He then went to Montana, and engaged in mining until the fall of 1867, when he returned to California, and has since, in company with William Elwell, operated the Si(uirrel Creek mine. He was married December 25, 1877, to Miss Emma F. O'Neil. Tliere is one child, Emma F., horn September 27, 1878. WiLT.TAM Elwell. — This gent]em.an is a son of Joseph M. and Susan Ehvell, and was born in tlie city of Piiiladelphia January 28, 1821. When about 22 years of ,age he removed to Louisiana, and in May, 1850, to California; .ind has been engaged in mining ever since. For a number of years lie was superintendent of the 76 mine, now the Plumas. He, in company with J. W. Hill, owns the Sijuirrel creek gravel-mines. He is one of about si.\;teen veterans of the Mexican war now residing in Plumas county. Mr. Elwell is a member of Hope Masonic Lodge No. 294, at Beck wourth ; also a Eoyal Arch Mason, and a life member of the council at Marysville. WiLLOUGHBY Brothers. — Matthew, Henry, and John Willoughby arc all natives of Cornwall, England. JIalthew came to the United States in the spring of 1869. In a short time he sent for his brother Henry, who .arrived in 1870 on American soil. He in turn sent for their younger brother John, who arrived in the United States in 1872. By industry and business tact they have built themselves up, and we find them at Johnsville, proprietors of a good merchandising establishment, of the Mountain Home, and of a butcher shoj), in each of which they are doing a good business. Henry is the manager in charge of the hotel, John of the store, and Matthew of the meat market. The hotel is one of the best in the county, being neat and comfortably furnished. Li connection with the business in Johnsville they own a ranch in Mohawk valley. Henry Gbazee. — He is a native of Germany, and onigrated to the United States in 1852. He settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, and removed from there to the Pacific coast in 1870, locating on Crystal creek, then in the state of Nevada. Li September, 187G, he removed to Johnsville, and in company with his brother, A. Grazer, engaged in the brewing business. The latter disposed of his interest, and the firm is now Grazer and Lavano. John A. Pniprs. — Mr. Phij)ps is a son of Joseph and Margaret Phipps, natives of the north of Ireland. John was born in the town of Mercer, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-seventh day of December, 1841. When about seventeen years of age he learned blacksmithing from his father, who now resides in Oakland, California. He followed this work in Sharon, Pennsylvania, for a while ; and in February, 18G4, sailed from New York for San Francisco. After his arrival lie went at once to Amador City, and for eleven ye.ars was connected with the quartz-mines there. In 1875 he removed to Plumas Eureka, and took charge of the mills of that company. He was mar- ried September 10, 18G6, to Miss Isabel Creighton, daughter of Joseph Creighton of Indi.m Run, Pennsylvania. There are three children living : James P\irley, born September 27, 1873 ; Eli/.a J., born June 6, 1876; and John A., born February 4, 1879. Mr. Phipps is a member of the Masonic lodge at Sierra City. Charles M. Hill, M. D. — The doctor is a son of Hon. E. Y. Hill of Georgia, and was born at La Grange, in that state, on the first day of November, 1847. He received his literary education at Washington College, Lexington, Virginia; and his medical education in Louisville, Kentucky, and at Atlanta, Georgia. He removed to California in February, 1877, and located, in April of that year, at Etna Mills, Siskiyou county. After a short time spent there, he was called cast on business, and .sold his practice. On his return to California, he located at Plumas Eureka mines, as physician and surgeon to the same. He was married on the fifth of February, 1876, to Miss M. J. Hill, daughter of Dr. John S. Hill, who was a brother of Senator Benjamin H. Hill of Georgia. 246 F. EoDOSi.^Hc is a native of Switzerland, and emigrated to the United States in 1877, and resirang up, and Indian bar became for a time the liveliest camp on the east liranch. Among the stores opened there were Bartlett, Brown, & Co., Kingsbury, Hall, & Co., and Mayer it Helbing. It was not long before Rich bar surpassed all the others, and became the general headcjuarters for the whole river, whicli then swarmed with miners. Tlie first express by Herman Cam]) and John R. Buckbce, spoken of elsewhere, ran to Rich bar, as did their successors for years afterwards. The river, at the head of Rich bar, having prospected so richly in the summer of 1850, another wing-dam was constructed in the summer of 1851, and paid immensely. From this point for miles down the stream the river was taken up that season, and wing-dams jiut in. The first below the old dam was an Illinois company, composed of Major John S. Love, Peter Bailey, Richard Thomp- son, Richard Irwin, and others to the number of eighteen. Nest to them was the Virginia company, composed of Clem. Davis, Nat. Cruzen, Paul Jones, Joseph Kent, Thomas Moore, Doctor Cronan, and F. B. Whiting. This claim was worked five weeks, and jiaid -51,500 to the share. The next season it failed to pay more than one third that amount. The remaining river claims paid little or nothing, with but a few exceptions. The bars and benches all paid richly for work- ing, but as a rule the river claims were barren of golden fruit, and many a min-r left the east branch in the fall of 1852 bankrupt. Among the pioneers who were at work along the east branch in 1850, besides those who have been mentioned, are remembered the names of Dr. J. W. Bidwell, James and William Phillips, Thomas Orton, Colonel James Fair, • Townsend, Jack Harrington, Richard (Jarland, Samuel and Bradford ("olley, Hiram Hill, Hubbard Moore, Stephen Moore, Dr. Smitli, Thomas Beatty, Peter Bailey (who died in the Stockton asylum in 1873), Ripley C. Kelly, Andrew Kelly, and Robert A. Clark. -Mr. Orton is still uuning on the north fork, at Cariboo. Mr. Ripley C. Kelly relates the following account of the way in which the first discovery on Rich bar was made, which, he says, is a big story, but every word of it true : In the fore part of July, 1850, three Germans, one of whom was named Spreckles, came down to the river and camped at the head of the bar, or at the mouth of French ravine. In going to the river for water to use in cooking, they passed over the high, barren bed-rock at the head of the bar, when one of them descried a piece of gohl which weighed two ounces. They very soon set to work, stakeartner, instead of selling out. In 186G he was in New Orleans in business, when lie took the yellow fever and died. SPANISH RANCH AND MEADOW VALLEY. Taking rank as one of the oldest aiianish Ranch. In July, 1850, the first camp was established in this pai-t of Meadow valley by two Jli'xicans. Here they turned out to graze the horses and mules belonging to those miners who had packed their blankets, cooking utensils, and provisions on to the east branch; and having no further use for the aniinals at the time, the miners had intrusted them to the keeping of these Mexicans. The herders were also engaged in Initchering cattle at the place, packing the meat to the miners on the river, who bought this necessity from them at the somewhat fabulous price of a dollar a pound. From its Spanish inhabitants the place derived the title of Spanish Ranch, the same element appearing in the name of the neighboring jieak and creek also. In the sjiring of 1851 the first cabin, of logs, was built for the j)ur|>ose of storing goods, the convenience of the location making it a trading ]ioint of considerable importance. In the early spring of 1852 D.J. Gloyd and one Snodgrnss erected a house upon the present site of the Spanish Ranch hotel, and kept an establishment for the entertaining of man and beast. They were also engaged in ranching stock. But little security could be obtained in those days for loose animals turned out on these mountain ranches, and many a miner who in the spring had left a fine mule upon the ranch would return in the fall to find it missing. The country was overrun with Mexi- cans, many of whom would frequently engage in their favorite oceupation of stealing stock, driving tlie i)luiider to the stock market of Marysville or of Sacramento, where it was sold. Spanish Ranch soon became a distributing point for surrounding camjis, and at one time could boast of three liotels, and an equal number of saloons. Later in the year 185-2 the business dwindled to one hotel and a store, owneil by Hanoy, Gloyd, & Snodgrass. Raney, who bad been here since the e:irty 2.51 part of ]8;")1, sold out to Mr. Wells in the winter of 1852, wlio, with his wife, kept the hotel. In the spring of 1853 I. J. Harvey purchased the entire place, and made additions and improvements to the property. In the spring of 1854 he sold to O. Fuller of Marysville, but repurchased the ranch in the fall. In 1855 W. W. Storey became a half-owner with Harvey, and a year after the latter disposed of his interest to Judge Goodwin, and then began a banking business on his own account. In 1857 G. W. Miner of Boston l)ought the store, and ke]it it about a year, when the entire business reverted back to Harvey & Son, who, after their failure in business, were succeeded by Eichard Thompson and Henry W. Kellogg, the present popular and enterprising proprietors of Spanish Ranch. A post-office was established here in the year 1858, with I. J. Harvey as postmaster. lie was succeeded in 1862 by K. Thompson. In 1868 Wells, Fargo, & Co. made Spanish Ranch an express office, with Thcimpsoii ct; Kellogg as agents. Large business transactions have been carried on by this office since its establishment. The shipments of coin and bullion for the year 1881 amounted to $114,076.65. The first school was taught at the toll-gate by A. Robinson, who built the house and kept a private school. Miss Slaven was the first teacher of the public school in the Spanish Peak school district. Here were the office .-md headquarters of the Plumas and Spanish Ranch Ditch Company, composed of Joseph Winston, Dick Jacks, William Jacks, Morris Smith, and several others. Thompson & Kellogg do an individual business running from S65,()00 to $100,000 per annum, all under the supervision of their head clerk and accountant, Norman K. Wright. Two n\iles across the valley from Spanisli Ranch is the .Meadow Valley h.lel, kept by Thomas Hughes, who is also postmaster and keeps a store. There are also a blacksmith shoj), shoe-maker's shop, saw-mill, and a number of residences, forming <|uite a village. This has been fur years one of the regular stopping-places for the stage and express lines, and a rival to Sjianish Ranch. This was the pro])erty of Clark, Shannon, & Co. when they failed, in 1861. Richard Thomp.son. — This gentlemm is a son of Isaac and Catherine (Sephti.n) Thompson, who Avere of English birth, and eihigrated to Canada, where they were married in the city of Quebec. Here the subject of our sketch, Richard, was born on the twenty-seventh of November, 1824. He was the oldest of a family of five brothers and two sisters, all of whom were born in Canada. Wluii a boy, Richard learned the blacksmithing trade, and for a short time followed it. The next venture for self-supjtort was as a clerk in a grocery store in Quebec. Tiiere he remained until news of the great gold field of California reached Quebec. He then started, via Cape Horn, to San Francisco, where he arrived in September, 1850. He worked at his trade until February, 1851, when he started to Rich bar, and mined until the fall of 1S52, when he came to Spanish Ranch and opened a shop, which he carried on till 1856. Then Mr. KfUogg joined him, and they opened a hardware store, continuing the business till 1861, when tliey purchased the Spanish Ranch, and opened a general merchandise store; and in 1882 we find them sole proprietors of Spanish Ranch, doing a farming, mining, mercantile, and banking business, together with blacksmithing and hotel- keeping. Mr. Thompson was married January 20, 1860, to Miss Sarah J. Russell, by whom he has had two sons : Charles Russell, born at Spanish Ranch August 23, 1863 ; and William Hundley, born December 27, 1865. Mrs. Thompson died November 19, 1872, and is interred in the Meadow valley burying-ground. Mr. Thompson was married again to Miss Alicia S. Keough of Meganti county, Canada, on the twenty fourth of August, 1874. He joined the order of Odd Fellows in Canada, and at present is a member of the Quincy lodge. He.vry Waters Kellogg. — The subject of this sketch is m>w one of the enterprising firm of Thompson & Kellogg, at Spanish Ranch. He is the second son of a family of seven children of 252 Otis Mini Mary Kellogg of Colchester, New L the mines at Fales' hill, where he worked with John Percy. In 1856 he removed to Spanish Ranch, and went into business with Richard Thompson, his present partner. May 16, 1864, Mr. Kellogg was unitecl in marriage to Mary E. Carlisle, on Silver creek. By tliis union there were four children, two of whom are living, and attending school in the east. He was married a second time to Eleanor E. Keough, on the sixth of September, 1881. Mr. Kellogg is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Quincy. NoKMAX K. Wright. — The only son of Sylvester and Cynthia B. (King) Wright was Norman K., and he was born in the county of Leeds, Canada, August 21, 1828. In 1843 he removed to Monroe county. New York, where he grew to manhood. His father died when he was three years old. After about six years of widowhood, his mother was again married to David N. Glazier. Most of young Norman's boyhood days were sj)ent in clerking for his steji-father. On the twentieth of March, 1852, he embarked on a vessel from New York for San Francisco, tiia Panama, where he was delayed seriously, awaiting the coming of the Monumental City, on which he completed his journey to San Francisco, arriving Juno 17 of same year. The time until Octolfer was sjient at Sacramento in sickness ; Vmt later in the fall he went to Aidiurn and engaged in mining and hotel-keeping. In April, 1853, he w'ent to the north fork of Feather river. Here he remainele pro])erty. The post-office was established in 1861, and Mr. Wagner has been the postmastei- from the beginning. Buck's Ranch has always been an imjjortant .station on tiie stage and express route sin<'e its first establishment, and is the general supjily j)oint for 254 mini IS tor a iiiiiiiber of inik-s around. A large stock of goods i.-. ki'|it, and a markot su)))jlic> frcsli meat to all wlio desire it. Many a man lias been storm-staid here for days, and the old expressmen and more recent staiie-drivers can tell liow often tlicy had just endurance enough to reach its hos- pitable doors before falling exh.austed with their efforts to battle with the fierce storms of winter, and lie down in the snow to die. On the casing of a window is inscribed the following: "I have been here six days; raining for the last 72 hours; the whole valley submerged. Buck Whiting,,Jan, 11, "02. Attest, L. G. Dawsresent ]iartner, A. E. Malnilund, and at first settled at Rush creek during 1853, where he mined for one year. Attracted by the fame of Eagle gulch, he went there during the summer of 1854, and for some time mined near Taylor's gulch. We next find him at work on S]ianish creek, where he w:is (|iiite successful. In October, 1856, Mr. Edman started on a visit to Sweden, where he remained for nearly a year, studying chemistry, metallurgy, and mining, and 25r. visiting the principal mines of Sweden and Norway. The next year he made a voyage of ex|>lora- tion to Honduras, where he exaniinet and south of Meadow valley, and derives its name from the saine source .as Spanish Kanch and S]iaiush creek. The altitude of the peak is 6,920 feet, and the moutli of the tunnel into the Monte Christo claim 6,288 feet, as given by Mr. Mills. Running through the mountain is one of those ancient ri\er channels that formed the drain.age of this region long I)efore the convulsions of nature changed the face of the hills and the streams that form our present water-courses began to wear through the mountains those deep ciiannels in which we see them running to-d.ay. For ages the channel of gravel, rich with its deposits of gold, has been hidden away in the earth, waiting for the hand of the prospector to uncover it. The mine was first lucated sixteen years ago, and a tunnel was run into the hill a distance of 600 feet, when the claim was aliandoned. In the sju'ing of 1879 the ground was again located by Dr. W. AUstrom, C. Atwood, who died in August, 1880, and A. L. Patterson, of Chicago, and the Monte Christo G(^1<1 Mining Company organized. The location consists of four claims — the S[)anish Peak, Ti]i Top, Hard Pan, and Wide Awake — each of which is a mile long. A United States patent has been secured for the first two, embracing 2,500 acres of ground. The company has a tunnel into the Monte Christo a distance of 2,540 feet, and cross-cuts ever}' few feet from rim to rim of the ch.in nel, which v;irii-> from 500 to 800 feet in width. In the Tip Top claim a prospci'ting shaft is being 25fi sunk. No travel is lu-ing taken out, except tliat loosened in ninnins tlie tunnel and drifts, and tliis is bfinu piled up to be washed the coinintj summer. It is the policy of the manager t<> run the tunnel and ilrifts as far as it is intended to extend them, and then to commence breasting out the gravel from the extreme end. In tliis way, there will be less danger of loss of life and damage and expensive cldays occasioned liy any caving in of the mine. It is expected that the work will have so far j)rogresscd by the coming June that the breasting out of the gravel will be comnu'nced. A ditch two miles long on the west side anai-ed for washing 1,000 cars of gravil per ilay. The mine is so high up that water cannot be brought to it witli fall enough to use the method of mining with hydraulic machines, but all the gravel has to be drifted ont and conveyed in cars to the mouth of the tunnel. The company has a very able repi-esentative of its interests here in the person of Captain O. B. Smith, manager and general financial agent of the mine. He sailed on the great chain of inland lakes for twenty-one years, and still owns shipping interests there of a large amount. He is an excellent specimen of the hearty, genial, generous lake captain ; and his great executive ability and sterling integrity of character, coupled with what is commonly den(Mninated " good horse-sense," render his services invaluable to the company in the situation in which lie is placed. The captain assumed the management upon the death of Mr. Atwood in the fall of 1880. Assisting him. and having charge of all the engineering, is Mr. E. I. Pai'sons, a young gentleman of liberal ideas and tine soeial qualities. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and held for a number of years the position of superintendent of schools In Huron, Ohio. He came to the mine in Decem- ber, 1880, previous to which he had spent some time as a civil engineer in the mines of Colorado For the jtast year the sujierintendent of the mine has been Mr. D. .1. .Mahoncy, for thirteen years a foreman in Viri;inia City, and for four years in tiic gravel mines of Sierra county. .SIERRA VALLEY. Lying ])art]y in Plumas and partly, in Sierra county is the largest valley to be found in the whole Sierra chain. With an altitude of 5,000 feet above the level of the sea, its atmosphere is cool, clear, and healthful. Since 1853 it has been settled by an agricultural population, and is now one of the most prosperous sections of the state, containing six villages, Beckwourth, Summit, Sierraville, Loyalton, Randolph, and Craycroft, the last four being in Sierra county, in which the larger jmrtinn of the \alley lies. The valley is entered at its north-eastern end through Beckwourth pass, discovered by James P. Beckwourth, whose name was also applied in former years to the valley. Beckwourth was an old "mountain man," or tra))per, a story of whose life, dictatc.l by himself and written liy Thomas D. Bonner, was published in 1856 by Harper A: Brothers of New York. The narrative abounds with the exaggeration usual to the mountaineers in relating their adventures to auditors who ha\ e no means of disproving them — an art in which Beckwourth excelled his companions because of his long residence with the boastful savages. In fact, it contains hundreds of what a mint'r charac- terized as •' some of Jim Beckwourlh's lies." The book reveals the fact that the liero was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, February 26, 1798, from whence the family moved to Missouri a few years later. When ipiite a young man he began his life on the jilains and in the moimtains, accom- panyiui.' Genera! Ashley in his trapping expeditions. Kur years he lived anionir the ('row Indians, '-.l\ N.K. WRIGHT. 257 <>r wirK-li Irilie he claims to liave ln'cii for a time the lieail cliicf and ruler. lie caino to California in 1814, and remained until the war with Mexieo. His ])art in the struggle in this state eonsisted of stealing a large baml of hoi'ses (1,800 he says), and getting out of the eountry as vapidly as ]>ossil>le with five valiant eompaniMns, leaving others to fight the battles. In 1849 he again eanie baek to California. We give the particidars of the discovery of the pass and settlement in the valley as they ajipear in the book. By following the chronology of the volume, the discovery is l>laced in the year 1850; but it will appear, as the narrative progresses, that it must have been in ISfil. After sjioaking of a prospecting trip to Pit river, he says: " While on tliis excursion I discovered what is now known as Boekwourth's pass in the Sierra Nevada. From some of the elevations over which we passed I remarked a place far away to the southward that seemed lower than any other. I made no mention of it to my companion, but thought that at some futuri' time I would examine into it further. I continued on to Shasta with niv fellow-traveler, and returned after a fruitless journey of eighteen days. After a short stay in the American valley, I again started with a ])rospecting pai-ty of twelve men. We killed a bullock before starting [there were no bullocks in American valley in April, 1850], and dried the meat, in order to have provisions to last ns during the trip. We proceeded in an easterly direction, and all b\isied themselves in searching for gold ; but my errand was of a different character. I hae of va.st advantage to the residents of the valley. The first lady in the valley was Mrs. T. Maddux, who came in the fall <>f 1852, ami still resides liere. Her oldest daughter, Laura, was the first white cliiM born in the \alley. her birth occurring in tlie winter of 1853. The second lady was Mrs. Ordelle C. Howk, who came with her husband, Corel Howk, in the spring of 18-53. Tliey still reside at Loyalton. Beckmoubth. — Tlie first house in Beckwourth valley was I)uilt by James P. Beckwuurth in the si)ring of 1852. It stood on the side of a hill, in the village of Beckwourth, west of Alexaucler Kirby's residence. The second one was in the yard, and with the other was burned by Indians. The third is still standing, and is used as an ice-house by Mr. Kirby. This little place is now called the village of Beckwourth, and has a post-office of that name, which was established some distance away in 1866, but was moved here in 1869. Until 1869 the jtlace was called Jones Station, John Jones and Peter Parish being sole owners. Alexander Kirby is now the proprietor of the old Beckwourth ranch. There is a graveyard one hundred yards north of his house,in which a number of unfortunate emigrants are liuried. SuJTMiT. — Near the highest point in the pass, on the road from the v.alley to Reno, lies the little town of Summit. In 1859 C T. Adams erected a hotel here, which was destroyed by fire in 1866. A small store was ojiened in 1862 by a man named Wilkinson. He was also the first post- master. The present incumbent of that oflSce is Richard Martin, who does a general merchandising business, and deals extensively in butter, handling 3,000 lljs. per week. William E. Jones, coinnionly calU'd Paul Jones, keeps an excellent hotel, the Summit House. A blacksmiih sliop and shoe-maker's shop are also among the adjuncts of the town. A lodge of I. O. O. F.. receully removccl fi i Loyalton, is located here. There is also a cemetery, neatly fenceil and ke|)t in good order. Loyalton. — That portion of Sierra v.alley in which the town of Loyalton now stands was originally known as Smith's neck. It derived its appellation from a ])arty of miners who were associated together under the name of the Smith Mining Coni])any, and were engaged in tluming .and mining on the north fork of the Yuba river, above Downieville. In the spring of 1S54, having more money than was needed in carrying on their mining operations, they si'ut two of their nundjer east to ])urchase a large band of cattle, while others came into this valley to take up a large section of land for gi'azing and agricultural ])urposes. These latter gcntlcimii went to about the center of the east side, and laid claim to five sections of land lying on either side of a fine stream, carrying about 500 inches of water, which empties into the middle fork of Feather river, ami which they called Smith creek. They built a house and corrals, and imjiroved about five acres of land, sowing it with wheat that tall. This was the fir.-t attempt to raise this cereal in the valley. Th.' men who had been sent east for cattle failed to return, causing great disajipointnient to their associates. TIkpsc in the valley had two yoke of cattle until about the first of November, wlu-n tlie Washoe Indians killed one of the oxen. Fearing a general raid by the savage*, the men hastened to the nearest white settlement, fourteen miles away, .about where the town of liandoliih now stands. That winter the Smith company failed, the Indians burned the improvements on the ranch, and the men abandoned their location. Before leaving they iiresented Mr. T. S. Haltelle with their croj' of wheat, and the next July, bt-ing a settler in the valley himself, he harvested the grain. From the tiuie it was abandoned liy this company until the summer 'if ISjT, Smitli's neck ^ C 7^ l^^m^^^ •2fil iciiiaiiu'd unoccupied. At tliat time lieilniond iV: Rolands I'elocated the claim, but did uolhiug to imi)ro\e it, simply remaining on the ]iropei-ty. In the spring of 1858 Eedmond went below for teams, seed, and sni)plies, and has never heeii seen in this vicinity since. That ternunated the set- tlement. In the si)ring of 1859 Peter Duncan located a quarter section of the Smith's neck land, as did also John Schroeder and Andrew Bodnoch. Of these Sehrocder is the only one still residing (in his location. Bodnoch died at his ranch in 1872, and his place is now known as the Pool rancli. I'eter Duncan sold liis place in 1860 to Pev. Adam (i. Doom, who liuilt .ind opened a hotel the fol- lowing year. In 1863 he was appointed postmaster of a new office established at his jilace, and whidi, with the general consent of his neighbors, he called Loyalton. Through his efforts a school- liousc was built in 186.5, and also a Baptist church was erected here in 1870, in the upper story of which was a li.all. In 1871 a M. PI church was erected by members of that denomination. August 21, 1879, saw one of those fatal calamities visit Loyalton that have been so destructive to the towns of California. By a fire which the people were powerless to subdue, the whole town was laid in ashes, with the exception only of Keyes' hotel and the M. E. church. The buildings were rai)idly restored, excejit the Baptist church, and a new schooldiouse was erected. The town lias now a pojiulation of about 100, and contains two stores, one hotel, one church, one school-house, one saloon, one blacksmith shop, one market, one livery stable, and one town hall. The town is very prosperous, and is surrounded by a thriving .agricultural and dairy region that assures it a per- manent and substantial trade. Craycroft is a little settlement in Craycroft neck, in the vicinity of Loyalton, principally owned by Jacob Knuthsen and William Gibson. It was first settled in 1852 by Finneman, William Hedges, Henry Davidson, and John Craycroft, of Downieville. About five miles southwest of Loyalton is the Antelope mining district, discovered in 1863 by Judge Davis, Josepli Dodge, Crum Brothers, Mark Hammond, Abernethy, and others. There is a well-defined ledge, carrying gold, silver, and copper. The locators did some work, but soon aban- doned it. It lias since been worked a little by various parties. The present owners are J. A. Glee- son, W. J. Patterson, J. L. Gwin, and B. F. Lemmon. SiERRAViLi.E. — At the head of the valley lies the little town of Sierraville, one mile from Pan- dol]ih, .and in a rich agricultural section. The first house was built by John Lipscoudi .iikI .Fiplin Mullen, in 1855, who had located a ranch the year before. It was for a dwelling, and stood near the site of S. T. Burton's store. They sold their jiroperty in 1857 to William Arms, who built a store near the dwelling. This building bore the legend over its entrance, " Pioneer Store,"' being the first one ojiened, with the e.xcei)tion of Beckwourth's trading post at the other end of the valley. A jiost-office was established in 1858, with the name of Sierraville, and Mr. Arms was ajipointed ]i()Stmaster. Midway between Sierraville and Randoljih stand a M. E. church and public school- house, erected by the citizens of both places for their joint occujiation. • On the thirty-first of August, 1881, the whole business jiortion of the town, except Darling's livery slalile, was laid in aslies, including two hotels, two stores, an I. O. 0. F. hall, and sc\eral other buildings. The loss was >!lO,.'')00; insurance 18,000. Rebuilding is rapidly going on, and the business of Sierraville will soon recover from the shock. There is a ]io]iulation of about 150. Four lines of stages center here; oiu' to Truekee, one to Sierra City, one to Junction and Eui'cka Mills, and one to Loyalton and .Summit. IIaxdolph. — At the u]iper eixl of the valley, and liut one mile from Sierraville, lies the little \ il- Inge of Randolph, containing about 100 people. The first house built in the head of the v.dley was consli'ueted of logs, in 1«5:J, by W. C. and P.. K. Peiinnon and K/raCid\cr, and -till stands in the 262 town of Randolph, which has grown up aromul it. In tlie spring of 1853, five acres, the first groun.l broken in the valley, were j-lanteil to buckwheat by the Lemmons. A severe frost late in Anirust killed the buckwheat, as well as some of the vegetables, of which quite a variety had been jdanted. This had a tendency to discourage grain culture for several years. Silas Gates built a house in Ran- .lolph soon after, near wheie Mr. Eowdon's jjlaning mill now stands. Later Le built the south por- tioTi of tlw present Randoli-h Hotel, and opened it to the public. The large building was afterwanls added, and the present sign put up. It is now the pro|.erty of (t. Q. Buxton, who al.so owes a liv.Ty stable, and runs a stage line through Sierraville to Jamison and Plumas Eureka. Randolj.h contains one store, one hotel .nid stable, one planing mill, one shingle mill, two saloons, one blacksmith shoj., one shoe sh.)]i, one grist mill, and a number of pleasant residences. A M. E. church and i-ublic school-house is situated half-way between this place and Sierraville, built by the citizens of both towns. .ALE.v-AXDEn KiRBT.-He is a veteran" of the Mexican war; was bom near Bowling Green, W.uren county, Kentucky, on the thirteenth of March, 1821. His parents were Samuel an.l Mary Kirby, who enngrated to Missouri in 1830. On the fourth of June, 1846, Ale.vander volunteered for the Mexican war at Fort Leavenworth, and while in the service passed through the engage- ments of Brasceto, Saltello, Buena Vista, and was with General Wool at Monterey. On the second of May, 1819, he started from Independence, Missouri, across the plains, and landed at Han^town (Placerville) September 13. He was married January 24, 1860, to Miss Harriett J. Honn, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio. By this union there have been eleven children: Marv, Susan (.le- ceased), Louisa, Cora, Henry H., (ieorge M., Kate, Laura, Eva, Annette, and Frances. Both Mr. an.l Mrs. Kirby belong to long-lived and large families. In his familv were ten children, and in hers twelve. His grandfather li^ ed to the age of 102, his ,ran h 5, 1881, to Martha Austin. Mr. Martin is a m.inbcr ..f Loyalton Lodge No. 187, 1. O O. F., anula Currier Robbins, daugliter of I«iac C. and Elizabelli Curi'ier nf Amlroscoggin, Maine. By tlii> iiniuH tlierc lias been one son, Earle L., born April 30, 1881. By lier first busband, i\lrs. Strang bad one son, Herbert S. IJobbins, born November 3, 1877. A view of tljeir residence and surrounany with his brother John F\, and James Calvin and Abel Adams, he came to Sierra valley and located in what is known as Adam's Neek. At that time there were but two settlers on that side of the valley. Mr. Sellier is now the only one of the original settlers who' remains in the " Neck." The first cabin erected in the vicinity was by himself and brother, a half- mile from our subject's ju-eseut home. In 185G he opened a store at Harrison's diggings, which he kept for about eighteen nu)nths, when the cauiji disappeared, and there was nn longer need of his merchandise. Mr. Seltier is a member of the Masonic lodge at Beckwourth, of Lassen Chapter No. ■17, .ind of Lassen Commandery No. 13, at Susanville. A view of his residence may be seen on another ])age. He is now the possessor of 320 acres of laud, and is regarded one of tlio substantial' men of Beckwourth valley. W. A. Speuky. — Mr. Sperry was born Seiitembi'r 9, 1837, in New York. While a young man, his parents removed to Wisconsin, settling in Dodge county, where our subject lived until he had attained the age of twenty-tive; when, in 18G3, he came to California, via Panama, and mined at Ilowland flat. Sierra county, for seven years. lu 1870 he located 320 acres of land six miles south- east of Beckwourth, where he has since lived. lie was married July 10, 1869, to Miss Annie McFarlan, of Lowei- Canada, then a resident of Ilowland flat. Their children are Nettie M., boin May 3, 1871; Nellie M., July 7, 1872; Lilly B., August % 1874. Thomas Black. — He was born in Derry county, Ireland, in the year 1833. lie came to the United States wlien sixteen years , 1844, and Charles, born March 28, 1848. Alljert F. was married April 5, 18C8, to Tiierei-a M. Secritan, and their children are Martha Washinirton, Albert Julius, Carrie Aime (deceased), and Clarence I'oy- sini^ian. Our subject is a member of Susanville Lodue No. 140, I. O. O. F.. and of Blue Range Euc.iniijment at Downieville. He was first initiated into the order in Boston in 184G. A view of Mr. Cliai)man's residence may be seen on another page of this work. George Wilson Humi'hkey. — He is tlie son of John ami Elizabeth (Lufkin) Ilumphrey; was born in Cundierland county, Maine, June 8, 1834. He left the .school of his native town in 18J2, and canie to California. The first two years he spent in the Sacramento valley, clerking a jiortion of the time. Early in the sj)ring of 1854 he went to the mountains, and drove lattle for tW" years, living at Forest City. He then clerked for a time at Smith's flat, near what is now Alleghany. In the spring of 1855 he had been employed on Langton's pioneer express as a rider, and after a tin\e established a saddle-train business on his own account, carrying the mail and express until 1859, when he moved his headquarters to Sierra valley, and r.ni a stage line to Virginia City, connecting with his saddle-train to Downieville. These he conducted until the completion of the Central P.acifie railroad over the mountains. In 1864 he ]iurchased and began to reside on the ranch he now owns. It consists of 1,500 acres of land, and he handles from one to two thousand head of cattle annually. Mr. Humphrey Was married October 27, 1862, to Edith A. Lockhart, dautrhter of William and Mary A. Lockhart of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where she was born September 18,1844. Their children are Henrietta Elizabeth, born October 10, 18f>4; John E., Sej.tember 17.1866: Frank E., July 9, 1868 ; May Josejihine, July 28, 1870 ; Herbert, Jauu- .■iry 3, 1872; James L., J.inuary 16, 1874; Jacob Butler, April 22, 1876; Susan Winnefred, March 22,1878; infant daughter, July 7, 1881. Mr. Humphrey's jiresent residence and buildings were erected in 1870, a view of which may be seen elsewhere. David B. Keyes. — He was born at Barry, Vermont, April 19, lS2t'. He started out in life for himself when fourteen years of age, going first to New York, and then to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he worked in the Tremont cotton manufactory for four years. From there he proceedeil t" Boston, and in 1851 purchased a farm at Belrica, which he worked until tlie spring of 1855, when he came to California, via Panama. From San Francisco he went to Downieville, and engaged in jiai'king until the fall of 1856, when he bought an interest with his brother John in a milk business at Nevada City, which o((n])atioii he followed for a number of yeius. In the tall of 1864 he came into Sierra valley, Sierra county, and rented a dairy ranch for four years, when he located what is now the G. W. Keyes ranch, and carried on dairying there for three years more. In 1874 he sold the ranch and bought the Doom hotel in Loyaltoii, which he ran for two years, leased it for the sanie leuiith of time, and then traded it for the Antelope Neck ranch, which he still owns. In 1881 he bought the Dodge hotel in Loyalton, of which he is at present manager and )iroprietor. .Mr. Keyes was married January 13, 1851, to Eliza Gardner of Winthrop, M:iine, by whom he has had eight children: Harry G. (decea.sed), Katie G. (now Mrs. Dory), Annie W., Eddie (deceased), Edwin B., Zenas W., May S., and Harry. He is a member of Sierra V.dKy Lodge No. 184, F. it A. M. Corel Howk. — Mr. Howk was the first of live chihlren. three sons and two daughters, of Alanson Flowk, and was born at Wellington, Lorain county, Ohio, April 6, 1829. Alanson Howk was of Holland descent, and was born September 15, 18U0, in New York. He w;is one of a party of fi\c men the first to settle in Lorain county, Ohio, being then nineteen years of age. In 1828 he was 267 married to Theodocia Clifford of Rhode I'^i.ind. Alanson llowk died A])ril G, 1851, and his wife ]\Iar(li 31, 1880. Corel ITowk worked on tlie farm until March, 18.')2, when he came overland to California. He eonduetiMl the Iowa hotel at l'laeer\ ilK' until June, 18.")."], when he soM out and came with his t'auiily to Sierra \ alley. Sierra county, and located on the Beatty & Stewart ranch. Shortly after he sold this and located the Sn]ihur s]>riniiS in Sierra valley. Hero he built a house and lived until 18G1, when he sold out ami went into stock-raising, changino; his residence to Beck- wiiurlli. In 18G4 lu- went east, intending to remain, Imt came b.ack tin- following year. Upon liis return he fiouglit a ranch from Dr. Webber, .and raised stock until 1S72, when lu' again sold out, .and has since been dealing in hoi'ses. In 187G he purchased a comfortable home in Jjoyaltcm, where the f.amily has since resided. He w;is married January 1, 1848, to Miss Ordelle Caroline Freeman, who was b(iru in Cayuga county. New York, April 1.3, 1831, and was the d.aughter of Simeon and Olive (Jacksuu) Freeman. Tliey have two children. Electa Jeannelte, Ixirn November 29, 18G4, and Siiheon Jonathan, born Fehruary 1, 18G8. Mrs. Howk is a woman of liigh literary tastes, and ye.ars ago eontrii)ute county, Missouri, 270 .Inniinvy 18, 1844, to Hiss Saiali Faniu r, who was born in Megirs county, Tennessee, May 16, 1829. Tlieir ciiildien are Mary A., l(oni Novemlier 21, 1844; Melimla It., Deceiul)er 4,1852; Nannie S., February 10, 185G; William S., February 17, 1858; Horace E., October 2, 1861; R. II.. Mardi 5, 1870. Their dauirliters are all marrieil. T. S. Battelle. — This is one of the early settlers in the valley. He was born in Washinuton lounty, Ohio, August 20, 1812. His f.ither, Ebene/.er Battelle, was one of the earliest settlers of that state, and died in his ninety-eighth year. When twenty-two years of age, our subject went t'> lTnient another three yi'ars in the same business at Clarksliurg, Virginia, and several years at Muscatine, boating on the Mississi|)i)i In 1852 he came overland to California, and farmed two year.s near Marysville. in 1854 he came to the Sierra valley, and located a ranch of 480 acres close to Sierraville, where he has since lived. lie was married August 29, 1833, to Grace A. Fleming of Uniontown, Pennsyl- vania, .and she died June 19, 1849. By her he had eight children, three of whom arc living. On the first of March, 1850, he was again married, to Louisa Anderson of Pennsylvania, who died October 2G, 1870. ]Mr. Battelle was married .i third time, A].ril 25. 1872, to Mrs. S. L. West of W.-iseca, Minnesota. M. Hardin. — He is a native of Bergen, New Jersey, where he was born in August, 1819. In the following year his jiarents removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he remained until 1851. \\heii lie came to California, v/« the Isthmus, arriving in San Francisco in November. He mined at Auburn, Placer county, until the spring of 1852, and then spent a year searching for auriferous de]iosits on tiie Feather river. He then liegan mining around Iowa hill, and continued there four years, when he went on the Yuba, and mined for one year. In 1857 he came to Sierra valley, and has since lived on his ranch of 240 acres, a mile and a half north of Sierraville. AAitoy Davis. — This gentleman was born at Ntwark, New Jersey, May 24, 1813. When six years of age he accom]orn May 10, 1843 ; Wood B., M.ay 21, 1847; Thornton E., July 18, 1855; George G., January 21, 1858; Eiiiiiia .M.. December 3, 1859; Aaron Davis, Jr., June 2, 1^62. Morris married Grace CuUen in 18G4, anteinber 4, 1840. Their children were born as follows: Angeline, June 30, 1857, died July 1, 1857; Almeda, May 14, 1858, died January 2, 1869; 1!. Franklin, Seii- temher 13, 18(10, died January 8, 1861; Charles C , October 29, ISiH, died December 18,1869; Lydia J., January 5, 1864; Alva, June 20, 1866, died January 7, 1869; Loren W., July 1, 1868, died May 21, 1869; Edgar, October 27, 1871, died December 1, 1872; Horace G., April 24, 1873; William A., August 2, 1875. James Millee. — He is tlie son of John and Elizalieth (Cowan) Miller, and was born near Montreal, Canada, August 19, 1835. His father was one of the leading and influential farmers of that section. James worked on the farm at home until he was seventeen years old. In 1852 the gold excitement caused him to emigrate to Australia. He landed at Melbourne, and started at once for the mines, seventy-five miles inlan born January 9, 1836. In 1855 he went to Iowa, and eugagef Siei ravilk'. May 1, 1800. lie was manicil to Miss Virginia Cooksey of Franklin county, Indiana, liy wlioni lie has liad six cliildren, as follows: Willis, born January 22, 1860; William, July 19, 1862; Jolin. October 13, 18G3 ; Sarah, March 17, 1865; Thomas E., January 21, 1870: Charles H., July 23, 1877. The eldest son, \Villi>, was married November 29, 1881, to Miss Mary McElvoy of Sierra valley. Marshall Hughes. — He was born November 22, 1858, in Whitley county, Indiana. In 1874 lie left home anofn February 7, 1876. E. J. Gallagher. — Tie is a native of Te.\as, where he was born September 2a, 1850. In 1860 he went on the high seas with his uncle, and followed a sea-faring life for about eleven years. He then freighted on the plains, and carried mail for the government for four years. In 1870 he came to California, and followed various occupations until 1876, when he began farming in Sierra valley, and has i)rincipally confined his attention to it since. He was married September 23, 1878, to Miss Mary Hay, who was born in Redfield, Iowa, August 8, 1855. Their childi-en are Myrtie Irvin, born November 6, 1879; Fredrika, born August 16, 1881. E. H. Hamlen.— This gentleman «as born in Kennebec county, Maine, January 16, 1836. On the thirty-first of December, 1856, he started for California, coming via the Isthmus, and arriving at San Francisco January 29, 1857. He was engaged in mining and lumbering for two years, in Allegliany, Sierra county. In June, 1859, he came to Sierra valley and purchased the Higgins farm of 540 acres, on which he lived most of the time until 1875. when he went to Roop county, Nevada, and with three others purchased a large stock range and the Buffalo Pass toll road. They have since dealt heavily in cattle. Mr. Hamlen moved over there, and remained until August, 1881, when he returned t) his farm in Sierra valley. He was united in m.arriage October 9, 1865, to ^frs. Hattie E. Heselton of Stratham, New Hampshire, by whom he has had three children: Edmund H., born November 11, 1866; Calvin M., born December 10, 1868; and Rose E., born July 30, 1871. Mr. Hamlen is a member of Sierraville Lodge No. 184, F. it A. M. PLUMAS TOWNSHIP. One of the townships into which the county was divided immediately after its organization was Plumas, consisting of the American valley, in which was located the county seat, and the mountains surrounding it upon all sides. [For boundaries and changes see Official History.'] With the exception of the mining near Elizabethtown, on Spanish creek, at Argentine and a few other localities, this section is ami has been chiefly agricultural. The American valley, which forms the heart of the township, is one of the most fertile and lovely of the mountain valleys that lie scattered throughout the whole range of the green Sierra. The altitude at Quincy is given by Lieutenant Tillman as 3,381 feet, and by Mr. Mills 3,416 feet. The valley contains about ten and one-half square miles, or 6,720 acres, chiefly of rich, arable land, that gives a good yield of wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and vegetables of all kinds. Consi'lerable hay is cut, and excellent apples and other fruits of the temperate zone are raised. Two saw-mills cut large (piantities of lumber used in building and in the mining claims. Some of the farms of the valley are in a high state of perfection, and are represented in our illustrations. The first location was made by the Turner brothers in 1850. They claimed all tlie land lying south of Spanish creek, dealt largely in stock, and pastured animals belonging to emigrants and 276 miners for a. ccnsideralion in keeping with llio times. In 185'2 thej' sold out to Joseph Greena and a Frenchman whose name is forgotten. A short time afterwards, Mr. H. J. Bradley came along, and purchased an interest with the new proprietors. The same fall William Houck, George W. Sharpe, and E. H. Pierce bought one-third of the property, and tlie i-anch was soon after divided : the three last nained taking all that portion lying west of the creek, which at that time ran from the ravine south of the town through the ranch lo Spanish creek. But one building, a log cabin, had at that time been erected. The same fall Houck, Sharpe, and Pierce built a log house on the site of the present Plumas House, and oi>ened a place for the entertainment of travelers, presided over by Sharpe. A division was subsequently made, Pierce and Houck taking all that portion of the land tliat lies south of Jackson street, anil .Mr. Sharpe retaining the remainder. Bradlt-y had also erected a building, and opened a ]iublic house, calling his place the American rancli. The New England ranch, now owned and occupied by Daniel R. Gate, was located by him, E. W. Judkins, L. F. Gate, and Asa Judkins, in 1852. That winter E. W. Judkins, D. H. Gate, and J. S. Boyington built a saw-mill on Mill creek, two miles and one half from the American ranch. The Illinois ranch, now owned by John W. Thompson, was first located in 1851. The Uncle Sam ranch was located in 1852 by Elijah Pooriiian. The National ranch was settled upon about the same time, by James \V. Hayes. In the spring of 1853 D. R. Gate and E. W. Judkins procured wheat in the Sacramento valley, which was hauled into the American valley over the snow on hand-sleds. With this they sowed fifteen acres on the New England ranch, which yielded an average of fifty bushels to the acre. This was sold for seed in this and Indian vallej-s, bringing eighteen cents per pound. It was thi-ashed out with a flail, and cleaned in a fanning-mill. The next season a large quantity of wheat was put in by the ranchers in both valleys, but a severe frost in the month of June killed nearly all the crop. In 1855 a great quantity of wheat was raised, 3,000 bushels being produced on the New England ranch alone. In 1854 Gate it Judkins built a grist-mill on the New England ranch, and began making Hour, grinding but little the first year on account of the failure of the crop, y ELIZABETHTOWN, OR "BETSYBUEG." A few miles from Quincy, on the road to Indian valley, is the old mining town of Eliz.abeth- town, the first place of importance in Plumas township. In 1852 Alexander and Frank Tate dis- covered gold in wiiat is known as Tate ravine. Soon afterwards, Lewis Stark, Peter Day, and George Ferrier, who had just come in with their families through Beckwourth pass, went to work just above the Tate brothers, but met with no success for a few days. One morning ihey went prospecting up Elizabeth ravine, and by noon had panned out an ounce. After dinner they used a rocker, and secured several ounces. In a few days they dug a small ditch from the creek near by, and did well, finding one piece of twenty-eight ounces. Miners began to come in and prospect around, soon finding good diggings opposite Elizabcthtown. Stark built houses for his family at the mouth of the ravine, and sh;inties were put up by the miners, until there was quite a village collected. The only young lady in town was Miss Elizabeth Stark (now Mrs. W. A. Blakesley of Quincy), and the chivalrous miners bestowed her name upon the young town. Later, especially after a rivalry si)rang up with Quincy, the place was as well known by the name of Betsyburg as by its proper appellation. Not many remained during the winter of 1852-53, having, in common with the miners in other places, deserted the mountains. Provisions sold at one dollar per pound, and were scarce ; so much JOHX F. HARTWELL. 277 so, that early in the spring Stark and two others made their way to the Sacramento valley, and with great difficulty drove up several beef-cattle through the mountains to save their families from the danger of starvation. In the spring of 1853 a crowd of miners came to Elizabethtown, and it became one of the largest camiis in the county. Stark opened a hotel, and another was built by John Cornelison. James A. Blood built a tire-proof stone structure, in which Blood & Shannon (Thomas B.) kept a store. Tiie first store had been opened by Joseph Taylor, Fred Robinson, and William Kinsey, and bore over its portal the sign "Joe, Fred, and Jacky," the last being the familiar title of Kinsey. Ross & Gloyd (D. J.) soon after erected a hotel building, in which was a large dance hall. In 1854 a Masonic hall was built by a lodge of that order that had been insti- tuted there. A division of Sons of Temperance was also organized in the town. Elizabethtown became so metropolitan in ISo-l that the postal deparlmant established an office there, with Lewis Stark as postmaster. W. A. Blakesley was deputy, and it was in his house that the office was kept. No mail contract was let, and Jonas D. Ritchie carried the mail from Rabbit creek (La Porte), twenty-five cents being charged on each letter to pay the expenses of the service This was a great saving, as the expressman demanded one dollar for the same service. Quite a town had now sprung up at Quincy, which had been chosen as the county seat, not- withstanding Elizabethtown was the larger place, and made strenuous exertions to secure the priz'. Hacks were run between the two rival towns, and were well patronized. In January, 185.5, the post-office was removed to Quincy, much to the disgust of the people of the rival metropolis, and Squire Stark moved his family to the new seat of his official duties. This was quite a blow to the town, and in the latter part of 1855 the place began to decline. Frazer river called away a great many in 1858, and. Elizabethtown soon passed from existence. Two or three families are still living there, and Corbin & Manson have a mining claim which is being worked by drifting. Among the rich mining claims that were worked in 1853 and 1854 were the Wahoo, bj' Joseph Kelley & Co.; Fowler, by Fowler & Co.; Varner, by Varner & Co. ; Plumas, by L. F. Gate »fc Co.; O'Neill, by Captain O'Neill ; Gloyd, by D. J. Gloyd ; Betsy Gulch, by Stark & Co. QUINCY, THE COUNTY SEAT. One of the foremost gentlemen in securing the creation of the county of Plumas was Mr. II. J. Bradley, proprietor of the American ranch and hotel. He was named in the Act as one of the three commissioners for the organization of the county, and the statute also located the county seat at his hotel until the people should vote upon the question and select a permanent location. A town was laid out and named Quincy by Mr. Bradley, in honor of the city of Quincy, Illinois, from whence he had come to California. As an inducement to the people to locate the county seat permanently at Quincy, Mr. Bradley offered to construct a suitable building for a temporary court- house, and give the free use of it to thj county until such time as the people thought best to build a new and more substantial one, In fulfillment of his promise he constructed a rude shake building in the rear of his hotel, which was used as a court-room, and in which some of the officials kept their offices. John Harbison, the county clerk, soon moved his office to the upper story of the BuUard building, corner of Harbison avenue and Main street. At the fall election there were three candidates for the honor of being the county seat — Quincy, Elizabethtoum, and O'Neill's Flat. There were twenty-two precincts in the county, ami Elizabethtown sent out Thomas B. Shannon and several others to canvass them in the interest of that place. Shannon was a merchant there, and hencj his anxiety to secure for his viila^^e the coveted prize. Being locked up in a narrow 278 ravine, Betsyhiirg was. wholly unsuitable for the county seat, and the people wisely decided in favor of Quiiicy, whose location was so favorable. At that time there were l)ut a few houses in the seat of justice, the oldest being Bradley's hotel. The old Plumas House, that had been built by Pierce, Sharpe, & Houck, was then kept by Samuel Russell, elected coroner that fall. The ilasonic hall was built in the spring of 1855. H. J. Bradley, Joscjih (ireena, and George W. Sharpe presented to the county the public square on which the court-house now stands. At that tiine the buililing erected by Bradley was used as a court-house, and for balls, political meetings, and public assemblings of all kinds. William Houck, will) owned the land south of Jackson strec-t, donatecl many town lots to those desiring to erect buildings, among others giving to Samuel Russell for a livery stable the lot on which stand the Plumas House stables. It was in January, 185-J, that the postal department, upon representation that Quincy was the county seat and of more importance than Eliz.abethtown, removed there the post-office from the latter place, much to the disgust and indignation of the people of Betsyburg. A contract was made with Wilson S. Dean, who was then running a saddle-train for passengers between Quincy and Bidwell, to Ijriiig up the mail, and take the receipts of the office for his pay. Twenty-five cents were charged for each letter. This continued until 1858. when the department made a regular contract with the California Stage Company to carry the mail from Oroville to Quincy, and the citizens for the first time enjoyed full postal facilities at the regular rates of postage. Whiting «& Co.'s dog-express was chiefly depended upon in winter for transportation of the mails. In 1857 a subscription was made by sundry citizens for the purpose of erecting a suitable court- house on the public square, and on the eleventh of November of that year a notice was published in the Plumas Argus inviting sealed proposals /or building a court-house. John Harbison, the county clerk, David J. Wilmans, and John C. Lewis were appointed a building committee to secure subscriptions and contract for the work. August 10, 1858, D. J. Wilmans was appointed by the board of sui)ervisors to superintend the erection of the building, and gave bonds in the sum of So,00(). The board also ap]iropriated 85,000 towards the completion of the structure. November 15, 1858, John G. Corey was appointed to supersede Mr. Wilmans, and February 7, 1859, S3,485 were appropriated to liquidate the debt remaining upon the building. The various officers took possession of the rooms assigned to them on the second of May, 1859. The ne.\t day the board passed the following resolution : "Ordered, that on the payment of the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars subscribed by the county judge to the court-house fund, he be permitted to occupy the north-east room in the second story of tlic court-house for chambers,-until the c.\pirati(jn of his present term of office." Judge Ilogan enjoyed the thorough business-like manner in which the board was collecting its subscriptions, and with a pleasant smile came up, paid In's subscription, and took possession of his office, which he occupied I'v many years. In 1861 the board had a little difficulty in collecting rent from Thomas Cox, who was occupying a room in the coiirt-house, and he finally paid in depreciated county warrants. Determined not to be caught napping again, the board passed an order "that the district attorney execute to said Tom Cox a lease of the room now occupied by him, for the period of one year, upon receiving from him sufficient bonds for the payment of said rent." The fence about the court-house was built in 1864, at an expense of 8700. In August, 1871, some repairs were made on the court-house, ami .Mr. Whiting deposited in the north-east corner of the stone wall on which rests the | pillar sup])orting the roof a cast-iron box, containing sundry newsjiapers, a great register, and a paper printed in Quincy in 1855. 279 The first jail nserl by tlio cminty was a small log house, built in the spring of 1855 by John S. Thompson, at a cost of 8500 It stood in front of the house now occupied by John D. Goodwin as a law office. The jail was used for a number of years, and three convicts, John Jenkins, Thomas Elder, and Amada Cardinez were secured within its walls until their execution by the sheriff. The jail stood in the street, and was therefore taken away when the present brick structure was erected. This stands in the public sijuare, just in the rear of the court-house, and was built in 1863 by Mowbry & Clark, under contract with the county, for $7,035. The first conflagration of any importance in Quiney occurred February 28, 1861, when a large ])ortion of the town, including the principal hotel and a majority of the business houses, was de- stroyed. The chief losses were : American Hotel, by Mrs. Mastin ; the mercantile establishments of M. S. Archeim & Co., E. Truett, Jerry Ford, Mr. Newton, Moore & Picrson, Fayette Burr ; the saloons of E. H. Pierce and Bass & Co. ; the Quiney House, unoccupied ; and a number of other buildings. This was the most destructive fire that has ever visited the town. At that time the citizens had no means of protectinn from this devastating element, and were able to impose but little resistance to its ravages. After the fire, Houck & Pierce built a fine, large saloon opposite the site of the old one. This was sold in June, 1872, to the Town Hall Association for a town hall, for $1,500. In the year 1860 Coburu Brothers built a fine hotel at a cost of $11,000, which was destroyed by fire April 14, 1862. They immediately erected a new one at an expense of $16,000, which met the same fate as the other, in February, 1865. A school was taught in 1857 in the pioneer school-house by Mr. S. A. Ballou, afterwards a member of the legislature from this county. Dr. J. N. Hartzell was the first superintendent of schools, and for the year ending October 81, 1855, he reported but two school districts in the county, Elizabethtown and Mineral. There were but ninety-three children, of whom seventy-five were in the Elizabethtown district. The only school at that time was kept in the latter place, by W. K. Logan, with an attendance of but twenty-nine scholars. In 1857 a school was opened in Quiney, in a little building near the site of Judge Goodwin's oflice. When the Masons built their hall, the ladies raised money by means of fairs, dances, etc., and fitted up the lower story for a school-room. In 1872, a building having been purchased from J. H. Houck by the Town Hall Association, a high-school was carried on at that place. In 1876 steps were taken to give Quiney more adequate educational facilities. W. W. Kellogg, John C. Chapman, and J. R. Wyatt com- prised the board of trustees, and Mr. Kellogg, the chairman, drew up a liill authorizing the district to issue bonds to the amount of -^^4,000 for the erection of a fine, two-story brick building. The bill passed the legj,slature, and when the proposition was submitted to the people, only seven votes were cast in the negative. The contract was let to G. W. Meylert for |;3,600 ; the building was completed in due time, well supplied with furniture and the proper apparatus, and Quiney has now a flourishing graded school. At a meeting held June 6, 1872, John D. Goodwin, I. B. Shreve, and John C. Chapman were elected trustees of the Quiney Town Hall Association, an organization for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a hall for the use of the public. The by-laws provided that each person who paid $2.50 was allowed one vote at all meetings. Subscriptions were received amounting to §710.25. The fine building that h;id been built by Pierce & Houck ten years before for a saloon was pur- chased of J. II. Houck for ■*;l,50ii, and fitted up for the purpose. A school was maintained in the hall until the erection of the new school-house. In 1876 J. M. Chajiman and A. H. Ferguson succeeded J. C. Chapman and J. D. Goodwin as trustees ; and in 1877 J. C. Coburn succeeded Shreve. J. "W. Thompson, J. H. Whitlock, and W. T. Byers were chosen trustees in 1878, and 2S0 subscriptions to the amount of ?431.25 were made to ajiply on the debt still restins» upon the association. The hall is used for public gatherings of all kinds, and is of vast convenience to the people. Until December 19, 1878, Quincy had no protection from fire whatever. At that time Quincy Hose Co. No. 1 was organized, with W. W. Kellogg, foreman; A. Hall, assistant: J. il. Chapman, treasurer ; B. B. Hughes, secretary. Liberal subscriptions were made by the citizens, many of whom also sustained the movement by becoming members of the organization. A hose-cart was purchased for $80, and a small building erected for its accommodation for *59. The com])any also purchased 500 feet of hose for S550. The first call u]ion the services of the new company was ni.ade but a few days after its complete organization, when, by promptly extinguishing a fire that had burned the roof of Hall & Howard's saloon, they probably saved the town from a great disaster. In July, 1879, W. E. Ward became as.sistant foreman, and Edward Gurner treasurer; $150 were appropriated to the company that year by the board of supervisors. In January, 1880, W. E. Ward was chosen foreman, and A. Hall assistant : in July, A. Hall foreman, and W. H. Moore assistant; in January, 1881, W. E. Ward foreman, and P. L. Hallsted assistant; in July, P. L. Hallsted foreman, and M. S. Light assistant. A bell was purchased in July, 1881, for $120. The by-laws are subscribed by the following gentlemen : W. W. Kellogg, A. Hall, W. E. Ward, William Goodwin, G. B. Sumner, J. M. Chapman, A. H. Haj.good, C. J. Lee, W. H. Moore, U. W. Gill, A. W. Wilson, George Wilson, Edward Gurner, C. W. Blakcslcy, W. J. Variel, W. T. Bell, M. S. Light, Daniel Gate, E. Huskinson, B. B. Hughes, T. C'. Lee, J. W. Larison, H. Esburn, William Edwards, Henry Maurer. J. W. Brown, R. L. Bell, J. E. Smith, Arthur W. Keddie, R. H F. Variel, Fentou P. Whiting, W. H. Lake, W. J. Bell, G. C. Owens, P. L. Hallsted. The neat little church erected* five years ago, and managed and controlled by the Mithodist Episcojial denomination, was built by the subscription of members of various denominations, as well as gentlemen who give their adherence to the tenets of no creed whatever. The express understanding when tliese sums were donated was that the church would be open to the use of all denominations, as is evidenced by the following copy of the original subscription list : " (1) It is mutually agreed that the friends of religious culture in Quincy and the American valley undertake to raise, in labor, money, and materials, the sum of $2,000, for the purpose of erect- ing a church edifice at Quincy, to be known and styled the Methodist Episcopal church, and to be under the especial care and keeping of the Methodists; but to be always liberal toward other branches of the Christian church, never to lie exclusive in the dispensation of its privileges, but to oi)en its portals and extend its favors to others of the Christian brotherhoo(^who may 'use and not abuse.' " (2) The plan for raising the amount jirojiosed is by contril)ution ; and every member of any branch of the Christian church, living in this community, and every lover of peace, order, anl good- will among men, is hereby requested to lend his influence and his efforts, and contribute of his means what he can, to the consummation of an enter]>rise so essential to the well-being of our coni- niunity; and are hereby constituted agents, and authorized to solicit pledges and donations of any amount and from all persons. "It is desirable that all small sums should be collectable at such time as may be agreed upon, and forwarded to the finance and building conmiittee. All jtledges of more than $10 should have some part paid down when the work on the building is ready to commence, and the rest in equal installments, as the work progresses. So that none will be pushed in the payment of their pledges, and yet all will be paid by tlu' time the work is completed. %,^, *,¥: -o# >' < ^ u. ^ ii i 281 " (3) The style and dimensions of tho building are to be as follo\vs : (Tliis was left blank.) " It is hoped that all friends to the undertaking will make a strenuous effort at once to complete the proposition, which is to raise 82,000. "Agreement. — For the above-named object, we, the undersigned, agree to give, in money, materials, or labor, the amounts set opposite our names: A. J. Welden, |!l50; J. C. Gentry, $100; D. R. Finlayson, *100; Thos. Haycock, *100; F. B. Whiting, 150; Lee it Rogers, $50; Clark & Brooks, $25; J. P. Knisely, $12; J. C. Chapman, $10; R. H. F. Variel, $10; W. T. Byers, $20; J. H. Houck, $10; J. D. Goodwin, $r)0; J. L. Betterton, $60; Alex. Thompson, $50; J. F. Ilartwell, $50; F. Gansner, $50; Samuel Lee, $60; A. W. Drew, $60; G. W. Meylert, S50; Wm. Schlatter, $10; J, R. Wyatt, $25; A. Cohn & Bro., $10; D. R. Gate, $50; E. T. Hogan, $20; P. L. Hallsted, $10; L C. Boring, $20; C. C. Boyle, $10; L. F. Gate, $25; R. M. Harris, $5; J. C. Coburn, $16; J. E. Edwards, $24; B. W. (lark, $18." As the above subscriptions failed of reaching the desired amount, the more liberal of the sub- scribers were called upon for additional contributions, which they cheerfully gave. Quiney is now a thriving mountain town, surrounded by good farms, and in the midst of a minei'al region that is i-apidly being developed. A narrow-gauge railroad will soon connect it with Reno, and in every way its future looks bright and auspicious. The business of the town comprises two hotels, the Plumas House and the Quiney House, seven stores, two livery stables, five saloons, meat market, wagon shop, several blacksmiths, shoemaker, barber, jeweler. There are also a church, school-house, court-house and jail, post-office with J. H. Whitlook postmaster, W. F. & Co. express office with J. R. Wyatt agent, who also does a banking business, telegraph office, I. O. O. F. hall, Masonic hall, town hall, and one weekly newspaper. The Plumas National is ably conducted by its publisher, William E. Ward, son of Hon. William T. Ward, the first county judge of Plumas. The Plumas House is a splendid hotel, far above the average, and cost $30,000. It is well furnished, contains a large dance hall, and is ably managed by W. T. Byers and E. Huskinson. The proprie- tor is James E. Edwards, and to the care and supervision of his wife are largely due the neatness and comfort of the house. From this house stages run to Indian valley and Susanville, to Oroville, to La Porte, and to Sierra valley and Reno. The Young Men's Reading Club is an association of the young men of Quiney. They have fitted up a nice hall on Main street, in which is a good library, jind where they give occasional literary entertainment to their friends. The club is doing a great deal of good, and receives the substantial encouragement of the citizens. Plumas Lodge No. 60, F. & A. M. — This was the first lodge of the Masonic order in Plumas county. On the first of May, 1S54, the Masons of American and Indian valleys met at the Amer- ican hotel, then kejit by H. J. Bradley, and drew up a petition to the grand lodge for a dispensa- tion, signed by H. J. Bradley, John Harbison, John S. Root, John M. Bass, Abram Hargrave, Gil- bert Hudson, John M. Abbott, Robert I. Barnett, John E. Smaw, Asa C. Bryan, Stephen D. Bass, John S. Ross, M. H. Farley, William Hall, James F. Ray, S. H. Mather, Jobe T. Taylor, and D. J. Glo3'd. By the courtesy of Mr. Bradley, a room in the second story of the hotel was used by the lodge for its place of meeting. A dispensation was granted, and the following officers choseu : H. J. Bradley, W. M.; John S. Root, S. W.; G. W. Cowper, J. W.; John Harbison, S.; R. I. Bar- nett, T.; Abram Hargrave, S. D.; Warner H. Meeker, J. D.; S. H. Mather, Tyler. The first regular meeting was held at the hotel July 22, 1854. A public installation then took place in the old court-house in the rear of the hotel. In 1855 the lodge built their hall, the money being raised by subscription, and by the active assistance of the ladies of Quiney; and for their zeal in the cause, 30 282 the ladies «ere permitted the use of the lower story for a school-room, a privilege that was con- tinued for more than twenty years. The lodge has been presided over by H. J. Bradley, John S. Root, John E. Buckbec, L. C. Charles, J. D. Goodwin, T. F. Herscy, R. H. F. Variel, and Arthur W. Kc'ddie. Stated convocations arc held (in the Saturday of or next succeeding the full moon. Altueas Chaptee No. 34, E. A. M. — This chapter was organized in La Porte, July 8, 1864,. with the following charter members : Creed Haymond, H. P. ; J. West Judkins, K. ; Charles W. Hendel, S. ; A. H. Crew, T. ; Fred Howard, Secretary ; Francis Descombes, Gidney Underbill, John Corbett, and Henry V. Kiraberlin. Of late years the membership decreased so materially that the chapter was removed to Quincy August 6, 1881. In December, 1881, the membership was foity-five, and the officers were: J. H. Variel, H. P.; James Denijister, K. ; Julian Jacquel, S. ; J. E. Edwards, T. ; J. A. Ketchum, Secretary. Regular meeting Friday on or after the full moon. In former years, Quincy Chapter No. 32 existed hero, but surrendered its charter. Plumas Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F. — Samuel Parker, P. G. M., instituted this lodge at Rich bar, on the east branch of Feather river, July 23, 1859, installing the following officers : Abram Bolyer, N. G. : D. Pas.hen, V. G. ; Charles Beldcn, S.; Benjamin F. SheldoD, T. The lodge flourished for a time ; but the decline of mining on the river so reduced its membership that the charter was surrendered, the last meeting being held August 23, 1863. The lodge met in the hall of Sincerity Lodge, F. & A. M. In 18G7 Mr. F. B. Whiting prepared and circulated a petition for the restoration of the charter, and location of the lo.lge at Quincy, which was signed by H. W. Kellogg, Richard Thompson, Richard Irwin, Asa D. Hallsted, John P. Richards, Daniel B 'rtirner, and Abram Bolyer. The following gentlemen were installed as officers by Charles N. Fox, M. W. G. M., June 21, 1867: Levin C. Charles, N. G. ; John S. Root, V. G.; Asa O. Davis, S.; William Kinsey, T. The lodge occupied the 'Masonic hall until the completion of their fine brick hall, wliich cost $4,500, and was dedicated December 58, 1876. The membership in December, 1881, was sixty-eight, and the officers were: D. W. Jenks, N. G. ; Joseph Braden, V. G. ; F. P. Whiting, S. ; William Kinsey, T. Quincy Lodge No. 129, A. O. U. W.— H. G. Oliver, D. G. M. W., institute.l this lodge September 10, 1879. The charter members were: N. 11. Hapgood, M. W. ; J. D. Goodwin, F. ; R. L. Gill, O. ; B. B. Hughes, J. W. Larison, W. A. Cheney, J. H. Houck, H. N. Brown, J. P. Richards, R. H. F. Variel, Joseph Braden, George Wilson, N. G. Luke, and W. H. Moore. The present membershi]i is thirty-five, and the officers (December, 1881) are: A. W. Keddie, M. W.; T. L. Haggard, F. ; William 15. Sha.v, O. Meetings are held the first and fourth Wednesdays of each month in I. O. O. F. hall. Plumas Rangees. — This was an independent military company, organized in Quincy in December, 1855. E. T. Hogan received a commission from the governor as captain. The history of the organization may be briefly stated as follows: In November there came to Elizabethtown an Indian from the vicinity of Goodyear's bar. Sierra county, to whom Judge Hogan had formerly showed a kindness, and gave a warning of impents of 250 acres of meadow and timber land. For many years he had been interested in lumbering and milling. The saw-mill in American valley cuts about half a million feet annually, and is conducted by his sons. The mill has an overshot wheel supplied by a flume, and was erected by Judkins & Gate. A view of the Hartwell property may be seen on another page of this work. Allex J. Welden. — -He was the sixth of a family of thirteen, the parents being Jacob and Pelly (Murphy) Welden, and is a native of Sandy Creek, Osv\-ego county, New York. His boyhood days were sjjent on the farm and attending school. His first venture was to purchase a faim in Oswego county, running in debt for it all. In 1850 he sold it, followed the gold excitement to California, and iiegan mining on American river. Soon he went to Dowuieville, and finally to Poorman's creek, in Plumas county. In 1851 he purchased the Illinois ranch from Goodrich and others, and in the fall went back to New York for his family, i-eturning to his ranch in 1852. Tiiis he sold the following year, and in 1855 purchased his present residence, a view of which may be seen in this work. It now consists of 300 acres of good farming land. There were four other fam- ilies in the valley when the Weldens came, and three houses at Quincy. The only two wliite women besides Mrs. Welden were Mrs. Judkins and Mrs. Bradley. Mails were costly, each letter requiring a dollar and a half for transportation; and other things were in proportion. Mr. Welden was married July 8, 1840, to Lucina Morey, daughter of Isaac and Sibyl Morey of Oswego county. New York. Tliere are four children: John A., born July 8, 1850, now married and living near Reno; Lillian L., born March 26, 1855; Carrie E., born May 30, 1865; Clarence G., born June 18, 1869. Lillian was married July 20, 1881, to Elbridge K. Grove, who was born in Plymouth, Ohio, February 6, 1849, and was the son of Rev. Philetus Grove, the first minister in Americ;m valley, whose death occurred at Woodland, Yolo county, December 28, 1869. 284 William Mansov. — This gentleman is the son of John and Margaret Manson of Ayershire, Scotland, and was born in Canada West, December 28, 1840. He followed the machinist's trade until 1865, when on the fourth of May he started for California, coming via the Isthmus. He was first employed as engineer in a mine in Grass valley, and from there went to Downieville, where he opened a foundry, and operated it for nearly eleven years. At the same time he was considerably interested in tlie mines, and was one of the locators of the Bald Mountain extension. In 1877 he went to Greenville and ojiened a foundry, soon disposing of his Downieville property. He has suffered a good deal from fires, having been burned out three times. In June, 1881, he sold his foundry and turned his attention to mining at Elizabethtown. Mr. Manson was married in San Francisco, December 1, 1874, to Miss Jessie E. Pidwell of St. Johns, New Brunswick. They have two children: John Herbert, born October 23, 1875; Margaret Elizabeth, born January 21, 1877. Mr. Manson is a member of the Greenville Lodge of United Workmen, and also of the Grand Lodge of the state. James H. Larison. — He was born in Butler county, Ohio, February 23, 1828. He is the son of James A. and Elizabeth (Olendorff) Larison. He worked on a farm until sixteen years of age, and then learned the coopering trade. He crossed the plains to California in 1850, and began mining in Placer county. In 1852 he returned to Ohio for his family, and brought them out with him the following year. Upon his arrival he settled in Plumas county, where he has followed min- ing continuously for si.vteen years. He is now living on his ranch. Mr. Larison was married July 17, 1819. to Miss Anninta Reed, by whom he has had five children: James W. was born April 17, 1850; Ella, August 25, 1855; Charles, August 23, 1858; William, April 7, 1865; Kittie, January 25, 1870. A view of his residence may be seen on another page. Thomas F. Hersey. — This gentleman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 29, 1821. He followed the sea from the lime ho was fifteen years of age until he came to this state, leaving home about the first of December, 1854, and arriving at San Francisco on the seventeenth of April, 1855, as first officer of the clipper ship Flying Arrow. He came to Plumas county in May, 1855, and made his home here until his death — for many years being engaged in mining. He was appointed justice of the peace for Plumas township in 1867, and in 1873 ran for county judge, being beaten by a small majoi'ity. He was appointed postmaster at Quincy in 1873, and filled that position at the time of his decease, which occurred October 13, 1878. He was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, and was buried by the lodge at Quincy, with all of the beautiful rites and cere- monies used by that organization. The procession which followed his remains to the grave was one of the longest ever seen in the place. LaFayett Cate, M. D. — This gentleman is the pioneer physician of the county. He is a native of New Hampshire, and graduated at the Vermont Medical College. He came to Plumas in 1854, settled at Eliz.abethtown, and engaged in the practiee of his profession. He lias devoted much of his attention to mining enterprises, as well as to his ]irofession. He has always enjoyed a full share of practice, and still resides in Quincy. Upon the resignation of County Treasurer Chapman, in December, 1878, Dr. Cate was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served in that office until March, 1880, when he retired from public life, and is quietly pursuing the practice of his pro- fession in Quincy. Colonel Calvin W. Rockwell — The colonel is a native of the state of New York. lie came to this state in 1852, and embarked in mining at Galena Hill, Yuba county. He first honored Plumas with his presence in 1 856. He is the Colonel Sellers of the day, and his wise counsels are often invoked by the mining fraternity. For several years he was the acting road manager of Ul if O -1 a '^ Zz 0:5 ^■ifrfrf£A*r .^.rA#^/-^^. ..*^i4li^>fe .j^^-^^ 285 Whiting & Co.'s express, engineering the dog-team during the winter months, and became famous for his celerity of transits over the snow belt. He never yields the palm for a good story of the days of yore. He is the proprietor of Rockwell Park, near Quincy, and all who patronize his stables on that turf testify to his gentlemanly deportment. He is considered high authority in racing annals, and his famous trotter, Blue Euin, has long been the admiration of the turf men. He was one of the founders of the town of Camptonville, in Yuba county. Donald RoBEKTsoy Finlayson. — He was the seventh son of John and Amelia Finlayson. His father was a native of Scotland ; his mother of Nova Scotia, where Donald was born, in the town of Merigomish. When he was sixteen years of age, Donald began to work at milling, which occupation lie followed for many years. In 1856 he crossed the Isthmus to California, arriv- ing in San Francisco on the first of June, and went to the mines at Camptonville; thence he moved to Alder creek, Sacramento county. From here he went to Spanish Ranch, where he mined till 1865. In 1866 he purchased the place he now lives on. He was married February 26, 1872, to Mrs. Jane Eichards of Plumas county. Her maiden name was Murrish. She was born January 19, 1831, and emigrated to the United States from Cornwall, England, settling with her married sisters at Mineral Point, Wisconsin. She was married to William Richards, an Englishman, August 19, 1848. They came to California in 1855, when Mr. Richards received injuries in the mines that caused his death after six years' illness. To them were born six children : Martin, born in Wisconsin, June 22,1849; Sarah Ann, born in Wisconsin, October 18,1850; Francis V., Oc- tober 14, 1856; Mary Evaline, December 23, 1858; William M., July 22, 1861; Clara Emma, January 10, 1864. The last four children are natives of California. Mrs Finlayson has born to her present husband three children, two of whom are living: John E., bom March 26, 1873; Donald R., born March 22, 1875; Nellie, born December 4, 1878, and died when fifteen months old. Mr. Finlayson is a member of Plumas Lodge No. 88, I. O. O. F., at Quincy. A view of his residence and its surroundings may be seen on another page. William F. Johnson. — ^Mr. Johnson is a native of Elbing, Prussia, where he was born October 3, 1830. In 1853 he came to America, and in 1854 to California, via Cape Horn. In August of that year he went to Goodyear's bar, but after a short time returned to Marysville, where he made the acquaintance of John McGee, with whonihe traveled to Plumas county, and engaged in mining on Coyote hill, near Spanish Ranch. From here he went to Jamison creek, where he spent fourteen months, made some money, and in a short time became one-third o^vntr of the Mammoth ledge. It proved an unsatisfactory investment, and he sold out and went to Mexico. He soon returned, however, and after engaging in mining at Butte bar, and being proprietor of the mill in the Ar- gentine district for a time, he concluded to settle down, which he did by purchasing the home where he now resides, at the head of American valley. He was married May 29, 1870, to Maria Fisher of Somersetshire, England, where she was born November 13, 1846. Four children are the result of this marriage, with dates of birth as follows: Harry T. Godfried, April 29, 1871 ; William Francis, November 4, 1872 ; Carrie Sarah, February 9, 1874; Isadore R., July 18, 1878. Florin Gansner. — The proprietor of the large saw-mill at Quincy was born in the town of Seeves, Switzerland, May 28, 1829. His parents were Christian and Anna Gansner. In 1846 he came to the United States, and located at St. Louis, Missouri, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it until 1852. At that time he crossed the plains to California, and mined on Yuba river. He came to Rich bar, Plumas county, in the spring of 1853. Having done well at mining, he went back to St. Louis in 1857, and was married June 22, 1858, to Christina Pchle of that city. In 1864 he returned to Plumas county, and contracted and built ferry landings for a 286 time, when he again went to mining on Rich bar. In 1868 he removed to American valley, and purchased his present home and the old mill. The new mill he built in 1878. It is run by a hydraulic pressure of 144 feet fall, and has two circular saws, sixty and fifty inches in diameter. A view of the buildings ajipears on another page. Mr. and Mrs Gansner have had seven chil- dren, as follows: Benjamin C, born December "28, 1859; Henry F., July 13, 1863; William C, November 25, 1866; Flora C, May 27, 1868; Frederick G., July 7, 1873; Anna L., March 2, 1875; Christina, May 21, 1877. Lewis Stakk. — Squire Stark, as he is familiarly called, is a native of Tennessee, where he was born in the year 1808. He came overland to California with his family in 1852, and was among the first to go through Beckwourth j>ass, being conducted by Jim Beckwourth over his road. He went on to American valley. On his journey thence he camped in the ravine where Elizabethtown was subsequently built, and some of his boys, prospecting there, discovered the first diggings of that locality. Squire Stark concluded to remain there, and quite a village soon sprang uji. The town was named after one of the squire's daughters, \Y. A. Blakesley, of Quincy. In 1853 Mr. Stark was elected a justice of the peace of Butte county, and again in 1854, after Plumas was organizeit a few days later, and was also crowded by the men returning from the Gold-lake expedition. The discovery on Eich bar was made by Captain Blackburn and B. F. Chafee. From the summit between Onion Valley creek and the middle fork, they noticed the crater which overhangs the bar, and cherishing the popular notion of the day that volcanoes were largely responsible for gold, they decided to descend to the river and prospect. They camped for the night on the south bank, and in the morning crossed over to the bar, which had impressed ihera favoralily by its api»earance. They effected a crossing by felling trees for a bridge, and spread their blankets upon one of the richest placers in California. The bar was shallow and easily prospected, their efforts being quickly crowned with the highest success. Their provisions being very low, they set out for Stringtown, in Butte county, from whence they had come, to procure a new supply ; not, however, until having staked off claims. Upon arriving at Stringtown, they were of course interrogated as to the success they had met with, but preserved a silence on the subject that only served to con- vince their questioners that they had found something. Upon their return to the bar, they found not the peace of nature that they had left but a few days before, for men were swarming up and down the stream, staking off claims, and rockers were as plentiful as bowlders. The Gold-lakers had returned and overrun the whole bar. Tiieir claims were all right, and they had reason to congratulate themselves upon their foresight in staking them off before they left. The first workers on the bar had taken up claims of a generous size, and soon the whole bar was occupied. The region was full of miners, and they came pouring down upon the river, attracted by the reports of a rich strike, until their tents and camp-fires presented the appearance of a vast army. Those without claims far exceeded in number the fortunate ones. A miners' meeting was called to make laws. Majority ruled in a mining camp in those days, and it was voted to cut down the size of claims to forty feet. The claim owners were powerless to resist, but had to submit to the fiat of the majority. The miners were then registered in the order of the date of their arrival upon the bar, and in that order were allowed to select claims until all were taken. Even then there was a great crowd of disappointed ones. Many of those went prospecting ; while 288 a few days later the report of ricli diggings having been found on the east branch carried off the others with a ru>h. All the summer and fall the claims were worked, and one wicg-dam was put in, which developed extraordinarily rich deposits. When the winter set in the bar was almost entirely deserted, so great was the fear of wintering in the mountains, and the miners went down to the lower mines to await tlie opening of the spring season. In the spring they came back with a rush, and the scenes of the summer before were repeated : a sc^>re of men visiting the bar for every one who could secure a vacant claim. The others went on to the dozens of new places that were constantly being discovered. Eich l)ar was a bustling place for the next few years. A flume was built in 1851 for carrying the stream while the bed was being worked. The lumber was supplied liy a saw-mill at the foot of the bar, put up that year and operated by J. B. Batchelder. This gentleman liad the pleasure of saving Mr. Whiting's life that summer by pulling him out of the river. He had undertaken to cross the stream on Batchelder's log boom, and had fallen in. Mr. Wiiiting never alludes to the incident without expressing his' gratitude. Considerable tluming was done on the stream, and a great many wing-dams were i)ut in; but in a majority of cases, this class of river raining was unsuccessful. Hundreds of miners lost in this way the money they had previously made by work- ing claims on the bars. Regular placer claims on the^bars and flats and in the ravines and gulches were the most remunerative. They were easily worked, and if found not to be good could be abandoned by their owner without sacriticing exjiensive improvements, ancl he could go in search of a new claim. On the other hand, wing-dams and flumes were very expensive, and consumed a great de.al of time. They were generally carried on by companies, who, when the season ended, often found themselves poorer than when they began ojierations in the spring. Rich bar flourished but a few j-ears, and then joined the long list of worked-out mining camps. The chief mining camps along the middle fork were: Minerva bar, Butte bar. Rich bar, Hot- tentot bar. Sailor bar, Rocky bar, Columbia flat, Sunny bar. Bray's bar. Bo wen's bar. Frenchman's bar, Willow creek, Poverty flat, Pojilar bar, Peoria bar, and Nigger bar. Among the workers on Nelson creek in the summer of 1850 was the Wisconsin company, composed of Ripley C. Kelky, Andrew Kelley, Warner Meeker, Abbey, Toy, Ivey, George Tilly, W. J. Tilly, Myers, John Warly, James Warly, S. B. Hatch, and Alex. Turner. They opened a rich claim just above Meeker flat in June, and about the same time started a trading-post on the flat, and placed W. J. Tilly in charge. Their enter])rises were both successful. The company worked out in three weeks ninety-three pounds of gold. In the fall the company disbanded, and divided 10,000 lbs. of flour and other goods among themselves. W. J. Tilly is now a member of the firm of Wellman, Peck, & Co., San Francisco. Ripley C. Kelley is mining on Poorman's creek. John W. Thomi)son built a log cabin in November, 1850, at Nelson Point, and opened a trading post. In the spring he put up a good canvas store. In 1851-2-3 there were stores and boarding- houses at Henpeck flat. Meeker flat, Independence b.ir, and at one or two other points on Nelson, Hopkins, and Poorman's creeks. Nelson Point became quite a town, having two stores, one hotel, two saloons, one boarding-house, and a immber of cabins. It was a very central point, and a great many miners procured their supplies there. A post-office was established there a number of years after, which is now kept at the bridge crossing the river. When the wagon road was built in 1867, the place ceased to be a business point, and the store was discontinued. Near the bridge, a mile and one- half up the river, a store is still being kept. The most ini)iortant mining points along Nelson creek were: Graveyard flat. Fiddler's fl.it. Buckeye bar, Henpeck flat. Grizzly flat, Scotch flat. Meeker flat, Independence bar, Dixon creek. Union creek, Poorman's creek, and Hopkins creek. W^'^^^^WW^^ •^ i / <^- <-^^^^»^^ >- o CO to o ^ -J < 289 Mr. Abrani Taylor, now mining near Buck's Ranch, says that on the fifteentli of April, 1850, having been told by Indians of a rich bar "three sleeps" up the middle fork, he left Bingham's bar with two companions, Arnold and Fisher, in search of the spot. Folhiwiiiti- the divide between the Yuba and Feather to Little Grass valley, they turned north and reached the river at a place afterwards knoivn as Stag point. They followed up the stream four days, prospecting, but found nothing. Their little stock of provisions giving ouf, they went back to Little Grass valley, and thence to Bingham's bar by the divide between the south imd middle forks. Arnold and Fisher were amply satisfied; not so Taylor, for a few days later he started again with four new comi)an- ious, following the same route they took on the first trip. They overtook John Bodly at Strawberry valley. He had two wagons loaded with provisions, liquors, and tools, and was looking for a jilace to establish a trading post, well knowing that the mountains would be full of miners that summer. They piloted him to Little Grass valley, where he laid claim to the land and opened his store. Taylor and his friends continued on their way to the river, and in a few days discovered the place they were seeking, and staked out their claims. Gold was plentiful, and the average for the five men with two rockers was twenty-four ounces per day. John Bodly, being a trader, i-pread the news to attract the roving crowd of Gold-lakers that then filled the mountains, and in a few days the bar was swarming with them, and the canvas and brush town sprang up like magic. Butte bar, which is a number of miles farther down the middle fork than the more noted Eich bar, was a very lively nuniug camp in 1850 and the few subsequent years. Like the others, it was deserted in the fall of 1850, the miners not having provisions enough to last them until spring, and being fearful of the dangers of a winter in the mountains. In the mouth of October, 1850, John R. Mason, now of San Francisco, left Bidwell's bar with five companions to spend the winter at one of the deserted bars. They packed their supplies on mules, which were sent back again as quickly as possible to avoid being caught in the snow. They found a comfortable log house twelve miles below Butte bar, and decided to winter there. They worked all winter, had plenty of venison to eat, but were annoyed l)y the predatory habits of a band of Indians, finding it necessary to keep a guard .at the cabin constantly to avoid the total loss of their supplies. They remained until March, and had done a good winter's work; moreover, being unable to spend it, they !iad the reward of their labors to show in the spring, something that many a miner near the gay camps farther down the stream was unable to do. Of a sad incident of that winter Mr. Mason writes : " During a fine spell of weather, in Janu- ary, I think, five of us concluded to go to Butte bar. We made the trij) in two days. We arrived just before dark, and began gathering wood for our camp-fire. While others were cooking, I wandered into the one cabin that stood on the bar, and saw what appeared to be a pile of blankets lying in a corner. Thinking it strange that they should have been left there, I went over to feel them, and was soon convinced that they covered the body of a dead man. After we had finished our evening meal, I lighted a pine knot, and telling the boys what I had found, led the way into the cabin, where we found that my suspicions were correct. In the morning we searched to see if we could find some clew to the mystery. On his person were only a knife and a little coarse gold. He was apparently a German, about twcntj'-two years of age, but his nauK^ I could never learn. We found some old beef bones that he had been biting, and were satisfied that he had come to his death from starvation. Wrapping the lilankets around the body, we buried them a short distance from the cabin, and returned to our camp down the river. In the spring of 1851 I went to Onion vallej% and there learned rtlore of the sad affair. Three men who had been working on Poorman's creek had left the creek in December to go to Onion valley, had lost their way in a severe snow-storm, 31 290 and wandered down to the river. Seeing this cabin on the other side, tliey crossed over and availed themselves of its friendly shelter until the storm alwted. They had been out of provisions for a nuinbcr of days, and were becoming rapidly weak and powerless. They again started for Onion valley, but this one was too feeble to get over the mountain, and the others had been compelled to go on without him, promising to send relief if they survived. One of the others gave out on the top of the mountain, while the third struggled on to within a few miles of the valley, when he was found by a party of miners, who gave him food and took him to the valley. He related his story, but told them it was no use to go back after the man at Butte bar, as a storm had occurred since, and he had surely perished. The second man was rescued, but no effort was made to go after tlie first one, whom every one supposed to have died several days before. If they had gone to Butte bar after him, I think they would have found him alive, as we saw his foot-marks in tlie snow after the last storm, showing that he still lived when the rcscuini;- party was on the mountain." Little Grass valley from 1850 until roads were made was the end of wagon travel from Marys- ville, and here goods were transferred to the backs of pack-mules, and carried to their destination beyond. Several cabins were built here in 1850. One of them was a boarding-house, in the kitchen of which presided a lady who was famous for miles around for the elegant biscuits she placed before her guests. A great many miners spent the winter of 1850-51 there, where there was a trading post and plenty of provisions. In 1850, and for a number of years, stock was turned out there to graze, and beef-cattle were kept there to be slaughtered for the mines. For a number of years Toombs of Marysville kept an ice-house in the valley. Onion valley was so named because of a wild onion that grew there in early days, and which the people used to eat. A house was built in the valley in 1850, and that winter a great many miners came in from tlic river and creeks, and camped until spring. Early in tlie sjiring, also, a great many on their way to the mines from below camped in the valley for a few weeks, waiting an opportunity to go to the river. This was then an exceedingly lively neighborhood. There were half a dozen hotels, as many stores and saloons, a large gambling-house, and a ten-pin ;illey. During 1851, and for several years thereafter, it was the general headquarters for miles around. Its busi- ness began to decline in the fall of 1851, when trading posts became more numerous in the surround- ing mining camps. A few ye.ars later a post-office was est.ablishcd here, for this place, Richmond hill, Sawpit flat, and other adjacent mining points. It was discontinued fifteen years ago. Mr. Nathaniel Mullen now keei>s a hotel and butcher-shop in the valley. Sawpit flat is one and one-half miles west from Onion valley. It derived its name from the fact that lumber was whip-sawed there in 1850. A little mining was done on Onion Valley creek in 1850 and later, but in 1854 the miners began to work the flat by tunneling. For fifteen years there- after it was an exceedingly lively mining camp, containing three stores, two hotels, and the usual complement of 'saloons and other buildings. Its glory has been departed for several years, and no store is maintained there now. The post-office for this place and for Eichmond hill was at Onion valley. Richmond hill is one-half mile farther down the creek, and commenced to be worked about the same time as the flat. Sever.al stores, hotels, etc., existed there for a number of years. La Poete. — The most important settlement in the extreme southern portion of Plumas county, and one that in former years belonged to the county of Sierra, is the old town of La Porte. It is pleasantly located on the banks of Kabbit creek, 4,500 feet above the sea, and sixty-one miles from Marysville, twenty from Downicville, and thirty-five from Quiiicy. With the Itist-iiamed place it is connected liy a finely graded road, built at an expense of over §30,000. Bald mountain rises 291 1,000 feet above the town, and from its summit the citizens can obtain an unobstructed view for miles in every direction. Gold was discovered on the creek and at the head of Little Grass valley in the fall of 1850, by Hamilton Ward, his lirother, and James Murray. The viciniiy was known for several years as the Eabbit creek diggings. Siller's water ditch was completed in 1851, and Foster's ditch in 1852. The completion of these, and the Martindale or Geeslin ditch in 1855, led to the introduction of hydraulic mining, and upon this was founded the growth and prosperity uf the town. The first house on the town site of La Poi-te was erected in the fall of 1852 by Eli S. Lester, and was called the Rabl)it Creek Hotel. It stood on the north side of Main street, on the ground lying between Sherman's stage barn and Runnell's blacksmith shop. It was built and opened simply as a country hotel, and no town grew up around it for two years. The next house was built for a meat market in 1854, by Thomas Fregaskis. Eli Lester ojiened a store that year, and a number of new buildings were erected along Main street, forming quite a town. A great impulse was given to mining in the vicinity, that and the next year, and Rabbit creek became an exceedingly thriving and well-known camp. Frank Everts, who had been running the exjiress business of Everts, Snell, & Co., was appointed agent for Adams & Co. in this region, and upon the f.ailure of that firm, early in 1855, began a general banking business at Rabbit creek, the buying of gold-dust being the leading feature of the business. A post-office was established there in 1854, with landlord Lester as postmaster. Rabbit creek grew rapidly, especially after the introdui'tiou of hydraulic mining in 1855, and was the general commercial center for a great many mining camps within the radius of a dozen miles. The ^fountain Messenger, a weekly paper, began publication in 1855. The citizens were not satisfied with the name, and in 1857 Frank Everts, who was the leading spirit of the town, .and possessed the larj»est share of the pul)lic confidence, requested that the name be changed to La Porte, in honor of his own home in Indiana. A meeting was held, at which it was agreed to adopt the name of La Porte, and a petition was accordingly sent to the postal department to that effect, which was fortunately successful. Rabbit creek disappeared, and La Porte "sprang full armed from the brain of" Frank Everts. The town still continued to grow. B. W. Barnes brought to town in 1858,.by the medium of log pipes, the water of a fine spring, this has always been the water supj)ly of the town. The water has a fall of only sixty feet, and is not adequate for defense against fire. The first set-back the town received was on July 27, 1861, when it was nearly annihilated by fire. Nine-tenths of the whole town were completely destroyed. Every business place except Schuster's brewery was reduced to ruins. The loss was §100,000, with only $30,000 of insurance. A new town immediately spi-ang up amid the ruins of the old, and in a few months scarcely a trace of the cuntl.agration could be found. Business was good, and the cheap board buildings usual to those times were quickly constructed. A brick fire-proof building was erected by Fuller & Buel, called the Alturas block. Twelve other structures were erected which were at that time called fire-proof, but were found not to be so a few years later. During the year 1862 La Porte reached the zenith of its prosperity, and from that time it began to wane. It then contained three hotels, half a dozen large stores, a ten-piu alley, fourteen liquor bars, shops, stables, M. E. church, Catholic church, two halls, and many residences and cabins. In 1866, after vainly endeavoring to Ijecome the county se.at of a new county, La Porte was taken from Sierra county by the legislature and annexed to Plumas. [See Official History and La Porte and Quincij Boad.} A line wagon road was built to Quincy, and a trade established with 292 tlie faiTiiers of American valley. The town still gradually declined as the number of men engaged in raining became less. In 18G9 another fire swept the town, burning both sides of Main street — in tact, the whole business portion except the Alturas block, which only lost its roof. It was again rapidly rebuilt, to suffer destruction a third time in January, 1871. This time the Union Hotel and the Alturas block were saved, the latter again losing its roof. For the third time new buildings were erected amid the smoking ruins of the old, but the fires had been severe blows to the pros- perity of their victim. It has always had and stills enjoys the trade of a large contributing section of mining country; and notwithstanding its repeated misfortunes, is still a most flourishing business center. Port Wine, Wahoo, Poverty Hill, Morristown, Howland Flat, St. Louis, Wliisky Diggings, and a number of other places are within a few miles, and contribute largely to its support. The business may be summed up as follows : five stores, three hotels, two markets, one saloon, one livery stable, one shoe-shop, one blacksmith shop, one bank, one school, two churches, four fraternal societies, two physicians, one surveyor, and one attorney. The bank was established in 1855 by John Conly, and was owned by himself and others interested with him until 1871. It was then incorporated as the Bank of La Porte. In 1874 Kleckner Brothers & Wheeler bought all the stock, and in August, 1876, Dixon Brabban and Simeon Wheeler purchased the stock, since which time Mr. Brabban has been the manager; he is also agent for Wells, Fargo, & Co. The population is about 400 souls. A. Harris manufactures here the well known Harris patent hydraulic ])ipe nozzle, which is extensively used in Plumas, Sierra, and Butte counties. The M. E. church, which was first dedicated in 1858 by Rev. G. C. Pierce and Sealey C. Peck, was converted, in December, 1880, into a public school-house. It is still used for Sunday-school and occasional church services. The Catholic church is still maintained. Jefferson Lodge No. 97, F. & A. M. — This lodge was organized in La Porte May 8, 1856, W. W. Brainard, Fred Howard, J. C. Hawley, E. Lane, E. Goeb, W. S. Myers :»'>«1 W. T. Head being the charter members. The lodge is still in a flourishing condition. A chaj)tcr that was organized here a number of years ago was recently removed to Quinoy. Alturas Lodge No. 80, I. O. O. F. — James St. Clair Wilson, D. D. G. M., instituted this lodge December 8, 1858, the charter members being B. W. Barnes, H. G. O. Drake, C. Lowry, A. H. Crew, Charles Serch, and D. Gore. It still holds its stated convocations at La Porte. A lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen and one of the Independent Order of Good Templars exist here also. Sierra County Blues. — From 1858 to 1860 this military company flourished in La Porte. Creed Haymond was the captain, Eli Evans, William Moffitt, and John W. Bradley were lieuten- ants, and (ieorge A. Davis and John H. Hudson were first and second sergeants. In 1858 Colonel E. D. Baker was paid $1,000 to deliver a Fourth-of July oration, and William S. Byrne was engaged as poet. The Blues, not liking this expensive arrangement, invited Moses Kirkjjatrick and Matliew Taylor to be orator and poet, also. The result was, that a double celebration was held, two orations were delivered, and two jioems read. The militia boys made the most noise, much to the disgust of the " nobs," as they called their rivals in patriotic fervor. Dixon Brabban was born in England, at New Castle on Tine, April 13, 1829. At the age of twenty-four he came to the United States, remained two years in the east, and then came to Cali- fornia, via Nicaragua, landing at San Francisco in May, 1855. During the year he mined at various places, and in 1856 came to La Porte, then in Sierra county, since which time he has been extensively engaged in mining and merchandising. In 184S he was married to Miss Margaret Fairley of England, who died in the following year. January 14, 1861, he was again married to 293 Miss Elizabeth Brown of England, by whom he has had nine children : May (deceased), Maggie, Lizzie, Isabella (deceased), James, Annie, Susie, Nellie, and the baby. Mr. Brabban is a member of Jefferson Lodge, F. «fc A. M., cf La Porte; Alluras Chapter No. .34, E. A. M., of Quincy; Marysville Comraandery No. 7 ; and of Alturas Lodge No. 80, L O. O. P., of La Porte. Chaeles C. Thomas. — He was a native of Maryland, and came overland to California in 1849, as a member of the Charlestown company from Virginia, in which were the late B. F. Washington and Joseph E. N. Lewis. They arrived in Sacramento in September; and Thomas, with a portion of the company, engaged in mining at Bidwell's bar. Subsequently he was at American bar, on the Middle Feather. In the early spring of 1851 McElvanejs Thomas, & Co. erected the first store and hotel in Onion valley. The firm also liuilt stores at Gibsonville, and at the forks of Poorman's and Hopkins creeks. They were among the original members of the company that opened and worked the celebrated Eureka quartz-mine, and of the company that constructed the first flumes to drain the river at Rich bar, east branch of the north fork. Mr. Thomas was elected a member of the assembly in the fall of 1852, representing the Plumas portion of Butte county, and served one session. He retired from business in Onion valley in 1854, and left the state in 1862, going to Nevada, where he has held important positions in the mines, and is now superintendent of the Sutro Tunnel Company. SENECA TOWNSHIP. Since the organization of the county and first division into townships, that section lying to the north of the north fork and east branch and west of Indian valley has been designated Seneca township. Alterations have from time to time been made in its boundary lines, which iiavc been fully detailed in the official history H)n a previous page. The population was given by the official census of 1880 as 535, of which 86 were Chinese and 137 Indians. Prattville is the only place within its limits that roaches tlie dignity of a town. Along the north fork and tributary streams some mining is being carried on by both whites and Chinese. The chief industry is dairying, which is centered in Big Meadows, the fine mountain valley through which the Chico and Susanville road passes, and where are some of the best dairy farms in California. It was through this valley that the old Lassen road passed, over which so many emigrants came in the early days. Another valley a little to the south, called Humbug, is also occupied in the same way, and has l>een since B. K. Ervine and W. B. Long first held it .as a stock-range in 1855. Mines were discovered in the valley in 1857. Allen Wood and W. B. Long built a hotel in 1858, which was burned the next year. Another built in 1860 was destroyed by fire in 1871. In 1858 Jones & Wallack built a saw-mill in the valley. Butt valley is another small vale where dairying is being followed. Samuel Knight and Ned St. Felix were early pioneers of the township, and built the first bridge across the north fork, now the Bidwell place, and received a license to collect tolls thereon in 1854. Big Meadows and Prattville. — Tiie village of Prattville is located on the south-west of the Big Meadows, near the center of the \alley, and about two miles from the mountains. The valley is about twenty-five miles long, and six in breadth, while the meadows stretch out twenty miles in length, by three in breadth. The meadows are watered by the west branch of the north fork of Feather river, which heads around the base of Lassen Butte. The altitude of the valley at Doctor Pratt's hotel is 4,500 feet. The town receives its name from Dr. Pratt, who established the first post-office here under the name of Big Meadows; but as the locality was popularly known as Prattville, the name was finally adopted in the postal department. 294 Dr. Willard Pratt was boru at Cantou, PeiiHsylvaiiia, March 12, 1826. His father was a physician at Canton, and WiUard followed in his footsteps. At the age of twenty-two he gradu- ated as a ])hysician from the Pennsylvania University, Philadelphia, and emigrated to Grant county, Wisconsin, residing at Feiinimore, and practicing medicine. He was married June 14, 1848, in Marshal, Wisconsin, to Miss Sarah H. Hart, daughter of Thomas Hart, and born in Hunt- ingdonshire, England, February 1.5, 1825. Dr. Pratt removed to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1850, and practiced until 1853, when he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast. He spent four years in PlacervilU', then Hangtown, after which he went to Colusa, where he remained until 1860. Then he settled in Butte county, near Chico. Here his health began to fail, and having a call to visit Thomas Bidwell at the Big Springs hotel, his attention was called to the beauties of Big Meadows. He spent two summers there, and in 1867, having decided to make it a permanent home, he erected a residence and hotel, the first one in Pi-attvillc, or tlie neighborhood. He went to the centennial exposition at Philadelphia, and while there his property was destroyed by fire. He came back to find no home; but in 1877 he Viuilt his present house, which cost *10,000, and is one of the best in the mountains. It has twenty-six sleeping rooms, besides parlors, family rooms, etc., .and is crowded with guests every summer. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have six children, as follows: Emily Charlotte, born April 17, 1849; Anna E., June 21, 1851; Willie N., April 21, 1853; Thomas E., March 5, 18G0; Mattie J., July 5, 1862; Marion N., December 17, 1866. At the time the doctor came to Prattville there was one log cabin belonging to a man named Houck, now of Quincy, whom he bouglit out. The inhabitants of Big Meadows were Mrs. Lee, now Mrs. Bunnell, the Holmes family, Henry Bidwell at Bidwell's liridgc, Henry Landt at Big springs, John Hamilton, R. Stover and brother, Thad and the Benner family, Peter Olsen, and Burt John- son. The first school was taught at Mrs. Lee's, by Miss M;iy Ella Blunt, now Mrs. Samuel Moore of San Francisco. The first store in the town was kcjit by the Bcnner brothers, and the first blacksmith shop by David Fields. There arc now three general merchandise stores, one wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, saloon, resident physician. Dr. Pratt, and a first-class hotel The stores are kept by Doty Brothers, H. B. Abbott, and Benncr brothers. The town is thirty miles from Lassen peak, on a good road that extends two-thirds of the distance, from the terminus of which a horse-trail leads ten miles towards the mountain, and the traveler must then proceed on foot a mile and a half to the toj). Big Meadows is visited every summer by large numbers of people who come for their health, and to enjoy the many advantages that the neighborhood affords for recrea- tion and amusement. Bunnell's summer resort is one of the finest to be found in the mountains. The house is large and well furnished, and Mrs. Buniull sets a t.ible that challenges the appetite of the most ravenous tourist. During the summer of 1881 fully two thousand people wore visit- ing in the valley. L. Welusgton- Bunnell. — This old pioneer is a native of New Hampshire, and came to th's state in 1852. He engaged in mining at Rocky bar on the middle fork of Feather river, but shouldered his blankets and moved to the north fork the next season. Subsequently he engaged in ranching and merchandising with the late William H. Miller at Butt valley. October 12, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Julia E. Lee, a ])ioneer lady of Big Meadows, in which valley they now reside and keep a i)opular summer resort. Mr. Bunnell is largely engaged in the dairy busmess. Joshua C. Abbott. — " Old Man Abbott," the first settler in Big Meadows, built a cabin near the present town of Prattville, in 1855. In 1860 he located near the Abbott spring, now the Dotta ranch. He sold out in 1873, and moved to Modoc county in the vicinity of Goose lake. He was only seventy-five years of age, and said he wanted to "grow uji with the country." At last ac- count he was still growing. 295 INDIAN VALLEY. Indian township, containing in 1880 a ijopulation of 1,680, is, in respect to the number of its inhabitants and in many other particulars, the most important in the county. Tliree towns, Tay- lorville, Greenville, and Crescent, lie within its borders, and many valuable mines and fertile farms give occupation to its people and reward for their labors. During the summer of 1850, W'hen prospecting parties were scouring the county in all direc- tions, Indian valley was freiiuently visited, and still more frequently observed from some distant elevation, by these little bands of gold-hunters. They were in search of gold, not land ; and they came and went, leaving the valley as quiet and undisturbed as before. To Peter Lassen, the old ]iioneer of Tehama county, and Isadora Meyerwitz, is ascribed the honor of first visiting the valley with the intention of making a settlement. They were here for a brief while in the summer or fall of 1850, and bestowed the name of Cache valley upon the place where they decided to establish themselves. In 1851 Lassen and a man named Burton built the square of a log cabin, covered it with brush, and opened a trading post. Prospecting parties were frequently p.assing through, the mountains to the south and west were full of miners working claims or seeking new diggings, and tlie little trading post did quite a business during the summer. One of the parties passing through the valley in April, 1851, bestowed the name of "Indian" upon it, because of the large number of natives they oliserved when first entering it from the mountains. This name soon became the most common one, and it was not long before " Cache " disappeared entirely. Eighty men comjiosed this company, which was known as Noble's party. No settlement was made in the valley that year, except by Lassen and his companions. On the twelfth of February, 1852, Jobe T. Taylor and Warren Meeker came to the valley from Nelson creek, and posted up a notice claiming the land now occupied by Taylorville and the Taylor ranch. To this notice were .affixed the names of Jobe T. Taylor, Warren Meeker, Jonathan Meeker, R. D. Smyth, Albert Galbreath, Barnardott Littel, Powell, and George Tilly. They moved upon the land in March, leaving Jonathan Meeker and George Tilly on Nelson creek. There was no one living in the valley at that time, but in alwut three weeks Peter Lassen, Isadore Meyer- witz, and George Edward St. Felix came in and took possession of their old location again. This place was what is now called the Hickerson ranch, about three miles north of Greenville. That spring they replaced the brush covering of their log house with a good roof, and the first house in Indian valley then stood completed. The settlers at the Taylor ranch also built a house that summer. No other settlements were made in the valley until the fall, when a number of emigrants made locations and put up cabins. These emigrants, for the most part accompanied by their families, came in by the way of Beckwourth pass and American valley. Meyerwitz was drowned in Honey Me in 1856, and Lassen was killed in the mountains north of Pyramid lake in 1859, his death being laid at the door of Indians, though doubted by some. The first attempt at cultivation had been made the year before by L.assen and his companions at their settlement on the Hickerson place. They raised turnips, beets, lettuce, and other vegeta- bles, jiroducts which were in great demand, and brought exceedingly high prices from the miners, who were seldom able to procure such luxuries. In the summer of 1852, also, Lassen, Meyerwitz, and St. Felix raised a great quantity of vegetables, having a larger assortment than the season before. None were raised by Taylor and his associates, but they purchased potatoes, turnips, cab- bages, beets, etc., from the others at a uniform price of fifteen cents per pound, to which they also 206 added their own labor in harvesting tliC crop. Mr. Taylor, prior to his death, wrote the following incident of that harvesting time: "An emigrant oame to where we were sacking turnips, and said to his little girl, ' Give your money to Mr. Taylor and get some turnips.' She gave me ten cents, and I told her to go to the sack and help herself. She took one that weighed at least eight ]iounds, and which had cost us $1.20, the emigrant no doubt thinking at the same time that ten cents was a big price for one turnip." During the fall of 1852 a great many emigrants came through Beckwourth pass, and a number of them stopped in Indian valley and took up land claims. That fall a voting precinct was estab- lished at Taylor's house, and the people of the valley were permitted to participate in the presidential election. In August, 1852, Mrs. Dr. Cory gave birth to a little girl, the first white child born in the valley. They were simply residing here temporarily, and departed before the child was named. In February, 1853, Jobe L. Chipnian was born. He is now a resident of San Jose, and ha.s held the position there of superintendent of public schools. The winter of 1852-53 was a most severe one, and the new emigrants, especially those with families, suffered severely for want of food, but all survived. In the spring of 1853 Taylor, Meeker, and tlie others built a frame barn on their place, the first frame building in the county, except the saw-mill at Rich bar on the east branch. The building is still standing. They als(;j put in a crop of wheat and barley, the first ever raised in the valley. During the year 1853, and for the next few years thereafter, the emigration was quite large, and Indian valley became settled uj), and a large portion of it began to be cultivated. A saw-mill was built in 1855. and a grist-mill a year later, both by Mr. Taylor. A jirivate school was taught in 1859 by a Mr. Partridge, and the first public school in 1863 by G. W. Meylert. By energy and industry,' the settlers of Indian valley have improved their farms, and brought the land, a large portion of which was swampy and required draining, under a high state of cultivation. There are half a hundred farms in the valley, with a total area of some 14,000 acres, of which 10,000 acres are good tillable land. Of this, some 3,000 acres are sowed to grain, while the remaindin- are used for pasture and hay, dairying being one of the leading industries of the valley. Slany more acres of land lying among the hills adjacent to the valley are used for stock-ranges, and are quite valu- able. Quartz-mining near Greenville and Crescent is a great industry, and furnishes a good home market for farm )iroduce. Up Indian creek, east of Taylorvilie, lies Genesee valley, in which are several good ranches, school, and post-office, and through which runs the road to Reno, passing Plournoy's ranch and through Red Clover valley. The manner in which the settlers of Indian valley dealt with the native proprietors of the soil has been related on another page, to which the reader is referred. The first marriage occurred in the spring of 1853. There being no minister or magistrate, the two contracting jiarties, Robert Ross and Mrs. Catherine Deitch, solemnly declared themselves to be man and wife, in the presence of witnesses. They then removed to Rush creek, where they were informed that th^r marriage was illegal, and where a ceremony was jierformed by John R. Buckl)ee, after which a grand jubilee was held. Buckbee was simjily a lawyer and miner, and the couple were soon convinced that their road of true love was not yet smooth. Thomas D. Bonnei-, the perambulating justice, happening to visit this region from his seat of dominion and power in Onion valley, the much-married couple liail another ceremony performed by that gentleman. This was the third and last time, and was followed once more by a season of relaxation by the boys. Taylorvillk. — The details of the settlement of Taylorvilie have already been given. Jobe T. Taylor maintained from the first a place of entertainment for travelers, and his house became the 207 central point for that end of the valley. His place was burned in Jnne, 1855, and in April, 1859, and was rebuilt each time. Being the center of business, a town gradually grew u]) around it, founded on the prosperity and ]iermanence of tlie agricultural section, which forms its chief support. The town of Taylorville contains two hotels, John Hardgrave keeping the Vernon House in excellent style, four stores, two stables, saloons, blacksmiths, shoemakers, saddlers, upholsterers, flour-mill, cliureh, public school, telegra|)h office, post-office, express office, and I. O. O. F. and Masonic lodges. Indian Valley Lodge No. 136, I. O. O. F.— Grand Master Charles N. Fo.x, of Oakland, instituted this lodge at Taylorville, June 20, 1867. The charter memliers were Noble C. Cunning- ham, William L. Moore, Samuel S. Grass, C. A. Leistner, N. B. Forgay, S. Wellington, and S. N. Copeland. The first officers were: William L. Moore, N. G. ; Samuel S. Grass, V. IJ.; Noble C. Cunningham, S.; C. A. Leistner, T. The lodge owns a fine hall in the upper story of a brick building, and has a membership of thirty-nine. Tlie offices in December, 1881, were: Jacob Rosen- baum, N. G. ; Duskin Hedrick, V G. ; E. M. Prime, S. ; and Harris Goodman, T. Si.vcEuiTY Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M. — This lodge was instituted at Rich bar, east branch, January 18, 1859. The charter was given it May 14, 1850. The first officers were: John S. Sims, W. M.; A. S. Paul, S. W. ; Robert Blakemore, J. W. ; T. J. McCormic, T. ; Richard Hart, S.; Charles Rawson, S. D. ; W. A. Crampton, J. D. ; J. S. Boynton, Tyler. In a few years the mem- bership became much reduced because of the decline in mining on the river, and the lodge was removed to Taylorville May 10, 1865, where it is now located. It has a membershijj of twenty- nine. The officers in December, 1881, were: Cyrus Laufman, W. M. ; George W. Boyden, S. W.; Erastus P. Smith, J. W. ; Frank Kruger, T. ; Andrew J. Ford, S. ; J. F. Laufman, S. D. ; James P. Burge, J. D.; William S. Price, Tyler. Rescue Lodge No. 215, I. O. G. T. — This lodge was organized at Taylorville, July 19, 1876, with the following twenty-five charter members : Edwin Taylor, Robert Thompson, Theodore Light, George Willis, George Young, Isaac Hutton, James Cottingham, J. C. Young, James Taylor, Mamie Taylor, Mrs. E. W. Taylor, Mrs. William Foreman, Mrs. A. Garvin, Mrs. F. M. Willis, Mary Mowdell, Mrs. R. Thompson, Ella Cottingbam, Hattie Kingsbury, Mary Thompson, Mrs. Belle Young, Mrs. Burge, Susie Bransford, Eva Roberts, Mrs. J. T. Taylor, S. A. Hardgrave. The membership in December, 1881, was forty-seven; officers at the same time were : Robert Thomp- son, W. C. T.; Martha Gentry, W. V. T. ; S. A. Hardgrave, W. S.; Mary Thompson, W. F. S.; Mrs. C. E. Harvey, W. T.; J. C. Young, P. W. C. T. Greenville. — This is one of the most thriving and important towns in Plumas county. It is the proiluct of the large quartz-mining operations carried on in this vicinity, and has grown up within tlie past twenty years. Busy, prosperous, and rapidly growing, it gives promise of being one of the best towns in the whole Sierra chain. The Bullion ledge, near Greenville, was discovered by John Cornelison, in 1851, but was not worked to any extent. In 1856 J. W. Ellis relocated the ledge and began working the surface with considerable profit. The Lone Star, near the Bullion, was first worked in 1857 by John Freeman and John Gibbons. The third mine was the Ellis, at Round valley, a few miles distant. The success obtained in working these ledges attracted a great many peojile to this locality, and Green- ville owes its existence to these operations in quartz. The first house in Greenville was built in 1862 by Alfred McCargar, who also erected a four- stamp mill for the purpose of working ore from the Bullion mine. Business gradually centered at this spot, buildings and residences were erected, and a town grew up. The telegraph line was 32 298 brouglit in by tlie W. U. T. Co. in 1874. A telephone line connects the town with Bidwell's bridge at Big Meadows, and with the leading mines of this region. Mr. H. C. Bidwell has been the leading citizen of (rreenville; and to liiin, in a large measure, is due the rapid progress made l)y the town. His sudden death was the cause of general mourning in the valley. [See his biography.] Greenville suffered the loss of property to the value of $60,000 by a conflatrration that nearly destroyed the whole town, April 23, 1881. The town has now a population of about 500, and contains one large hotel, throe stores, restaurants, saloons, foundry, flour-mill, saw-mill, livery stable, blacksmiths, shoemaker, wagon maker, market, barbers, boarding-house, soda factory, dentist, physician, water-works, M. E. church, school, telegraph, exi)ress and post offices, newspaper, and fraternal societies. Greenville Lodge No. 252, I. O. O. F. — This lodge was organized September 15, 1878, with the following charter members and officers : J. W. McCartney, N. G. ; George Proctor, V. G. ; George H. McFlierson, S.; E. L. McGill, T. ; Thomas Corckle, H. "W. Jarvis, A. D. Mclntyre, I. C. Patch, and J. S. Hall. The membership in December, 1881, was forty-one, and the officers at that time were : N. Stamfli, N. G. ; Finley McLennon, V. G. ; H. Williams, S. ; A. D. McMil- lan; T. Gkee.vville Lodge, F. & A. M. — The first meeting of this lodge under its dispensation, which was granted March 5, 1878, was held March 30, 1878: first meeting under the charter, November 23, 1878. The charter members and first officers were : Alexander Thom, W. M.; E. W. Young, S. W. : D. M. Duprey, J. W. : T. F. Emmons, S. ; George Proctor, T. ; K. L. McGill, H. J. Hathaway, George Standart, Alexander Grant, Henry Launder, and H. C. Whitney. The officers for the current j-ear are : H. C. Whitney, W. M. ; D. M. Duprey, .S. W. : (■". W. Gulliver, J. W. ; Charles Mulholland, S. ; E. L. McGill, T. Greenville Lodge, I. O. G. T. — This lodge was organized March 30, 1872, with twenty-eight charter members. The first officers were : C. W. Poindexter, W. C. T. ; Mrs. Gilla Sherman, W. V. T. : E. B. Preston, W. S. ; W. D. Goodfellow, W. F. S. : Angus Mclntyre, W. T. In Decem- ber, 1881, there were seventy-nine members, and the officers were: Miss Annie Treleaven, P. W. C. T. ; D. H. Lowry, W. C. T. ; Mrs. Amanda Stevens, W. V. T. ; Frank E. Lowry, W. S. ; Thomas R. Chapin, \V. F. S. : Moses Bull, W. T. Crescent Mills. — Five miles south of Greenville is the little town of Crescent Mills, which has grown up around the mills from which it derives the name. A boarding-house, store, saloons, ])ost-office, etc., with quite a number of miners' cottages, make a busy little town. A good public school is maintained. A lodge of Good Tem])lars was organized July 20, 187(), with the following officers: Harrison Sain, W. C. T. ; Mrs. M. J. Sain, W. V. T. ; William E. Taylor, W. S.; James Underwood, W. F. S. ; Mrs. S. J. Underwood, W. T. The mcmbersliij) in December, 1881, was thirty-two. The officers at that time were : George F. Taylor, W. C. T. : Martha Becraft, W. V. T. ; Warren Kelley, W. S. ; Ella Kelley, W. F. S. ; Mrs. Nancy Taylor, W. T. Rou.sd Valley. — In 1862 quartz-mining was inaugurated at this place by E. W. Judkins and Alex. Tate. The Granite ledge discovered by John AV. Ellis was leased to ihesj parties, wlio erected a mill and commenced operations in the fall of that year. Quite a village sprang up here, and among the business firms were N. C. Cunningham & Co., Miner & Hughes, McQuinn & Comp- ton, merchants; C. H. Lawrence, livery stable; Hughes & Jordan, Nick Trucks, J. S.Carter. Snyder & Bro., saloons. There were several others, including a hotel. D. R. Cale built a saw- mill, and furnished the lumber used in constructing the village. As rapid as was the growth of the town was its decay. It faded away in two or three years. The next movement in quartz \\ as 299 made by Jurlkins & Kellogg in Cherokee ravine, some mile or so flistfint. These parties opened and developed what is known as the Ketfh' loile, erected and operated successfully a large mill, and tiiially sold out to a London company in 1871. Near by was also opened the Caledonia quartz- mine, by H. C. Bidwell and associates, near which sprang up quite a settlement. Whiting & Co.'s Feather Biver Express made weekly visits to all these points, bringing letters and papers to the citizens, from Marysville. Red Clover Valley. — This valley lies on the stage road lietween Flournoy's and Beck- winiith, and is in Beckwourth township. It takes its name from the native clover that grows there in great alnindance. It was first settled by Richard Bagley, a Swede, and an early pioneer of the state. He acquired a possessory claim there in 1863, where now the Bagley or Chase Hotel stands. Elliott Holmes settled in the same vicinity about the same time. lu 1872 Mr. Bagley erected the large hotel which slill bears his name, though at present owned by Moses Chase. In 1879 a post- office was established liere, with Mr. Bagley as postmaster. In 1871 a wagon road was laid out, and the construction of it commenced by Thomas E. Hayden, a resident lawyer of Reno, Nevada, the terminus of which was Flournoy's ranch, there connecting with the Taylorville road. It was coni]i!ctcd in three years. Over it runs a tri-weekly stage carrying the TJ. S. mail from Greenville to Reno. Charles Beard, Peter Anderson, Stanley, Harrison Davidson, S. B. Hinds, J. L. Crow, B. S. Crow, have, subsequently to Bagley, taken up lands in this valley for dairy ranches. Im- mense quantities of fine butter are here made, and shipped to Reno for the San Francisco market. Sufficient hay is made to jsrovide for the cows during the winter months. Considerable snow falls here, sometimes reaching a depth of eight feet. Squaw Queen, Grizzly, and Last Chance valleys are also dairying points, and all lie within the limits of Beckwourth township. Jor.E Tykkill Taylor. — The founder of the town of Taylorville, and the first permanent resi- dent of Indian valley, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1811. At an early age he emigrated to Illinois, and for a time held the position of surveyor of U. S. public lands. Lfpon the breaking out of the gold excitement, he started across the plains for California early in 1849. He took the Lassen route, and on the night of October 31, 1849, camped in Big Meadows, in this county, near Bunnell's. He began mining on Long's bar, Butte county; then went near Bidwell's. In February, 1850, be went still farther up the middle fork, to Crooked bar, and in August went to Nelson creek. Early in the spring of 1851 he settled in Indian valley, which he made his home till the time of his death. The particulars of this settlement have already been giveii. Mr. Taylor was a public-spirited and energetic man, and has been engaged in many move- ments for the ]iul)lic benefit. He bas taken a leading position in the development of Indian valley in particular, and the county generally. No citizen of Plumas enjoyed more of the trust and con- fidence of the people, or whose death was so universally lamented. His d,ecease occurred at his home in Taylorville, March 5, 1878. His funeral was largely attended, and was conducted by the Masonic lodge, of wliich he was an old and worthy member; the Grangers and Good Tenjplars also following the remains of their deceased brother to the grave. Mr. Taylor left a widow and one son. Mr. Taylor held the office of county surveyor and supervisor from his district, but never sought political honors. Cyrus Laufmak, son of Jacob and Margaret Laufman, was born in Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, November 11, 1830. His father moved to Illinois when Cyrus was eight years of age, and settled in Edgar county, where he carried on a tanning business. He left for California April 30, 1849, and arrived at Deer creek in October. He mined on Feather river during the winter, and as soon as he could travel in the spring started out with hundreds of others to find Stoddard's Gold 300 l;ike, arriving in Plumas county, at Nelson Point, aliout the last of April. In May be came over into Amei-icaii valley, in company willi half a dozen others, searching for Rich bar, of which Hobbs, one of the party, had been given an inkling by a brother Mason. They failed to find it, however, and returned to Nelson creek, but in a couple of weeks it became generally known where Kich bar was, and they went to it, but all the ground had been located before they arrived. They then mined at Nelson creek and on the south fork of Feather river until the winter of 1851, when he went back to Illinois for a visit, and uj)OU his return rained on Jamison creek and on the south fork. Again, in 1853, he went east, and on the first of Januar)', 1854, was married to Miss Laura Price, daughter of William and Rebecca Price, now of Taylorville. In the spring of 1854 he set- tled in south-western Missouri; but in 1856 he sold out and came back to Plumas county, settling in Indian valley, where he has been engaged since in farming and mining. His first wife died Jan- uary 24, 1870. He was married a second time,'to Maria S. Henderson of Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, who died February 1, 1878. Tlie children by his first wife were Florence (deceased), Juan, Annette, Jacob B., Mary, Susan (deceased), Robert E. Lee, Margaret, and Philip (deceased). By his second wife he had one daughter, Susie H. Laufnian. Nathaniel B. Foegay was born at Natchez, Mississippi, November 7, 1839. In the year 1854 he came overland with a team to California, settling at Spring Garden ranch, and mining for six mouths. From there he went to Indian valley, and w^orked on a farm until 1857, and then mined at Rich gulch until 18G3. For a few mouths he freighted from Indian valley to Virginia City, Nevada. In/18G4 he bought the farm now owned by William Foreman, and sold it in 1868, when he went to Big Meadows, ]iurchased another ranch, sold it the following year, and went to Indi:ui valley. He then bought the Maxwell place, near Greenville, on which he has since resided. With additions made, he now' has 388 acres. He was married April 25, 1865, to Miss Lucretia Johnston, who was Viorn in Pennsylvania, May 12, 1840, and came to Plumas county in 1864. Their children are Lizzie, born January 29, 1866; Paradine, March 14, 1867; Janu-s A., April 12, 1808; Arnold, June 12, 1870; Alma, Sejitember 26, 1872; Leota, October 28, 1878 — all of whom are living in Indian valley. Mr. Forgay is a member of Indian Valley Lodge No. 136, I. O. O. F. James Foed, son of James and Polly (Wing) Ford, Avas born in Grafton, Grafton county, New Hampshire, October 18, 1817. When nineteen years old he joined a U. S. surveying party, and assisted in the survey of the southern part of the Black Hawk ))urchase, which embraced a large territory now in Iowa. In 1840 he accompanied his father to Randol|)h county, Illinois, where they wi're engagad in running steam and water saw-mills for several years. In April, 1852, he started for California, coming overland with his wife, and sjtent his first year mining on Spanish creek. In March, 1853, he located the ranch of 460 acres he now lives on, having to pay fabulous jtrices for the first seeds planted. At the time he settled in the north arm of Indian valley, there were only two other farms, those of A. C. Light and William Hussey, Mrs. Ford being the only white women in the north arm for two years. James Ford was married March 3, 1852, to Mrs. Martha MeCord of De Witt county, Illinois, where she was born Octobor 6, 1835. The children born to them are as follows: Maggie B., born February 1, 1856; Frances Rowena, April 12, 1857; Mary Alice, March 28, 1859; Harriet L., January 11, 1862; Jesse M., April 29, 1861; James Trumbull, April 20, 1866; Sheri-dan J., September 23, 1868; Sallie M., April 5, 1871; Martha Grace E., June 5, 1873; Annie E., June 17, 1875; Albertie AV., December 6, 1878 — all of whom are living. TiiEODOEE F. Emmons, son of Jeremiah and Martha Emmons, was born at Chester, Morris county. New Jersey, in July, 1829, where he Uved with his parents until March, 1853, w-hen he started for California, via the Isthmus, landing in San Francisco, April, 1853. He soon began sluice- RICHARD MAIITIN. 301 mining on Poorman's creek, in company with others, and sometimes with his sluice-fork caught nuggets so large as not to be able to pass between its prongs. He mined two years, and then opened a store which he ran one year. In 18.56 he went to Indian valley and bought the Hall ranch of 800 acres, which he sold in 1857. In 1867 he settled in Greenville, where he has since lived. In 1871 he was elected justice of the peace of Indian township, and in 1873 was elected county surveyor liy the republicans. In 1875 he was again made a justice of the peace, to which he h,as been twice re-elected, and still holds the office. J. M. Blood, son of Joseph and Rachael Blood, was born in Monroe county, New York, October 9, 1830. At the age of fourteen he went to Rochester to learn the trade of mclder; and four years after he emigrated to Peoria, Illinois, where he worked as his trade until 18.52, wlien he crossed the plains to California. He was married January 1, 1852, to Miss Ellen Brady, eldest daughter of John and Mary Brady, at Peoria; and on the third of Ajiril they started on the long western journey. They arrived at Marysville in the fall, and Mr. Blood worked at carpentering and building until 1856, when he removed to Elizabethtown, where he, in company with his brother James A., and E. D. Hasselkus, opened a general merchandise store. In 1858 he and his brother sold out and went into the cattle business. In the fall of 1859 our subject bought the Conant ranch of 600 acres in Indian valley, ou which he resideil until 1877, when he sold it and removed to Greenville. Two years after, he bought it back again, and again lived ou the place. Mr. Blood died December 8, 1879, leaving his wife and seven children: Laura C, born October 29, 1854; Rachael S., December 19, 1857; John M., February 20, 1861 ; Ira E., April 19, 1803 ; William W., March 26, 1865 ; George D., September 17, 1869 ; May Ella, May 18, 1872. Of these, Rachael was married to John S. Bransford, July 31, 1878; Laura C. was married to John R. Murray, August 18, 1880. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Blood has traveled most of the time, but now resides in Greenville. E. W. Tayloe, son of Seth and Miriam Taylor, was born at Forest Lake, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1831. He remained on the old homestead most of the tune until 1861, when he came to Califurni.-i, and reached Taylorvillc September 13, 1861. He was engaged in ruiniing grist and saw mills, and in farming, until 1872, when he removed to Squaw Queen valley, and followed dairying for two years. He then returned to Taylorville, and farmed until 1881, when he went into the freighting business. He was married February 12, 1856, to Miss Ruth E. Warner of Forest Lake, Pennsylvania, and to them have been born the following children : Azelia Coralinn, born December 28, 1856; Clarence Ashley, October 30, 1859; Ernest Wallace, August 21, 1862; Miriam Alida, February 27, 1864; Seth Terrill, February 14, 1866; Olive M., August 22, 1868; Clara Elma, May 16, 1871 ; Justice Edwin and Jobe T., January 29, 1878. Ernest died December 28, 1862; and Clarence, February, 1862. Mr. Taylor is a member of Plumas Lodge No. 132, A. O. U. W., and a republican in politics. Robert S. Floubnot, son of Roland and Margaret Flournoy, was born June 26, 1830, at Independence, Missouri. He received his education at private schools, there being very limited facilities for education at public schools. In 1849 he came to California, leaving home in the fall, and arriving at San Francisco April 8, 1850. He went to Bidwell's bar, Butte county, and mined in that vicinity for three years. In December, 1853, he came to American valley, and began mining at Elizabethtown, two miles north-west of Quincy. He remained here, mining and carrying on a liquor business, for about four years. In the fall of 1858 he went to Indian valley, where he rented the Blood ranch, and worked it one season. He then bought the Cook ranch, now the Evans ranch, and lived on it four years, when he sold it in the fall of 1863, and bought 'the Madden, 302 now tlie Drodge, rancli. Tliis lie finally sold, and in the s]iring of 1865 moved into Taylorvillc, ran a pack-train for a while, and then bought the Mead ranch, in Genesee valley, where he now lives. He was married November 28, 1855, to Miss Angelina Varner, at Elizabethtown. They have had seven children, as follows: Maggie, Fannie, John, Lucy, Harley, Timey, and William ; Lucy, John, and Fannie died in 1865, within a few days of each other Edwin Douglas Hosselkus, son of Nicholas and Lucretia Hosselkus, was born October 19, 1828, at the town of Amboy, Oswego county. New York. When he was eight years of age his parents removed to Peoria, Illinois, where they lived two years, afterwards residing a year at Meredosia, and many years in Fulton county. At these jilaces Edwin received a good coramon- schriol c lucation. and from 1818 to 1852 he was engaged as clerk in a general inercli:indise store in Farmington, llliiKiis. In A])ril, 1852. he came across tlie plains, and arrived in M irysville the first of November, ilore he was engaged in various pursuits. In August, 1854, he opened a store at Elizabethtown, and remained about four years; when, in 1858, he removed the establishment to Taylorvillc, and continued in business at this point until 1865. In 1862 he had bought a ranch in Genesee valley from Boyd and Clark, and when he sold his store in 1865, he moved thereon. In 1875 he was elected a member of the board of su])ervisors, served three years, and was re-elected in 1878. September 26, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary Tate of Taylorvillc. Their children are Frank, born September 21, 1860; Elmira, August 19, 1862; Mary L., August 20, 18G7; John, June 13, 1870. Mr. Hosselkus' ranch in Genesee valley contains 1,000 acres, and has a fine brick residence and many out-buildings. The Genesee post-office is here. He .also owns a line dairy ranch in Squaw Queen valley, which contains 520 acres of excellent grazing land. Noble C. Cunningham. — Captain Cunningham was a native of Ohio. In early life he removed to Missouri, where he married and settled. He served his country in the Mexican war, having enlisted in Missouri under Colonel Doniphan. Upon his return he went to St. Louis, where he lived until 1849, when he came overland to California. After a brief sojourn in the mines be settled in Sacramento, wherj he was elected marshal in 1850, and took an active part in the squatter troubles of that summer. Soon after the organization of Plumas county, he came here and engaged in merchandising at Long valley. Nelson Point, Round valley, and lastly at Taylorvillc. In 1868 he returned to Missouri, and from there to Te.vas, where he died in 1X78. He was for a time captain of the Plumas Eangers. JouN Hardgrave, son of William and Sarah Hardgrave, was born April 30, 1816, at Port Hope, Canada. AVhen twenty-one years of age he left home and journeyed to Michigan. Here he dealt in general merchandise until 1852, when lie <'ame overland to this state, arriving in Marysville in October. He farmed in the vicinity until 1864, when he went to Taylorvillc and bought the Vernon House of a Mr. Springer, which hotel he still owns. He was married April 11, 1841, to Miss Diana Jilcs, daughter of Abraham and Nancj' JiFes, who was born at Phelps, Wayne county, New York, February 4, 1823. Four children were born to them: Anna, born August 18,1842; Cornelia, March 11, 1843; William, August 24, 1846; Sarah, December 4, 1849. Anna died November 12, 1843, in Jackson countj', Michigan. The rest are still living with their parents in Taylorvillc. Henry V. IJihwell. — Mr. Bidwell was born in Middlcbury. Vermont, June 9, 1831. He left Miildlebury for Boston, at the age of thirteen years, and went to work in a store, remaining until 1847, when he joined the First Regiment of Mexican volunteers, anhir, being engaged in Rodgers' hotel, whore he entirely regained his health. He went to Gibsonville, Sierra county, the next spring, and mined nearly a year. In the spring of 1854 he went to Poorinan's creek, Plumas county, and mined until 1857, not making much success. He then went to Taylorvillc with his brother, W. G. Young, and followed carpentering until November, 1859, when he walked over the snow to BidwelTs bar, and went by the Panama route to his home in Canada. In May, 1864. he began mining in the Sbandier gold mines, sixty miles south-east of Quebec, but worked out his claim by November, and on the twenty-seventh of April, 1865, started again for the Pacific coast. From San Francisco he went to Portland, Oregon, and then up the Columbia to Walla Walla. From there he went overland on foot to the Indian mission at Cour de Leon, where the rumors of gold discoveries had drawn three thousand miners, who were thirsting for the gore of the man wlni had got them to go there. Mr. Young and two others bought an Indian pony for thirty dollars, tied on their b.aggage, and started for Montana across the mountains. He landed at Blackfoot City on the fifth of July, with fifty cents in his pocket, which he spent for bread. He struck a job in the mines at six dollars a day, and a few weeks after started a meat market, in which he made money. In the fall of 1866 he closed his market, saddled his mule, and went to Walla Walla. In December, 1867, he went to Canada, and for the next four years was engaged in the cattle trade, during which time he visited Texas, Colorado, Kansas, and other states. March 24, 1869. he was married to Miss .Maggie McRae, daughter of Duncan and Maggie McEae, of f.-niada. In June, 1871, he came with his family to California, and settled in Indian valley, Plumas county, where he has since lived. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Young are Annie, born January II, 1871 ; "Walter Edmund, October 6, 1872 ; Forest, September 22, 1876. "Sh-. Young is a member of' Greenville Lodge No. 249, F. & A. M. Matthias Fkalich is a native of France, and was born April 12, 182G. In 1848 he came to America, landing in New York. He resided in New Orleans and Chicigo until 1S.")2, when he came to California, via Panama. He remained a short time in San Francisco, and in the spring of 1853 came to Plumas county, in which he has since lived. Most of the time since he has been engaged in mining at different places. In May, 1877, he settled on the ranch of 80 acres he now owns, which is situated in the suburbs of Crescent. There is a fine orchard on the property. .May 15, 1861, he was married to Mary Durner of Marysville, who was born in Germany, August 31, 1839. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fralich are George, born December 27, 1862; Minnie, May 2,1864; Mary, April 10, 1868; Lena, M.ay 12, 1869; Amy, February 8, 1872; Joseph, May 29, 1876, died November 2, 1876; August, August 29, 1879. John B. Fritsch, son of Antone and Elizabeth Fritsch, is a native of Alsace, Germany, and was born February 26, 1829. At the .age of eighteen he came to America, stopping for brief jteriods at New York, New Orleans, and St. Louis, sj)ending two years and a half at the last place. Six months after, he came overland to California, and commenced mining on Feather river and Nelson creek, ^n the winter of 1856 he removed to Indian valley, and in the fall of 1857 purdiased a portion of the Desch brothers' farm, 200 acres on the west side of Indian creek, where he has since resided. In 1862 he added 160 acres. In the s]>ring of 1858 he built a log cabin on the farm, which still stands on the site of the town of Crescent. At that time there was not a house within W. E. JONES. son a mile of Iihn. On (ho liriccnlli (if ]\I:iy, IS77, lie smM i1ii. I'lirm (,,, his hrolhcr M:iil in, 1ml- nlill lives there wit li him. RoHlCKT L. ]\Ic( Jim, u MS Ircirii ill SenI l.'iiiij in IHIK. At llic :i'4c of ch'vcii hi' r.'iii .'iWMX from lionie, went, to sea, :imi conrseil the r:it;ini;' m.'iiii for Ihrci; ye.'irs, when in- h'fl, iiis shi|i :il, (iuohet!, mikI siiiled on the yreat, hii with him, ami they loocthor huilt it wiil]ier mines of Lake Superior, where he was engaged in mining until the spring of 1866, when lie came to California, via Panama. He mined eigiiteen months in Indian valley, and afterwards followed the same calling in the Cherokee mining dis- trict, in the New York mine and at Soda bar. In the winter of 1868 he went b.ack to England for his family, and brought them to this county the following year. Since that time he has been engaged continually at mining. In 1875, with J. II. Whitlock, he re-located the New York quartz- mine, on which they procured U. S. patents. In 1878 he sold his interest to John May. February ii^ o d < UJ >-^ UJ -J _J < > a: Z o < m < o UJ 309 19, 1862, Mr. Treleaveii was married to Miss Isabella James, and the t'hildren boni to them are Annie, born Jannary 17, 1863; W. T., October 7, 1861; Frederick C, December 15, 1869; Harry A., January 13, 1871 — all of whom are living at home. Mr. Treleaven is a member of Plumas Lodge No. 132, A. O. U. W. T. Corcoran was born in Henry county, Iowa, October 15, 1854, whore he lived until the year 1873. At that time he came to California, and the following year settled in Plumas county, where most of the time since he has been engaged in quartz-milling. He is now foreman at the Kettle quartz-mill, two miles from Greenville. Mr. Corcoran is a member of the lodge of Good Templars in Crescent, and is a single man. VV. Blough, sou of John and Mary Blough, was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1826. At the age of twenty-three he went to Illinois, and lived there two years and a half. In 1852 he came to California, via the Isthmus, being 142 days on the voyage from Panama to San Francisco. He spent a year in Pl.acer county, and then went to Yuba count)', where he owned and ran a grist-mill for two years. In 18.56 he sold out and returned to the east, but repeated his western journey in 1858, and finally settled in Plumas county. He r.an a mill for Judkins & Harclwcll in American valley for a year, and then located what is now the Corbin & Mason claim at Elizabethtown ; but his company failed to make anything out of it, thougli it has since proved rich. He then went to Quincy, and afterwards to Taylorville, and ran the first mill built in Indian valley, in which he is now interested. Part of his time has been spent in building quartz-mills. He was married November 27, 1875, to Mrs. Louisa Batch of Taylorville. Mr. Blough is a member of Sincerity Lodge No. 132, F. & A. M., at Taylorville, and of Quincy chapter No. 11. John Lowrt was born in Bowling Green, Warren county, Kentucky, August 9, 1830. In 1849 he went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and visited the place again in 1850 and 1851. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, in the employ of the government. He parlicijiatcd in the Rogue river war, and iluring 1853 was scouting and fighting for Joe Lane. After the war was over he was engaged in mining until the fall of 1855, when he went to Humboldt bay for a year, and from there to San Francisco. After visiting many of the mining camps, he came, in 1860, to Plumas county, and mined on Wolf creek. Mining was his principal occupation till 1878, since which time he has been engaged in farming anJ selling liquor. He took a trip to Idaho in 1865, returning the same year. J. H. Smith, son of Ephraim and Amanda Smith, was born at Williamsburg, Ohio, August 5, 1834. When twenty years old he went to Illinois, where he lived until 1859, when he made the jdurncy to California. At Light's canon 1k' mined for five year.s, then i-ctiirncd east, and was married November 19, 1863, to Miss Martha A. Peter of Illinois. Mr. Smith came back in 1865, and bought a ranch in the north arm of Indian valley, on which he lived ten years. In 1875 he sold it to Mr. McCuteheon, and removed to San Benito county, where he purchased another farm. In 1879 he bought the Ashim ranch in Plumas county, and in the year following brought his f.imily and settled on it. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are Thomas E., born September 7, 1864; Elmore E., October 22, 1867; Plumas, October 20. 1871 ; Clinton, born January 15, 1875, and .lied July 18, 1877. George H. Herring, son of Bryant and Piercy Herring, was born in Hayward county, Ten- nessee, June 13, 1834. When nine years of age his parents moved to Yell county, Arkansas, and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1859 George came across the plains with an ox-team, arriv- ing in Plumas county in September. He became interested in a mining claim on Rich gulch, and worked it until the next summer. He worked on a farm in Indian valley for six months, spent six 310 months in Colusa county, and some time afte'i- bought eighty acres of land near Crescent, which he lived on four years, and sold to D. S. lledrick. He returned to Arkansas in 1868, but caiue back in 1870, and a year after {lurchaseil the Hussey ranch of 200 acres in the north arm of Indian valley, on which he has since lived. He was married January 8, 1873, to Miss Sylvia Johnson of Davis county, Iowa. Their cliildren are Stella, born November 20, 1873; Ada, February 12, 1875; Charles, March 31, 1877; Marcus, December 12, 1878; Earl, April 12. 1881 — all of whom are living. N. Stamfli, son of O. J. and Catherine Stamfli, was born in Switzerland, July 22, 1816. In 1856 he came to New Orleans, stopped two weeks, and then started, via the Nicaragua route, for San Francisco. From there he came to Plumas county, mined eight months, went to Guatemala and farmed twenty months, and then returned and bought the Waterworth ranch of 160 acres. In 1867 lie ]iurcliased thu Chajmian ranch of 2;t0 acres, adjoining him on the east, all of which is now known as the Stamfli ranch. In these transactions, his brother Frank J. has been an equal part- ner. October 10, 1842, he was married to Catherine Zubcr of Switzerland. DusKiN Hedrick was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, January 12, 1840. Duskin remained in Iowa engaged in farming, after reaching the age of discretion, until twenty-four years of age, when lie came to California in 1864, arriving in Honey Lake valley, Lassen county, September 27. For the next four years he was engaged at quartz-milling at Crescent and in Genesee valley, after which he bought eighty acres of land near Crescent, and has lived on it since. He added forty acres to his farm in 1880. He was married December 31, 1862, at Keokuk, Iowa, to Miss Louisa Johnson. Their children are Winona, born November 14, 1863: Cora, May 13, 1866; Elfreda, Sejitember 15,1867; Orlanda. January 18, 1870; Florence, July 19, 1871; Mabel. December 6, 1873; Gertrude, August 21, 1876; Arthur, July 27, 1878. Mr. Hedrick is a member of Indian Valley Lodge No. 136, I. O. O. F. W. T. Peter, son of J. N. and Emily Peter, was born June 26, 1837, at Sangamon county, Illinois, where his father was a farmer. When thirteen years old his parents moved to Montgomery county, where they purchased a farm. At the age of seventeen William left home, and traveled until the spring of 1859, when he came overland to California, arriving in this county in August. For eight years he rained and did carpenter work on Light creek, excejit two spent in Santa Bar- bara county. In 1868 he bought the farm he now lives on from a Mr. Lattcn. Originally, it consisted of ICO acres, but he has since added 225 acres. He was married September 20, 1870, to Miss Sarah I. Evans, daughter of J. R. and Louisa M. Evans, formerly of Fayette county, Illinois, but of this county since 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Peter liave had four children, with dates of birth as follows: Louisa N., March 24, 1872; Claude B., November 10, 1873; Rosa M., June 18, 1875; Cora M., September 1, 1881 — all of whom are now living. B. B, Baugo, son of A. B. and C. L. Baugh, was born in Powhatan county, Virginia, August 18, 1827. At the age of twenty-two he became one of the argonautic MOers who crossed the plains to the Pacific coast, and fiist mined at Stringtown, on the south fork of Feather river, in the winter of 1849, being the one to erect the first house in the place. He mined at various camjis until 1855, when he came to Plumas county, where he since resided, with the exception of a year spent in Virginia City, Nevada. He has been engaged ])rincipally in the liquor business at Meadow valley, ami at Crescent, liis present home. In politics he is democratic. James Cooksev, son of Jesse and Sarah Cooksey, was born near Linnville, Scott county, Illinois, May 26, 1834. He lived at home until seventeen, when he came overland to California, arriving at Placerville August 19, 1852. In March, 1854, he removed to Plumas county, and 311 . located on Nelson creek, wliere he mined until 1867, when he went to Sierra county, and mined there about ionr years. Then lie went to Americ-an v:illey, and farmed until 1875, when he removed to Indian valley, where he has since lived on the Taylor ranch. He is a member of Indian Valley Lodge No. 136, I. O. O. F. He was married September 22, 1862, to Miss Frances E. Seymour of Plumas county. Their children are Edward, born September 30,1864; William, May 30, 1866; George, December 30, 1867. William Forman, son of Benjamin and Mary Forman, was born March 16, 1828, in Ralls county, Missouri, where his father was eng.aued in farming. William remained at home until twenty-one, and then moved to Siielby county, and bought a farm. April 20, 1863, he started for California, arriving at Taylorville September 5, 1863. He freighted one year, and then began farming, which he has followed ever since. In 1867 he purchased the Forgay ranch of Thomas Hughes, which contained 283 acres, on which he now resides. In 1869 he went back to Missouri on a lausiness trip. He was married April 15, 1849, to Miss Cordelia Shelton, daughter of Griffith D. and Levina Shelton of Shelby county, Missouri. J. Charles Taylor was born at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, May 24, 1859. While a small boy he lived in Iowa three years, where his father died in 1868. Then he returned to Wisconsin, and in the spring of 1870 came overland, with his mother and two brothers, to California, ra-riving at Quincy May 4, 1870. In the fall they went to Crescent Mills, and in April, 1872, to Greenville, where our subject has since resided. From the time of the marriage of his elder brother, Wdliam M. Taylor, in 1876, Charles has been the head of the family. March 15, 1875, he became an operator in the Greenville telegraph office, and on the first of Aj)ril, 1881, he was appointed manager of the office. Will D. R. Graham, son of W. D. R. and Rlioda A. Graham, was born in Covington, Kentuck)-, August 20, 1856. His father died when he was but one year of age. Soon after his father's death his mother came to California, via Panama, and settled in Marysville. In September, 1862, his mother was again married, to J. W. Thompson, and a year after they removed to the Illinois ranch, in American valley. Will lived at home for fifteen years. In 1876 he attended the Heald's business college at San Francisco. In 1878 he was a candidate on the democratic ticket for county recorder, but was defeated through a division in his party, by only seven votes. Since then he has been employed as general manager and accountant of J. W. Thompson's milling interests in Taylorville. He was married December 1, 1880, to Miss Eva Richards, daughter of William M. and Jane R. Richards. ('harf.es Otto Simons, son of Horace P. .and Harriet Simons, was l)orn April 9, 1859, at South Bend, Indiana. He learned the trade of upholsterer in Chicago, and in 1874 went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he remained three years. In 1877 he came to California, and to Taylorville in January, 1878. The next three years were spent in Taylorville, Watsonville, Oakland, Folsom, and O.akdale, Stanislaus county. At the last place he opened a furniture store, which he sold out in the fall of 1881, and came to Greenville, opening an upholstering shop, which he is no\y conducting. 312 JOURNALISM IN PLUMAS COUNTY. « The first newspaper in Plumas county was t'st:il>lisbeil at Quincy. the county seat, in August. 1855, edited and pulilishcd hy John K. Lovejny and Edward Mc-Ehvain It was an independent sheet, and the Old Mcimtaineer proved to be a successful enterjirise. In 1857 Lovejoy&, Mc-Ehvain sold the paper to John C. Lewis and James McNaM), who changed the name to the Plumas Argus, and published it until I860, when it fell into the hands of tlie sheriff. With new material the paper was revi\ ed the same year by Lewis & McElwain. After a short life of about four months, John C. Lewis took the material to Carson City, Nevada, and began the publication of the Silver Age. During the three-sided canipaigu of 1856, three papers were published from the office of the Old Mountaineer. One was called the Plumas Democrat, edited by John S. Ward and E. T. Hogan. Judge Hogan still possesses several copies of this spicy sheet. The Fillmore Banner was conducted by Silas Caulkins. The republican party was represented by the pen of Dr. Fredonyer in three columns of tiie Old Moutitaineer. A lively newspaper war was carried on by these three publications during the (•nm])aign, at the end of which the journalism of Quincy relapsed into its normal condition. Previous to the removal of the Argus, the Plumas Standard, a democratic organ, made its appearance in Quincy. It was started in 1859 by Thomas Bail and Lewis Curtz, and in 1860 it fell into the hands of Matthew Lynch, who continued it until 1863, when the material and press were removed to Downieville to issue a publication in that city. In 1862 tlie union party commenced the publication of the Quincy Union, under the manage- ment of Leonard & Powers. In the spring of 1864 these gentlemen were sujierseded by the Plumas Printing Company, composed of certain members of the union party, who continued the publication under the editorial management of John R. Buckbee. Later, W. W. Kellogg became the editor, and in 1866 gained jtossession of the whole paper. From that time it became independent in politics. In 1868 Mr. Kellogg removed with his paper to La Porte, where it appeared as an independent sheet until the fire of 1869, which devastated that place. The material was so badly damaged that it was unfit for further use, and the Union appeared no more. In the fall of 186G, after the change in the Union management, a few of the members of the union party purchased material and commenced to issue the Plumas Xational. It was edited and managed by II. L. Gear and others until the fall of 1869, when it fell into the hands of L. C. Charles and William E. Ward. In Jauuary, 1871, Charles sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Ward, who has been the editor and publisher of the N'ational to the present time. The paper is a sj)icy local sheet, not failing, however, to express its opinions on all national questions in a forcible manner. It pursues an independent, though by no means a neutral, course, and, if anything, leans towards the republican side. The National is now in its sixteenth volume, and has won a place for itself among the leading interior journals of the state, gained by the ability and energy of its editor. His "Jab-jab" column is spicy and entertaining. Xeat job wm-k is done at the office in Quincy. The GrreenviUe Bulletin, a four-page, five-column weekly, was started in the town of Greenville in September, 1880, by Edward A. Weed, and is now in a thriving condition. It is a very readable pul)lication, and devoted to the interests of Greenville and Indian valley. It is now in its second volume, and promises to continue its successful career for many years. The gentlemen who have wielded the editorial pen and snapi)ed the shears in Plumas county X _l u < flC u 3 d I u u < d D- q: < Ll m Li. O > 111 u -1 u _i z ^ 111 Q < q: M IT Ul UJ (C CO 313 liave been scatterefl far and wide, and some of them liave bidden a final adieu to mundane affairs, and gone wliere there is no unpaiil subscription list, and where the call for copy shall sound in tlifir cars no more forever. The ])ionccr of all, John K. Lovejoy, removed to Carson City and edited the Silver Age in that place, and later the J^i lie, at Washoe City, in which lie failed of success. He died a few years ago. lie had an immense capacity for whisky, was a great talker, and a blackguard of the worst stripe, indulging to the extreme in billingsgate through the columns of his paper. He was known far and wide in Washoe as Old Pi Ute Lovejoy. His partner in Quincy, Ned McElwain, returned to liis family in Illinois, and has been lost sight of by the people here. John C. Lewis was engaged in the newsjiaper business in Nevada for many years after leaving tliis county, meeting with but little success. His last paper was the Heno Orescent. He is now practicing medicine in Reno. Jim McNabb removed from Quincy to Petaluina, became inter- ested in a paper there, and was elected to represent Sonoma county in the senate. When T. B. Shannon was appointed collector of the port of San Francisco, McNabb became a deputy, which position he held until that office was remodeled by the administration. John S. Ward removed to Honey lake, and took an active part in the organization of a county government there. [See Lassen county history.] Silas Caulkins was engaged in the express business with George Morlcy for a time. He went to Washoe, and still resides in Nevada. He had the honor of being orator at the eelebi'ation in American valley July 4, 18.52. Atlas Fredonyer turned out bad. [See elsewhere in this volume.] Tom Bail went to Idaho, where lie afterwards committed suicide by cutting his throat. Lewis Curtz has been lost sight of. Mat. Lynch went to Downieville and managed a paper there, then went to Mendocino and ran the Democrat until he fell a victim to his intemperate habits. Buckbee, Kellogg, and Gear all bore prominent parts in the history of Plumas, and their biographies will be found on another page. William E. Ward is still with us, and ready to answer for himself. SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION. At the time the county was organized, in the spring of 1854, no school had yet licen taught within its limits. But few children were to be found among the throng of miners that then formed the population. The early emigrants were chiefly single men, or men who had left their families at home, ex]iecting to return to them with a golden reward for their toil and jirivation. A few families came in 1852, and each year thereafter, and here and there througli the mines, and espe- cially in the valleys, were to be seen children. Nevertheless, so scattered were these families that the maintenance of a school was impossible. Those were pioneer times, when labor was the order of the day, and every boy old enough to work was expected to do something, and had no time to spend at school. Even after schools were opened, they were chiefly attendeer and more profitable l>y the pres- ence of the other. Until the agriculture of the mountains had reached such a stage as to supply the food required in the mines, the price of provisions was so high that many claims whicli can now be worked with profit could not then be made to pay. The home market is not e.^tensivi' enough to consume all the agricultural produce, especially the product of the dairies, and thousands of pounds of butter are annually sent down to the valley and to San Francisco. Two flour-mills, one at Greenville and one at Taylorville, consume a large portion of the wheat jiroduced in Indian and American valleys, and supply the people with an exiclUnt quality of flour. The first attempts at agriculture in American, Indian, Mohawk, Sierra, and other valleys have been spoken of in the history of those localities, and need not to be repeated. Summed uji, they show that in 1851 and 1852 considerable vegetables were raised by the few scattered settlers who had made locations upon these fertile valley lands. In 1853 a luunber of them put in small crops of wlie.it and barley, and the grain that was harvested was used the next sea.son by themselves and others in sowing a mucli larger acreage of cereals. An unfortunate frost occurred in August, 1854, doing considerable damage to the grain crops, and the consequence was that not nearly so large a quantity of grain was put in the succeeding season as would otherwise have been tlie case; in fact, it took several years to restore the confidence of the farmers in the certainty of a wheat crop. As soon as the fact was fully realized that wheat, oats, and barley would make prolific cro])s in these high mountain valleys, the farmers launched out upon the cultivation of their ranches, and have grown rich and prosperous. 317 TIr- assessor's rejiort for tlu' year 1855 shows the following statistics of agriculture in Plumas county: Bushels of wheat, 5,765; barley, 854; oats, 1,015; corn, 5; potatoes, 2,530; tons of hay, 1,500; pounds of butter, 2,000; horses, mules, and asses, 506; cattle, 715; swine, 1,000; lands claimed, 14,G04 acres. In comparison witli these, the statistics of the year 1881 will show the won- derful progress made; acres assessed, 205,277; acres inclosed, 60,000; acres cultivated, 6,500; wheat, acres, 1,60", busliels, 30,000; barley, acres, 250, bushels, 7,500; oats, acres, 30,000, bushels, 60,000; rye, acres, 200, bushels, 6,000 ; pease, onions, and beans, acres, 65, bushels, 2,650 ; potatoes, acres, 150, bu-hels, 4,000; hay, acres, 20,000, tons, 15,000; butter, 200,000 lbs.; cheese, 10,000 lbs.; wool, 30,000 lbs. ; honey, 3,000 fts.; beer, 15,000 gallons; apple-trees, 6,000; pear-trees, 500 ; i)lum-trees, 500; peach-trees, 2,000 ; quince-trees, 50 ; grist-mills, 2 ; flour, 3,000 bbls. ; saw-mills, 11 ; lumber, 6,000,000 feet; shingles, 1,000,000. The horses and mules number about 2,000; cattle, li),00(l; sheep, 6,000; swine, 1,000. It will be readily seen from the above figures that dairying is the leading feature of agriculture in this county. There are several valleys that are fit only for grazing and haying, such as Big Meadows, Red Clover, Last Chance, and a few others; while even in other sections where grain is raised to a considerable extent the farmers are nearly all largely engaged in the dairying business. The probabilities are that in placing the nuralx-r of pounds of butter at 200,000, the assessor has underestimated that product at least one-third. The excellent roads that penetrate t'le county in all directions enable the farmers to transport their product to market at a trifling cost. The agri- cultural resources ai'e by no means taxed to iheir fullest capacity, and there is no reason to suppose that the greatly increased population which the rapid development of the mines will surely bring within the next few years will not be as fully and cheaply sustained by the product of Plumas county farms as are the people of to-ar by J. L. C. Sberwin, and two on Willow creek, one owned by Root tt Lewis. A mill was built in Mohawk valley in 1855, by George Woodward and Robert Peniiinan, now owned by Hill & Bennett. John Sutton and another built a mill near the last one in 1879. McNear built unc near McLear's place in 1870, and still owns it. One was built by Otis it M.-iync on the stage road several miles west of Bcckwourth in 1872. Several mills have been ojierated at various points during the past thirty years, not enumerated in the aljove list. There are now in the county eleven saw-mills, four operated by steam and seven by water. They are not all running constantly, and some of them not at all. Li 1881 they sawed 6,000,000 feet of lumber, and made 1,000,000 shingles. This )>roduct is all consumed at home, and the probabilities are that the future will see an increased demand for hunber. The building of a railroad may lead to the manufacture of lumber for shipment, and the heavy growth of desirable timber on the miiunlaius will give cnijiloyment to them for many years to come. Mining has been and will continue to be the leading industry of the county. By it was the county first settled and developed. But for mining, [*lumas would not now e.vhibit so advanced a state of agriculture; for without the large home market to foster 'and support it, that industry could not have been develi)pcd to the extent we find it to-day. Mining is, then, the foumlation of the county's prosperity, and the frame-work upon which it rests. By'its increased development in the future will the county be advanced in material prosperity, and any injury done to it will be a blow struck at the pro.sperity of the whole county, so intimately connected are all its industries. It is impossible to estimate the .'imount of the precious metal that has been taken from the streams and placers of the county: as well try to fix the number of sands upon the seashore. Rivers, creeks, liars, ravines, gulches, flats, and hills have combined witli great ledges of quartz to pour a golden stream into the minei'"s lap, and thence into the pocket of the tradesman and the farmer. Millions have been spent in the county, while millions more have been taken away by fort iiiialc ones, or sent away b_v othrs wlio remained to seek for more. It has gone to the four <'oi-ners of the earth. Representatives of nearly every land that passes daily beneath the sun have mined in these mountains, and gold has flowed back to those countries in large quantities. China, especially, has absorbed immense quantities of California gold, not a little of which has been con- tributed by Plumas county. Those who desire a complete geological description of Plumas county, we refer to an able and scientific article on the subject in Raymond's "Mineral Resources West of the Rocky Mountains, 1876," being the eighth annual report of Rossiter W. Raymond, United States commissioner of mining statistics. It is contributed by Mr. J. A. Edman of Mumford's hill, and is accompanied by a geological map of the section treated of. It is the purpose of Mr. Edman to publish a complete and more comprehensive treatise on the geology and mineralogy of the county from data in his posses, sion, which will be of great value. Shallow jilacer and river mining have long since declined to liut a shadow of their former greatness. Where thousands delved for gold along the streams but a few do/.ens can now be found, and those [principally Chinese. Quartz-mining and the working of the extensive gravel beds that have been discovered liave taken tlu' i)lace of the placer-mining of old ; and the richness of the ledges and extent ot' the gravel ranges give promise of a long and successful career to I'lumas as a raining county. Capital has been attracted by these promising investments, and the developments 319 made have been of the most eiicouragmg character. A dozen quartz-mills crushed 100,000 tons of quartz in 1881, while more tlian 500 men have been given employment in the quartz-mines alone. The oldest quartz-mine in the county is the Plumas Eureka, owned by the Sierra Buttes Mining Company of London, England. It has two steam and water mills, with sixty stamps eacli. 200 men arc on its pay-roll. A history of this mine is given under the head of Quartz Ihwnship. The Green Mountain Gold Mining Company, a new York company, owns the Green Mountain, Cherokee, and Gold Stripe locations, near Crescent Mills. The Green Mountain is the principal ledge, and was discovered in 1862 by J. B. Batchelder, who worked it occasionally for ten years. In 1876 it was purchased by Green & Brewster, who worked it until 1879. At that time H. C. Bidwell went to New York and organized the above company, of which he became president, and was succeeded, upon his decease in the fall of 1880, by R. E. Brewster. Batchelder made a great success in working the mine until he attempted im]irovements beyond his financial capacity, and became so involved that he had to .sacrifice the property. Since 1876 C. G. Rogers has been superintendent, and to his able management is largely due the great success in working the ledge. The mine is worked entirely by a tunnel, no expensive hoisting works being required. The total length of the tunnel is 3,000 feet. Ore is drawn in cars to its mouth, and then let down on tram- ways to the two mills running 100 stamps, farther down the mountain. The vein is a true fissure, and can be easily traced for two miles. The Cherokee mine is worked by means of a shaft, and the ore is crushed at the Kettle mill of twenty stamps, two miles from Greenville. The Indian Valley mine, near Greenville, was discovered and located in 1862 by Waterworth, Shannon, & Co. It is now owned and operated by an Indiana corporation, the Indian Valley Mining Co. They have a large water and steam mill. The Plumas National mine, on Soda creek, was discovered by Ellis & Lowry in 1877. The Plumas National Gold Mining Co., of New York, is now working the mine, and has a steam mill of thirty stamps. Considerable prospecting in quartz is being done, and some work on a smaller scale than by the .large companies mentioned above. The Bell- Gold Mining Company of Dubuque, Iowa, was organized by R. Z. Bell in 1876. They are working a ledge at old Elizabethtown by means of two tunnels and a ten-stamp mill, under the management of Mr. Bell. Colonel E. A. Heath and others are working quartz-ledges at Argentine, a few miles east of Quincy. The probabilities are that much more capital will be induced to develop the many valuable ledges in the county, which are waiting to shower a golden reward into the lap of intelligent and enterprising capital. Of gravel-mining and more shallow placer-mining there is considerable. The assessor reported 1,000 miles of mining ditches in 1881, which he valued at the extremely low amount of $99,266, or less than §100 per mile. In 1857 there were 45 miles of ditch, that cost 8170,000 for construction. Some of these are used for quartz-milling, but the greater portion for placer and gravel mining. Except in the vicinity of La Porte and Poorman's creek but little hydraulic mining is or has been carried on. Some of the best gravel deposits are so situated that the hydraulic method cannot be used. One of the most important and most promising of these is the Monte Christo mine at Spanish Peak, described in the history of Mineral Township. Plumas Water and Mining Company owns the most valuable gravel location and water privi- lege combined to be found in the county. Their property consists of 1,500 acres on Gopher hill on Spanish creek, and a main ditch twenty-one miles in length from Gold and Silver lakes on Spanish peak. The company was formed in 1871, and the stock is owned by N. Cadwallader, Ira Cadwallader, Thompson & Kellogg, D. Folsom, O. J. Wellman, George D. Doming, R. Neville, and 320 E. C. Ross. Mr. Folsom is manager of the property. Quite a little history attaches to the water privileges now owned by this company. The Plumas ditch, seven miles in length, was completed from Gold and Silver lakes to Mountain House, in 1855, by Joseph Winston, William and Richard Jacks, Sarshel C. Brown, and others. A settlement of 500 people, called M.aint Pleasant, sprang up at this terminus, where hotels, stores, saloons, and a saw-mill existed for several years. The objective point of the ditch was Fales' hill. The Spanish Ranch ditch was commenced in 1856, to run from Spanish creek to Elizabethtown, a distance of thirtj' miles, and was finished in two years. Branch ditches were run to Gopher, Badger, and Railroad hills. The Mount Pleasant ditch was completed in 1857, from Mill creek to Mount Pleasant and Fales' hill, by Thomas A. Cravens, Miles Hallingsworth, Samuel J. Dickson, and William M. Story. All these ditches are now combined under the control of the Plumas Mining and Water Comjiany, and as their mining ground and water jirlvileges are practically unlimited, this may be denominated the most valuable gravel-mining property in the county. Among the other gravel-mining entei])rises of the county are the drift-mine of Corbin & Manson, at Elizabethtown; the tunnel being run in the American valley by Mr. Mills; and the extensive gravel-miniug pro] erty and operations of D. R. Thomas, on Pooiman's creek. C3 CD a: o 1- 5 Q t| -')- ■ K 6 H '^t f \'3 -. £ *-■ ■ . ■ A ' •. - - ^ •' . ^ %J% \-'~ C3 CO C3 Co CO C3 cs C3 321 The most extensive hydraulic mining in the county is being carried on in the Thomas and Jieed mines on Poorman's creek, and the claims of the Hopkins Creek Gold Mining Company on Ho])kins creek. It was on these streams that tlie first mining in the county was done, early in 1850, and they liave been unsurpassed for richness of their auriferous deposits by any streams of their size in the state. In October, 1876, D. H. Thomas, J. H. Reed, and Francis Hall, of Hoston, purchased the claims and water rights on Poorman's creek, and immediately constructed reservoirs, ditches, flumes, and everything necessary to work tliem by the hydraulic monitors which they jilaccd in the claims. They have continually added to their possessions and privi'egcs, until tliey now own one of the best mining properties and water privileges in the state. A score of cabins are on the properly, in which live the men employed by tlie company. There is also a saw-mill owned by the company, which supplies all the lumber required in the mines. Nuggets have been found varying from SlOO to $2,200 in value, and the gold is all very pure, being from 929 to 945 fine. A natural lake supplies a jiortion of the water used in the mines, and lies at an altitude of 800 feet above them. Beside the Boston and Eclipse hydraulic claims, the company owns the Blue Lead drift mine, one-half mile below the Boston claim, comprising 500 acres of land. They obtained full possession of this in 1880, and have constructed a large ditch to it, so that tliey can work it by both the drifting and hydraulic methods. This property is believed by mining men to be exceedingly valuable. The company also owns the Bunker Hill claim, adjoining the B'ue Lead on the east. They own, also, the tailings from the early mining operations on the creek, which arc quite valu.'ible. The claims of the Hopkios Creek (iold Mining Company are about two miles above the forks of Hopkins and Poorman's creeks. They consist of the Cox & Harrington claims that have been worked since 1858 by George D. Harrington and James Cox. In 1880 they were purchased by a Boston company, and in 1881 extensive improvements were made upon them in the way of reser- voirs, flumes, ditches, pipes, and hydraulic monitors. They are now working these claims on an extensive scale. On the south-west the company has located a claim of about 100 acres joining the Nortli American mine of Sierra county, on which they have constructed a large reservoir. Mr. Harrington still owns an interest in these claims as a member of the company. A good road has been built by the company to Poorman's creek, where it connects with the road built by I). R. Thomas from that point to the La Porte and Quincy road. D. R. Thomas is tlie general superintendent in charge of these mines, except the Hopkins creek claims, of whicli William 15. Thomas is superintendent. Mr. T). R. Thomas gives his personal attention to all the operation.s, and it is to his energy and capacity that the great success the companies have met with is largely due. The claims on Poorman's and Hopkins creeks are connected by teli phone. The property and operations are illustrated in this volume, and an idea of their magnitude can be obtained from the engravings. Judge Gueenleaf Greelky Clough. — This gentleman is a native of Mt. Vernon, Kennebec county, Maine, where he was born October 9, 1S35. His parents, Nathaniel Clough and Rebecca W., whose maiden name was Greeley, were also natives of Maine. The judge arrived in California September 24j 1859, and settled in Sierra county, at Gibsonville. He had studied the law as his profession early in life, and soon after commenced its practice, making his debut at Downieville. He also practiced in the courts of Plumas, fn(iuently coming from the fortner place to Quincy during the winter months, with commendable zeal and fidelity in behalf of his client, on snow-shoes. In ISTT he was presented by his ]inrty (tlie republican) as their choice for Ihe judgeshi]) of tlic Twenty first Judicial District, compo.sed of Plumas, Lassen, and Modoc counties, his ojqionent 35 322 being the *llon. J. D. Goodwin, then presiding judge of the district, over whom he was successful. He served two years. In lx~9 he was again placed before the people for the position of superior judge — a position created by the new constitution, then about to go into effect. On this occasion he w.as opposed to Judge E. T. Hogan. the democratic candidate. Judge Clough was married on .luly !), 1x79, to Miss Metta S. Lowell, the second daughter of James M. Lowell, from Maine also. The union has been blessed with one child, a son, Leon Clough, now two years of age. The judge has ever been and still is a harJ student, devoted to the law. Has many warm friends in all parties, and has a fine apjireciation of tlicni. lie resides in Quincy. He is a man of energy, Indus- try, and of strict temperate habits. Arthur W. Keddie. — He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1842, and was brought by his jjarents to America in the following year, and settled in Ontario county, Canada, where he lived till 1863. He was educated to the profession of land surveyor, and served umler a provincial land surveyor in the town of Whitby, the county seat of Ontario county, the three years' apprenticeship required by the provincial laws. He passed his examinations successfully before the provincial board of examiners in the city of Toronto. Immediately on attaining his majority, he left Canada for California, via Panama, arriving in San Francisco September 8, 1863. His first work in the state was the compiling of Holt's map of California and Nevada. He went to Plumas county in 1864, to survey the road between Indian and American valleys, and was afterward employed in making preliminary surveys of a railroad line from Oroville, via the north fork of Feather river, American valley, and Beckwourth pass, to Reno. In 1869 he returned to Canada (on the first train on the C. P. II. R.), married the eldest daughter of William Barnes, Esq. of Whitby, but soon returned to California, and has since been resident of Quincy. He has several times been elected county surveyor of Plutnas. ^Ir. Keddie is a P. G. of the Odd F'ellows lodge, and is now, and has been for the past five years, Master of Plumas Lodge No. 60, F. & A. ^I. He is a United States deputj' surveyor, notary public, etc. L. W. Bunnell. — He is a native of New Ham])shire, and came to California, via the Isthmus, in 1851, arriving in San Francisco the latter part of June. He first mined on Poorman's creek, Nevada. From there he went to Plumas county, and mined on the middle fork of Feather river until 1853, when he went to the north fork and mined until 1855, in which year he went to Butt valley, Plumas county, and commenced farming and stock-raising, where he remained until 1867, at which lime he came to Big Meadows, and erected his present fine hotel. In connection with his hotel, he has about 940 acres of land. Mr. Bunnell was married in 1869 to -Mrs. .lulia E. Lee. The hotel is beautifully situated near the banks of the north fork of Feather river, with groves of i)ines in the immediate background, and Lassen's peak in the distance. The rooms are commo- dious and comfortable. The table is supplied from the dairy with a i)lenty of fresh milk and liutter. Till' mountain streams in the immediate vicinity furnish an abundance of. trout. .^Ir. Munnell is an agreeable gentleman and a popular landlord. During the warm season the house is filled with guests from all parts of the state. Excursions are made weekly to Lassen's peak, the Mot Springs, Mud Springs, and other places of interest. Many invalids have derived piTuianent benefit from passing a few weeks in Big ^leadows. E. Stover. — Mr. Stover was Ijorn in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 11^34, where he remained until 1839, when he went to Iowa. He came across the plains to California in ISdO, with his father and brother. He mined one month at Bidwell's bar, then went to Sacramento, but soon went to Marysville, and settled on a ranch one mile south of town. He remained here two years. Then mined one year in Xevada county, ami si\ years in Placer. lie then engaged in stock-raising in 323 Uuttc county. June 20, 1859, be c;iine to Big iloadows, .-md locatvd his iircsent raucli, fipciidiiio- liis suniniei- luontLs here and winters in Butte county, until 1803, sinco which time lie has been a permanent resident. Mr. Stover is in tlie dairy business, and has a model farm, lie keej)s t'rnm fifty to seventy-five cows, and makes from (),000 to S,(JOO pounds of an excellent quality of butter each season. He has all the modern appliances for butter-making. Numerous s])rings of cold water are on his farm. He was married in 1862 to Mary Ann Eose, who was born in Wisconsin in 184() and came to California in 1852. Their children are four girls and three boys. William H. Millee. — Mr. Miller was born in Schuyler county, New York, February 11, 1833. He came to California in 1852, and mined at Hansonville, Yuba county, and afterwards on the north fork of Feather river until 1858, when he bought a ranch in Humbug valley. He sold this ranch in 1859, and went to Butt valley, Pluraas county, where he engaged in the stock and dairy business. In 1859 he was married to Mrs. L. A. Smith, who was boi-n in Herkimer county. New York. In 1879 Mr. Miller erected a large hotel and residence. He, in partnership with L. W. Bunnell, was the owner of a store six miles below the valley on the North Fork, also one near their residence. After a short illness, Mr. Miller died on the twenty-sixth of November, 1879. He was universally esteemed, and left a host of friends. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Miller still lives at the homestead, conducting an extensive dairy business, and a store opposite the hotel. James E. Edwards. — He was born in the town of Kardington. near Bridge North, vShro[)- shire, England, in the year 1832. He came to the United States in 1851, settling in New London, New York, where for a short time he clerked in a store and meat market. In October, 1854, Mr. Edwards came to California, and engaged in the manufacture of English mustard, near San Jose, and planted the first yellow Durham mustard in the state. He settled in Plumas county in 1855, having charge of the New England ranch for one season, and afterwards followed mining at Nelson creek and at Poplar bar, on the middle fork of Feather river, building a house, store, and butcher shop at the latter place. He afterwards purchased the ground upon which now stands the Plumas House, and erected this commodious hotel, which has the reputation among travelers and tourists as being one of the very best hotels in the mountains. His estimable wife, who is ever to be found looking to the comfort of their guests, has in a great measure made the house what it is. A view of the hotel may be found on another page. RoTHEus A. Gray was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 5, 1851. His father, Captain R. D. Gray, was one of the jirincipal seafaring men of New England, and a descendent from old Puritan stock — Edward Gray of the Mayflotoer being his ancestral progenitor. Captain Gray married a Miss Maria Nolan, daughter of Captain Nolan, British army, and a native of Dublin, Ireland. The result of this marriage was one son, the subject of this sketch. R. A. Gray entered Yarmouth Academy, Maine, to fit for college, in 1860, and left the institution four years after. He came to California in 1864, and entered Santa Clara College the twenty-third of October of the same year. He remained in the institution the regular four years reijuired for a classical course, and having completed his bachelor stulf, during the past four years, from the libraries, new.>paper files, and records, and hundreds of the pioneers of the state, many of the latter residents of the coast while yet it was a Mexican territory. The general accuracy of the work cannot be ijues- tioneil, and the comjileteness of it will be revealed by a glance through its pages. The writer takes this o]iportunily to acknowledge his appreciation of the favors and courtesies I'xtended to Mr. Dodge and himself by the many who have so kindly supplied them with the data for these pages. DESCRIPTION OF LASSEN COUNTY. The county of Lassen lies in the northern portion nf California, adjoining the state of Nevada) the more important, productive, and populous jiortion being within the Nevada basin. It is bounded by Modoc county on the north, the state of Nevada on the east, Sierra and Plumas counties on the south, and Plumas and Shasta counties on the west, from the last two of which it was cut off when creeled into a separate county. Honey Lake, Elysian, and Long valleys, until within a few y<'ars the only important section of the county, formerly were a portion of Plumas, and all its early history — that jirior to 18GI — is rpiite closely connected with that of the parent county. The boundary on the east i> the P20 of west longitude, separating the two states of California and Nevada. On the east the county is divided from I'lumas by the summit of the mountains forming the water-shed between the Sacramento river and its tributaries and the streams that flow into and lose themselves in the great inland basin of Nevada. Between this summit and the state lini', in the southern jiart of the county, there lies but a n.irrow strij) only a few miles wide. This widens as we travel north, the siiimnit ridge trending sharply to the north-west, until the upper portion of the cotinty becomes about eighty miles in width. In the narrow strip to the south lies a fertile tract of land some forty miles in length, called Long v.dley. Just to the north of this, where the county opens out to a width of some sixty miles, lies Honey Lake valley, s.iiiie forty 36 i 330 miles loug by twenty wide. This valley is divided into two jiarts by a low range of balorted by the assessor. The great majority cf tliis was grass; and as cattle had been pastured on the land a portion of the year, the average yield to the acre is good. Alfalfa is being sowed in increased quantities; and as the fields of this clover increase in numl>ei, the average yield of hay to the acre will also inerea.se. The raising of wheat and other cereals is becoming a great industry in the county. The want of facilities for reaching marki-t with the surplus grain has retarded the develo])iuent of agricult\ire in that ilircction to a great degree; but it is hoped that the Nevada and Oregon road will be com- 331 pleted as far as Susanville before many months. This will connect them at Reno with the Central Pacific, and thus ])nt them nearly on an evi'ii footing with the farmers of the Sacramento valley in the matter of a grain market. Such a condition of affairs would give an impetus to the agriculture of this section, and enlarge the area of cultivated land to a large extent. The thousands of barren plains would soon be brought under the influence of the vivifying water, and be subjected to the dominion of the jilow. The tinge of alkali to lie fouml in the majority of sage-brush lands soon disappears after water has been introduced. Some of the finest and rdost productive tracts in the Nevad.a basin were a few years ago so badly streaked with alkali as to discourage many from attempting to do anytliing with them ; but the running of water through them for two or three seasons carried away this objectionable substance, and left a soil of surpassing richness. The grain crop of 1881 was reported by the a.ssessor as: wheat, acres, 3,000, bushels, 60,000; barley, acres, 1,400, bushels, 40,800; oats, acres, G30, bushels, 24,500; rye, acres, 140, bushels, 1,400; corn, acres, 55, bushels, 1,200; buckwheat, acres, 40, bushels, 350; potatoes, acres, 210, tons, 1,000 (33,000 bushels). The real estate of the county was assessed at $672,564, and the total taxable property at ^1,215,353. Fi'uif is not one of the smallest products of this region. The fruits of the temperate zone, where frosts of winter harden the trees and cause the sweet sap to course through every vein and fiber in the spring, are raised with a profusion and of a lusciousness of flavor unknown to the insipid fruits of the Sacramento valley. A])]>les especially reach a perfection of size, soundness, and flavor that can only be attained on this coast in these higher altitudes. There are reported in the county 11,300 apple-trees, 650 pear-trees, 500 plum-trees, 1,000 peach-trees, 300 quince-trees. All these are matured and bearing fruit, while great numbers of young trees have been set out which in a very few years will increase the fruit crop hugely. The raising of grapes has to this time been exiierinient.il only, and there are but 3,000 bearing vines in the county. The vines require protec- tion in winter, and those hardier species, whose flavor exceed in delicacy the overgrown and tender prodiut of the lauds lying west of the mountains, thrive and produce in great abundance. An outside market will be required before the fruit industry can be developed to a much greater degree with .iny profit. Manufactures have not yet obtained a foothold in the county, with the exception of the mak- ing of flour and lumber. Two grist-mills, operating by water-power three run of stone, are making an excellent quality of flour from the grain raised at their doors, and supply the people with that commodity at prices unknown before their establishment. They produced, in 1880, 4,500 barrels of flour, ami ground 1,000 bushels of corn. Six saw-mills, three run by water and three by steam, manufactured 2,500,000 feet of lumber during the same year. A fine growth of coniferous trees covers the mountains along the western side of the county, ample for the production of millions of feet of the best quality of lumber annually for many years to come. In the northern and eastern section of the county, the numerous short mountain ranges are either barren or covered with the pinon pine, juniper, and small cedar, too small to make lumber, but \ised by many for fire-wood. In several places can be foimd mineral and hot springs of the kind so plentiful throughout the length and breadth of the great Ncv.ida basin. One group of these in particular is to be found on the margin of Honey lake, and has attracted considerable attention. One of them boils furi- ously, and hot water leaps several feet into the air, ejected with much force and .some noise from an opening in the ground twelve feet scjuare, and apparently bottomless. Others are to be found in several places, anropriatc to this work. State Geologist Whitney, in Volume 1, " Geological Survey of California," thus describes the mountain and its surroundings. The gentlemen who headed the party making those cxplnrations were Professor W. H. Brewer and Clarence King, both of whuiii have a national reputation in the field of science. The ascent of the mountain was made in Sep- tember, 1863. The report of Professor Whitney says: " From the head of the Big Meadows, Lassen's peak is not over fifteen miles distant in a direct line; but by any practicable route it is fully twenty-five. Our party followed u]i the Red Bluff road to Loveless's ranch, and then struck througli the forests without a trail, ascending graduallv over a volcanic table, the surface of which had some large rounded bowlders of lava scattered over it ; but which was, in general, covered by a deep soil of a dark red color, formed from the decom- posing basaltic rock, and supporting a heavy growth of timber, Pinus contorta being the most abundant tree. In this lava table the branches of the north fork of the Feather river have cut many deep cafions. " A few miles southeast of the peak there are several hot springs, and indications of the existence of others, from wliicli cold water is now issuing. One of these is called Steamboat spring, and from this there is a copious flow of boiling water, while steam escapes from a great number of rents scattered over an area of two or three acres. The lava has been very extensively decom- posed liy the action of the hot water, which dissolves out a portion of the silica, and leaves a mass of clay, either white or colored, according to the amount of iron in the rock. Portions, wliich are now quite soft, still i-etain perfectly the original structure of the mass. In one place, a large amount of steam issues in a pool of hot water, throwing it up in jets to the height of several feet, with considerable noise. Hunters say that they Iiave seen the water raised as high as twentv-five feet; but at the time of the visit of our party the jets did not exceed eight feet in elevation. "North-west of tiie locality just noticed, abcuit two miles from it, ami eight mili's from the summit of the peak, in a direction N. 70 E., magnetic, is the so-called Boiling lake. This is a pool of hot water, about 600 feet long and 300 wide; it lies in a depression between two streams of lava, the lianks rising to the height of a hundred feet around it, except on the side of the mountain, where it has an outlet of a fool or two in width. The same decomposition of the lava has gone on around this lake whirincipally made up of ashes and the debris of trachytic rocks, from which project four precipitous ridges of trachyte, radiating from the center in various directions. The highest point of the crest is about a hundred feet above any other of the remains of the rim of the former crater, and although quite a sharp peak, it can be ascended to the verj' summit. " From the volcanic tables which cover the region in the vicinity of Lassen's peak rise a great number of cones of all heights, several of them being nearly as elevated as the jieak itself. Some of these are sharp-pointed ridges, while others have well-detined circular craters at their summits. Aline of these cones runs in a northerly direction to beyond Pit river; some of them are nearly 336 9,000 feet high; and Black Imttc, about fifteen miles east-north-east from Lassen's, is probably over 9,500 feet above the sea. Around the base of this are several lower cones, some with finely formed craters now covered with forests. " On the north-eastern slope of the peak, at about 2,000 feet below the summit, is a crater sur- rounded with vertical walls, except at one point. The c.vtcrior slopes are covered with ashes and pumice. "Four or five miles north of the summit of Lassen's peak is a cluster of irregular, truncated cones, having all the appearances of a very recent origin. Several persons gave their independent testimony that, from 1854 to 1857, these cones were constantly emitting large quantities of steam and gases. Their sides were found to be of loose ashes, and their broad summits were covered with loose, angular fragments of lava, as if they had been rai.scd up and broken by a force acting from betuatii. The rocks of wlilch these cones are made up is that jieculiar variety of rliyolite, for which Richthofen has proposed the name of Nevadite. It has a resemblance to granite, so that at a dis- tance, and without close examination, it would be taken for that rock. The minerals which make up this curious variety of lava are chiefly quartz and feldspar (both sanidin and glassy oligoclase, according to Richthofen), with long, slender prisms of hornblende and hexagonal cryst.ils of mica sparsely disseminated through the mass. The feldspathic material is drawn out into an imperfectly fibrous form, which is half-way between pumice and the 'Pele's hair' of the S.-mdwich Island vol- canoes. This condition has evidently been the result of the flowing of the mass of lava after the consolidation of the quartz, and while the feldsp:itliic ingredient was still in a plastic condition. This is shown by the fact that the threads or filircs are iiU directed in one way, which was e\i(iently that of the movement of the mass. The quartz is present in very larLTe (|uanllly in this rock: it is transparent, but full of fine flaws and cracks. " On all sides of Lassen's peak evidences of the existence of former glaciers w-ere observed. The traces of them were most numerous and best preserved at an altitude of fmni 7,oOO to 8,000 feet; but they occurred in abundance between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. An immense glacier formed on the south slope just below the farthest cone, and flowed south, covering a table several miles in extent, and descending to the caiions of the Feather river. Another one originated through the mountains to Honey Lake \allej'. The company soon returned and disbanded, but Noble, who was impressed with the value of the pass through the mountains which they had found, went on to Shasta, then the chief town in the extreme northern portion of the state, and made known his discovery to the enterprising business men of that place. The pass was then called and has since been known as Noble's pass. Realizing the fact that the opening of an emigrant route througli the upper moun- tains with its terminus at Shasta would be of vast benefit to that town commercially, the business men of the jilace raised a subscription, and hired Noble and a small party of men to go out to the Humboldt, and divert as much of the stream of emigration as possible through tiie new pass, and to the town of Shasta. Early in the summer of 1852 Noble started with his comrades upon their journey. It was in August, 1852, that Noble's party reached the Humboldt. There soon came along a train of emigrants, in which were a number of returning '49ers, who were acquainted with the s.ad results that had followed in former years a departure from the regular trail, and who were also posted on all the methods and ways of the early Californians. No sooner did Noble and his party tell them of the new and shorter route to the valley, than the old Californians became highly indig- nant, and not only declined to try the new road, but threatened violence to its advocates if they persisted in their efforts to induce the unsophisticated emigrants to do so. Matters were amicably adjusted, however, and a few emigrants agreed to try the new route. The company thus made up traveled the old Lassen or Oregon trail as far as Black Rock, and then struck across the desert twenty-five miles to Granite creek; thence sixteen miles to Buffalo springs; thence nine miles to the mouth of Smoke creek; up that stream four miles; thence ten miles to Miul springs ; thence seventeen miles into Honey Lake valley, where John D. Kelley now lives. Crossing the valley and passing through the present site of Susanville, they crossed the summit of the Sierra by Noble's jjass, following then tiie course of Deer creek to its mouth. As soon as it became demonstrate" "J^ '^f-' LN. BREED. 341 for the licaiitiful inuuiit;iiu stream, and it is not improbable that he bestowed this title u])on it to better define the boundaries of his location. It is, however, also impr()l)able tliat emigration woiikl pass this river for two seasons without a name of sonio kind being applied to the stream. During the year 1854 the Sliasta people still maintained agents along the Humboldt to attract emigration over this road, and the travel through the valley was large. These emigrants were all bound for California, and none of them thought of stopping short of the mines on the other slope of tiie mountains, the majority going clear to the Sacramento valley, oidy to turn around and make their way back into the mountains. In May, 1854, Roop and John Hill went from Shasta to the valle}', to see if the snow was sufficiently melted to admit of the passage of a wagon loaded with sujiplies. On the way, they overtook a prospecting party of about a dozen men, one of whom was Ilyram K. Wi!co.\, who had left Shasta a few days before. They all came on to the valley together, arriving on the sixth of June, the prospectors soon becoming dissatisfied, and returning across the mountains. Roop and Hill also went back to Shasta, aud Roop soon returned with a load of merchandise and supplies, accompanied by his brother Ephraim Roop, William McNall, Captain William VVeatherlow, and others. During the summer, this party built the rough, one-story log house, al)out 20x30 feet in size, which still stands in an orchard in the eastern suburbs of Susanville, and is owned by A. T. Arnold, Mr. Roop's son-in-law. This building was covered with a shake roof. Since it was used for a fort in the Sage-Brush War, it has been called Fort Defiance. In this building was placed the stock of goods that had been brought over from Shasta, and a brisk and profitable trade was carried on with the emigrants. That summer, Mr. Roop located a water right on Pah Ute creek, then called Smith creek, aud posted up the following notice : " NOTICE. " I, the undersigned, claim the privilege to take all of the water out of Smith creek at the junction of the two forks where this st.ake stands. I shall build the dam some six feet high, and carry the water along the South hill to the emigrant road. "August, A. D. 1854. Isaac Roop. "Recorded this first day of May, A. D. 1856. Isaac Roop, Beech'" From this creek they dug the Roop ditch, about one-half a mile long, by whicli they conveyed water in close proximity to the log house. While working upon this improvement, it was always necessary to leave a guard at the house ; for, though the Indians were not openly hostile, their ])redatory habits compelled the early settlers to be constantly on tlii'ir guard to ])rotect their proj)- erty. Wiien winter set in, Roop and the larger number of his e(imi)anions returned to Sliasta, while a few stopped in the valley until spring, though tliere was no necessity for their doing so. During the year 1854, Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith, in charge of an exploring party, passed through the valley. The war department had sent out, the previous year, several exploring expedi- tions to examine the various routes across the continent, for the purpose of ascertaining which was the most feasible for a trans-continental railroad. One of these detachments, under the charge of Lieutenant Beckwith, crossed Honey Lake valley, and went through Noble's pass to Fort Reading. They then went up the Sacramento and Pit rivers, passed down the old Lassen trail, and again to Fort Reading. The observations and conclusions of Lieutenant Beckwith are embodied in his report, which was submitted to congress by the secretary of war, and is to be found in the " Pacific Railroad Reports, Volume 2." 342 In the early part of the year 1855, Peter Lassen was living with Isailorc Meyerwitz (or Meyer- owitz) on a ranch in Indian valley, located by them in 1850. In June, 1855, he started over the inouiitaiiis on a ])ri)specting trip, accompanied by Kcnebeck. Parker, and another man, themselves mounted on horses, and their outfit ]packed on the backs of mules. They came into ihe valley three miles west of Janesville, where they pitched' tlieir camp just back of the ranch now owned by Richard Bass. The next day Parker and the one whose name is unknown started out to make some kind of a trade with the Indians, gointr around the lake to the north in search of them, and encamped in the vicinity of the hot springs. At the same time Lassen and Kenebeck traveled towards tlie north-west, along tlie base of the Sierra, and after going about six miles, camped at a pile of bnwlilers, which are in front of, and but a short distance from, the first cabin he built in the valley. They prospected for a few days, and were so gratified at the result, tiiat Lassen returned at once across the mountains to procure men ami supplies to work the jilace systematically. In the latter part of June, Lassen came again to the valley, accompanied Ity Joseph Lynch, William Gallagher, and Samuel Knight., They brought with them a complete mining outfit and a supply of provisions. The first thing necessary was to bring water to the claim, and this they did by digging a ditch two miles in length, from t!ie little stream now known as Lassen creek. This ditch has always been called the Lassen ditch. After they had worked a couple of weeks a cause of difference arose between Knight and Lassen, and the former took what property there was belonging to him and left the valley. About ten d»ys after the ditch was completed the water supply failed ; but during that time the c!aim had paid them good wages. They therefore decided to go to Indian valley and make^prejiarations to return here and spend the winter. In October, 1855, Lassen came back to Honey Lake valley, accompanied by Isadore Meyerwitz, Joseph Lynch, Greenwood, and a Spaniard named Lazier. They brought a good supply of provisions, blacksmith and mining tools, a plow, and such other ini|)lemeuts as they thought would be necessary or useful. They also brought a number of cows, oxen, and horses. Lassen then located a tract of land one mile square, embracing the place where they had encamped while engaged in mining, and now includecato in the near future. Isaac N. Roop came hack that spring and took possession of his old location, and occupied the log cabin he had built in 1854. Except a few entries made from time to time in the records of Plumas county, and a few documents now in the office of the secretary of state at Carson City, pertaining to the ])art taken by the citizens here in the organization of the territory of Nevada, the only records of this section prior to its organization as a county are contained in two little books, 7.x9 inches in size. One contains all land entries and claims of all kinds, and the other the laws promulgated for the terri- tory of Nataqua, arbitration trials, and other judicial proceedings. These books are in the possession of Mr. Arnold, Governor Roop's son-in-law. Up to this time no attention had been paid to the matter of a government, or the establish- ment of laws and the selection of officers to administer thorn. Now, liowiver, so many peoi)le come into the valley, and interests became so likely to clash at various points, that it was deemed necessary by the settlers to establish some system of government. The exact location of Honey Lake valley was a matter of grave donbt. It lay so near the line that the majority of the settlers believed it to be Ijeyond the limits of California, and therefore a portion of Utah, which then extended west to the California line. The eastern boundary of California was the 120- of west longitude, and this they all knew; but not having means at hand of ascertaining the location of that line, and thinking it was as far west as the summits that divided them from Plumas county, they imbibed the idea that they were beyond the limits of California, and without the jurisdicti(.n of Plumas county, of which they would otherwise have formed a jiart. This line was known to cross Lake Tahoe at about its center, and a ]iretty definite idea of its location could have been obtained by climbing one of the summit peaks, and with a compass in hand marking the location of the lake, following the line north with the eye. This was not done, and probably was not thought of; nor were any other steps taken to ascertain the exact location of the valley. They were of tlie opinion, and acted upon the assumption, that they were cast of the 120 of west longitude. Asiile from this reason, they were east of the Sierra summits, and within the great Nevada basin, and felt that they were a community separate and apart from those in California. They decided to create a new territory, wherein they might have a seat of government accessible at all seasons of the year ; and to establish this, they met in solemn convention on the twenty-sixth of April, 1856. After careful and due consideration, they adopted the following statutes, which are spread upon record in one of the little books now in the possession of Mr. Arnold : "A NEW TERRITORY FOR.MED AT HONEY LAKE V.ALLEY— LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR ITS GOVERNMENT. Adopted April 26, A. D. 1856. "Pursuant to previous notice, the citizens of Honey Lake valley met April 26, A. D. 1856, in mass convention, at the Roop House (the old fort), for the purpose of forming such laws, rules, and regulations as are deemed necessary and advisable in view of the settlement of said valley. "The meeting being organized by the election of Peter Lassen to the chair, and Isaac Roop secretary, the following laws were unanimously adopted by the citizens: 1 345 "Sec. 1. — Inasmuch as Honey Lake valley is not within the limits of California, the same is hereby declared a new territory, and the boundaries thereof shall be as follows, viz. : Beginning at a point where the 38 j deg. of North Latitude crosses the East line of California; thence East to the 1 17 deg. West Longitude ; thence North to the 42nd deg. North Latitude; thence running West to the 120 deg. West Longitude (N. E. corner of California); thence south to the beginning; the said territory to be named N'ataqua (i. e., woman). ''Sec. 2. — Each actual male settler twenty-one years of age shall have the right to take up a claim of si.x; hundred and forty acres. '' Sec. 3. — Any person taking up a claim shall put up a notice describing the boundaries of said claim as near as possible, and also cause the description to be placed on record. ''Sec. 4. — All claims shall lie surveyed within ninety days from the date of the ])utting up of tiie notice and recording, and said survey, together with the recording, shall be done in the ])resence of the claimant. " Sec. 5. — All claims so taken up and surveyed shall be improved or occupied by the claimant or his substitute. "Sec. 6. — -AH that tract of land lying between Roop's house and the timber on the West, and between the top of the bluffs on the North side of the Susan Eiver and three hundred yards west of the Emigrant road, Roop shall cause to be laid out in a town plat, and each settler shall be entitled to one lot in said plat, provided he causes a building to be placed thereon by the first day of May, A. D. 1857. All portions of said plat not claimed and improved according to the provisions of this section shall belong to said Roop. " Sec. 7. — Any claimant shall have the privilege to settle on or improve a town lut or his claim, and that either shall be held as an improvement of his claim of six hundred and forty acres. "Sec. 8. — No person shall divert water from its original channel to the injury of any prior occupant. "Sec. 9. — All difficulties and disputes shall be settled by an arbitration composed of the citizens of the valley, and all decisions of this board shall be final. " Sec. 10. — No person shall sell, li-ade, or in any other manner dispose of any spirituous liijuors to the Indians; and any person or persons misusing, maltreating, robbing, or stealing from the Indians .shall be considered an offender, and upon any person making a complaint in writing to the Kecorder that such offense has been committed, the Recorder shall forthwith summons the citizens together, and they shall form a board of arbitrators, and after hearing all the evidence, they shall determine and assess such punishment as they may deem proper. "Sec. 11. — The Recorder shall be chairman in all such boards, and shall keep a docket of all proceedings had in said boards, said minutes to be recorded in a book. In the absence of the Recorder, a majority of said board shall elect a chairman, and m.ajority shall decide all business of said board. "Sec. 12. — That there shall be a Surveyor and Recorder elected to hold their office until their successors are elected and qualified. "Sec. 13. — That there be declared a jiublic road, as follows: beginning at the boiling springs on the North side of Honey lake, thence to run in a Westerly course on the North Bank of Susan River to the Roop House; said road to be one hundred feet wide, an I named Emigrant Read. " Sec. 14.— That there be declared a public road as follows: beginning.it the Rooj) House, and to run to the Big Meadows on the north fork of Feather river; said road to be one hundred feet wide, and named Lassen Road. 38 346 "Sec. 15. — That there be declared a public road as follows: beginning at the Roop House, and to run a westerly course to the East line of California ; said road to be one hundred feet wide, and named Shasta Road. "Sec. Ifi. — That there be declared a public road as follows: beginning at a point on the Emigrant road three-quarters of a mile East of Roop's East line, and thence to run south to the south-east corner of Smith's ranch ; thence southerly to the south-west corner of Hasey's ranch ; said road to be eighty feet wide, and named Gold Run road. " Sec. 17. — That there be declared a public road as follows : beginning at the south-west corner of Hasey's ranch, and thence to run easterly to the south side of Honey Lake; thence to the Truckee Meadows; said road to be eighty feet wide, and named Honey Lake road. "Sec. 18. — That there be declared a public highway as follows: beginning at the south-east corner of Meyerowitz's ranch, on Honey Lake road, and thence to run North to the Emigrant Road ; said road to be eighty feet wide, and named Central road. '• Sec. 19. — That Isaac Roop was elected and qualified a Recorder, and Peter Lassen was elected and qualified a Surveyor, and each shall act in his respective office from this date. " Sec. 20. — That to a strict adherence to and fulfillment of the aliove laws and regulations, we, the undersigned, permanent settlers of Honey Lake valley, pledge ourselves and our honor, each to the other, to stand to and abide by the same, and defend them inviolate. " In testimony whereof we, the undersigned, hereunto set our hands and names this twenty-sixth day of A])ril, A. D. 1856. Peter Lassen. R. J. Scott. Wra. Hill. M. Mason. Issadore Meyerowitz. E. Dow. L. C. McMurtre. David Hescock. G. W. Lathrop. Paul Hulsa. E. W. Shaw. A. G. Hascy. Isaac Roop. W. S. Davis. W. T. C. Elliott. E. Smith. Joseph Lynch. John A. Strode. M. T. Shores. Marion Lawrence. " I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the original. " Isaac Roop, Re'd. "The following was omitted by me: " On motion of Peter Lassen, it was resolved that, in oider to fully promulgate these laws, tlie Secretary be directed to furnish the editor of the Shasta Republican with a copy of them for publi- cation, witli a request that other papers throughout the state copy. The convention then adjourned sine die. "Isaac Roop, Sec. Peter Lassex, Pres." With this meager code of laws, ami but the two officers to administer them, the new territory of Nataqua was launched upon the political sea. It embraced about 50,000 square miles, or nearly four times the area of the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut combined. The boundaries of the territory had they ever been run, would have been about as follows: 38Jo of north latitude intersects the east line of California about fifty miles south of Carson City, the capital of Nevada ; thence running east to the 1 17^ of west longitude, takes us half way across the state of Nevada, near to the town of Belmont; thence going north to the 42- of latitude we re.ach the vicinity of the south-west corner of Idaho; west to the 120° of longitude takes us to the north-east corner of California; following down this we reach the point of beginning, somewhere in Alpine county, California. This embraces all of the counties of Roop, Washoe, Storey, Ormsby, Lyon, Douglas, ChurchilL and Humboldt, and portions of Esmeralda, Nye, and Lander, in the state of Nevada ; and a part of El Dorado, Alpine, and Mono, in California. 347 It is amnsiiig, now, to tliink of these twenty men meeting together and forming a territory of such vast dimensions ; the more so when we call to mind the fact that in Washoe, Eao'le, and Car- son valleys, and in Gold caiion, there were people enongh to outnumber them ten to one, who were not consulted in this disposition of themselves; and the further fact that not one of this score of law-makers lived «ithin the boundaries they themselves set for the new territory, every one of them being west instead of cast of the 120° of west longitude. Of course all these paradoxical cir- cumstances arose from the prevailing ignorance of the topography of the country east of the Sierra, anil tlic framers of these laws neither intended to include their unknown companions so far to the south, nor exclude themselves. Having formed their government, the settlers proceeded to make .-nid record their locations of land. In April and May the following claims were recorded, embracing each a section of land: A. G. Hasey, on Gold run, which was soon transferred to Thomas P. Kingsbury; John Strode, one mile north of Hasey's, which was relocated in August by William Morehead ; W. T. C. Elliott, known as Rough Elliott, on Gold run; M. T. Shores, on Gold run, which was relocated in August by T. N. Kingsbury ; Florcucy Smith, on Susan river ; Paul Hulsa (relocated in December by J. W. Davis), William Hill, I. J. Hill, and John Hollingsworth, on the north side of Susan river, east of Eoop's ranch; Dow, Estep, and Aganett, two sections in copartnershijj, south of Hast^y's ; W. M. Lyttlc & Co., south of Hasey's ; Mathew and George Lathrop, on the south, and about eight miles down Honey lake ; H. J. Scott, on the south side of the lake, and about nineteen miles east of Lassen's ; George Epp- stein, adjoining Smith's, and aliout five miles from the south-west corner of the lake ; Stephen Raney, adjoining Eppstein on the south. Ti.e locations made in June were : Henry Demiey and Henry Kulty, a section together, adjoining Conimanche George on the south ; William Weatherlow, on the north side of Susan river, about three miles down the stream from Roop's; John Griffin, adjoining Weatherlow's ; Stephen O'Laiighliii and Ephraim Roop, for grazing purposes, south of Susan river, five miles east of Roop's and wcSt of Curlew butte; Henery, between the forks of Susan river and Willow creek. In July, locations were made as follows: T. I'. Kingsbury and D. A. Breed, two sections lying between O'Laughliu's and Commanche George's claims ; John Adams, lying east of McMurtre and south of Carter; R. \V. Dezoe, adjoining Smith on the west; Joshua Abbott, adjoining D. P. Carter on the south ; E. C. Gillette, one-half section crossing Susan river and including Curlew butte ; Samuel Brunie, a section in Antelope valley, about three miles north-east of Roop's house ; G. W. Byerly, along the river and south of Weatherlow; W. B. (lalphiu, adjoining .McMurtre on the north; H. C. Nichols, east of Eppstein; L. E. Cu.shinan, south of Nichols; Ebenezer Smith located the boiling spring on the north-east side of the lake, and a building spot 60x100 feet for a bathing- house. In August, Florency Smith located a tract on the south side of the river; J. B. Mankins east of Roop, and J. C. Mankins south of Eooj) ; David Hescock, Francis Lannigan, and Charles Nixon, a section on the east of Byerly on the north side of the river, and east of Roop on the south side of the stream; James and William Shelton, adjoining Hescock & Co. on the east ; T. C. Smith, next to J. B. Mankins. In September, William Weatherlow locateil an irregular tract one and one-half miles in length, which had been located the year before by Moses Mason, and abandoned. The location Weatherlow hail made in June was about this time relocated by L. M. Robertson, but was soon after relimpiished by him; also, the location make by John Griffin in June was claimed at this time by William N. Crawford, and soon after relinquished. In October, Leduc Vary located a section at Deep springs; 348 J. W. Sanbnnch took u]) a section on tlie iiortli-west side of Antelope valley. In November, M. W. llaviland located a " seceion " adjoining Moreliead, and A. D. Morton one next to liini ; William N. Crawford m ide a location on the 1 ike shore, but abandoned it two days later; D P. Dexter took a claim wcs-t of Scott ; Logan E. Whitaker adjoined Scott on the north ; William Morehead on the lake shore near De\ter (soon after relocated by R. J. Lennox) ; William N. Crawford and L. M. IJoberlson, a section next to Morehead ; Thomas Mitchell relocated J. Wycroft's section ; Antone Storff adjoined Mitchell on the north. In December, John W. Davis relocated Paul Hulsa's claim; Joseph Libler located next to Stephen O'Lauglilin ; A N. Silverton located a section now embraced in the ranches of SchoU & Cahlan, J. H. Maxwell, and John C. Davis. November 23, 1856, the following power of attorney was placed on record by A. G. Hasey: "Notice — Know all men by these Present- that I the undersigned have been and is hear by apointed to act as Agent or Substitute to represent the Claim of Mrs. L. M. Ellis. — Belcher." On the twenty-ninth of August, 18.56, Isaac N. Roop, who had been acting in the capacity of recorder, appointed I. Ely and J. H. Patty his deputies, with full power to act in his stead, himself placing their ai)pointment on record ; and soon after went to Shasta to remain until the following spring. J. H. Patty had placed but six claims on record when he was summarily ousted from his position by the following proceedings which appear on the record: "HoN-ET Lake Valley Nov 16 56 "As it became necessary to hold an Election in this valley for the purpose of electing a Recorder pro tem to fill the vacancy of Mv I Roop until his return to the Valley or until tim vacates his office the Citizens therefore proceeds to Elect a Recorder pro tem " Wherein Wm Hill Presids President " W W L Lexxox Secty. "On Motion Mr Goodwin, Hasey & Davis was put in nomination to fill the office. "they then proceeded to take the Ballot when Mr Hasey was declared unanimously Elected to fill that office. "there being no important business be four the meeting a motion of Mr Morton it was adgourncf the proper location of Honey Lake valley was not entertained by all of the settlers, will appear liy an oxaniinatioii of those portions of the Plumas county records which have been transcribed and placed among the records of Lassen county. From these it appears that on the eleventh of April, 1857, A. Fredonyer placed on record in Plumas county a pre-emption claim to land and a water right on Susan river near the junction of Smith's fork (now Pall Ute creek), for a i-anch, saw-mill, and grist-mill. On the ninth of June, 18.57, William Powell and wife conveyed to H. A. Williams, D. J. AVilliams, and A. D. McDonald a one-half interest "in and to a certain tract of land situate in a small valley near Honey lake, known as Elesian, supposed to be in Plumas county, California," which deed was recorded at Quincy. David Reed filed in the clerk's office in Quincy a pre-emption notice of a quarter-section of land in Honey Lake valley, July 26, 1857. Before the year 1857 drew to its close, the grand governmental ideas of the citizens of Nataqua had vanished, or at least had been set aside for the time being. The rapid settlement of the valley had attracted the attention of the people of Plumas county, and the officials began to take judicial notice of it. By looking more closely into tlic Tnatter, even the settlers themselves were compelled to admit that even if they were not within the limits of California they were very close to the line. On the fourth of August, 1857, the board of supervisors of Plumas county not only recognized the fact that tiiis valley had become of considerable importance, but asserted the belief that it was within the jurisdiction of Plumas county, by creating it into a separate township, with the name of Honey Lake township. The action of the board of supervisors, in the creation of Honey Lake township and the appointment of justices and constables (none of whom qualified), called out the following proceed- ings from the citizens of this valley : "In pursuance of a notice, the citizens of Honey Lake valley met at M. Thomjjson's ranch on the twenty-ninth of August, A. D. 1857, ami were called to order by appointing M. Thompson chairman, and L. N. Breed secretary. " The following Preamble and resolutions were offered by -Mr. Williams, and unanimously adopted : "preamble. " Whereas, we, the citizens of Honey Lake Valley, entertaining very reasonable doubts of our being within the liinits of the state of California, and believing that until the eastern boundary of the state of California is determined l)y th.' proper authorities that no county or counties have a right to extend their jurisdiction over us, therefore be it Kesolved by the citizens of Honey Lake Valley in Mass Meeting assembled that we consider the action of the Board of Supervisors of Plumas County an unwarrantable assumption of power. " Firstly, in appointing Justices of the Peace without our knowledge or consent. " Secondly, in dividing the Valley into precincts, and appointing officers for the same. "Thirdly, in ordering an assessment of the property of the Valley. Therefore be it further resolved that we will resist any action of the authorities of Plumas, and undividedly and collect- ively pledge ourselves by all we hold sacred to assist and aid each other in resisting any infringe- ment of our rights. " Resolved, That the officers appointed by the board of Supervisors to conduct the election in this place be requested to keep the Polls closed upon the day of election. '• Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed as a committee of safety, whose business it shall be to correspond with the authorities of Piuoias county, to end meetings when necessary, and I 351 to take such action as tbey may tliink necessary, subject always to ttie approval of the citizens of this Valley. '■'■Resolved, That we cordially unitt' witli the citizens of Carson Valley in their endeavors to have a new Territory struck off, whose limits shall be the Oregon line on the North, the Goose Creek range of Mountains on tiie East, the Colorado River on the South, and the dividing ridge of the Sierra Nevadas on the west. "Z. N. Spalding offered the following preanilile, which was adopted and signed by all present : "We, the undersigned individu;ils of Honey Lake Valley, feeling a just indignation at the course pursued by certain individuals, calling themselves citizens of this Valley, relative to a certain petition signed liy them, and forwarded to Plumas county, praying them to consider this Valley under the jurisrliction of said county, and for the authorities to appoint certain ofHcers, such as Justice and constable. "Now, be it known — First, that the petition above mentioned was' drawn up and signed by persons most of whom were, and are now, non-residents of this Valley, and had no interest identi- fied with the welfare of this community. That very few of the resident citizens of the Valley knew anything about the jietition until it was annnunced that Plumas county had ajipointed officers for us, nolens volens. "Secondly, We are, and do consider this Valley, not in the state of California, and shall con- tinue to do so until our boundaries are defined and established by the legally constituted author- ities of the United States, and we will not recognize the authority of Plumas county or California to make ourselves or a]ipoint our officers. "Thirdly, Were we under the jurisdiction of Plumas county, we would not suffer the office- making power to force upon us men odious to the citizens generally, and destitute of the requisite qualifications to fill any office. "Fourthly, We disclaim the whole proceedings from beginning to end, .and shall not regard any mandate issuing from under the officers ajipointed by Plumas county to preside over us. " In token whereof, we severally pledge ourselves. NAMES. M. Thompson, L. N. Breed, D. C. Jackson, Thomas Eaton, R. Hewitt, Thomas Mitchell, J. D. Sharp, L.M. Robertson, Joseph Lynch, I. E. Wick, Wm. N. Crawford, A. G. Ejistine, H. Dony, Ireton Warp, Peter Lassen, A. F. Chapman, Wm. Hill, Gr. Lathrop, Ralph Nedsham, Wni. Dow, G. A. Williams, Henry Denny, W. C. Kingsbury, R. J. Scott, Wm. Weatherlow, M. W. Haviland, A. U. Sylvester, Stephen O'Laughlin, C. Arnold, Anthony Barlow, H. A. Wilmans, W. Powell. "On motion, the following persons were appointed on the committee to correspond with the authorities of Plumas county: Wm. Hill, Mr. Williams, M. L. Robertson, Z. N. Spalding. •' Moved, that the committee authorized to correspond with Phnnas county authorities be in- vested with the power to draw up a petition to congress for the purpose of havmg a new territory organized. Carrie 1. " Mr. Jackson moved that the corresponding committee be invested with power to draft such laws out of the code of laws now governing the two districts, as may suit the people of said dis- tricts in common, but so to form them as not to permit an encroachment upon claims taken under 352 former laws, and said laws be submitted to the people for adoption or rejection on such day as the committee may designate. Carried. " Moved, that the citizens of this valley attend the place of voting on the day of election, and prevent the polls being opened. Carried. " Moved, that a committee of three be appointed to wait on Dr. Fredonyer (one of the justices appointed by the supervisors of PluniJis county), and politely iuform him that the citizens of this valley can dispense with his services. Carried. Committee, Mark Haviland, R. J. Scott, Z. N. Spalding. "Moved, that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Xurlh California (Oroville paper). Carried. " Moved, that the meeting adjourn. Carried. "M. Thompsox, Chairman. "L. N. Breed, Secretary.''^ Later, the people decided to take advantage of their township privileges, and in the spring of 1861 they elected Cieoi'ge E. Hale a justice of the pea<'e, and he qualified for the office at Quincy, May 7, 1861. In 1860 the census of the valley was taken as a part of Plumas county, and 476 white people were reported within the limits of Honey Lake township. In the fall of 1861, Cutler Arnold was elected a justice of the ]>eace, and the next fall B. F. Sheldon and William J. Young, and in the fall of 1863 Amos H. Barnes and John S. Ward were elected to the same office. All these gentlemen filed their official bonds in Quincy, and qualified as officers of Plumas county. All this was being done while they, and the peojile of Honey Lake valley generally, were participating in movements for the formation of a territorial government separate from CaiiCornia, in conjiinetion with the settler.s of Washoe and Carson valleys. Passing by the difficulties the settlers had with their Indian neighbors, the murder of many of them by the treacherous savages, the long days and nights of anxiety and fear, and the expe- ditions for punishnient and revenge, which will form another jiortion of this volume, we will follow the steps taken by the settlers for the formation of a separate government, leading up to the Sage- Brush Rebellion and the organization of Lassen county. Having discovered the fact that they were but a small portion of the population embraced in the great territory of Nataqua, and that the settlers away to the soulh would not recognize their action in this matter, tiie citizens of Honey Lake valley abandoned their old scheme for a territorial government, and Nataqua vanished, to be heard of no more. The territory of Utah e.>:ercised jurisdiction over all the country lying between Salt Laki' and California, and a great many Mormons had settled in Washoe and Carson valleys. At Gold cailon, where the great Comstock lode created such an excitement in 1859 and later, many miners were already at work. A much larger population was centered in the region between the Truckee and Walker rivers than was to be found around Honey lake, and the people of this valley realized that if any governmental action was to be taken it must be done in connection with, ami to a large extent be managed by, the people of the southern settlements. There was no question as to the geographical location of Washoe and Carson valleys ; they were absolutely known to be beyond the limits of California and within the bouTidaries of Utah. Great dissatisfaction was felt by the settlers there with their position. A well-founded prejudice existed among them against the Mormons ami against Mormon rule. They were sejiarated from the seat of authority at Salt Lake City by miles of alkali desert and barren mountains, and what little governmental action did reach them came from a Mormon fountain, and was distasteful to 353 tliese liberal-minded settlers. The first attempt at a government in that seetion was made November 12, 1851, when the citizens mot together and adopted a code of laws for their local government, and framed a petition to congress for a distinct territorial government. Up to that time the authorities of Utah had taken no official notice of the settlers on their extreme western border; but March 3, 1852, the legislature divided the country now in Nevada into seven counties, tor which it also appointed judges to serve for a term of four years. None of these counties was organized; and the citizens continued to govern themselves. January 17, 1854, the legislature of Utah created Carson county, embracing all the settlements north and south of Carson river for a distance of many miles; and the ne.xt s]iring Orson Hyde, a Mormon elder, was appointed jjrobate judge, ancl sent out to organize the county, which duty he completed in September, 1855. So many Mormons had come west and located in the valleys of Washoe, Eagle, and Carson, that in the election of officers of Carson county in 1856 they obtained full control, greatly to the displeasure of the other settlers. Early in 1857, owing to the trouble that was then existing between the Mormons and the United States government, Brigham Young called all the faithful back to Utah, and so many responded to the summons that the Gentiles were again left in the majority. This was the condition of affairs in that section when the little handful of people in Honey Lake valley graciously included it in their territory of Nataqua, without so much as consulting them as to their wishes on the subject. As soon as the people in this valley became fully informed of the condition of affairs, they dropped their Nataqua scheme, and united their efforts with the more southern settlers to secure the creation of a new territory in Western Utah. A mass meet- ing having been called to meet at Genoa, Carson valley, August 8, 1857, the people of this valley sent representatives; and one of them, Isaac N. Eoop, was elected one of the four vice-presidents on that occasion. At this meeting resolutions were passed appointing Judge James M. Crane to go to Washington as a delegate, to present a memorial to congre^, and urge action upon it, request- ing the formation into a new territory of " the Great American basin, lying between the eastern spurs and foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, west of the Goose Creek range of mountains, the Oregon line on the north, and the Colorado and its tributaries on the south." A committee of twenty- eight was appointed to carry the resolutions into effect, of which five were from Honey Lake valley; viz., " Major Isaac Roop, Peter Lassen, Mr. Arnold, Wm. Hill, and Mr. McMurtry." A long memorial was prepared and forwarded to congress, in which some very absurd and exagger- ated statements were made of the nature and condition of this section ; for instance, " The valleys number from 200 to 250, and range in size from 10 to 100 miles in length. They are all alluvial, and are the best grazing and agricultural lands on this continent." This was quite a claim to make for the Great American desert. The lijdian population was stated at from 100,000 to 115,000, though it is doubtful if there were 25,000. The white population was fixed at from 7,000 to 8,000. The peculiar situation of Honey Lake valley was stated in the following language : " There are some portions of the Great Basin of this continent, claimed by the state of Cali- fornia, in which reside a considerable number of people who, in the winter time, can have no connection Avith it. This is the case with those who reside in Honey Lake valley. That valley lies east of the Sierra Nevadas, and within the Great Basin, and from this cause the people living in it have no intercourse with other parts of the state during the rainy season for nearly four months every year. They therefore naturally belong to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, and on this account they desire to join us in this movement. If they are forced to remain with California, they can never know anything about the affairs of their state during the whole time its 39 354 legislature may be in session. It is therefore folly, and worse than folly, to attach the people of this valley to a state about which they know nothing and care nothing, for one-third of the year, and that third the most important part of it to them. They therefore cordially unite with us in this prayer and memorial to congress, asking not only that thej- may be attached to the new terri- tory, but that they may add their united voice in support of the great necessities for tlie organiza- tion of the aforesaid territory." Judge Crane went to "Washington, and on the eighteenth of February, 1858, wrote his constituents that a bill to organize a new territory would surely pass l)oth houses, and advising them to " all sow and plant heavy crops of grain and vegetables this spring, for they will bring ready sale at good cash prices to supply the army and Indians upon their reservations." He also wrote that he e.xpected to have several postal routes established : one of them frotn Honey hike to the Humboldt; and that he had "great hopes of having a bill passed to bridge the deep snow region on the Sierra Nevada, over the Honey lake and Placerville routes, so as to keep open communica- tion between our territory and California all the year around." The judge and his constituents were both disappointed in their hopes, as congi-ess failed to take the desired action in the matters the delegate was pressing upon that body. To provide for their own government until such time as congress should incorporate them in a new territory, the people of the valley again met, in February, 1858, and adopted the following laws : LAWS OF HONEY LAKE VALLEY. Adopted Februart 13, 1858. Sec. 1. — Each White Male twenty-one years of age shall have the right to take up and locate vacant land to the amount of 640 acres. Provided, that within 30 days from the taking up and locating he shall have it surveyed, and a mound three feet liigh thrown up at every corner, and a stake set in each mound 6 ft. long, and the claimant's name placed on Record, and to occupy and improve to the amount of one dollar per acre claimed within twelve months from the date of locat- ing, said one dollar per acre to be placed on the land claimed as follows: 12| cts. per acre within 30 days from the locating; 12i cts. per acre within the ne.vt 30 days; 25 cts. per acre within the next GO days; 25 cts. per acre within the next 4 months; 25 cts. per acre within the next 4 months. Said improvement to consist in plowing, fencing, building, and the planting i>f fruit trees. Sec. 2. — An actual residence within the district wlicrc the land lays shall be held an occupa- tion of land claimed. A substitute can represent. No one person can represent more than one claim. Sec. 3. — Claims may be held in fractions, where such fractions have been made by prior sur- veys of claims, provided that the number shall not exceed 4, and the wlmlo not more than 640 acres, and each and every fraction shall be improved agreeable to section one. Sec. 4. — All sales and transfers of land shall be acknowledged to by the Recorder, and to be placed on record. Sec. 5. — No person or persons shall divert water from its original channel t > the injury of any prior occupant. Sec. 6. — Owners of hogs shall be heM to jiay all damages their hogs may do between the first day of April and the first day of Noveml)cr. Sec. 7. — All difficulties, disputes, and suits at law, of any nature, shall be had before a Board of 355 Arbitrators, and a majority of said Board shall render a decision ; and when a decision shall not be satisfactory to lioth or either party, the one so grieved may take an a]iiie:il within ten days there- after, and have it tried before a Bi.ard in an adjoining district; and if the former decision shall have been sustained by a majority of the second Board, then such a decision sJi.ill be final; but if the decision sliall have been reversed by a majority of the second Boanl, then the case shall l)e left to seven citizens, three to be chosen by each i)arty, the seventh to be called by the six, and a decision the majority shall make shall lie final. Sec. 8. — There shall 1)0 an election held on the first Saturday in May in each district, for the purpose of electing one Recorder and three Arbitrators in each district. Skc. 9. — The fees of the Arbitrators shall not exceed five dollars each a day, to be paid by the party losing the suit. The county government was feebly maintained in Carson county during all the efforts to secure a new territory. The efforts to secure sucli a government were continued in 1859, and delegates were chosen from the various sections interested, who met in convention at Genoa, July 18, 1859, for the purpose of framing a constitution and establishing a provisional government. The delegates who were given seats in that convention from Honey Lake district, and who were entitled by election and by proxy to cast the number of votes set opposite their names, were : W. T. C. Elliott, 1 vote; J. Bowdone, 1 vote; A. F. Chapman, 2 votes; J. Williams, 1 vote ; John Robinson, 2 votes; A. M. Vaughan, 3 votes; W. S. Bryant, 1 vote; James O. Robertson, 1 vote; William Naileigh, 1 vote; Isaac N. Roop, 1 vote; John H. Neale, 1 vote; A. A. Smith, 1 vote. Two of the gentlemen who sent proxies were John S. Ward and Lewis Stark. Mr. Roop was one of four vice-presidents of the convention. A constitution was framed for the territory of Nevada, giving it the following boundaries: "Commencing at a point on the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the 42° of north latitude touches the summit of said mountains; thence southerly with said summit to the 35^ of north latitude; thence east on said parallel to the Colorado river; thence up said river to its junction with the Rio Virgin; thence up said Rio Virgin to its junction with Muddy river; thence due north to the Oregon line ; thence west to the j^lace of beginning." By this it will be seen that the people of this valley were incorporated in the proposed territory. The convention also canvassed the vote which had been cast at an election held Jul/ 14, 1859, for the purpose of electing a delegate to congress. The two candidates were Judge J. M. Crane and Major F. Dodge, the former being declared successful liy a majority of 61 votes. The total vote was 817, of which 84 were cast in the Honey Lake district. An election was held on the seventh of September for the ratification of the action of the convention and the election of terri- torial officers. This resulted in the adoption of the constitution and the election of Isaac N. Roop as governor, thus giving to this section the highest office in the new commonwealth. How many votes were east here cannot be ascertained, as no reconl of the election exists. On the twelfth of December, 1859, J. J. Musser, president of the convention, issued a certificate of election to Governor Roop, in which he certified "that Isaac Roop was elected governor of the said territory by a large majority.^^ Members of the territorial legislature were also elected at this time, Honey Lake valley being allowed one councilman and two delegates. Before the time of his departure for Washington arrived, Judge Crane, the congressional delegate, died suddenly at Gold Hill, and J. J. Musser was elected to till the vacancy, and inmie- diately set out for Washington. Governor Roop then subscribed the following oath of office : 356 "Territort of Nevada, j«s. "I do solemnly swear that I will supijort tlie constitiitiou of the United States, and the constitution of the territory of Nevada, and that I will to the best of my ability perform all tlic duties of governor of said territory during my continuance in office. " Isaac Roop." " Subscribed and sworn to before me this thirteenth day of December, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine. " F. M. Prestox, . " U. S. Uommissioner, Second Judicial District, U. 2." Governor Eoop was the only one of the territorial officers elect who qualified or was called upon to serve in an official capacity. The majority of his official acts were in connection with the Indian troubles, and will appear in another portion of the volume. The legislative assembly that had been chosen assembled at Genoa on the fifteenth of December, and Governor Roop presented a message to them giving his reasons why the provisional government should not be fully organized, pending the anticipated action of congress. The members of the assembly, only a few of whom had attended, passed some spirited resolutions, and adjourned until the next July, at \\ liich time they failed to meet again. The great rush to the Comstock in 1859 and 1860 gave that region a large and somewhat tur- bulent population; and congress finally, by the Act of March 2, 1861, created the territory of Nevada, including the valley of Honey lake within its limits. The boundary lines as defined l>y congress were : " Beginning at the point of intersection of the forty-second degree of north latitude with the thirty-ninth degree of longitude west from Washington (116- from Greenwich); thence running south on the line of said thirty-ninth degree of west longitude until it intersects the north- ern boundary line of the territory of New Mexico (now Arizona) ; thence due west to the dividing ridge separating the waters of Carson valley from those that flow into the Pacific; thence on said dividing ridge northwardly to the forty-first degree of north latitude (on the summits a number of miles north-west of the valley) ; thence due north to the southern boundary line of the state of Oregon; thence due east to the place of beginning." Hy a special provision, there was excepted from the area covered by this description any portion of California which it might include until that state slvjuld give its assent to the loss of such territory. Thus was Honey Lake valley placed in the anomalous position of being included in a new territory while yet a ])ortii)n of an old com- monwealth. James W. Nye was commissioned governor of Nevada by President Lincoln, March 22, 1861, and Orion Clemens was appointed secretary of state. July U, 1861, Governor Nye issued his proclamation declaring the government of the territory established. A census of the new territory was t.aken by election districts, showing that Pyramid District No. 9 contained a population of 1,073. This embraced " all the territory north of Truckee valley, from a point where the Truckee river enters the mountains below Gates and Gage's crossing, and west of Pyramid lake." At an election held August 31, 1861, Isaac N. Roop was chosen to represent this district in the territorial council, by a vote of 62 in a total of 68. John C. Wright was elected representative, receiving 52 of 58 votes. Mr. Wright was a resident of Long valley, an unnaturalized Englishman, and left this section a few years later. The legislature divided the territory into nine counties, November 25, 1861, among which was the county of Lake. "Beginning at the no^'th-west corner of Washoe county, and running easterly along the northern boimdary of said county to the mouth of Truckee river; theuce due east to the «. a: < o o >■ «- u ^ a. jT <3 a: < >■ ut 357 summit of the llrst range of mountains east of said river; thence in a northerly direction along said range and the main granite range of mountains to the Oregon line ; thence west aloiiossession of a large barn about one hundred and fifty yards from the ])osition of the Nevada party, and nearly opposite. Here he commenced to fortify, by moving some large timbers close by into said barn. The Nevada men, who were then in speaking distance, warned the Plumas party not to remove the timber, or they would fire. This they repeated three or four times. The Plumas men seized the timbers and proceeded to carry tliem away. Five or six shots were immediately fired by the Nevada party, ouly one taking efl'ect, wounding a Plumas man severely. Both parties continued to fire briskly for three or four hours. There were but two men wounded on the Nevada side; viz.. Ward and White, both slightly. These are all the casualties known by this committee resulting from this unfortunate affray. Through the agency of the citizens of Susanville, an armistice was arranged between the belligerents, to last for four hours. The citizens zealously endeavored to effect a compromise, which resulted in the following, to wit : That Pierce, as sheriff of Plumas, and Nai- leigh, as sheriff of Roop, and a committee of the citizens of this valley, agreed that each party should disband; tliat each sheriff should make a report to their respective governments, strictly in .accordance with the facts ; and further to urge upon them the necessity of taking immediate action for the settlement of this ve.xed question of jurisdiction ; in the mean time, neither j)arty to exercise jurisdiction in this valley; and that a committee of citizens should also make a report of the facts of this affray to each of the governors, asking of them to take such steps as would bring about a settle- ment of the controversy as soon as possible. " Without wishing to blame or excuse either party, the committee would state that in all probability each party thought itself justified by law in all its actions. The eastern boundary of :: '' If / r' - *• i V; »■,'■ '■MM cr d < to "I — "^ •< ^ C3 3 Ui a UJ 361 the slate is not definitely known ; some are of opinion that it is east of us, and others that it is west. For the sake of our seho Is it is necessary that we should know where to apply for our sohool money. When we are assailed by Indians, as we frequently are, it is necessary that we should know where to ajiply for assistance For very many important reasons, it is absolutely necessary that the question should be settled, and that as soon as possi'ile. "Israel Jones, "Dan Murray, " Isaac Eoor, " Wm. J. Young, " Ccnimittee." The record of the meeting of both parties at which the compromise was effected was forwarded, with the statement of the committee, and was as follows : "A state of war existing between the authorities of Plumas county, California, and the author- ities and citizens of Roop county, Nevada Territory, a committee of citizens of Honey Lake valley, and the leaders of the belligerent parties, convened at Susanville for the purpose of making some arrangements for the estal)]ishment of peace, and to stop the further shedding of blood. Frank Drake was appointed president, and H. U. Jennings, secretary. Mr. Pierce, sheriff of Plumas county, made the following proposition, to wit: Both parties to suspend hostilities and disband tlieir forces, he taking his men home with him, and report the case to the governor of California, requesting him to confer with the governor of Nevada Territory, that the question of jurisdiction may be settled peaceably; pending such settlement, neither party to claim jurisdiction; also that the citizens of the valley shall draw up a full statement of the case, and forward the same to the governors of California and Nevada Territory, requesting them to settle the difficulties peaceably and as soon as possible. "Mr. Elliott thought the proposition a fair and honorable one, and that it would lead to a speedy settlement of our present difficulties. He was therefore in favor of Mr. Pierce's proposition. "Mr. Pierce (sheriff) moved the appointment of a committee of four citizens (two of each party), to make the statement to each of the governors. Carried. '• Mr. Elliott moved that we adopt Mr. Pierce's proposition for a settlement of our difficulties. Carried, unanimously. " The chairman appointed upon the committee of correspondence, Messrs. Eoop, Murray, Jones, and Young. On motion meeting adjourned. " Frank Drake, Chairman. " H. U. Jennings, Secretary. " The above proceedings is an agreement of settlement between the contending parties of Eoop and Plumas counties. " E. H. Pierce, " Wm. Hill Naileigh." The reinforcements referred to by .Mr. Pierce in his narrative as being on their way from Plumas were taking with them a small cannon, which they were dragging through the snow and over the mounlains, experiencing all the difficulties encountered by Napoleon when he made his famous passage of the Alps. News of the compromise reached them while they were still struggling through the snow-drifts, and the cannon was taken back to Quincy to ]ieal forth its joy a few months later at the fall of Vicksburg. William J. Bradford, tlu' man who was so badly wounded, 40 362 was given the warrant for -§1,000 whicli Lassen comity issued to Plumas under tlie provisions of the Act organizing the county. This action was taken by the supervisors of Phimas county in pursu- ance of the Act of the legislature of March 31,1 866. Judge Ward, who was also wounded, received a scratch from a hullet passing across his breast, while lie was going from the fort, and walking in a crouching position. The reason for so few casualties during so long a battle was the fact that both parties had good fortifications, and remained behind them. When the condition of affairs was represented to the California and Nevada authorities, they took steps to end the difficulty immediately. March 5, 1863, Governor Stanford appointed Hon. Robert Robinson as a commissioner to visit Governor Clemens and agree upon a basis of settlement. Mr. Robinson went to Carson City and consulted Governor Clemens, entered into an agreement, and returned to Sacramento to report. The basis of settlement agreed upon was : That California and Nevada should each appoint a representative to run the boundary line. That until the line was establishcil, Plumas county should have jurisdiction as far west as the eastern end of Honey lake, at which point the 120° of longitude was located upon De Groote's map. That provision be made by both legislatures to transfer judg- ments, and sustain all acquired rights whenever it was found that the survey removed any person or proi)erty from the jurisdiction of one government to that of the other. That until the eighth of April, 1863, Governor Clemens would exercise no authority over the disputed territory east of the line surveyed by John F. Kidder, placing Aurora within the limits of Nevada Territory, but after that date he would proceed to organize Esmeralda county, and exercise jurisdiction over the dis- puted territory east of that line. This declaration of Govoruor Clemens was made for the reason that Commissioner Robinson would not consent to recognize the Kidder line as a compromise line until the contemplated survey was made. The commissioner's report, and all the documents relating to the controversy, were submitted to the legislature by Governor Stanford, with a special message urging immediate action. This resulted in the Act of April 27, 1863, directing the surveyor-general to survey the eastern boundary line of the state, commencing at the intersection of 120° of west longitude and 39° of north lati- tude; and appropriating ^25,000 to defray the expenses of the survey. John F. Kidder was a]!- pointed by the surveyor-general to undertake the work, and Governor Clemens a])]iointed Butler Ives to accompany him, on the part of Nevada Territory. They ran the line north from lake Tahoe to the Oregon line, passing east of Honey lake, and conclusively settling the fact that the disputed territory in Roop county lay within the limits of California. The remainder of the uu- fortun.ite county of Roop never has been, and probably never will be, populated enough to require a county government, and it is now attached to Washoe county, in an unorganized condition. The line was also run to within one degree of the south boundary of Nevada, when work was suspended on account of the cold weather. This line passed several miles to west of the town of Aurora, leaving that disputed town and valuable mineral district within the borders of Nevada Territory. The remainder of the line was established in 1865. By the survey of the eastern boundary of California, made by Von Schmidt in 187G, that portion of the line north from lake Tahoe was moved a few miles to the east, thus mlding to Lassen and the other border counties a strip of territory that had formerly been considered a portion of Nevada. 363 OFFICIAL HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY. Having maintained the inviolal»ility of the domain of California, and having settled by actual survey the fact that Honey Lake and Long valleys lay within the boundaries of this state, the authorities of C;ilifornia were prepared to listen to 'the grievances of her new citizens, and grant thdTii all the relief possible. That it was a hardship for the people of this section to be united in a common government with those beyond the mountains was admitted by all, and that a separate county organization was the character of relief required was also an admitted fact; but the serious question was whether the population was sufficient, and the amount of taxable property large enougli, to properly support a county government. The people living here — and they were the most interested in the matter — thought they couM. They had undertaken to sustain a county govern- ment for Nevada, and they could see no reason why they could not cio the same for California. Though the people of Plumas county were loth to lose a strip of territory that had now be- come so valuable, they recognized the fact that it would be an injustice to their neighbors across the mountains, many of whom were old pioneers of Plumas county, and they therefore made little objection to the project of the formation of a new county. The legislature of 1863-4, after full consideration of the subject, passed the Act of April 1, 1864, organizing a new county out of the extreme eastern and north-eastern portion of Plumas and the extreme eastern portion of Shasta counties. To this was given the name of Lassen, in honor of old Peter Lassen, whose life and pioneer labors have been fully given in the preceding pages. The full text of the organic Act is as follows: Chap. CCLXL — An Act to create the County of Lassey, to define its boundaries, and provide for Its organization. [Approved April 1, 1864.] The People of the State of California, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact aifolloios: Section 1. There shall be formed, out of the eastern portion of Plumas and the eastern portion of Shasta Counties, a new county, to be called Lassen Count)'. Skc. 2. The boundary of Lassen County shall be as follows: Commencing on the boundary line dividing Sierra and Plumas Counties, at a point on the summit of the ridge which crosses said boundary line, and which divides Long Valley from Sierra Valley; thence following the summit of said ridge (north-westerly), which separates the waters of Feather Eiver from those which flow into the Great Basin and Honey Lake Valley, to a point due south from the Towu of Susanville; thence due south to the summit of the ridge separating the waters which flow into the East Hranch of the North Fork of Feather Eiver, running through Indian Valley, from those which flow into the North Fork of Feather River, running through the Mountain Meadows; thence following the summit of said ridge to a point due south from a point where the old and present traveled road from the Big Meadows, via Hamilton's Ranch, first crosses the said North Fork of Feather Eiver; thence due north to the southern boundary line of Shasta County; thence west along said boundary line to a point due south of the Black Butte Mountain; thence due north to the southern boundary line of Siskiyou County ; thence east along said boundary line to the eastern boundary of the State ; thence south along said State line to the south-east corner of Plumas County; thence west along the boundary line of Sierra and Plumas Counties to the place of beginning. 3C+ Sec. 3. There shall be appointed by the Governor of this State a Count}' Judge for Lassen County, wlioso term of office shall continue until the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, and until his successor at the next special judicial election is elected and qualified. Sec. 4. There shall bo held an elertion for county officers, and for the location of the county .scat of Lassen County, on the first Monday of May, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, at which election shall be chosen by the qualified voters of said county one District Attorney, one County Clerk, who shall be ex-officio the Auditor, Recorder, and Superintendent of Public Instruction, one Sheriff, one County Surveyor, one County Treasurer, one County Assessor, one Coroner, who shall be ex-officio Public Administrator, and three Supervisors, and two Justices of the Peace, and two Constables for each townshi]) in the county. Sec. 5. F. Drake, C. Stockton, and N. Breed, of Lassen County, are hereby appointed Com- missioners to designate additional precincts to those alreacly established within the boundaries of Lassen County as may be necessary for the conveinence of the voters, with such powers as a Board of Supervisors are now clothed by law. Said Commissioners shall appoint Inspectors and Judges of Elections for the various precincts of said county. They shall also divide the various townships of said county into three districts, to be known as Supervisor Districts Number One, Two, and Three ; and one of the Supervisors whose election is herein provided for shall be chosen from each of the said districts by the qualified electors thereof. Said Commissioners .shall Vje a Board of Canvassers, who shall receive the returns of election from tlu> various precincts of said county, and it shall be their duty, at the time in this Act specified, to canvass or count the votes given for the different officers, with power to issue certificates of election to each person receiving the highest number of votes given for each separate office; they shall also canvass the votes cast for county seat, and shall declare the place receiving the highest number of votes the county seat of Lassen County. Sec. 6. Said Commissioners shall meet at Kingley's & Miller's store in Susanville, Honey Lake Townsliip, on the second Monday in April, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and after being duly sworn, by an officer qvialified to administer oaths, to truly perform the duties by this act imposed upon them, shall designate precincts, if in their opinion others than those already established are necessary to accommodate the voters of said county, and shall appoint one inspector and two judges of election for each precinct in the county. The commissioners shall choose one of their number as chaii'man, and one as clerk, who shall keep a record of all their proceedings, which record shall be deposited in the county clerk's office as soon as a clerk shall have entered upon the discharge of his duties. A majority of said commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Sec. 7. The commissioners, after having designated places of voting, ap]iointed inspectors and judges of election, as required in section six of this act, shall give public notice of said pre- cincts established in said county, specifying in said notice the townships in which e.ich of them is located; also tlie time of holding the election, the number ami name of each officer to be elected in said county, and in each district and township of the same, by notices posted at each precinct appointed at least ten days prior to the day of election. Sec. 8. The inspectors and judges of elections of the several precincts shall conduct said election in the manner as required by the general election law of this state, ancl shall return the list and poll-books kept by each of them to the commissioners, at Kingley's & Miller's store in Susanville, Honey Lake Townshi]>, on or before the Monday following the day of the election ; and the said commissioners are hereby required to be at said [dace on said day, for the jiuspose of receiving the same, and shall then and there open said returns, and canvass the votes as required by the fifth section of this act. They shall n ake a statement in writing, showing the votes given at each 365 Election Precinct for each person voter! for, and the office for which each person was voted to fill ; and the person receiving the highest nuinher of votes for each office sliall be declared elected to the same; and the said Commissioners shall issue to each person so elected a certificate of election, which shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary. Sec. 9. Each person elected shall, within ten days after receiving his certificate of election, file with the President of the Board of Conunissioners the bond required by law, and shall qualify in the same manner as required by the general law of this State before entering upon the duties of his office; jn-ovkled, that the Count)' Judge appointed may qualify before the President of the Board of Commissioners immediately after his ap]i intment is made known to him; and all other county and township officers may (pialify before the County Judge, in the same manner as I'equired by the general law in the counties of this State. Sec. 10. The President of the Board of Commissioners, without delay, shall transmit to the Secretary of State an abstract of said election returns, and shall file the original returns in the Clerk's office as soon as he shall have entered upon the duties of office. Said Commissioners shall be allowed a reasonable compensation for their services by thtf Supervisors of Lassen County, to be audited and allowed as other county charges. Sec. 11. All other county officers elected under the provisions of this Act, except Supervisors, whose terms of office are hereafter provided for, shall hold office for two years from the first day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and until their and each of their successors are elected and qualified ; provided, that Justices of the Peace and Constables shall hold office for two years from the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-four. Sec. 12. The County Judge shall reside and keep his office in the township where the county seat is located, and shall receive a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum, which sh.all be paid quai'terly, as other county charges. He shall hold the Courts required by law to be held by County Judges, the same commencing on the first Monday in March, June, September, and Decem- ber; provided, however, the County Judge may call and hold special terms of Probate Court when- ever public necessity may require. Sec. 13. The District Attorney shall receive a salary of four humlred dollars per annum, to be paid quarterly, and such other fees as are allowed by general law. All other county and town- ship officers not specified in this Act shall receive as compensation the fees allowed by law in Plumas County in this State. Sec. 14. The Board of Supervisors shall hold regular meetings at the county scat tlie first Mondays in March, June, September, and December of each year. Special terras may be held at the call of the President of the Board of Supervisors ; provided, not more than two special terms shall be lield in any one year. One of the three Supervisors shall be chosen from each of tlr> dis- tricts. The Supervisor elected from District Number One shall be President of the Board, and shall hold office for one year from the first day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-four. The Supervisor elected from District Number Two shall hold office for two years from said day. The Supervisor elected from District Number Three shall hold office for three years from said d.ay ; and thereafter, every Supervisor shall hold office for three years, and the one holding the oldest commission shall be the President of the Board. Their compensation shall be twenty cents for each mile necessarily traveled in going and returning to the county seat to attend the regular meetings of said Board, and three dollars for each day's attendance on the same. Sec. 15. Lassen County .shall be a portion of the Second Judicial District, and the District Judge shall hold one term of Court in said county, commencing the second Monday in October, 366 eighteen hundred and sixty-four, and every year tliereafter two terras, commencing on tlie first Monday in June and the second Monday in Octolter. Sec. 16. For Asseml)ly representative purposes, Lassen County shall be attached to the County of Plumas ; for Senatorial representative purposes, to the Twenty-Fourth Senatorial Dis- trict, and for Congressional representative purposes, to the Third Congressional District. Sec. 17. Said Commissioners of Election shall appoint tliree of the qualified electors of Lassen County, one from each of the Supervisor Districts, and who shall be freeholders in their respective districts, to select two sites, which they shall deem most suitable for the county seat, who sliall, prior to performing the duties imposed upon them, first make oath, before some ofiicer qualified to administer the same, that they will faithfully and impartially make the selection as by this Act required. Any two of said jiersuns so appointed shall be a ([uorum. After having made such selection, they shall report to the Commissioners the sites so selected. Sec. 18. Said Commissioners shall cause to be posted in e.ach precinct in said county a notice of the selection so made for a county seat, at least ten days before the day of election mentioned in section four of tiiis Act. The notices shall jilainly designate by name each place selected to be voted for as county seat, and the place receiving the liighest number of votes .shall be the county seat of Lassen County. Sec. 19. All assessments for the current lethal year shall be made by the Assessor of Lassen County, and all taxes shall be collected by the Sheriff, who shall be ex-officio Tax Collector; and the Board of Supervisors are hereby authorized to levy and cause to be collected, in manner pre- scribed by the general law of this State and the provisions of this Act, an annual tax for State and Count}- purposes not to exceed the sum of two dollars and fifty cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable property in the county. Sec. 20. On the a]i]iIication of the Recorder of the County of Lassen, the County Recorder of Plumas County .shall cause to be made and delivered to him suitable books of record, containing certified copies of the records of all deeds, patents, mortgages, claims, powers of attorney, mechan- ics' liens, and other instruments recorded in the Recorder's office of Plumas County, and affecting property situated in the County of Lassen, as described in this Act ; such books, containiog said certified copies, shall have the same force and effect as the original records in the County of Plumas. It shall be the dut}' of the Board of Supervisors of Lassen County to provide for the payment of the exjsenses necessarily and actually incurred in the purchase of said books and in the copying of said records. Sec. 21. All actions, or proceedings in the nature of actions, whether original or on appeal, civil or criminal, which shall be pending in the District Court, County Court, or Probate Court, in and for said County of I'lumas, at the time of the organization of Lassen County, in which the defendants are residents of Lassen County, or the jiroperty involved is situated in said County of Lassen, shall be removed for trial and final determination to the proper Courts of Lassen County, on motion of any party interested ; provide'l, that all actions which shall have been commenced for the collection of taxes .and licenses sliall not be removed from the Courts of Plumas County. Sec. 22. By the j)rovisions of this Act, said Lassen County is hereby required to provide for the jiayment of its proportion of the present indebtedness of Plumas County, and shall make j)ay- inent in the following manner: The County Treasurer of Lassen County is required to draw from the Treasury of Lassen County, and pay over to the Treasury of Plumas County, the sum of one thousand dollars, on the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-six; and also the further sum of one thousand five hundred dollars on the first day of January, eighteen hundred and sixty- 367 seven; and on the payment of the above-named sums of two thousand five hundred dollars, the County Treasurer of ■ Plumas County shall give a receipt in full for the jiayment of the indebted- ness specified in this section of this Act, and such receipt shall be a full and final discharge of the said County of Lassen of its proportion of the indebtedness of said Plumas County. Sec. 23. Said Lassen County shall, within eighteen months after its organization, cause so much of its western boundary line which runs due north to be surveyed, and shall give timely notice to the Supervisors of Plumas and Shasta Counties when such survey will be made; and all expenses of said survey, whether incurred on the part of Shasta or Plumas County, or otherwise, shall be paid by Lassen County. Sec. 24. All Acts and parts of Acts in this State are hereby repealed, so far as they conflict with the provisions of this Act. Sec. 25. This Act shall take effect and be in force from and after its p.assage. In pursuance of the provisions of the above Act. the three commissioners therein named, Frank Drake, H. C. Stockton, and L. N. Breed, met on Monday, the eleventh of April, 18(54, at Miller & Kingsley's store in Susanville, the place designated in the statute, and organized by taking the oath before J. S. Ward, and electing Mr. Drake chairman and Mr. Breed clerk. After perfecting their organization, they adjourned to Masonic hall for the transaction of l)usiness. Their first action was to create three supervisor districts, as follows: District No. 1. — "All that portion of territory belonging to Lassen county situated and lying west of a line commencing at the summit of the mountains on the line between Plumas and Lassen counties, south of a large pine tree that stands near the monument of Peter Lassen, and running north to said tree ; thence to the western boundary of Hines' ranch ; thence to the lower end of Willow Creek valley ; thence due north to the Siskiyou county line." District No. 2. — " All that portion of territory belonging to Lassen county situated and lying east of the boundary line of District No. 1, and between that line and another line commencing at the summit of the mountain on the line between Plumas and Lassen counties, south of the eastern boundary of Clark & Hamilton's ranch, and running north to the eastern boundary of said ranch ; thence in a north-easterly direction to the Hot springs, situated about four miles east of Shaffer's ranch ; thence east to the boundary line between California and Nevada territorv." District No. 3. — •" All that portion of territory belonging to Lassen county situated and lying south and east of the eastern and soutliern boundary line of District No. 2." The next action of the commissioners was. the creation of four judicial townships, with names and boundaries as follows : Susanville Township. — "All that portion of territory emliraced and situated in District No. 1." Janesville Township. — "All that portion of territory embraced and situated in District No. 2." Honey Lake Town.ship. — " All that portion of territory embraced ancl situated in District No. 3, and north of the ridge dividing Honey Lake valley and Long valley, where the present traveled road crosses said ridge." Long Valley Township. — -"All that portion of territory embraced and situated in District No. 3, and south of the boundary line of Honey Lake township." After appointing the proper officers of election in the various precincts for the election of county officers on the second of the ensuing May, the board adjourned. After the election, they again convened, canvassed the returns, and declared the following gentlemen duly elected the first officers of Lassen county : 368 DisTKi.T Attorney E. V. Spencer. Shkriff James D. Byers. County Clerk A. A. Smith. County Treasurer E. U. Bowman. County Surveyor E. E. Nichols. County Assessor '...A. H. Brown. County Coroner Z. J. Brown. Supervisors. H. C. Stockton, E. G. Banghani, A. Evans. I. J. Harvey was appointed county judge a few days later, by Governor Low, and the list of county officers was complete, for the clerk was ex-officio superintendent of schools, and the coroner was eX'Officio jniblic administrator. On the sixth of March, 1871, the supervisors received a petition to create a new township for Big valley and Haydcn hill ; but as it was irregular in form they referred it back to the petitioners for correction. No further proceedings in the matter were had until the February term, 1873, when the board created Big Valley Township — "Commencing at the north-west corner of the county; thence along the northern line of the county to its north-east corner; thence along the eastern line to a point intersected by the soutliern line of township No. 34, north ; thence following said township line westward to its intersection with the western line of the county ; thence north- ward along said line to the place of beginning." On the fourth of May, 1874, the board ordered that " Big Valley township be known and described as that portion of Lassen county included in Providence, Washington, Pleasant Butte, and Cedar Eun school districts." The neat court-house shown on our title-page was constructed in 1867, at an expense of more than $10,000. The contract was let on the fourth of February of that year, to William Williams> for ^9,850, and the building was completed and occupied before the end of the year. It stands on a block of land which Governor Roop donated to the county for that purpose, June 18, 1864, soon after the county was first organized. When the county of Modoc was organized, with great difficulty and after a hard struggle by its citizens, Lassen county maintained the integrity of its territory. About the time Lassen county was formed, settlers began to enter the extreme eastern end of Siskiyou county. Stock- raising was the first and is still the leading industry. Bunch-grass grows in luxuriance in the many large and small valleys, forming a veritable stockman's paradise. Gradually, Goose Lake valley, Surprise valley, Warm Spring valley, Big valley, Fall River valley, and many others, lying in eastern Siskiyou, north-western Lassen, and north-eastern Shasta counties, became settled. The distance from these jioints to Yreka, Susanville, or Sliasta, where all county and legal business was transacted, rendered the government of this region a matter of great difficulty and expense to the counties and annoyance to the peojile. As soon as population became sufficiently dense to support a county government without too severe a tax ujjon the people, the question of the formation of a new county was discussed. To this end the jieople of Surprise valley ])etitioned the legislature, in the fall of 1871, to create a new county, taking from the noi'th end of Lassen and the east end of Siskiyou and Shasta counties, and locate the county seat in that valley. A counter petition was presented by the people living in Big valley and the settlements along Pit river, who could not see ■ how this move would settle their difficulties, for the new county seat would be as far removed from them as was the old. The measure failed in the legislature. The project was not abandoned, and Assemblyman Cressler introduced a bill, in 1874, to create the county of Canby out of the east end of Siskiyou and the north end of Lassen. The section under consideration had been brought more prominently before the people by the Modoc War, which had held the public attention the year before, and the name to be ap])lied to tlie new county was given in honor of General Canby, who lost his life in that campaign. This movement was ^1*4^^" 1 its B* ' s*^^ 1 & -'% i e UI 2 O a ijj a UI UI a: « 369 strenuously opposed by the people of Lassen county, with the exception of those who resided in the section to be segregated. The total population of Lassen was but little over 1 ,500, the assessment roll $1,200,000, and the county debt $31,000. It was claimed that if the county was deprived of this territory it would not be able to maintain a government, and would have to be disorganized. This was a rather extreme view of the situation, but it would certainly have been a great loss to this county, and one it was but illy able to sustain. The people in the extreme north-eastern portion of Siskiyou county also opposed the bill, for k)cal reasons. They knew that if a portion of Lassen county was taken in, the ])Opulation in the southern portion of the new county wouhl be in a sufficient majority to secure the county seat, and therefore they wanted Lassen county to remain intact. The measure was defeated in the legislature, in consideration of the inability of Lassen county to spare any of its territory. Another bill to meet the new requirements of the situation was imme- diately introduced by Mr. Cressler. This provided for the formation of the county of Summit out of the eastern end of Siskiyou alone. It became a law February 14, 1874, with the name of the county changed to Modoc. Thus was Lassen county left unshorn. LASSEN COUNTY OFFICERS. So many changes have been made in the officials of Lassen county by resignations and apjioint- ments that a tabulated list cannot be prepared in a convenient form, therefore each office will be listed separately, and all changes noted and explained. COUNTY JUDGE— SUPERIOR JUDGE. The first incumbent of this office was I. J. Harvey, who was aj)pointed to the position by Governor Frederick F. Low in May, 1864, to hold office until after the judicial election to be held the following year. October 18, 1865, W. R. Harrison was chosen to the position by the people. October 1 6, 1867, A. T. Bruce was elected. October 26, 1869, J. S. Chapman was elected. He resigned, and A. A. Smith was appointed in October, 1872, to complete the term. October 15, 1873, C. McClaskey was elected. October 20, 1877, E. T. Talbot was elected. September 3, 1879, J. W. Hendrick was chosen the first judge of the superior court under the new constitution. DISTRICT ATTORNEY. May 2, 1864, E. V. Spencer was chosen the first district attorney. September 6, 1865, Isaac N. Roop was elected; again September 4, 1867. For some reason the office became vacant the following spring, for on the first of June, 1868, the supervisors appointed Mr. Roop to the office to which he had been elected the fall before. The gentleman failed to qualify, and a month later W. R. Harrison was appointed to fill the unexpired term. 41 370 September 1, 1869, W. R. Harrison was elected. The death of this honored and respected citizen, in the spring of 1870, left a vacancy in the office, which was filled by the appointment of A. A. Smith, June 6, 1870. September 6, 1871, E. V. Spencer was elected; again September 3, 1873. September 1, 1875, M. H. Marstella was elected. September 5, 1877, J. W. Hendrick was elected. September 3, 1879, James Brahham was chosen, and still holds the position. SHERIFF. May 2, 1864, James D. Byers, formerly sheriff of Plnmas county, was chosen the first sheriff of Lassen county. September 6, 1865, Frank Drake was elected. He resigned February 4, 1867, and W. Hill Naileigh was appointed the same day. September 4, 1867, T. N". Long was elected ; again September 1, 1869. September 6, 1871, O. Streshley was chosen ; again 'September 3. 1873. September 1, 1875, F. A. Washburn was elected. On the fourth of November, 1877, the board entered tlie following on its record : "The death of F. A. Washburn, sheriff of Lassen county, being announced to the board, now at this time (1:30), on motion of M. Marstella, district attorney, the board adjourn for the day in respect to the memory of the deceased." On the third of February, 1878, Fred Hines, the slieriii elected September 5, 1877, was appointed to fill the vacancy until his proper term commenced in March. September 3, 1879, H. Skaddan, the present incumbent, was elected. COUNTY CLERK. May 2, 1864, A. A. Smith was elected the first county clerk, and was re-elected two successive times, holding the office until the spring of 1870. September 1, 1869, J. H. Breed was elected. September 6, 1871, F. S. Chapman was chosen. September 3, 1873, W. P. Hall was elected, and now holds the office for his fourth successive term. COUNTY TREASURER. May 2, 1864, E. D. Bowman was elected, and served two terms. September 4, 18G7, J. R. Lockwood was chosen, and served two terms. September 6, 1871, W. H. Crane was elected, and was twice re-elected, resigning December 1, 1877, because he had been elected to the senate. September 5, 1877, T. N. Long was elected, and took the office by appointment December 1, 1877, to fill the vacancy till his regular term commenced in March. September 3, 1879, D. C. Hyer, the present treasurer, was chosen. COUNTY SURVEYOR. May 2, 1864, E. R. Nichols was chosen, and was twice re-elected. He resigned the office during his third term, and John C. Partridge was appointed November 13, 1868. September 1, 1869, W. C. Kingsbury was chosen; again at the next election. 371 September 3, 1873, T. H. "Ward was elected. The office became vacant, and A. A. Smith was appointed for the lawful term, May 4, 1874. September 1, 1875, James Branham was elected. September 5, 1877, A. A. Smith was elceted. September 3, 1879, P. M. Norboe was chosen, and still holds the office. COUNTY ASSESSOR. May 2, 1864, A. H. Brown was chosen the first assessor. September 6, 1865, W. C. Kingsbnry was elected. September 4, 18G7, Smith J. Hill was chosen. In the spring of 1869 he removed from the county, and Charles Cramer vvas appointed to fill the unexpired term, April 17, 1869. September 1, 1869, J. C. Weraple was elected, and served two terms. September 3, 1873, A. L. Tunison was elected. September 1, 1875, O. Streshley was elected. September 3, 1879, Edward Harris, the present officer, was chosen. COUNTY COEONER. May 2, 1864, Z. J. Brown was elected coroner, but neglected to qualify. W. Hill Naileigh was appointed to the office September 17, 1864. September 6, 1865, James Hutchings was elected. September 4, 1867, Z. N. Spalding was chosen, and served two terms. September 6, 1871, E. G. Bangham was elected, and served a second term. September 1, 1875, M. Rinehart was elected. November 4, 1877, he resigned, and removed to La Porte, Plumas county. September 5, 1877, E. G. Bangham was elected for a third term. September 3, 1879, R. Johnson, the present coroner, was elected. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. The first gentleman to hold this position was Mr. T. N. Stone, who was appointed by the board March 15, 1870, to fill the vacancy caused by a failure to nominate and elect the previous Septem- ber. Mr. Stone resigned a few months later, and on the fifth of September, 1870, L. M. Crill was appointed to the vacancy. September 1, 1871, Z. N. Spalding was elected, and served two terras. September 1, 1875, S. A. Doyle was elected. September 5, 1877, Z. N. Spalding was chosen for a third time. September 3, 1879, W. R. Schooler was elected, and now holds the position. SUPERVISORS. The composition of supervisor districts is given in the Official History. Frank Drake, H. C. Stockton, and L. N. Breed composed the first board named in the organic Act, and divided the count}' into three districts April 11, 1864. A new board was chosen, one from each district, at the first election. 372 I District No. 1. — H. C. Stockton was uleeted May 4, 1864. E. D. Bowman was elected Sep- tember 4, 1867. February 26, 1870, J. C. Partridge was elected to fill vacancy caused by Bowman's resignation; and May 30, 1871, he was elected for a full term of three years. In 1874 T. N. Long was elected, and in 1877 J. W. Hosselkus. May 28, 1881, Mr. Hosselkus was appointed by the superior judge to hold the office until his successor was elected and qualified, and now occupies the seat for the first district. District No. 2. — E. G. Bangham was chosen from this district at the first county election. T. H. Epley was elected September 6, 1865. James D. Byers was elected November 3, 1868. Fred Hines was elected September 6, 1871. John T. Masten was elected September 4, 1878. District No. 3. — A. Evans was the first supervisor of this district, elected May 2, 1864. April '2, 1867, Marshall Bronson was elected. September 1, 1800, J. McKissick was elected. At special election, January 6, 1873, F. A. Washburn was chosen. At a special election September 7, 1876, E. Harris was elected. September 3, 1879, Lewis Powers was elected, and now holds the office. MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE. Lassen has always been associated with Plumas in its representation in both branches of the legislature. By the Act of March 16, 1874, Butte, Plumas, and Lassen were combined in the twenty-sixth senatorial district, with one senator and t»-o assemblymen : Butte to elect one of the hitter, and Plumas and Lassen the other jointly. This is the present distribution. The men who have represented the district of wliicli Lassen has been a part are : Senators.— 1863-66, F. M. Smith : 18G7-70, John Conly ; 1871-73; David Boucher ; 1873-76, George C. Perkins; 1877-79, William H. Crane; 1879-82, William A. Cheney. Assemblymen. — 1865, John D. Goodwin ; 1867, John K. Buckbee; 1869, John Lambert; 1871, B.W.Barnes; 1873, James D. Byers; 1875, John S. Chapman; 1877, James H. Whitlock; 1879, Charles Mulholland; 1881, William W. Kellogg. The political status of Lassen county will be revealed by the following table, showing the complexion of the vote of the county at all elections for president and governor. The name of the successful candidate is given first, though he may not have received a majority of the votes cast in this county. PRESIDENTIAL AND GUBERNATORIAL VOTE. Year. Election. Candidate. Party. Vote. Total. 1864. Presidential Abraham Lincoln Republican 318 George B. McClellan Democrat 236 — 554 1 867. Gubernatorial Henry H. Haight Democrat 103 George C. Gorham Republican 162 Caleb T. Fay Ind. Republican 13—278 1868. Presidential Ulysses S. Grant Republican 210 Horatio Seymour. Democrat 122 — 332 1 87 1 . Gubernatorial Newton Booth . . RepnV>Iican 248 Henry H. Haiglit Democrat 190—438 1872. Presidential Ulysses S. Grant Republican 181 Horace Greeley Liberal Dem 91 — 272 a o u z U) Lfl < >■ LU -J _I < > CD r o CO ■•a. > CD z UJ u o z LU Q CO UJ Q: 373 1875. Gubernatorial William Irwin Democrat 199 T. G. Phelps Republican 134 John Bidwell Independent 200—533 1876. Presidential Rutherford B. Hayes Republican 256 Samuel J. Tilden Democrat 227—483 1879. Adoption of New Const. .Yes 400 No 158—558 1 879. Gubernatorial George C. Perkins Republican 287 Hugh J. Glenn Dem. and New Const . .424 William F. White Workingmen 21 Scattering 2—734 1880. Presidential James A. Garfield Republican 323 Winfield S. Hancock Democrat 301 James B. Weaver National Greenbact^. ... 64 Scattering 2—690 THE BENCH AND BAR. In July, 1862, Associate Justice Gordon N. Mott came to Susanville to hold a terra of the dis- trict court for the First Judicial District of Nevada Territory. The counties of Storey, Washoe, and Lake (changed that year to Roop) were all in one district, and Judge Mott, one of the three supreme judges, was assigned to this district. There had never been any legal practice in this section, nor were there living here any regularly authorized attorneys, nor any one who made any pretense to the profession of the law, e.xcept a young man named Israel Jones, who had read law for a brief period before coming here in 1862, but had never been admitted to practice in any court. The men who had acted the role of attor- neys in the valley were Isaac N. Roop, John 8. Ward, E. V. Spencer, Z. J. Brown, and A. D. McDonald, who had conducted causes before the various justice courts and boards of arbitration, at the request of their friends. The only law books in the valley were two volumes of Wood's Cali- fornia Digest, and the nearest lawyers were in Quincy, too far away to do much harm. Judge Mott opened his court in the old Magnolia Iniilding, on the south side of Main street. The firs-t business was the examination of a class of applicants to become members of the bar, which consisted of Messrs. Roop, Ward, Spencer, and Jones. The examination was brief, being confined more to plain, jiractical business propositions, such as any intelligent business man could answer, than to abstruse and technical points of law. The most difficult interrogation was to define the term corporation. Just before the court convened, an attorney from Carson City called Mr. Roop aside and instructed him on the proper answer to this question, telling him, "A corporation is a creature of the law, having certain j)owers and duties of a natural person." When the governor was called upon to answer the question, he said, " A corporation is a band of fellows without any soul, of whom the law is a creature, who have some powers and take a great many more, and entirely ignore the statutory duties imposed upon them." The whole class was admitted, and but one of them, Mr. Spencer, is now living to practice the profession the right to which he then acquired. Again, in January, 1863, Judge Mott held a term of court in Susanville, but adjourned because 374 of no cases being on the docket. The month before, the governor of Nevada had appointed Hon. John S. Ward to the position of probate judge of Eoop county, and he was in judicial charsre here (luring the conflict of jurisdiction between the authorities of Roop and Plumas counties, wliich ended in tlie creation of Lassen county. The Act of April 4, 1864, combined Lassen, Phinias, Butte, and Teliama counties in the second judicial district, of which Hon. Warren T. Sexton, of Butte county, was judge. The first term of he court was opened in Susanville, October 10, 1864. Tliere were present: Hon. Warren T. Sex- ton, judge; A. A. Smith, clerk; James D. Byer.s, sheriff; and E. V. Spencer, district attorney. The first cause entered on the record was that of John G. Newington vs. C. M. Kelley. In Januarv, 1870, Hon. Charles F. Lott, also of Butte county, succeeded Judge Sexton, and held stated terms of court here until Lassen, Modoc, and Plumas counties were erected into the twenty-first judicial district by the Act of February 15, 1876. Governor Lwin appointed Hon. John D. Goodwin of Qnincy to preside over the new district until after the general election of 1877. At that time Hon. G. G. Clough of Quincy was chosen judge of the district, and held the position until the court was abolished by the new constitution, January 1, 1880. On the twenty-sixth of November, 1879, Judge Clough made an order on the record for the transfer of all papers and proceedings to the superior court of Lassen county, to be made the first of January, and adjourned the district court sine die. In May, 1864, Hon. I. J. Harvey was appointed the first county judge of Lassen county, by Governor Low. Court was opened by Judge Harvey on Monday, June 6, 1864. Court was held by liim and his successors [see list of county officers] until December 17, 1879, when the following final order was entered on the record: 'Ordered, that at 12 o'clock sr., on the first of January, 1880, the clerk transfer to the superior court all records, books, papers, and proceedings of every nature herein of record or pending, etc. Court then adjourned sine die. E. S. Talbot, .ouuty judge." At the election in 1879 Hon. J. W. Hendrick was chosen judge of the new .superior court of Lassen county, provided for by the new constitution as the successor of the old district, county, and probate courts. Judge Hendrick opened his court at Susanville January 5, 1880, and in accordance with law has kejit it o]ien ever since, adjourning from day to dav. Of the district judges who sat on the bench in this county, the biograjihies of Warren T. Sexton, Charles F. Lott, John D. Goodwin, and G. G. Clough can be found by reference to the index to the History of Plumas County. Hon. Joh.v S. Ward.— This gentleman took a very prominent part in the efforts of the citizens to form a county government in this section. He was born at Vergennes, Vermont, December 16, 1825, and came to the coast in an early day, having lived in Indiana and Wisconsin. His father came to California in 18.i.3, and settled in Indian valley, Plumas county, where the father, Hon. Wil- liam T. Ward, became the first county judge. John came in 1855, and settled in Honey Lake valley in 1858, and was admitted to the practice of the law l.y Ju.lge Gordon N. Mott, of Nevada Territory, in July, 1862. The following December he was appointed probate judge of Roop county, by the governor of Nevada Territory, and held that position through the conflict for jurisdiction known as the Sage-Brush War. He devoted himself studiously to his books, and soon ranked among the best lawyers in this section of the state; ai.d ha.l he lived, his career would have been a brilliant one, so full of promise was it when he was cut down in the prime of life. He died in Susanville in 1872, Ind was buried with honors and imposing ceremonies by the Odd Fellows and Masonic orders.' In 1871 he went to Wa.shington, and .secured the est.ablishment of a U. S. land oflice at Susanville. of which he was appointed Register. He was married at Madison, Wisconsin, January 1, 1849, to Miss 375 Anna E. Hyer. Of their children, two were born in Wisconsin — T. H., September 25, 1851, and Jciniie S., January 16, 1755; one in Plumas county, California — Frank G., February 5, 1857 ; the others in Lassen county— Charles E., September 13, 1859; Annie H., October 1.3, 1861: William C, September 10, 1868. Jennie S. married Hon. John S. Chapman, January 1, 1871. T. H. mar- ried Miss Wileta Edwards, February 16, 1872. Frank G. married Miss Ada Myers, in September 1876. Annie H. married Hon. J. W. Hondrick, January 1, 1878. Hon. W. R. Harrison. — The successor to Judge Harvey on the county bench was Hon. W. H. Harrison, one of the early practitiont-rs at tlie Lassen county bar. He was elected county judge in October, 1865, holding the position two years. In 1 86!) he was elected district attorney, but died in 1870 before his term had expired. He was a very fine scholar, learned in the law, and of exemplary private character. His loss was deeply deplored by all wlio had come within the circle of his friendship. Hon. a. T. Bruce. — This gentleman came to Lassen county in 1866, and engaged in the edit- ing of a paper at Susanville. In 1867 he was elected to the county bench to succeed Judge Harrison, and occupied the position two years. He was a young man of considerable ability and of good education. Hon. John S. Chapman. — Judge Chapman came from Arkansas to Honey Lake valley in 1859. In 1866 he was appointed deputy county clerk, in which position he continued three years, devoting his leisure hours to the study of the law. In 1869 he was chosen county judge on the democratic ticket, and the following year was admitted to the bar of the district court. In 1872, the judicial salary being too small to warrant him in retaining.his position, he resigned and began the regular practice of his profession at the bar. He was a diligent student, and soon became quite profound in legal lore. Desiring to widen his field of practice, he removed to Los Angeles in 1879, where his ability has won him success in his practice before the higher courts. Hon. Albert A. Smith.— This gentleman was born in Orleans county, N. Y., November 24, 1832. He was compelled to leave the Albion Academy at the age of fifteen, because of impaired eyesiglit. In 1848 the family removed to Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and in 1852 to Dartford, in the same state, where his father and mother lived until their death, at the age of 86 and 72, respectively. In 1855 Albert came overland to California with John S. Ward, going through Beckwourth pass to Quincy. He mined for a time, and then worked at carpentering in American and Indian valleys till April, 1857, when he came to Honey Lake valley. He ranched until 1861, and then worked at his tr.-ule until May, 1864, when he was chosen the first county clerk of Lassen county. He was twice re-elected on the republican ticket. In 1870 was appointed district attorney, to succeed W. R. Harrison, deceased. In October, 1872, he was appointed county judge, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John S. Chapman. In 1873 he was defeated for the same position. In 1874 be became U. S. Deputy Surveyor, and in 1877 he was elected county surveyor. In 1880 he again became U. S. Deputy Surveyor; and in the spring of 1881 became engineer of the Eagle lake irrigation scheme. In September, 1881, he was appointed postmaster at Susanville, and now holds that position. He is a member of Lassen Comraandery No. 13, K. T., of which he was commander for one term. Hon. Caltin MoClaskey.— This gentleman was born in Fairfield, Ohio, March 25, 1829. There he received a common-school education. In 1850 he removed to Illinois, and engaged in farming for four years, reading law during his leisure houi's. In 1854 he removed to this state, and in 1872 came to Susanville, and was ajipointed a justice of the peace the same year. In 1873 he was elected county judge, to succeed Judge Chapman, and held the position four years. In 1878 376 he was ailmilted to jirMftice in the tlistvict court, and has continued tlie practice of the law in Susanville with good success. He is a numher of the I. O. O. F. at Susanville. He was luanicd December 13, 1865, in Virginia City, to Miss Annie J. Slovan, born in Canada in 1840. They have two cliildren : Lillie Celeste, born December 2, 1866, in Yuba county ; and Tiieodocia Belle, born September 13, 1874, in this county. Captain E. S. Talbot. — His grandfather, Ambrose Talbot, and his father, Enoch Talbot, Tn ed in Cumberland county, Maine, where Captain Talbot was born, in the town of Freeport, June 12, 1834. He attended school until 1849, and then went to sea, his father being a sea captain. During the war he had command of a steam transport in the U. S. service, running a large portion of the time in conjunction with the army of the Potomac. He first became master of a merchant vessel in 1856. In 1874 he abandoned the sea, and came to Lassen county from San Francisco. He was elected county judge in 1877 for a term of four years, but the office was abolished January I, 1880, by the new constitution. In the fall of 1881 he was appointed deputy by Sheriff Skaddan. He is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery of Masons, and the A. O. U. W., at Susaiv ville. June 28, 1855, Captain Talbot married Sophia Bacon of Alexandria, Va., born there in 1835. Their children are Susan J., born January 26, 1858, on ship A. If. Stephens, off the coast of Peru; Mary S., born December 13, 1859, at Freeport, Maine; Grace N., May 3, 1863; S. E., November 23, 1864; Bane S., March 5, 1868; Evan \i., January 22, 1870— all at Alexandria, Va. ; Maud S. and Horace, July 25, 1876, in Lassen county. Bane died at Alexandria, in August, 1868; Horace, August 15, 1876, and Maud S., October 27, 1879, in Lassen county. Susan J. married P. J. Goumaz, June 28, 1880. Grace N. married H. N. Skaddan, November 16, 1880, and died November 20, 1881. Hon. Isaac N. Roop. — The part taken by tliis gentleman in the settlement of this region and the formation of a government fully appears in the preceding pages. He was one of the four gentlemen admitted to the bar by Judge Mott in 1862. In 1865 he was elected district attorney of Lassen County, and served two terms. It is related of him that while he was serving in this capacity, the grand jury ])resented an indictment against a man who had stolen a horse. Roop drew up the document in a few minutes, and presented it to the foreman, who read it and remarked : " Governor, I'm afraid this is rather brief. That complaint would not hold in any court." "Why not?" asked Roop ; " I've got whereas in three times." Roop was a popular man, jovial and good natured, always ready to tell a story or laugh at an anecdote. Hon. Israel Jones. — This gentleman was another of the members of the old Roop county bar. He was born in the state of New York, August 4, 1838, and read law for a time before com- ing to Susanville, where he arrived in 1862. During the Sage-Brush War, James D. Byers, doi)uiy sheriff of Plumas county, was arrested in Susanville u])on the charge of having obstructed an officer in the discharge of his duty, by snatching from his hand a warrant of arrest whicli the official was about to serve. Young Jones had taken the Plumas side of the controversy, and now defended Byers, procuring his discharge by producing the warrant in court, and showing that the R'lop county judge had neglected to sign it in his haste to have it serve. 1. This gave Jones considerable popularity, particularly among the people of Plumas; and in the fall of 1863 he was elected county judge of Plumas by the Union party. He went to Quincy, to take his seat on the first of January, 1864, but died that very morning, after an illness of but three days. He was buried with Masonic honors, at Susanville, which order erected a fine monument to mark his grave. He was a pecul- iarly bright and versatile young man, and destined to make a high mark in the world had his life been spared. G.W MEYLERT, I 377 Ephraim V. SpKN'CER. — Thc only member of the ovigiiKxl Imr of Roo]i county that hns hecn spared liy tlie haml of rleatli is Mr. Ejihraim V. Spencer, who is still practicing law at Susanville. He was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, New York, January 28, 1836, his parents being Luther D. and Mary (Van Buren) iSpeneer. In his youth he received such an education as was to be obtained at the common schools of that state. When still young, he learned the carpenter trade of his f.-ither, and later worked at this trade for himself in Michigan. lie came to Lassen county in 1859, where he built and operated a saw-mill until he was admitted to the Roop county bar, in July, 1862 In 1864 he was admitted to the Lassen county bar, and has since been a constant practitioner. He is a careful student, and has stored a fund of legal information that has placed him in all the leading trials of this couniy. Starting with a limited education, he has, by close application and study, advanced himself to the front rank of his profession. In April, 1870, he passed a rigid examination before the supreme cnurt at Sacramento, and his subsequent practice before that body lias been attended with the highest success. In 18GI he was elected the first district attorney for Lassen county, again in 1871, and a third time in 1373. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Susanville. Mr. Spencer married Miss L P. Montgomery, April 7, 1867. She was born in Ingham county, Michigan, August 11, 1847. They have three children: Iva Grace, born September 7, 1869 ; Gloddis M., March 27, 1872 ; E. M., October 14, 1874. Two orphan daughters of his brother Luther form part of his family: Jennie B., born April 10, 1866, and Mary J., born December 20, 1867. His father died in Michigan, in July, 1871, and his mother is now living here with her son, at the ripe old age of seventy-six. Hon. J. W. Hendkick. — The superioi' judge of Lassen county was born at Bowling (ireen, Pike County, Missouri, November 4, 1851. When eleven years of age, he accompanied his mother to California, settling in Napa. He attended school at Oakland until 1866. wdien he went to Provi- dence, R. I., and entered Brown University, from which he graduated with honor in 1872. He then returned to this state, and commenced the study of law witli Messrs. Daingerfield & Olney of San Francisco. In 1873 he removed to Lassen county, and continued his studies in the office of Judge John S. Chapman, until 187.5, when he was admitted to the bar of the supreme court at Sacramento. He then began the practice of his profession in Susanville, and has continued it successfully to the present time. In 1877 he received the republican nomination for district at- torney, and was elected. He gave general satisfaction with the manner in which he conducted the office, and in 1879 was elected superior judge of the county. He has been on the bench two years, and by prompt, terse, and logical decisions, has won the respect of the bar and the confidence of the ])eo])le. Janu.iry 1, 1879, he married Miss Annie H., daughter of Hon. Jolm S. Ward. They have two children: Jennie E., born October 25, 1879, and ALary E., August 7, 1881. Massillon Marstella. — This gentleman was born in Prince William county, Virginia, October 14, 1853. He received a collegiate education at Georgetown, D. C. In 1872 he went to Mendocino county, in this state, where he commenced reading law in the office of Harrison & Carothers, of Ukiah. Late in 1873 he returned to the Georgetown college, and entered the law department, from which he graduated in 1874, and was admitted to practice in the supreme court of thc Dis- trict of Columbia. He again came to this state, and practiced in Mendocino county, where for a time he was deputy district attorney. In 1875 he came to Lassen county, and was that fall elected district attorney on the Democratic ticket, serving until 1878. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Susanville. He is a young man of good, studious haliits, and is rapidly winning an enviable position in his chosiii [jrofcssion. January 9, 1878, he married Miss Nannie Tanner, born in New York in 1800. They have been blessed with three children : Massil- 42 378 Ion, born October 13, 1878, in Prince William county, Virginia; Dorsey, born M mli 20, 1881, in Susanvillc. and died March 'Al , 1881 ; infant child, born February 1, 1882. Clakenie G. Kelley. — The latest addition to the bar of Lassen county was born in Rutland county, Vermont, in March, 1852. He came to California with his parents in 18.59. In 1860 he com- menced teaching school, and taught in Lassen and Marin counties for si-x or seven years. In 1876 he began the study of the law in the office of W. B. Haskell of Petaluma, continuing there for about two years. He was admitted to jiractice in the supreme court in November, 1879, ami in the following May he settled in Susanville, and began the jiractice of his profession. He has met with good success, and is bending his energies to reap the rewards and honors of his noble pro- fession. INDIAN DIFFICULTIES. Besides the usual trials and hardships of pioneer life, the settlers of Honey Lake valley had to guard their families from the attacks of brutal sav.ages. This condition of affairs in California existeil chiefly in the mountains and valleys of the northern jiortion of the state, where the Indians were more warlike and of a less tractable disposition than the natives of the S.acramento valley. The Indians with whom the people of this valley came in contact were of the Washoe (Wasso), Pah-Ute, and Fit River trilies, the last named being the most thieving and murderous in their disposition. From the time that Governor Roop and his eonipanions built the first habitation in the valley, in 1854, the Indians had to be carefully watched to prevent them from committing thefts, depredations, and even murders. That the Indians on the frontier have not always been treated properly, and have frequently been grossly deceived and abused, is a fact well known to all; but this does not excuse them for their acts of barbarity and Iiorrible cruelty, which are accounted for only by their inherent bloodthirsty disposition. Even in case the savages were simjily avenging real or imaginary injuries, the innocent settler who sees his wife and children in deadly peril is comforted but little by knowing tliat some other white man has wronged the savages that are now seeking the death of him and his loved ones. All that lie can see is that he and those who cling to him for jirotection are threatened with a horrible death by a fiendish, treacherous, and relentless foe. This was the condition of the jjioneer settler, and it is no won, I did not believe that the Pah-Utes had committed the murder, nor that they were at all cognizant of the fact. I attributed it entirely to the Pit River trilie, which ihe whites had foiighl and defeated, and who frequented the Black liock country in small hunting bands. There had been no difficulty of any kind between the Honey lake people and the Pah-Utes that would have provoked them to so wanton an act of revenge, especially upon Peter Lassen, who had ever been their warm friend. But the Pit River Indians, against whom we had fought, would certainly have exulted in surprising and cutting off any small jiarty of whites ; and to them alone did I attribute the murder of Lassen. Up to this time, Major Dodge, the Indian agent to the Pah-Ute tribe, had never visited the valley, to my knowledge; but shortly after tlie killing of Lassen's party he came to Honey lake, remained about one day, and returned to Carson City, with- out having had an interview with the Chief Winnemucca, or made any inquiries into the causes or the perpetrators of the murder. Shortly after the departure of Major Dodge, there appeared a statement in one of the newspapers (I think the Sacramento Union), with authority fiom Major Dodge, to the effect that he (Dodge) did not believe the Indians had killed Lassen at all, but that he was murdered by white men. This was a charge of the most unwarrantable nature against the four white men who were the only ones within hundreds of miles of the place where the massacre took])lace; and I, as their leader and commander, called Majnr Dodge to an account personally for the charge. • He retracted the charge, and promised to do so publicly through the press. Whether he did so or not I cannot say, as I have never heard of Major Dodge visiting our valley since." Mr. Weatherlow then refers at length to the filling up of the Washoe country with the rush from California in 1859, and the ditficulties that at once sprang up between the new-comers and the Pah-Utes, producing a feeling of hostility among the Indians against the whites everywhere. The first act of hostility was the murder of Dexter E. Demming, January 13, 1860. He was attacked by a band of Indians at his ranch on Willow creek, ten miles from Honey lake, himself killed, his cabin plundered, and his stock driven away. The settlers were highly excited, and addressed the follow- ing ]ietition to Governor Roop : "SusANvii.LE, Nevada Ter., Jan. 15, 1860. "Dear Sib — We, the undersigned, would most respectfully urge the necessity of your Excel- lency's calling out the military forces under your command to follow and chastise the Indians upon our bordeis. We make this request to your Excellency from the fact that we have received infor- mation that we fully rely u[ion, to the effect that Mr. Demming has been murdered, and his liouse robbed, on or about the 13th instant, by Indians, within the borders of Nevada Territory. Your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc. A. D. .McDonald, E. A. Rower, N. Purdy, Wm. Brayton, W. M. C. Cain, F. Drake, E.Aubrey, Wni. Dow, Chas. Kingman, . 381 Wm. Hamilton, D. Chandler, G. W. Fry, E. Brannan, Wm. Hill, J. E. Shearer, Geo. W. Shearer, Jas. Belcher, E. R. Nichols, Cyrus Smith, I. N. Boswick, S. S. Smith, W. O. Taylor, J. M. Painter, C. Brown, Fref] Morrison, G. W. Mitchell, John D. Robinson, S. H. Painter, Milton Craig, A. A. Holcomb, Wm. Hobby, A. D. Beecher, Dr. Jas. W. Stettinias, Dr. H. S. Barrette, B. E. Shumway, L. Vary, Joshua H. Lewis." Wm. Arullary, Thomas Bare, Z. C. Dow, Thos. Sheffield, E. G. Bangham, Henry Hatch, F. H. Moshier, U. J. Tutt, G. V. Lathrop, O. Stresley, J. Bourette, Dan Murray, J. H. Hollingsworth, Jas. A. A. Ohen [or Cohen], A. L. Tunison, Jas. Huntington, E. L. Varney, M. S. Thompson, Clark Doty, Alex. McLoud, Wm. D. Snyder, S. D. Patten, A. W. Worm, John Altman, A. B. Jenison, L. D. Sanboin, J. S. Haggett, W. Taylor, C. A. Fitch, F. Long, Mark W. Haviland, John Morrow, IT. Kingman, I.E.Ellison, M. C. Thaderson [or Shaderson]. J. W. Shearer, J. L. O'Donnell, J. W. Doyle, H. E. Arnold, L. J. Spencer, B. B. Gray, B. B. Painter, P. W. Shearer, James McFadden, J. H. Anderson, A. Ramsey, J. E. Parker, John Taylor, T. Campbell, F. A. Sloss, S. Conkey, C. Hall, Antonio StorfE, C. T. Emerson, It was not decided for the best to commence active hostilities against the Pah-Utes, until it was made to appear that the murder was committed by that tribe. Accordingly, Lieutenant U. J. Tutt, of Captain Weatherlow's company, was sent out with fifteen men to trail the murderers. They came back to Susanville and reported, January 24, 1860, that they had followed the murderers to camp, and they belonged to the Smoke creek band of P.ah-Utes. In view of the fact that prospectors were scattered through the mountains, exposed to attack in case hostilities were begun, and that great numbers of cattle were grazing in remote valleys, where they and the few herders in charge of them were at the mercy of the savages, it was decided to send two commissioners to Chief Winnemucca, to demand punishment of the offenders under the terms of the treaty. Governor Roop commis- sioned Captain William Weatherlow and Thomas J. Harvey to perform this duty. After consider- able difficulty, and an exhibition of repressed hostility by a few bands of Pah-Utes, they finally ol)tained an audience with Chief Winnemucca on the banks of Pyramid lake. The chief not only refused to visit Honey lake, or interpose his authority to prevent his followers from committing depredations, but demanded that the citizens of Honey Lake valley pay him $16,000 for the land they had taken. He was at the same time levying contributions of beef uj)on the cattle men, and the commissioners returned and reported that it was their ()])inion that "the Pah-Utes are deter- 382 mined to rob nud mnnliT ;is many of our citizens as they can, more_ especially our citizens upon the borders." Their report was made on the eleventh of February, and the following day Governor Eoo]i ade plunged into a bloody and protracted war with the Pah-Ute Indians. Within the last nine months there have been seven of our citizens murdered by the Indians. U]) to the last murder we were unable lo fasten the.se depredations on any particular tribe, but always believed it was the Pah-Utes, yet we did not wish to blame them until we were sure of the facts." After referring to the murder of Demming, the letter continued: "It is now pretty well established that the Pah-Utes killed those eight men, one of them being Mr. Peter Lassen. How soon others must fall is not known, for war is now inevitable. We have but few good arms, and but little ammunition. Therefore, I do most respectfully call upon you for a company of dragoons to come to our aid at once, as it may save a ruinous war to show them that we have other help besides our own citizens, they knowing our weakness. And if it is not in your power at present to dis]iatch a com]iany of men here, I do most respectfully demand of you arms and ammunition, with a field-piece to drive them out of the forts." In response to this appeal, no troops were sent and no arms furnished; and in the following May the murder of five men at Williams Station, on the Carson river, was followed by the massacre of Major Ormsby and his command. The particulars of this war will be found in the recently pub- lished history of Nevada. Aid was sent from California, and the AFashoe regiment, composed of volunteers from California and Nevada, was organized at Virginia City, and marched out, 544 strong, under Colonel Jack Hays, to punish the Indians. They were joined by 207 U. S. troops, under Captain J. M. Stewart, and on the second of June, had a stubborn battle with the Pah-Utes near Pyramid lake, in which the Indians were defeated, and retreated north. The Washoe regiment dis- banded, and the California volunteers returned across the mountains, leaving Caj>tain Stewart and his troops in camp at Pyramid Like, where they had thrown up earth-works, and called the place Fort Haven. Cajitain Hird, with a small company from the south end of Honey Lake valley, joined the command of Colonel Hays; while Captain Weatherlow, with thirty-live men, scouted about be- tween till' valley and Pyr.iinid lake, being on the alert to jirotect the settlers in the valley from any raid by the savages. Captain Wealherlow's narrative details the events that subsequently occurred : "On the news of the volunteers having returned to California reaching our valley, a second panic occurred. Nor was this unreasonable, for the Indians who had escaped north hell the country around the valley. A small ])arty of i)ros])cctors, who were driven in by the hostiles, had seen them in force, some 400 strong, at Wall sj)rings, on the emigrant road. We were poorly armed, short of ammunition, and many of us even destitute of provisions. The Indians had also about this time recommenced hostil- ities in their worst style. Knowing our helpless condition, they burned dwellings, drove off stock, and killed settlers at their own dwellings when remote from the town. " We were momentarily expecting an attack from an enemy with whom we were but poorly able to cope. At this critical jtmcture. Colonel F. W. Lander, superintendent of the U. S. over- land wagon road, .irriveil in our valley with his com]. .my of some tifly men, well armed and equipped. Their presence was a welcome relief to our unprotected settlement, for the Indians had grown so emboldened by success that they entered the valley within a few miles of the chief settle- ment, and in broad day killed Mr. Adams, one of our most respected and worthy citizens. Governor Rooji, with a numliei- of the priiicijial settlers, waited upon Colonel Lander, and besought him to 383 aid them in protecting the valley against the Imlians. f'olouel Laiider agrocil to take a jiart of" his force and go out to reconnoiter the Indians' position, if the settlers would raise a company to join him. He asserted that he should only seek an interview with Winnemucca ; hut if that were inijiossihle, and the chief persisted in the war, harassing the settlements, olistructing his work, or interfering with the emigration, he would fight him. On this arrangement, I joined him with thirty men. The Indians fired on our approach, killing one of my company (Alex. A. Painter). We charged and drove the Indians. They oecu]iied the mountain where our ponies could not penetrate. Colonel Lander left his arms, and went among them with a Hag. They shot at him, and although he remained, persisting in an interview, they would not grant it. When he returned we charged again, and kept up the battle for five hours, when the Indians retired at all points, going farther north. We buried the dead man on the field, and returned to Honey lake. Two days afterwards Lander's party left the valley for their work." During this battle, soon after Painter was shot, a Spaniard of Colonel Lander's command, who was dexterous with a lasso, observed one of Winnemucca's runners riding at full speed across the country towards the main band. The Spaniard was mounted on a powerful horse, and started in pur.suit of the savage, coiling his lasso as he went. The Indian, seeing he would surely be overtaken, stopped and awaited his pursuer, and when he drew near fired at him with his rifle. The Si)aniard was watching his victim closely, and, as the savage fired, threw himself around the neck of his horse, who still kept on at the top of his speed. Straightening himself up, the Spaniard whirled the rope around his head and sent it whizzing and uncoiling through the air. Checking his horse and turning about, he dashed off to rejoin his company just as the noose settled down over the shoulders of the astonished savage and jerked him from his horse. The Indian plowed the desert and swept the sage-brush at the heels of the Spaniard's horse until they reached the cheering troops, the captor e.^cultant, the victim dead as a herring. Painter's grave is on a flat at the head of a cailon that has ever since been known as Painter flat, and near him was buried the savage whose body the Spaniard brought so summarily into camp. Colonel Lander -afterwards presented S. H. Painter the flag under which his brother died. A short time after this event Colonel Lander had an interview with Numaga, one of the Pah- Ute chiefs, who reported that his followers were in a most famished condition, the result of their war against the whites, and of being driven from their home about Pyramid lake. A council was then held by Lander with Winnemucca, and a treaty of peace was made, which the old chief has carefully observed. Not long after this, two Pah-Utes came into Honey Lake vallej', and some of the settlers who had lost friends during the war tried to kill them. The two Indians were taken jirisoners by the U. S. troops under Captain Hamilton, and when Colonel Lander arrived they were released. The citizens called a meeting for the purpose of restraining such of the settlers as might by hostile acts cause a reopening of the war, and from that time the difliculties ceased, and the In- dians became as friendly and peaceable as before. About the middle of June, 1866, Mr. Joseph Hall of Susanville, while hunting horses about ten miles west of that place, came unexpectedly upon an encampment of Indians. There were present Indians from Pit i-iver, Indian valley, and Honey Lake valley, and it was evident that the latter two had met the Pit Eiver Indians for the purjpose of selling them ammunition, as those Indians were engaged in acts of hostility. As soon as they jierceived that they were discovered, they packed their ponies and left. Mr. Hall returned immediately to Susanville and reported what he had seen, and soon after a party that had been out to Pine creek on a fishing excurison returned to town and reported that they had seen the band of Pit ]{iver Indians, and indulged in a little skirmish with them, no injury having been inflicted by either party. 384 (i'ru;it uxciteinent was caused by these reports, and at duyliLclit the next morning William Dow, E. V. Spencer, B. B. Gray, Charles Drum, an. Tlie body of Cooper was horribly disfigured, probably because of his desperate resistance, and because of the fact that lie had with him a robe taken from a brave slain in a raid by a party of which he was one. The licad was severed from the body, his body was gashed horribly, and the brave heart had been torn from the breast. Cooper was born in Ashland county, Ohio, October 11, 1826. The beginning of the massacre was witnessed by John Wallenberg, a German lad of eighteen years, who was herding sheep near by for Pearson. He immediately started on the run for Fry's ranch, .and when tlie Indians observed him and gave pursuit, he had gained such a start that he made good liis escape. He was so badly frightened that he never could give a clear account of tlie manner iif his escape ; and as he was four hours in getting to the ranch, it is probable that he wandered around considerably. The morning after the massacre, a company of men started out in ]iursuit of the perpetrators, but failed to overtake them. Two Indians were found dead not far from the scene of the massacre, and it is supposed that some whites bad killed them, and their comrades took revenge upon the innocent Pearsons and the brave Coojier. The Potato War of 1857, previously alluded to, was a trouble between the settlers and the Washoe Indians, happening at the time that Captain Weatherlow's company, aided by Chief Winnemucca and his P.ah-Ute braves, were absent on their raid against the Pit River Indians. Trouble with these two tribes happening at one time made things appear very dark to the settlers, and some of them left the valley. Had Winnemucca taken up arms against the whites, instead of for them, it is probable that the whole valley would have been depopulated. In October, 1857, about 100 Washoes made a raid upon the ranch of William Morehead, about two and one-half miles north-west of Milford. Morehead was in Susanville, and the Indians har- vested liis three acres of potatoes so completely, that upon his return not a tuber was to be found. The despoiled rancher reported his loss to his neighbors, and A. G. Eppstein, W. Hill Naileigh, Henry Denney, William Jackson, and two Robinson brothers went to the camp of the marauders, some four miles south of the scene of spoliation, Morehead being lame, and remained behind. The result of their expedition was an encounter, ending in the death of three savages, the wound- ing of another, and the retreat of the party to Naileigh's cabin, closely pursued by the Indians, where they fortified. The Indians retired to the side of the mountains, and the whites all gathered • in Goodwin's log fort, to the number of twenty. They made a dash upon the Indian camp one day, killing no one, but capturing about a ton of tlie tubers that were causing so much difficulty. E. G. Ejipstein soon came with ten recruits from Indian valley, whither he had gone for assistance, and an attack upon the Indians was decided upon.' Their camp had been removed down the valley about nine miles, and the settlers proceeded thither, under cover of darkness, and made an attack at daybreak. The savages were fouml in three camps at considerable distance apart, and the attacking party was divided into three divisions, each selecting a camp. By mistake, the smallest division, only three men, attacked the largest camp, and the three men, A. G. Eppstein, W. H. Clark, and George Lathrop, had to fight their way back to the fort. Eppstein was wounded in the thigh, and was carried in a blanket by his companions a distance of four miles. The fight was maintained all the forenoon, and during its propress Captain Weatherlow, with his company and I'ah-Ute allies, appeared upon the field, and rendered good assistance. They had just returned from their raid upon the Pit River savages. Seven of the Washoes were killed and fourteen wounded. When the Pah-Utes first appeared, one of them was shot in mistake for a Washoe, and it took considerable talk and a number of presents to mollify the feelings of Chief Winnemucca, and prevent a rupture with him. 43 386 Soon alter this battle the Plumas Rangers appeared, to aid the settlers, but the Wahoes had withdrawn from the valley, and the Potato War was at an end. THE OVERLAND AND IDAHO ROUTES. The manner in which a large stream of emigration was turned in the pioneer days from the Carson and Truckee routes to pass through this county and Noble's pass has already been detailed in the early history, as also has the exploration of a route for an overland railroad by Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith, in 1854. A few years later the war department decided to layout a military wagon road across the continent, following from the Humboldt river the line laid out by Lieutenant Beckwith and terminating in Honey Lake valley. It was while engaged in laying out this road, in the summer of 18G0, that Colonel F. W. Lander arrived at the valley, and was enabled to render such valuable assistance in terminating the war with the Pah-TJtes. The particulars of an attempt made in 1857 to construct a road from Oroville to Honey Lake, to connect with the military road, will be found on page 237. When the Idaho excitement liroke out, in 1862, the peojjle of this section realized the advan- tages of establishing a route for the transportation of passengers and goods to the new mines by the way of Noble's i)ass, and began to take steps to secure such a route. By the Act of April 14, 1863, the legislature granted a franchise to John Bid well, J. C. Mandeville, R. M. Cochran, E. U. Pond, and John Guill, to construct a toll road from Chico to Honey lake, on the eastern boundary of the state. They incorporated the following year as the Chico and Humboldt Wagon Road Company, and completed their road to Susanville. Early in the spring of 1865, parties went from Susanville to Ruby City and return, going by the way of Shaeffer's, Mud Springs, Deep Hole, Granite Creek, Soldier Meadows, Summit lake, Mint springs, Gridley sjjrings, Pueblo, Trout creek. Willow creek. White Horse Creek, Crooked river. Castle creek, Owyhee river, Jordan creek valley, and Wagontown to Ruby City, a distance, as measured by a rodometer, of 332 miles. The same spring Pierce & Francis, backed by General Bidwell, started a weekly saddle-train from Chico to Idaho, by this route, to carry passengers and mail. Later in the year Major John Mullen became manager of the enterprise. Several stages were constructed, tiie route stocked, and on July 11, 1865, the first stage from Chico to Ruliy City passed through Susanville. I. N. Roop was advisory agent of the line, and W. N. DeHaven local agent. This trip occupied sixteen days, because of the newness of the road and the liostility of the Indians. ' This Litter ditliculty was so exaggerated by the newspapers that the new route met witii but little favor from tlie traveling public. On the seventh of July, 1865, a convention of 300 teamsters was held in Sacramento, at which a committee was appointed to in\estigate tlie Susanville trail. The committee reported it the best route yet found, and the consequence was that many loads of freight ])assed over the road that fall. .In September a meeting was held in Susanville, subscriptions were taken, and the money so obtained was expended in improving the road. The government stationed a few troops along the road, but not enough to be of much use in case the Indians were determined to make trouble. On this account, and because the road was not well pre])areil for winter travel, the stage line was discontinued in the fall. This, and the natural suspension of freighting during the winter, greatly discouraged the citizens of Honey Lake valley. Major Mullen went to Washington that winter, and with the assistance of General Bidwell, I 387 who then rejiresentc'd liis district in Congress, and the delegate from Idaho, secured a tri-weekly mail route from Chico to Boise City, which was let for $45,000 jjer year. The same influence secured the passage through the House of a bill appropriating §50,000 for a military road from Susanville to Ruhy City ; but the bill was referred back again to the committee, and died a natural death. The discovery of the Black Rock mines about this time, and the great rush to that region, also increased the imjiortance of the Susanville route. In May, 1866, the Sage Brush said: "The immigration to Idaho and Montana has commenced. Every day trains of men, mules, horses, and sometimes jackasses, pass through our town on a weary pilgrimage to the distant min- ing camps." In another article the following: " We must pause in our account of the discovery of the Black Rock mines, in order to give some account of the town of Susanville — a town wliich, by reason of these discoveries, and its situation on the great thoroughfare leading from California to Black Rock, Idaho, Montana, and Humboldt, bids fair to become, ne.xt to S:in Francisco, the most important town on the Pacific coast^' In May, also, the California and Idaho Stage and Fast Freight Companj- was incorporated, with a capital stock of $200,000. John Mullen was president. Aljout midnight, July 1, 1866, tlie first stage left Chico, and arrived in Ruby City in three days and five hours, a distance of 427 miles. Susanville soon acquired considerable importance as a staging center. Eight stages per week arrived there from Chico, Red Bluff, Oroville, Virginia City, and other points. The reports of the fabulous richness of the Black Rock and Owyhee mines drew a constant stream of travel through this section, and it was necessary to increase the facilities of the stage line. This was done, a daily stage was put on, and James D. Byers was appointed general superintendent of the line. They ran daily till winter set in, and then the deep snows so interfered that only about two trips a week could be made. When the contract expired the next year, the Central Pacific had completed its track east of the Sierra nearly to the big bend of the Humboldt, reducing the distance to be staged by one-half. For this reason, the government refused to renew the mail contract, freight and travel wei-e diverted to the new route, and Susanville was compelled to relinquish its dream of rivaling San Francisco in wealth and importance. HANGING OF SNOW, EDWARDS, AND LUCKY BILL. In 1857 a Frenchman named Henry Gordier bought a band of cattle, and ranged them on the ranch now occupied by Thomas Mulroney, near the head of the lake. Early in 1858, John Mullen, Asa Snow, and William Combs Edwards, known here simply as William Combs, began negotiating for the purch.ase of this stock. They soon after took possession of Gordier's log cabin and cattle, and reported that the Frenchman had sold to them, and gone immediately to Genoa, and from there to San Francisco, whence it was his intention to sail at once for the East. The neighbors thought such a hasty departure a rather strange proceeding, and wrote a letter to the missing man's brother on Feather river, asking if he knew of the intended departure of his brother. An answer in the negative deepened their suspicions, and they began to search for the missing man. They found a place on the ranch where there were evidi'nces of a struggle, and upon raking away the ashes of a fire ne.ar by, blood-stains were found and a metal button discovered. A careful search of the river resulted in finding the body, which had been placed in a sack and sunk with a large stone. Wliile this was being done, Mullen and Edwards had dep:n-ted, leaving the property in the 388 charge of Snow. The citizens aiTCsted Snow, and put him upon trial before an extemporized court, but before tlie end of the trial a mob took Snow from tlie house of L. N. Breed (now owned by T. H. Epley) and hammed him to the limb of a tall pine tree which stood upon tlie lake shore. Edwards had fled to Carson valley, and placeil liim.self under the protection of William B. Thorrington, com- monly called Lucky Bill. He owned much valuable ranch property, and the Carson Canon Toll Road, and was one of the leading settlers of that section. As to the part played by and the char- aeter of Lucky Bill there are two opinions. The people of Honey Lake valley believe him to have been the leader of a gang of robbers and cut-throats, and to have been an abettor of tlie murder of Gordier; while the majority of the old residents of Carson and Eagle valleys, where he resided, are as firmly convinced of his innocence. Lucky Bill claimed that Edwards had assured him that lie was innocent of the murder, and that he therefore undertook to secrete and protect him. W. T. C. Elliott went down from Honey Lake, and played the jiart of detective, getting into the good-graces of Lucky Bill, and learning that Edwards w.as being concealed by liim. He also became satisfied that there were bonds of union between a number oi bail characters in tliat vicinity. Elliott was one of a committee appointed to work uji the case, the others being Junius Brutus Giljiin, John Neal, Frank Johnson, and Charles Adams. When all was in readiness, thirty- two men went down from Honey Lake valley, and were joined by settlers from Waslioe, Eagle, and Carson valleys, till they had a company of nearly 100 men. A night raid was made, and Lucky Bill and eleven others were arrested. Camp was made on the ranch of Richard Sides, on Clear creek, between Genoa and Carson City. Tlie prisoners were confined in Sides' house, while the barn was used for a court-room. SettliTS congregated hei-e in great numbers to attend the trial. Three judges were chosen, John I{e.al from Honey Lake valley, and Dr. King and John L. Cary from Carson valley. Eighteen jurors were selected, six of tliem from Honey Lake valley. Elliott acted as sheriff. The judges, jurors, and spectators sat in the court-room, armed with guns and revolvers. They first tried the eleven men whom they had arrested, and against whom they could prove nothing save that they were sporting men and undesirable citizens. For this reason they were fined from ^250 to 81,000 each, and banished from the settlements. Edwards was captured through Jeroma Thorrington, the son of Lucky Bill, who was told that if he would deliver up Edwards his father's life would be spared. The result was, that Edwards was decoyed from his hiding place and captured. He was placed upon the stand to testify against Lucky Bill. 01 the trial, the Historij of Nevada says: "The evidence under oath was written down by C. N. Noteware, late secretary of state for Nevada ; and the writer of this has read it all. Not a thing api>ears there implicating Lucky Bill in anything except the attempt to secure the mur- derer's escape. The absence of any knowledge on the part of the accused of the guilt of Edwards is a noticeable feature in that testimony; that party, after having acknowledged his own guilt, swore positively that he had assured Lucky Bill that he was innocent, and no one else testified to the contran/y The jui-y believed, however, that Thorrington was cognizant of the murder, and con- victed him. He was hanged on the nineteenth of June, 1850. The same work says: "His son is now dead, and the \\ idow is wearing out her life in the Stockton Insane Asylum, in California." Edwards was brought back to Honey Lake valley, and placed on trial. He made a full confes- sion, and was hanged June 23, 1858, by the officers selected by the settlers. John Mullen, tlie third murderer, w;is never captured. 389 LASSEN COUNTY PIONEER SOCIETY. At a meeting of a number of the old settlers of Ilonoy Lake valley, at Johnston & Wood's hall, in Susanville, February 14, 188'2, for the purpose of taking into consideration the jiractica- bility of organizing a pioneer society, Dr. H. S. Borrette called the meeting to order, and on motion of A.A.Smith, Hon. J. I). Byers was chosen chairman; W. 11. Crane was selected as secretary. A brief but feeling address was made by the chairman, concluding with the statement that the meeting had been called for the purpose of, as he understood it, organizing a society of pioneers, who settled in the territory of what is now Lassen county prior to January 1, 18G0. Dr. ir. S. Borrette read the following pa]ier : " The territory now forming the boundary of Lassen county was but a few short months ago a wilderness occupied by the Pah-Ute and Washoe Indians. Up to the year 1856 but very few whites had permanently settled in Honey Lake valley, and those were principally occupied either in stock-raising or as traders ; yet these few settlers formed a nucleus of pioneers Ijattling for years with the savages, and undergoing the many privations and annoyances of border life, until they were finally joined by others, making the settlement of sufficient strength to compel the red man to retire, and to give to the liardy pioneer peaceable possession of the territory. But as the years rolled on, from the many exigencies and diversities of interests, many of the first settlers removed from our midst, and tlie few that remain are being absorbed in the general mass, and are becoming lost to view; but the ties of friendship that bound them together as pioneers for the protection of life and property can never be effaced from memory ; and although seas and continents may separate them, the kindest thoughts and well wishes with the hand of friendship will always be extended to all the old friends of pioneer days; and to this end it is desirable that a pioneer associa- tion or club be formed, to be known as the Lassen County Pioneer Association, and the object to perpetuate and cement the friendship of the long-ago." E. V. Spencer, A. A. Smith, Dr. Z. N. Spalding, N. Clark, Dr. P. Chamberlin, D. Titherington, E. G. Bangh.am, and W. H. Crane spoke in favor of the organization ; and on motion, a committee, consisting of W. IL Crane, E. V. Spencer, and Dr. P. Chamberlin, was appointed to draft a consti- tution and by-laws, to be submitted to a meeting to be held March 4, 1882. At the ailjourned meeting the committee reported, and the regulations submitted by them were adopted. The fol- lowing gentlemen signed the roll: James D. Byers, Frank S. Strong, John C. Davis, John Baxter, Jerry Tyler, David Titherington, Dr. Z. N. Spalding, Dr. P. Chamberlin, Colonel L. N. Breed, Dr. H. S. Borrette, N. Clark, L. Woodstock, J. P. Sharp, Dr. M. P. Chamberlin, A. G. Eppstine, W. H. Clark, Robert Johnston, K. D. Bass, William Dow, G. W. Fry, S. S. Bass, J. E. Bass, W. P. Hall, E. G. Bangham, T. J. Mulroney, A. A. Smith, Leroy Arnold, John Lowe. Jr., E. V. Spencer, S. R. Hall, I'hilip Boody, Davis C. Hall, and W. H. Crane. (George Greeno has since united.) The'article regulating membership reads : " Eligibility to membership shall consist of being a male citizen who was born or actually settled within the territory of what is now Lassen county prior to July 1, 18G0." 390 JOURNALISM. On tliu first day of July, 1865, the initial jjublioation of Lassen county, The Scu/e Brush, a four- page, six-column weekly newspaper, made its appearance at Susanville. It was inaugurated by A. C. Longniore, an Englishman who liad traveled extensively in tropical countries before coming to the United States. The articles emanating from Iiis ))en were written in a clear, forcible, pleasant style, entirely devoid of ambiguity. Politically, he es])oused the principles of republicanism; and if a portion of his patrons were at variance with hhn in opinion, they have always done liiin the justice to say they believed him sincere in all liis writings. Longmore continued at the helm, advocating the interests of this section at all times, until August 10, 1867, at which time the name of A. T. Bruce, editor and proprietor, appeared at the head of the first column. Mi-. Bruce, whose biography is given elsewhere, was a young man of consider- able ability, and while he continued to wield the editorial pen, the pajier was conducted in an able and vigorous manner. In politics he was republican, and at the judicial election in 1867 was chosen county judge for two year.s, and acted in that capacity to the end of his term. He continued, however, to edit The Sage Brush until September b, 18G8, when John 0. Partridge bought the establishment, changed the name to Lassen Sage Brush, and entered upon the discharge of the arduous duties of a country editor, which he did to the satisfaction of its i)atrons. His biography is given elsewhere. Mr. Partridge conducted the paper independent of all political parties, believing this to be but justice to all in a county where the patronage was not adequate to the support of two papers. It was managed solely as a business enterprise, and not for ])ersonal, political, or literary fame, always aiming to give the public value received for their money. Other pursuits occupied so much of his time that he decided to form a copartnership, selling a half-interest to his brother-in-law, D. C. Slater. Mr. Slater was a democrat, and this independent course outlined at the beginning was continued. They afterwards changed the name to The Lassen Advocate, and together continued its publication until Mr. Slater withdrew and embarked in the same business farther north, starting T'he Modoc Independent, the first paper in Modoc county, where he has since lived. Mr. Partridge managed the paper until he sold out, and was succeeded June 22, 1878, by E. A. ^Yeed, a gentleman who had but recently arrivi'd in the county. Mr. Weed bought the material formerly used in the publication of the Lassen County Farmer, and merged the two pa))crs into one. His course was independent, althougli he leaned towards republicanism. He changed the title, October 19, 1878, to Lassen Advocate, which appellation it still retains. During the year 1880 he started a newspaper at Greenville, Plumas county, and soon after sold ihc jiajier here to D. C. Hyer, his name appearing as proprietor November 19, 1880, for the last time. Mr. Hyer at once formed a copartncrsliip with Albert L. Shinu, late of the Mountain Jievicir. to whom he sold a half-interest. In politics Mr. Hyer was democratic; but they paid no attention to politics, aiming to avoid ])artisanship as much as possible. These gentlemen continued togetlier until Ai)ril 1, 1881, when llyer sold lo his partner, stating in his valedictory that "his preferences led him to embark in other pursuits." Mr. Shinn continued to manage and edit the sheet until October 28, 1881, when he resigned his office, material, and pen to N. S. McKinsey, and retired from the field of Lassen county journalism. 391 Mr. McKitisey first entered into jdurnalisin in Modoe county, where he is still interested. Since the purchase of the Advocate he has remained here in active management of the paper constantly. In politics he has maintained a strictly neutral and independent course. In the past the people have spoken of liis management in terms of appreciation, and it is evident from his record that lie possesses that varied experience essential to the successful management of a country journal. His partner is D. C Slater, who is interested with him in the same business in Modoc county, whicli brancli lie manages. The Advocate is now a seven-column, four-page weekly, published every Thursday. October 22, 1874, the first number of the Lassen County .Tcimial made its appearance. George M. Pierce was editor and proprietor. He continued the [mblication for a year, and then retired. The press lay idle until the spring of 1876, when J. G. Law and W. S. Lewis, both of Eeno, Nevada, revived the paper, under the name of The Lassen County Farmer. Law soon retired, and Lewis continued the publication a few months, and abandoned it. After another season of suspension, it was again revived by T. II. Dawson. It was soon suspended again, and in 1878 was combined with the Advocate. November 12, 1879, Albert L. Shinn began publishing the Mountain lieciew, a four-page, five- column jiaper, issued once a week. Politicaly, he said he was "with the people and for the people," which meant that he would run an independent paper. In the campaign of 1880 he advocated llie greenback cause. lie assumed the aggressive from the first, denouncing the leaders of ihe republican and democratic parties abroad and at home. In the early part of December, 1879, his brotlier James O. became associated with him, and continued until the time of liis death, August 16, 1880, at the age of 33 years. Albert continued the liusiness alone until November 10, 1880, when the last number was printed, having been issued just one year. He then associated himself with Mr. Ilyer in the Adi'ocate. JANESVILLE. The little town of Janesville is pleasantly situated in the edge of the timber, four miles west of the upper end of Honej' lake. It lies at tlie base of the beautiful Sierra, which rise above it on the south. It is about twelve miles south of Susanvilk', on the road to Reno, and on the south side of an arm of Honey Lake valley which lies along Baxter creek. In the s])ring of 1857 Thomas Mitchell located a section of land in which was embraced the site of the present town of Janesville. He sold it that fall to Malcom Bankhead, and the new proprietor erected a two-story house of hewn logs, on the ground now occupied by J. E. Bailey's hotel. Bankhead was a blacksmith by trade, and built a shop near the creek, on the opposite side of Main street, in which he worked for a number of years. The next residence was built in 1858 by Smith Hill. It, too, was a log house, and stood on the opposite side of the street from its predecessor. In 1862 David Blanchard opened a general merchandise store, and in 1864 sold it to L. N. Breed. In 1873 Mr. Breed built a new store across the street from the old one, and still conducts the only merchandising business in the town. Tlie second story of his new building he fitted up for a hall, and Odd Fellows, Masonic, and Workmen lodges hold their meetings there. In 1867 there was opened a second store, but it was discontinued a year later. Tliei'e were, fir a time, two saloons, but one of them closed its doors. During the Indian troubles iu the early settlement times, a log fort was built just north-west of 392 where the town now stands. This was used as a place of refuge in time of danger. Later it was converted into a school-house, and served as the seat of learning for the vicinity until 1867, when the present school building was erected. Until 1864 Janesville was simply known as tlie Bankliead place; but during that year a post- office was established, and a name was necessary. Mr. Breed, the present incumbent, was appointed postmaster ; and in honor of Mrs. Jane Bankhead, the first lady who lived there, the new town was called Janesville. The town now contains L. N. Breed's store, J. E. Bailey's hotel, a saloon, post- office, fraternal hall, school-house, and about two dozen residences. IIoxEY Lake Lodge No. 223, L O. O. F.— This lodge was diartcred October 14, 1873, B. F. Sheldon, Jerry Bond, P. R. James, William M. McClelland, and Charles Barham being the charter members. The lodge lias now a membership of thirty, and the past grands are B. F. Sheldon, P. R. James, L. N. Breed, A. Otto, Jerry Bond, and T. R. Epley. Jaxesville Lodge No. 232, F. r mercantile purposes, and still stands just to the east of Cutler Arnold's log hotel- The first stock of merchandise of any considerable magnitude was biought to Susanville in 1862, by I. J. ilarvey and E. D. Ilosselkus, and placed in Neale's frame building. This stood on the ground adjoining Skadden's livery stable, and was Otto's blacksmith shop, when it was destroyed by the tire of 1881. A fire-proof store building, the first in the town, was built of stone, by Andrew Miller and Rufus Kingsley, over the front door of which they placed a stone tablet bearing the inscription) •' 1863." It is in the central portion of the town, and has always been occupied as a store. In this, by the })rovisions of the statute creating Lassen county, the commissioners to organize tlie county held their first meeting. After meeting and electing a chairman and clerk, they adjourned to the Masonic Hall, on the north-west corner of Lassen and Main streets. I'eter Lassen, who settled in the valley in 1855, was a blacksmith by trade; and the first work of that nature done in the valley was bj- that old pioneer. In 1859, Clark Rugg & Harper opened a shop on the south side of Main street, in a log house near where Smith's hotel now stands. Clark Rugg was arrested in I860 for stealing a horse, and was convicted at Quincy, in May, 1861, of larceny, and sent to San Quentin for five years. The record of that institution says he was "discharged January 12, 1862"; but as we learn that he was killed while attempting to escape, we are forced to conclude that the authorities of that prison have more than one way of discharging a felon. 395 During the summer of 1860 Dr. Z. J. Brown came into the valley with a small stock of drugs, and displayed his healing wares to the suffering publie beneath a canvas tent. In the fall he had SI prospered that he erected a frame building where Smith's hotel now stands. It was octagonal in shape, and from this peculiarity the. proprietor was endowed with the title of Dr. Eight Square. In 18(51 he bought a piece of land from Governor Roop, embracing that on which Fort Defiance stands, and tran.splanted quite an extensive orchard of apple and peach trees, claimed to be the first in the valley, though Mr. L. Vary is credited with having planted a number of peach stones some time before this. The property reverted to Governor Roop, and is now owned by A. T. Arnold. In 1859 the first regular saloon was opened on the north side of Main street, midway between Gay iind Union, by B. B. Painter and George Mitchell, and was known as the Black Rock. The town has now three establishments of this character. The first frame dwelling-house in Susanville was erected in the fall of 1859 by A. B. Jenison, on the south side of Main street and in the eastern end of the town. It is now owned by W. H. Harrison. It was 16x30 feet in size, sided up with planed shakes, and was ornamented with a rustic cornice, making a fine residence for those pioneer days. As many of the settlers had their families with them, facilities for educating their children were soon required. In 1858 Malcom Scott opened a private school in a small building that stood on the south side of Cottage street, about midway between Gay and Lassen streets. Dr. James W. Stettinius taught a school in 1859, in a frame building that stood on the south side of Main street near where the blacksmith shop now stands. The next school was taught in 1861-62 by Miss Fannie Long, in a building on the north side of Main street, where the Black Rock saloon was kept. In 1863 a school-house was built on the site of the present building It was a frame structure, one story in height, and 20x30 feet in size. This building was used until 1872, when the school becoming too large to be accommodated in it, the old house was moved away, and a fine, two-story, frame school-building was erected. This was 30x60 feet in size, and was divided into two rooms. It was surmounted bj' a tower, in which a fine bell was suspended. Again, in 1881, it became necessary to enlarge the school accommodations, owing to the great increase of attendance, and a frame addition, 28x45 feet and one story high, was built on. A view of the structure as it now appears will be seen on the title-page. The school facilities are of a high order, and give evidence of a desire on the part of the citizens to give their children as good an education as can be obtained in any public school in the state. In 1876 the First Congregational Church of Susanville was built, at an expense of S2,200, the money being donated by the citizens. In 1877 a Methodist church was erected through the exertions of Rev. Warren Nines, who had been sent to this circuit from the Nevada conference three years before. This energetic divine wheeled nearly all the rocks used in the foundation, and worked hard and alone to accomplish something, in the lack of funds to hire help. "Little Nines,'" as he was called, was so persistent and so thoroughly in earnest, that the people all became inter, ested in his work, and subseril>ed liberally, without resjject to religious opinion, business, or occupation — the sporting fraternity not being behind the others in their donations. The result was that a fine church edifice was erected, and was dedicated in the fall of 1877, by Bishop Bowman. Hoth of these cliurches appear on the title-page. Besides many good residences, Susanville contains at the present time six stores, two jewelers, two drug stores, three saloons, three hotels, one li\ery stable, one feed stable, two barber-shops, one blacksmith and wagon shop, one market, two shoe-stores, one harness and saddlery store, five 396 i attorneys, four physicians, one dentist, a post-office, express office, telegraph office, two chiirclies, a school-house, and six fraternal organizations. The Lassen Advocate, now in its seventeenth volume, is published weekly by N. S. McKinsey and D. C. Slater. It is an excellent local journal, with four pages of seven columns each, devoted to the interests of Lassen county. A United States land office was established here in 1871, by the exertions of Hon. John S. Ward. The Susanville cemetery is prettily located on a knoll just outside of town.- It was first selected in November, 1860, for the last resting place of Perry M. Craig, son of Milton Craig, who was drowned in a mill-pond near town. It was inclosed in 1864. As many from all over Honey Lake valley, as well as many emigrants, were buried here, it was decided in 1879 to enlarge the grounds, and that fall a new fence was built, inclosing a lot 300x416 feet. In 1881 water was conducted to the cemetery in an iron pipe, and flowers and shade trees may now be planted with an assurance of springing up to beautify and adorn this quiet spot. The first establishment of a post-office was made March 17, 1859, and Governor Roop was appointed postmaster. The government allowed the office to support itself upon its receipts, and as best it could otherwise, for a time, Mnd then made a regular office of it. In 1877 a telegraph line was constructed from Susanville to Taylorville, in Plumas county, to connect with the Western Union line there. It was built by .1. H. Maxwell, and W. G. and J. C. Young, at an expense of S2,000, subscriptions, to be taken out in use of the wire, being given to the amount of -Sl,250. In 1881 the line was sold and removed, as the receipts did not pay the expense of keeping it in repair; and Susanville was again cut off from telegraphic connection with the world. The first fire of any magnitude in Susanville occurred March 17, 1865, destroying Weiitworth & Wilson's livery stable, where it originated, Lovell & Wiggin's blacksmith shop, Fredonyer's saloon, J. Smith's hotel and brewery, a tailor-shop, a butcher-shop, Samuel Peyser's store and dwelling-house, and R. F. Moody's drug store. There were no facilities at hand for combating the flames, and the citizens could make but little headway against them. The loss amounted to 820,000, on which there was no insurance. No other fire of any magnitude occurred until Sunday morning, November 6, 1881, when a fire was started in H. N. Skaddan's Empire livery stable. The citizens worked with determination, forming a bucket line, and succeeded in confining the fire to the row of buildings in which it originated. The Empire and Fashion stables. Otto's blacksmith shop, Frank Strong's residence, and the dwelling of J. G. Newington, occupied by A. L. Shinn, were destroyed. Forty-one horses were burned to death. The loss amounted to about S22,000, the insurance being only $5,000. Lassen Lodge No. 149, F. & A. M. — March 21, 1861, the grand master of California issued a dispensation to John S. Ward, David Titherington, Absalom M. Vaughn, Richard D. Bass, D. J. Wilmans, Stephen D. Bass, and A. D. McDonald, to organize a lodge of Masons at Richmond, Honey Lake valley. At that time, owing to a mining excitement, the town of Richmond had sprung u]) suddenly into the most important and populous settlement in the county, completely overshadowing and distancing Susanville. The first meeting under the dispensation was held April 18, 1861. A charter was granted in May, 1862, and the lodge was instituted in due form, June 24, 1862. In October a dispensation was obtained for that purpose, and the place of meeting was changed to Susanville. This was done because Richmond had " gone up like a rocket, and come down like a stick," and Susanville had been left to glory over the decay of her rival. The present membership is 72, and since its organization 192 persons have belonged to the lodge. The masters of the lodge have been: John S. Ward, 1861-1869; A. A. Smith, 1870; J. C. Partridge, i CAPT C.A.MERRILL 397 1871 ; J. R. Lockwood, 1872; W. H. Crane, 1873-1877; J. C. Tartridge, 1878-1880; J. W. Hen- •Irick, 1881; Jnnios Branham, 1882. Lassen Chaptee No. 47, R. A. M — A dispensation was granted on the fifth of August, 1874, for the organization of this chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Susanville. July 23, 187.5, the chapter "was instituted under the charter hy Hon. Thomas H. Caswell. Allen Wood was installed as n. P.; J. C. Partridge as K. ; and J. B. Lockwood as S. The gentlemen who have held the office of high priest are General Allen "Wood, J. C. Partridge, J. R. Lockwood, E. G. Banghani, and P. J. Goumaz. Lassen Commandeet No. 13, K. T. — June 11, 1877, a dispensation was issued to organize this conimandcry, with Allen Wood, E. C. ; E. S. Talbot, G. ; and W. B. Bransford, C. G. The commandery was instituted under the charter April 23, 1878, by Thomas Callow. There is now a membership of 62. The position of E. C. has been held by General Allen Wood, E. S. Talbot, A. A. Smith, and J. C. Partridge. The present incumbent is General Wood. Silver Star Lodge No. 135, L O. O. F. — This lodge was instituted June 19, 1868, by Charles N. Fox, G. M., with Z. N. Spalding, William Brockman, I. J. Harvey, J. Jansen, Jacob W. Smith, Samuel Peyser, and David Knoch as charter members. The lodge has now a membership of 52. SusANviLi.E Encampment No. 66, I. O. O. F. — D. G. C. P. Applegate organized this encampment July 5, 1881. The chaiter members were C. M. Fuller, Z. N. Spalding, Morris Asher, B. F. Sheldon, Lewis Powers, E. Etzeliouse, and Marcus Nathan. The membership has now increased to 21. Laueel Lodge No. 134, A. O. U. W. — This lodge was instituted in Susanville, October 2, 1878, by Harold G. Oliver, D. G. M. W. The charter members were Wright P. Hall, P. M. W.; William H. Cr.ane, M. W. ; Albert G. Cummins, F.; T. H. Ward, O. ; Edward A. Weed, Rec'd; Paul M. Norboe, Fin.; J. D. Newington, Rec'v; Thomas B. Sanders, G. ; George E. Lybarger, I. W. ; Samuel Johnson, O. W. ; George Hurley, Med. Ex. The lodge has steadily grown in strength, and in January, 1882, had 47 membei's. The gentlemen who have held the position of M. W. are W. H. Crane, A. B. Cummins, J. G. Newington, T. B. Sanders, M. P. Chamberlin, and W. T. Masten. MILFORD. On the tenth day of May, 1856, Robert J. Scott located, for farming purposes, a section of land about twenty-five miles south-east of Susanville. On a portion of this, one and one-half milts from the west shore of Honey lake, and on the stage road to Reno, lies the town of Milford. Scutt built a shanty of logs and brush, inclosed five or six acres of his land with a brush fence, and raised a small crop. He diverted for irrigating purjioses the water of Mill creek, a stream that flows from the mountains skirtitig the lake on the west, and discharges into Honey lake. About a year later Scott sold his claim to Peter Lassen, who proceeded to build a log house, but abandoned it before completion. It was near the site of Fairchild's saw-mill, about 400 yards west of town. In 1859 Frederick Washburn and Thomas Fairchilds bought the property from the administrators of Las- sen's estate, and in I860 built the water-power saw-mill above alluded to, now owned by the widow of Mr. Fairchilds. In 1861 Judson Dakin and Joseph C. Wemple built a grist-mill, now in the center of the town, which has been operated by the water of Mill creek ever since. It is a two- story, frame structure, and is now owned by Mr. H. H. Dakiii. 398 The first residence in Milford was the log house whicli Lassen had commenced, and which Washburn and Fainhilds completed. In 1862 H. C. Wilkins built a store on the ground now occupied by H. H. Dakin's residence. In 1864 W. Adams opened a saloon, and in the fall of the same year E. T. Fairchild built adjoining it a two-story, frame hotel. These form a portion of the property of L. P. Whiting, in which II. E. McClelland now resides. The school-house was erected in 1865, and Miss F. Montgomery, now Mrs. E. V. Spencer, first presided at its desk. Washburn Brothers built the present blacksmith shop in 1864, and in 1870 completed the hotel now managed by S. A. Doyle. The name Milford was bestowed upon the settlement in 1862, at the suggestion of J. C. Wemple, on account of the mills which composed the business and industry of the place. Tlie town now contains a saw-mill, grist-mill, hotel, store, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, post-office, school-house, and some fifteen dwelling-honses. JOHNSTONVILLE. There is a little place four miles south-east of Susanviile, at the point where the Reno road crosses Susan river, which is now known as Johnstonville, having been so named some years ago by Robert Johnston, an early pioneer of this valley, and who has for over twenty years resided on his farm at that place. It was for a long time called Toadtown. Tradition hath it that in the early .settlement of the valley, whenever a heavy rain-storm was experienced, the ground was literally cov- ered with diminutive toads. It is prettily siluafed on tiie hanks of the river, auil surrounded by thrifty farms. The place comprises about a dozen houses, wiiich include a school-house, blacksmith shop, and the Lassen Mills, now owned by Hall & Snyder. The first mill at this place was built by Johnson Cunningham and Dr. Briceland, and commenced operations in January, 1864. LASSEN FLUME AND LAND COMPANY. In the early part of 1874, C. A. Merrill came to Lassen county, and built a saw-mill seven miles west of Susanviile. During the summer he conceived the idea of bringing the water of Eagle lake, through the intervening range of hills, to the tract of 150,000 acres of dry sage-brush land lying to the east, north, and west of Honey lake. By this means this land, otherwise valueless, could be fertilized and rendered highly productive. Eagle lake is a body of water covering 116 square miles, and surrounded by thousands of acres of pine forest. It lies 5,100 feet above the level of the sea, and 1,100 feet above the tract of land to be fertilized. Mr. Merrill's plan was to convey the water of Eagle lakr through the mountain by means of a tunnel 6,000 feet long, and 10x12 feet in dimensions, to the head of Willow creek, thence down that stream eighteen miles, from which point ditches and flumes were to distribute it over the tract of desert land. To derive the pro])er benefit from this scheme, it required that the land be procured at a price much chea|)er than the valuatiiiii |il:u-ed n|H)n public lauds. Mr. Merrill associated with liiiii Alviso Hayward,anil went to Washington in the wmler of 1874-5 and procured the passage of the Desert Land Act to apply to the county of I>assen only, but which was afterwards made general in its operations. Merrill and Hayward then located a large tract of land under the provisions of this Act, and in the spring of 1875 commenced work on the tunnel, which is now 600 feet long. Flume, ditch, and pipes have 399 also been partially construetfd. In 1875 Mr. Hayward and Mr. Merrill severed their business con- nection, and Mr. Merrill retained the desert land location and irrigation privilege. In 1881 Mr. Merrill sold a half-interest for -letion. In the spring of 1882 these gentlemen laid out a town covering G40 acres, where the water is taken from the creek by the ditches and flumes. 3000 shade-trees have been planted, and will soon be an ornament to the streets of the new town, through which it is expected that the Reno and Oregon railroad will pass. A hotel and store will be erected this season, and it is expected that a thriving village will quickly spring up, to be, perhaps, in a few years, the metropolis of the county. Mr. Merrill has bestowed the name of Belfast upon it, in honor of his native city in the state of Maine. HAYDEN HILL. Fifty-five miles north-westerly from Susanville lies the mining camp of Hayden Hill, the seat «)f the only mining of importance carried on in the county. The hill rises to a height of 1,000 feet above the surrounding table-land, which is itself some 5,000 feet above the sea-level. There are now eight quartz-mines being worked on the hill, yielding $100,000 per annum, with the promise that a much greater yield will reward a. more complete development. The hill received its name from a Mr. Ilayden, who, with S. Lewis, discovered gold-bearing quartz on the hill in 1869. Lewis was the original discoverer of the Brush ITill mine, from which the Hoes and Harbert brothers and Jerry Rose have taken $100,000. In the summer of 1870 Rev. Harvey Haskins, Rev. Mr. McKenzie, Miles, McDowell, Preston, and two others, while searching for "the lost cabin," camped one noon at a spring on the side of this hill. To secure a more abundant supply of water, Haskins began enlarging the spring, and soon found gold on his shovel. In their gratitude they called the location they then made Providence, or Mt. Hope. After realizing some §40,000 from washing the decomjiosed quartz, they were drawn into a mill enterprise with a San Francisco company, whose superintendent knew nothing of practical mining. After crushing 100 tons of wall rock, in which tliere was no pay except the vein matter on the surface, they removed their mill and condemned the hill. The eight paying mines there now show how valu.able was tlieir judgment. The little mining camp now called Hayden Hill has existed since the spring of 1871. It was known for a number of years as Providence City, but in the winter of 1878 a post-office was estab- lished there, with the name of Hayden Hill. The town contains two hotels, a store, blacksmith shop, saloon, and a population of about 200, chiefly engaged in mining. It lias tri-weekly stage and mail connection with Susanville. BIEBER. That fine expanse of agricultural land lying in the extreme north-western section of the county, and known as Big valley, contains a thriving little town named Bieber. It is situated on Pit river, toward the west side of the valley, at a locality that was until 1877 known as Chalk Ford. At that time a store was opened there by N. Bieber, and the town has since borne that 400 gentleman's name. In 1879 Mr. Bieber secured the location of a post-office at that point. There are now two stores, two hotels, a restanrant, a barber-shop, two saloons, a livery stable, a post-office, a wet'klv newspaper, and a lodge of Odd Fellows and one of Good Templars. The population of the town proper is about 200, and of the agricultural section in which it is situated, about 500. A tri-weekly stage and mail connects this place with Susanville, and a daily stage and mail route jiasses from Redding through the town, and thence to Aden, Alturas, and Lake View. The Mountain Trihune, a seven-column, four-page, weekly paper was first issued in Bieber May 6, 1881, by Thomas P. Ford, who still conducts it. The jiaper is independent in politics, and is devoted to the interests of its section of the county. HANGING OF CHARLES BARNHART. A case of summary justice occurred June 25, 1865, at Mud flat, beyond Granite creek, in a party headed by Captain Pierce, of the firm of Pierce & Francis, jiroprietors of the Idaho stage line. This party had started out with a number of wagons and pack animals to work upon the road. On the morning in question Captain Pierce sent William Rogan to Charles Barnliart for a rope to be used in packing. Barnhart refused to give him the desired article, and when he laid his hand upon the rope to take it, drew his revolver and killed Rogan on the spot. There were prefent thirty citizens and ten soldiers, and they at once formed a court, tried the inurden-r, and sentenced him to death. During the hour of life granted hiui, Barnhart behaved in a most reckless manner, e.vhibiting that In-avado that men of his class are pleased to call courage. A gallows was improvised from wagon tongues, the prisoner was placed in jjosition with a rope around his neck, and was then asked to prefer a dying request. He said he wanted them all to get in front of him, so that he could take a good look at them before lie left. His request was complied with, and he left immediately afterwards. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. A. T. Arnold. — This gentleman is a native of Delaware County, Ohio, where he was born June 12, 1833. In 1854 he came to California, via Panama. He remained a year at Martinez, then went to Marysville, and thence to La Porte, where he engaged in mining, packing, teaming, and butchering, until the fall of 1858, when he came to Susanville to live. He was engaged in teaming, and in the boot and shoe business, until 1870, since when he has been engaged in farming and fruit culture. He is a Master Mason, and a metid)er of the A. O. U. W. In politics, he is a republican. December 27, 1864, he married Miss Susan E. Eoop, daughter of Hon. 1. N. Roop, the lady in whose honor the town of SusanVille was named. They have been blessed with seven children, five of wliom are still spared to them: Susie M., born June 21, 1866; I. N. R., August 22, 1868; A. T., October 12, 1873; Thomas C, December i>5, 1874 ; Dora M, May 13, 1876; Victor, May 24, 1879 ; Mark E., October 17, 1881. They were all born in Susanville. A. T. died March 1, 1874, and Thomas C, April 17, 1875. E. G. Bangiiam. — He was born in Niagara county. New York, January 16, 1834. Three years later the family moved to Calhoun county, Michigan, and settled on a farm. In the sjjring of 1851 I VIEWS IN MILFORD, LASSEN CO.,CAL. 401 lie liclpod to drive the first liaixl of sheep overl;in(l to this state. They belonged to J. P. Long, and of 1,G00, but 800 reached tlicir destination. He stayed in Sonoma county until June, 1852, and then returned east by water. After farming in Michigan until 1859, he crossed the plains again, and settled in Honey Lake valley. He purchased an interest in the Hatch, Dow, & Johnson ranch, and sold it in 1868, when he returned to Michigan. He again came to this county in 1869, and purchased 160 acres of William Dow, five miles east of Susanville, where he still resides. Mr. Bangham is a member of the Susanville commandery. In politics he is a republican. He lias served one term as supervisor, and two as coroner. September 10, 1861, he married Miss Louise Borrette, born in Philadelphia October 10, 1846. Their family consists of five children : Nettie A., born January 4, 1863; Frank H., July 21, 1867; Addie O., October 4, 1872; Sandusky, July 17, 1875 ; Ross, September 11, 1879 ; all in Honey lake valley. Thomas M.ahion Baeham. — February 8, 1840, Mr. Barbara was born in Green county, Missouri. When Thomas was nine years of age his father died. In 1857 the mother removed to California with the family. Thomas lived the first winter in Yuba county, and there bought and worked a farm for six years. In 1864 he moved to this county, settling on the place now owned by P. J. Spoon. Two years later he bought a portion of the Hoffman ranch, and stopped there two years. He then sold out, and bought his present farm of 160 acres, about six miles east of Janes- ville, to which he has added 80 acres more. He is a member of Honey Lake Lodge No. 223, I. O. O. F. Politically, Mr. Barbara is a democrat. May 9, 1878, he married Miss C. O. Lay, born in Green county, Missouri, in August, 1850. Of their children, William D. was born March 8, 1879, in Lassen county, California ; and Franklin, March 8, 1881, in Green county, Missouri. John Baxter. — A native of Dundee, Scotland, Mr. Baxter was born December 25, 1812. At the age of eighteen he went to sea, which he followed seven years. He navigated the Mississippi two years, and farmed for a time in Texas. He served all through the Mexican war. In April, 1849, he started from San Antonio, Texas, for California, arriving on the Tuolumne in September. He rained on that stream until 1852, and then on the north fork of Feather river, in Plumas county. In the summer of 1852 he went out trading with the emigrants, with Jim Beckwourth, and then ranched in Yuba county till 1857. He then came to Honey Lake valley, and located the ranch on which J. D. Byers now resides. On this he built a log cabin and lived a year, when he traded the property for a mule. Since then he has farmed some, and prospected all over the coast, always making this county his home. He is one of the genuine pioneers of Lassen county. J. C. Blake. — He was born in Virginia, February 14, 1832. In the spring of 1850 he started for California, arriving in Placerville in August. He spent four years in mining, in Trinity, Shasta, and Siskiyou counties. In 1855 he commenced merchandising in Trinity, was burned out the same year, and resumed raining in Shasta county. Three years later he again began merchandising in Shasta county. In 1861 he sold out, and took a stock of goods to Humboldt, Nevada, in 1862, and returned to Shasta. In 1863 he embarked in general teaming, and continued until 1867, when he came to Lassen county and located a farm near the town of Susanville, where he has since resided. In March, 1871, he was ajipointed justice of the peace, and has since served in that capacity, by election and appointment, his present term expiring in 1883. In [lolitics, he is a democrat. He is a member of Lassen Lodge No. 149, F. & A. M. November 26, 1862, he married Rhoda Armstrong of Shasta county. Their children are William Lee, born April 17, 1864; Addie, March 29, 1872; Maud, September 12, 1876; J. C, Jr., July 29, 1879. Jerut Bond. — He was born May 27, 1842, in Monroe (now Noble) county, Ohio. He worked on his father's farm and attended school until he was seventeen years of age, and then went to 45 402 Brown county, ludiana, and farmed until 1861. lie tben returned to Lis old home, and during 1862 was with a government supply train in Tennessee and Mississippi. In the spring of 1863 he went to Boise City, Idaho, and engaged in mining and teaming until the fall of 1866, having spent the winter of 1864 at the Dalles, and of 1865 at Salem. He then came to Susanville and lived until the fall of 1869, when he located 160 acres of land four miles east of Janesville, where he has since resided. Mi-. Bond is a member of Janesville Lodge, F. & A. M., and Honey Lake Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is a democrat in politics. October 24, 1869, he married Miss Mary I. Painter, born in Andrew county, Missouri, August 14, 1852. They have five children: Samuel H., born September 21, 1870; Janjes W., May 1, 1872; Charles S., August 28, 1874; Amy J., February 8, 1878 ; Wirt D., June 20, 1881. James Bkanham. — He was born in Callaway county, Missouri, April 2, 1835. In 1846 his parents emigrated to California, reaching San Jose in December. James remained there until 1863, when he went to Sonera, Mexico, and engaged in miniuL? six years. From 1869 to 1873 he was merchandising and farming. He then came to Susanville, and has lived here ever since. He mined one year, and then followed surveying until 1879, when he was elected district attorney for three years, on the democratic ticket. In 1875 he was elected coimty surveyor, and 1877 a justice of the peace. In 1881 he opened a jewelry store in Susanville. He is a member of Lassen Com- mandery No. 13, K. T. Levi Newton Bkeed. — Mr. Breed was born in Manlius, Onondaga county, New York, December 6, 1832. When he was four years old the family removed to Hannibal, in the same state, where he worked on his father's farm, and attended school until the spring of 1850. He then went to Schuyler county, Illinois, and farmed and went to school two years. In 1853 he came across the plains, and reached Plumas county with four bits in his pocket. He went to San Francisco, where his liiothcr, who was in the drug business, purchased for him a newspaper route of the Times and Transcript, for $700. Within two months the paper suspended, and the investment was lost. He then mined for a year in Plumas county, then .sold goods a year, and in the sjiring of 1856 opened a trading-post in Honey Lake valley. He continued merchandising until 1859, when he went over- land to Prazer river. In the fall of 1860 he returned to Honey Lake valley, and settled on the Epley ranch. A year later he removed to Indian valley, and kept a livery stable for a year. He then came again to this valley, and bought a merchandising business in Janesville, where he has since been in business. He also owns 500 acres of farm land and 500 acres of timber near the town. Mr. Breed was one of the commissioners to organize Lassen county. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Janesville. In politics, he is a republican. September 21, 1861, he was mar- ried to Miss Samantha Blood, born in New York, August 10, 1843. She died August 19, 1867, leaving one son, Frederick Arthur, born July 7, 1862. He was again married May 28, 1870, to Miss Annie J. Blunt, born in Summerset county, Maine, September 20, 1852. They have one daughter, Lillian, born June 24, 1871. James D. Byers. — The first sheriff of Lassen county was born near Meadville, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1825. Five years later his father died. His attendance at school amounted to .ibout •two years. At the age of thirteen he entered the store of John McFann, Ilartstown, Pennsylvania, and remained until 1842, when he accompanied his mother to Licking county, Ohio. He entered the store of John Taylor at Newark, continuing there at intervals for eight years. In the spring of 1848 he was elected constable, at the same time acting as deputy sheriff. In 1858 he started for California with his elder brother, J. II., reaching Sacramento in July. He opened a store in Rough and Ready, Nevada county. In the spring of 1851 he commenced mining on Hopkins creek. 403 Plumas coiuity, and soon after became one of the 76 locators of the Washington quartz-claim on Eureka mountain. In 1854 he opened the first butcher-shop in Jamison. In the fall of 1855 he was elected on the know-nothing ticket to the office of sheriff of Plumas county. In 1856 he was re-elected on the republican ticket. In the fall of 1858 he came to Honey Lake valley, and bought from Dr. Slater a possessory claim to a section of land on Baxter creek, which he has ever since considered his home. He then engaged in the stock business. In 1862 he was appointed a special deputy by Sheriff Pierce of Plumas county, and participated in the events of the Sage-Brush War. He took an active part in Sacramento in having a bill passed to create Lassen county, suggesting the name of the old jiionecr himself; and in May, 1864, was elected sheriff of the new county. In 1869 he was the republican nominee for assemblyman, but was defeated by John Lambert. In 1873 he was elected to the same office on the same ticket. In 1868 he was elected supervisor, and served three years. He is now engaged in raising stock and hay, ami owns, besides his home farm, 3,000 acres in the Tule Confederacy, and 160 acres of timber near Janesville. Mr. Byers is an unmarried man, thoroughly energetic and enterprising, and of the true pioneer character. M. P. Chambeulin, M. D. — This gentleman was born in Jackson county, Iowa, April 27, 1849. He crossed the plains with his parents in 1852, locating in Oregon. In 1856 the family went from Portland, Oregon, to Plumas county, California, on horseback. In 1859 he became a resident of Honey Lake valley. Dr. Chamberlin graduated in medicine from the Homeopathic College of Mis- souri, at St. Louis, in the spring of 1875. While in St. Louis, he married jVIiss Lizzie Bresnan, January 15, 1873. Dr. p. Chamberlin. — He was born on the fourteenth of January, 1824, in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. He moved with his parents to Bock Island county, Illinois, in 1833. In 1834 they crossed the Mississippi river into what was then the territory of Wisconsin, and which has since become Scott county, Iowa. Dr. Chamberlin was married in Davenport, Iowa, January 12, 1848, to Miss Maj-y A. Hill. During the summer he moved to Jackson county, Iowa. He crossed the plains with his wife and son in 1852, locating in Washington county, Oregon. He moved to Plumas county, California, in the spring of 1855, and became a resident of Honey Lake valley in May, 1859, where he has since resided with his family. R. Chamberlin. — Ho was born in Vermont, September 4, 1839. He arrived in San Francisco in February, 1856, from across ihe Isthmus. For five years he mined in Plumas, Placer, and Sis- kiyou counties, and for the next eighteen engaged in teaming from Sacramento and Washoe to Virginia City, and in the liimber regions about Washoe and Truckee. In 1878 he bought his ranch of 160 acres, fifteen miles south of Milford in Long valley, which is now known as Chamberlin Station. Politically, he is a republican. October 14, 1874, he married Miss Fannie Robinson, born in Manchester, England, March 10, 1857. Their children are George R., born May 29, 1875 ; Josephine, December 13, 1876; Fred II., September 29, 1877; Dora B., June 9, 1881. Hex. William H. Crane. — Senator Crane was born at Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York, June 22, 1838. His father, James Crane, was a farmer, and William worked on the farm and attended the district school until he was fifteen, when he entered the Genesee Wesleyan Institute, and continued about two years. In 1855 he went to Cass county, Michigan, where he engaged in carpentering and teaching until the spring of 1858, when he started west. On reaching the Missouri river he felt a prompting to take a hand in the Mormon war, and headed for Utah, arriving after the difficulty had been adjusted. He then pushed on to California, and arrived in Susanville October 10, 1858. He worked at carpentering until 1866, then went into Bowman & Lockwood's store as accountant, continuing there and in other establishments. In 1871 lie went 404 into the U. S. land office, just then established, and from that time has transacted most of the business of that office. In June, 1880, he was appointed register. In 1871 he was elected county treasurer, and held the office three terms. In 1877 he was elected to represent Butte, Plumas, and Lassen counties in tlie senate, on the republican ticket. Mr. Grane is a man in whom his constitu- ents and friends repose the utmost confidence. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, chapter, and commandery, and of the A. O. U. W., at Susanvilie. August 18, 1868, he married Miss Mar- celin Wedekind, of Chico, born in Iowa, May 9,1849. Their children are: Paul, born .July 29, 1869 ; Myrtle, February 18, 1873 ; OUie, April 22, 1875. E. Dalton. — This gentleman was born September 23, 1837, iu Richland county, Indiana. In the spring of 1860 he came to California, via tlio Isthmus. He mined in Placer and Merced counties. In the spring of 1 862 he came to Long valley in this county, which has since been his home. In 1875 ho bought a farm of J. (J. Wright, to which he has added and proved up titles to 200 acres of land. It lies on the west side of Long valley, fifteen miles from Milford. Mr. Dalton's politics arc repub- lican. February 3, 1872, he married Miss Mary J. McKissick, of Long valley, born in Sacramento county. May 16,1855. They have four children, all born at home; Ida M.ay, born February 19, 1873; Ilattie E., August 14, 1876; Annie E., December 28, 1878; Lizzie B., March 8, 1881. John C. Davis. — He was born in Germany, April 24, 1824, and at the .age of twelve years went to sea. In ]March, 1850, he abandoned the sea at the port of San Francisco, and for a year ran a boat between that place and Stockton. Ho then mined two years, ranched one year, ran a pack-train four years, and in February, 1858, came to Honey Lake valley, and eng.agcd in various pursuits until I8GG. He then purchased 160 acres of land four miles east of .Susanvilie, where he still resides. Politically, he adheres to the republican party. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Susanvilie. May 26, 1877, he married Mrs. Annie Compton, born in Pennsylvania, May 7, 1845. They have two children : John Lassen, born March 14, 1878; and Willis, November 28, 1880. His wife also has a daughter by her former marriage, Eva t'ompton, born in Pennsylvania, March 19, 1871. Clinton De Fokest, Jr. This young man is a native of Honey Lake valley, Lassen county, where he was born December 22, 1863. He remained at home working on the farm, and attending school in the winter time, until he arrived .at the age of fifteen. Since then ho has been engaged in farming and looking after stock cattle and horses. He is energetic and intelligent, and has his life work yet before him, in which he gives good promise of success. Andrew Dii.l. — He was born in England, in February, 1832, and while still an infant his parents came with him to the United States, and settled in New York City. In 1850 Andrew started for California, via Cape Horn, being one ye.ar on the voyage. He lived liere a few years, and went to Virginia City with the first rush to the Comstock. In January, 1870, he bought a ranch of J. D. Kelley, twenty miles east of Susanvilie, containing 620 acres. In November, 1871, he removed his family from Virginia City to this place, which has ever since been their home. Mr. Dill is a member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery of the Masonic order. In politics, he is a democrat. February 9, 1869, he married Miss Maria E. Pickett of San Francisco, born March 20, 1844, in County Cork, Ireland, and came to the United States in 1851, with her parents, set- tling in Massachusetts. Their children are William A., born January 31, 1870 ; Ida M., October 8, 1871; Nettie S., Dceember 8, 1873; Gr.acc, September 3, 1875; MoUie, June 17, 1880. The first two were born in Virginia City, the others in Honey Lake valley. JouN R. Dunn. — Mr. Dunn was born in Callaway county, Kentucky, February 23, 1835. At the age of f( .ir years his p.arents removed with him to Greene county, Missouri. Here he worked on the farm and attended school. In 1857 the family came overland to this state, and settled in 1 405 the Sacramento valley. In 1864 John removeil to Lassen county, and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Kirby. In 1872 he bought the farm where he now resides. It contains 170 acres, a nice dwelling and farm buildings, and is five miles east of Janesville. Mr. Dunn is a member of Janesville Lodge No. 223, I. O. O. F. He is a democrat in politics. August 6, 1854, he married Miss Sarah E. Smith of Missouri, born in Henry county, Tennessee, October 12, 1837. Their children are Eliza J., born October 8, 1855, died March 6, 1864; Tliursa E., March 7, 1858; Araminta I., January 22, 1861 ; Mary L., May 10, 1863; Robert L., February 4, 1868 ; Hattie E., March 7, 1873. Eliza was born in Dade county, Missouri; Thursa, Araminta, and Mary in Butte county, California; and Robert and Hattie in this county. Araminta married John E. Jellison, May 1, 1878, and Thursa married John Johnson, November 25, 1881; both live in Lassen county. T. R. Eplet. — Mr. Eplcy was born in Ingham county, Michigan, January 13, 1844. He re- mained at home farming with his father until 1870, when he came to California, and settled in Honey Lake valley. He rented a farm of Iiis cousin, T. H. Epley, which he has since been work- ing. Mr. Epley received his education in the common schools of his native state. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. lodge in Janesville. He is a democrat in politics, and has never made a matrimonial venture. Thomas J. French. — Mr. French was born in Callaway county, Missouri, October 19, 1839. When nineteen years of age he started for Pike's Peak, Colorado, but stayed only a few days there, and continued on to California, reaching Colusa county in October, 1859. He remained there until 1862, and then prospected on Humboldt river six months. In the spring of 1863 he began freighting, making Honey Lake valley his home. In 1868 he purchased the old Schaefer ranch, and lived on it till 1875, when he sold a part of it and moved to the western portion, where he has since resided. His farm is 300 acres of hay land, twenty miles east of Susanville, He is a demo- crat in politics. February 23, 1873, he married Miss Emma Maston of Humboldt bay, born there July 30, 1857. Their children are David M., born April 7, 1874; Theodore M., February 21, 1876; Elbernia, October 17, 1878 ; Mary I., May 17, 1881. George W. Fry. — This gentleman was born January 22, 1834, in Stark county, Ohio. He lived there and in Ashland county until February, 1852, when he started for California, via Pana- ma, arriving in June. For six years he mined in El Dorado, Yuba, Sierra, and Plumas counties. In November, 1858, he went into the stock business in Honey Lake valley, locating near Janesville. In 1864 he sold this place and bought his present ranch, twenty miles east of Susanville, on the river, and in the Tule Confederacy. He has now 640 acres of hay and agricultural land, all fenced and improved. Politically, Mr. Fry is a democrat. October 28, 1870, he married Mrs. Louisa De Witt, born in llallowell, Maine, October 2, 1839. She was the widow of Franklin De Witt, by whom she had five children: Arthur F., born in Iowa, May 17, 1859; Carrie E., Iowa, March 8, 1862; Walter B., Honey Lake valley, October 22, 1864; Oscar M., Honey Lake valley, December 31, 1865; George Orrin, Honey Lake valley, December 22, 1867. She has borne to Mr. Fry three children, all in Honey Lake valley : William Herbert, May 26, 1872 ; Harvey Ray, April 7, 1876 ; Cora Bell, November 7, 1877. Carrie was married in January, 1877, to 8. C. Whitten, and resides in Modoc county. J. P. Gauratt. — He was born in Warren county, Kentucky, August 3, 1832. Four years later, the family moved to Callaway county. In 1855 he crossed the plains to this state, and mined two years in Shasta <'i)unty. He then returned to Kentucky, but came to this state again in 1862, settling in Honey Lake valley. In 1864 he bought 160 acres of land from J. A. Scott, six miles east of Susanville, on which he still resides. He is a memljer of the Susanville lodge of Masons. 406 In politics, he is a republican. Mr. Garratt married Frances A. Shaw, February 18, 1864. She was born January 5, 1837. Their children are Clarence Shaw (stejj-son), born in Monroe county Mis- souri, June 12,1860; Emma, November 14,1864; George, June 17, 1866; Alice, September 29, 1868; Anna, February 8, 1870; the last four in Lassen county. Thomas Jefferson Glascock. — He was born in Ralls county, Missouri, Juno 22, 1848. He attended school until 18G3, when he accompanied his parents across the plains to California. They wintered in Colusa county, and then came to Milford, in Lassen county. He worked at carpenter- ing until 1881, when he engaged in the hotel and livery business at Buntingville, which he still continues. October 8, 1878, he married Miss Laura Shinn, born in Grundy county, Missouri, Sep- tember -20, 1858. They have one child, Viola Geniveve, born June 3, 1879. Mr. Glascock takes an independent stand in politics. He is a member of Lake Lodge No. 135, A. O. U. W. Philip J. Goum az. — The subject of this sketch was born in Switzerland, October 9, 1 844. In the spring of 1851 his parents came to the United States. In 1852 tliey settled on a farm in Fayette county, Illinois, where the father died in 1855, and the mother in 1865. Philip remained on the farm until 1863, attending school in winter, when he came to California. He amved in San Francisco by the Nicaragua route in April, 1863, and went to Plumas county. After farming there two years, he came to Honey Lake valley. In the fall of 1866 he bought his present ranch of 200 acres, three miles south-east of Susanville, where he has since been engaged in the slock busi- ness. Mr. Goumaz is a member of the lodge, chapter, and coramandery of the Masonic order at Susanville. He is a republican in his political views. June 29, 1880, he married Miss Susan J., daughter of Captain E. S. and Sophia Talbot, born on the ship A. JT. Stephens, off the coast of Peru, January 26, 1858. George Greeno. — This gentleman was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in April, 1824. When nine years of age he went to sea, and followed it for fifteen years, finally landing in California in 1850. He mined three years on the Yuba, and then went to Plumas county, where he built the Mountain House, between Sj)auish Ranch and Rich Bar. In 1857 he visited Honey Lake valley, and in 1859 located a ranch of 160 acres fifteen miles south of Milford, in Long valley, and engaged in stock- raising, with an unlimited range for his cattle. This has ever since been his home. In politics, Mr. Greeno is a democr.at. He inarried Margaret (Wallace) Clark, of Susanville, born in Boston June 3, 1840. She was married February 13, 1855, to M. L. Oakes, and again to C. B. Clark. Their children are George W., born September 23, 1872; Annie Frances, September 15, 1874. Mrs. (Jrceno's children by her former marriages are James M. Oakes, born in Bcston, Jaiiu.ny 1, 1857; Thomas A. Oakea, in Boston, February 12, 1858; Charles B. Clark, in Butte county, Cali- fornia, April 25, 18G1 ; Mary L. Clark, iu Susanville, March 10, 1867. Wright P. Hall.— Since March, 1874, Mr. Hall has held the office of county clerk, and is one of the most popular men in the county, receiving his office at the hands of the republican party. He was born in Andover, Oxford county, Maine, April 26, 1834. He lived in Peru, in that county, until ten years of age, and then the family removed to Waltham, Massachusetts. His father worked at carpentering for twenty-five years, and then in the Newton Chemical Manufacturing Co.'s works about twenty-five years. At the age of seventeen, Wright P. left school and learned the hatter's trade, becoming a partner in three years in a firm manufacturing and dealing in hats and furuLshing goods. He came to California in 1858, arriving in San Francisco, via Panama, in A])ril. He mined at Howland flat, Sierra county, and in Plumas county until June, 1860. He then came to Honey Lake valley and bought a ranch of 600 acres, six and one-half miles east of Susan- ville, where ho resided until 1872, excepting three years spent in (lie liimher and hotel business at 407 Crystal Peak, Nevada. Since 1872, when he sold his ranch, he iias resided in Susanville ; and since March, 1874, has ))een county clerk. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., F. & A. M., and A. O. U. W. lodges at Susanville. He owns a stock and dairy ranch twehe miles north-west of the town. October 11, 18fi0, he married Miss Mary J. Stickney, born in Whitingham, Vermont, July 4, 1833. They have four children: Charles E., born July 21, 1861 ; Mary E., June 3, 1864; Lewis D., August 31, 1868; Fred D., September 6, 1871. Mr. Hall first came here with his brother Samuel R. The next year Davis C, and a year later W. H., came. Davis C. died in Quincy, Plumas county, California. Chaeles Haetson. — He was born in Montpelier, Vermont, January 31, 1842. He remained there eighteen years, attending school. In 1860 he went to New York, and in the spring of 1861 he came to California, via Panama, and farmed in Sacramento county about four years. He then sjient twelve years in Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon, engaged in freighting" and mer- chandising, and kept a hotel in Josephine county, Oregon, for eight years. After being in the stock business in Lake county, Oregon, for a time, he came to Janesville in September, 1877. He has since been chiefly engaged in mining. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. lodges. In politics, he is a republican. September 20, 1865, he married Miss S. J. Marlett in Boise City, Idaho, born in Brown county, New York, April 17, 1848. Their children are George, born Octo- ber 10, 1867, in Benton county, Oregon ; Eva A., November 30, 1869, in Josephine county, Oregon ; Frank E., April 5, 1872, in same place; Elsie M., May 17, 1874, in same place ; William, August 30, 1876, in Del Norte county, California; Kittic, February '22, 1878, in Lassen county; Hattie E., December 26, 1881, in Lassen county. Samuel Hoffman. — He was born in Sussex county. New Jersey, December 8, 1834. In his infancy the family removed to Ingham county, Michigan, where they engaged in farming. He worked at home until twenty-three years of age, teaching school in winter the last five years. In April, 1862, he started overland to California, coming direct to Lassen county. In the fall of 1863 he bought a farm of 320 acres, three miles east of Janesville, where he has since resided. It is all agricultural land, well improved, and having a good residence and farm buildings. For twelve years he served as school trustee, and then declined to hold the position longer. In politics, he is a democrat. He is a member of Honey Lake Lodge No. 223, I. O. O. F. April 22, 1860, in Ingham county, Michigan, he married Miss Eosetta Haines, born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, May 23, 1836. Their children were all born in this county: Floyd B., August 4,1863; Marcus William, October 20, 1865; Carrie E., September 27, 1869; James O., September 14, 1873, died September 22, 1880 ; Eva Leona, July 4, 1881. Edmond Hudson. — He is a native of Madison county, Illinois, where he was born October 9, 1843. He farmed in that state till 1870, chiefly in Clinton county, when he came to California, and settled in Placer county. There he farmed ten years; and in Augiist, 1881, bought the Boody farm of 320 acres, five miles east of Janesville, Lassen county. In politics, he is a democrat. Mr. Hudson was mirried Septcinbar 2), 186), to Miss Alley Myers of Clinton county, Illinois, born October 7, 1845. They have eight children : William G., born June 3, 1867; Lucinda J., February 13, 1869; Nancy C, March 22,1871; George A., August 11, 1873; Posey A., August 13, 1875; Clara J., September 20, 1877 ; Josephus, Ajjril 14, 1879; Minnie May, November 24, 1880. The first two were born in Bond county, Illinois ; the others in Placer county, California. D. C. Hyee. — The present treasurer of Lassen county was born in Dayton county, Wisconsin, August 12, 1849. In December, 1872, he came to Susanville, where he has since resided. Ik- was in the post-otticc a short time, then engaged in mining, and then spent three years with survey- 408 ing ]j;irties. In July, 18G7, he formed a copartnershij) witli John C. Partriilgo, and tlie firm of Partridge & Ilyer conducted an extensive mercliandising business until Sej)tenil>er, 1880, when Mr. Hyer retired from the firm. In 1879 he was elected county treasurer, his term expiring Janu- ary 1, 1883. In November, 1880, he purchased the Lassen Advocate, and published it with A. L. Shinn until April, 1881, when he sold out. Later, the same year, he opened a variety store in Susanville, which business at present occupies his attention. In politics, Mr. Hyer is a democrat. In 1877 he ran for tlie office of school superintendent, and was beaten by only nine votes. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and A. O. U. W. lodges of Susanville. December 25, 1879, he married Miss Helena Streshley, born in Lassen county in January, 1860. Robert Ingram. — He was Ijorn in Wayne county, Ohio, November 1 1, 1837. His father died fourteen years later, and Robert then served an apprenticeship of two years to a carpenter at Fort Defiance. He worked at this trade until the spring of 1859. He then came overland to California, and began mining on Buckeye hill, Nevada county. In the fall of 1861 he came to Long valley, and worked at his trade ten years. In 1869 he purchased a ranch of 120 acres thirty-five miles north-east of Reno, which has since been his home. He is engaged in the stock and dairy business. His ranch and summer range are in Last Chance valley, Plumas county. Politically, he is a republican. He is a member of Loyalton Lodge No. 187, I. O. O. F. R. B. Jenison. — He was born in Walpole, Cheshire county, New Hampshire, March 19, 1817. In 1847 he went to St. Louis and engaged in merchandising. In 18.50 he crossed the plains with a stock of goods for Kinkead & Levison, of Salt Lake City. He then came by the way of Mojave river to California, and staid on the San Joaquin river until December, 1851. He then went, via Panama, to Cincinnati, and the next spring started overland with his family. Upon reaching Salt Lake he decided to go to Oregon, which he did, settling in Rogue River valley, near Jacksonville, in September. The next summer he was burned out by the Indians, and moved to Ashland and bought a farm there. Fort Lane was afterwards built on his former ranch. Indian troubles again began in 1855, and he abandoned his place and went to Yreka. and mined a year. He then took some cattle to Pi'taluma. In June, 1858, he came to Susanville, and that fall moved his family here. In the fall of 1859 he built the first frame house in Susanville, and occupied it ten years. In 1861 he spent some time in the Humboldt mines. In 1869 he moved his family to the Humboldt mines, and five years later returned with them to Susanville. He continued mining there until 1878. The next year he was afflicted with paralysis in his right side, and has since been unable to engage in active pursuits. In politics, Mr. Jeni.son has been both democratic and republican, and now gives his adherence to the greenback party. September 9, 1841, he married Miss Mary J. Howard, of Alstead, New Hampshire, born March 29, 1824. Their children are Ellen E., born in Alstead, July 31, 1844 ; Mary L., born in Rogue River valley, Sej)tember 20, 1853 ; William II., born in Petaluma December 6, 1856. John D. Kelley. — He was born in Johnson county, Indiana, February 20, 1826. He went to Iowa in 1841, where he worked at blacksmithing. In 1846 he returned to Indiana, and in 1849 he sailed from New York for San Francisco, via Panama, arriving January 9, 1850. He assisted in laying out Nevada City. Here he was married October 3, 1853, to Mrs. Mary A. (Thrall) Minckler, born in Fairfield county. Connecticut, September 17, 1829. That fall he went to Smith's Flat, Sierra county, bought a hotel and kept it four years. He then worked at blacksmithing. All this time ho was interested in mining, and did some work in the mines himself. In the spring of 1860 he mined in Virginia City a short time, then went to Carson City for six months, and then teamed two years in Washoe valley. In the winter of 1863 he took stock to Honey Lake valley, and located *t JOBE TERRILL TAYLOR 409 tlie ranch now owni'(l by A. Dill. In the spring of 1871 ho sohl it and removed to Dixie valley, and located a stock rancli whicli he sold out about a year later. He then bought 1,200 acres from French & Litch, twenty miles east of Susanville. It is chiefly hay and agricultural land, well improved. He is a member of tlie Masonic lodge at Susanville, and Odd Fellows at Jamsville. In politics, lie is a democrat. His son, Elburn C. Kelley, was burn at Smith's Flat, Jung 30, 1854, the first wliiLe child I)i>rn at that place. He was drowned in Honey lake July 8, 1864. F. H. Lindsay. — Mr. Lindsay is a native of Barnet, Vermont, where he was born September 14, 1845. In December, 186G, he arrived in San Francisco, by the way of Panama. He lived in that city two years, and in 1869 came to Lassen county, and engaged in farming until 1878. He then bought the stock ranch of H. Berrj-man, containing 320 acres, nine miles Bouth-east of Milford, which has since been his home. He is an energetic man, unmarried, and a republican in politics. Andrew Litch. — He is a native of Daden, Germany, where he was born November 16, 1833. When he was twelve years old his parents came to the United States, and settled on a farm in Harrison county, Indiana. When he was eighteen he went to Louisville Kentucky, and learned the blacksmithing trade. In 1856 he came to California, via Panama. He mined two years, then bought a farm near C'hico. In the spring of 1862 he sold this and went to Nevada, and kept a station four years. He then came to Honey Lake valley, and in 1868 bought the old Schaefer ranch, on which he remained until 1874, when he sold it, and purchased the Jones ranch of 320 acres, eighteen miles east of Susanville, on which he has since been engaged in farming and stock- raising. He is a repulilican in politics. In 1869 he returned east, and February 22, 1870, he mar- ried Miss Mary Grass of Harrison county, Indiana, born in Louisville, Kentucky, February 16, 1849. Their children are C, born August 6, 1872; Freddie A , January 21, 1874; Joseph T., October 27, 1875; Mary M., November 2, 1877; George P., February 25, 1880— all born in Honey Lake valley. Thomas N. Long. — Mr. Long was born in Jackson county, Alabama, June 30, 1833. While he was still an infant the family removed to Marion county, Tennessee, where they farmed and kept a tavern. In 1841 they settled on a farm in Arkansas. In 1854 Thomas came to Califor- nia. He wintered near Chico, and in the spring went to Foivst City, and worked a year at lum- bering. He then lived on Mosquito creek, Plumas county, mining a portion of the time until 1861. He then opened a saloon in Susanville. From 1864 to 1867 he carried the mail to Oroville. In the fall of 18G7 he was elected sheriff of Lassen county on the democratic ticket, and was again elected in 1869. He was defeated in 1871 for treasurer. He had previously opened a store with John Segraves, but sold out in two years. In 1874 he was elected supervisor for the first district. In 1877 he was chosen treasurer. In June, 1879, he started a general merchandise business in Susanville, in which he is now engaged. He holds the oflSce of school trustee, and is a member of the Masonic lodge. Mr. Long married Miss C. Crow of Missouri, in 1858, who died^ after a wedded life of but four months. September 5, 1869, he married Miss ]\[ary L. Jenison, born in Oregon, September 20, 1853. Their children were all born in Susanville: (icorge A., July 11, 1872; Thomas, August 18, 1874; Arthur E., September 30, 1876; Mary Z., June 80, 1878, died July 17, 1878; Helena, June 2, 1879 ; Edith (J., December 19, 1880. William B. Long. — -Mr. Long was born in .lackson county, Alabama, June 17, 1828. Three years later, the family removed to Madison county, Arkansas. In the spring of 1854, he came overland to California, stopping in Yuba, and then in Butte county ,'whcre he ranged a band of cattle he had driven across the plains. In 1855 he mined on Feather river, and then mined and merchandised in Plumas county until the f.ill of 185(). \lf then lived two years in Butte county, his 46 410 ^viie having come to California with her father, General Allen Wood. lie then farmed in Plumas county, and in 18G2 came to Susanville, and purchased William Weatherlow's farm, just north of the town, which has since been his home. Mr. Long is a democrat in politics. December 23, 1852, he married Miss Mary E. Wood. They have si.Y children: John T., born June 15, 1853 ; George B., May 25, 1857; Allen J., May 19, 1859 ; Edith G-, April 12, 1861 ; Arthur W , January 7, 1864; Margaret Ann, October 4, 1870. John Lowe, Jr. — He was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, April 2, 1848. Wheu eleven years of age he started with his uncle, William Freeman, for California. In the fall of 1859 they arrived from their overland journey in Long valley, wliere John remained on a stock ranch about three years, and then came into Honey Lake valley, and has since worked at farming. In 1869 he bought a possessory title to 160 acres of land, four miles east of Janesville, where he has since lived. He ■4 has built a neat residence and commodious farm buildings. He has also forty acres of timber, 120 of swamp land, and 160 acres added to his farm. Politically, Mr. Lowe is a republican. May 28, 1878, he married Miss Sarah E. Barhani, born in Butte county, California, February 18, 1859. They have one child, Florella Arvilla, born February 27, 1879. Joseph Lynch. — Mr. Lynch is the only survivor of the six men who wintered in Honey Lake valley in 1855-56. He was born in County Dublin, Ireland, May 9, 1812. Being left an orphan when quite young, he went to sea at the age of thirteen ; a year later he stoj)ped in Canada, and remained seven years on a farm. At the age of nineteen he married Miss Achsa Finland. She died about two years afterwards, and their only son, William, died in New York when fourteen years of age. In 1833 Mr. Lynch moved to New York, and two years later to Wisconsin. He arrived in San Francisco, from aruund the Horn, March 17, 1852. He mined until the svimmer of 1855, when he came to Honey Lake valley with Peter Lassen, and has ever since resided in the log house they built at that time. He has been engaged in mining and ranching constantly. He is a demo- crat in politics. James McDermott. — He was born in Clark county, Missouri, June 11, 1842. In 1859 he came overland with his brother Thomas, and spent that winter in El Dorado county. The next year he went to Virginia City, and teamed three years. He bought the stock ranch of Thomas Smith, eighteen miles south of Milford, Lassen county, to which he has added until he now owns 400 acres. He is engaged in the stock business. Mr. McDermott is a republican. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Janesville. April 22, 1865, he married Miss Katie Gardner of Long valley. They have five children: Emma I., born February 10, 186G; Andrew J., January 4, 1868; James W., July 24, 1871 ; George T., May 4, 1873; Maud A., September I, 1880. N. S. McKiNSEY. — The editor of the ,lf^«o«/^e was born in Downieville, California, in 1855. He received a business education, and learned the art of telegrapliy. He made his first appearance in Lassen counlj' in 1877, having charge of the construction of the first line of telegraph to this county. After its completion, he remained in charge of the Susanville office one year. He then went into the newsjiaper business in Modoc county, in which he is now engaged with D. C. Slater. In 1881 they purchased the Lassen Advocate, since which time Mr. McKinscy has lived in Susan- ville, and occupied the position of editor and manager of that paper. He was married December 23, 1879, to Miss Louisa B. Slater, born in Janesville, in this county, September 29, 1861. J. T. Hasten. — He was born in Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois, April 19,1835. T\vo years later his jiarents removed to Adams county, «here he remained most of the time until he came overland to California, arriving in Amador <'Ounty August 15, 1852. Until the spring of 1860 he mined in Amador, El Dorado, and Sacramento counties, when he bought a farm in Yolo 411 county, and engaged in farming there for lliirteen years. In tlie spring of 1873 he sold out, and bought 760 acres of John W. Kelley, twenty miles cast of Susanvillo, on which he has since resided. Mr. Hasten is a mcinher of the Masonic and A. O. U. W. lodges at Janesvillc. He is a republican in polities. December 124, 1863, he married Miss Amelia D. Tcrrill of Elgin, Illinois, born in Yates county. New York, December 18, 1843. Their children are Minnie L., born November 16, 1868; Elbertia A., March 9, 1878. The former was born at Knight's Landing, Yolo county, and the latter in Lassen county. J. H. Maxwell. — Tie was born in Du Page county, Illinois, June 20, 1837. In 1859 he came overlantl to California, and mined in Rich gulch, Plumas county, for one year, lie then engaged for twelve years in the stock and butchering business in Indian valley. In 1874 he bought the Greenville hotel, and conducted it until 1877, when he sold out and came to Susanville. He bought the Stewart House, and ran it three years, when he sold it, and purchased his farm three miles east of Susanville. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and commandery at Susanville. November 22, 1871, he married Miss Joana lluntsinger of Taylorville, born in White county, Illinois, in 1853. Maggie May, their only child, was born in Plumas county, November 30, 1872. Andrew Miller. — This gentleman was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 8, 1826. He, with his parents, removed to the United States in 1839. Settled first in Harford county, Maryland, where they remained three years, and then removed to Pike county, Illinois, where his father engaged in farming. Here Andrew remained until 1849, when he came overland to California, arriving in Sacramento in the summer of that year, and in the fall removed to Hangtown, where he mined until the next spring, from which time for the next twelve years he engaged in merchan- dising, packing, and other branches of business. In the spring of 1863 he came to Susanville, and, in partnership with Rufus Kingsley, built the first fire-proof store in the town. Four years later he sold out and removed to Longville, Plumas county, and settled on a farm which he had bought in 1859, where he has ever since made his home. In April, 1871, he was appointed receiver for the U. S. Land Office at Susanville, which position he still holds. He is a member of tl)o Masonic lodge, chapter, and commandery at Susanville. In politics, he is republican, ftlr. Miller was married August 25th, 1862, to Miss Lydia Russell, born in Maine, August 20, 1838. Their children are Maud, born August 9, 1863 ; Russell Keith, April 12, 1865 ; Frank Leon, August 3, 1866 ; Mabel L., February 11, 1868; Perley, January 6, 1870; Mark, December 30, 1872— all Iwrn in Plumas county. Thomas J. Mulroney. — He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, August 15, 1838. Nine years later the family emigrated to the United States, settling in New York, where Thomas lived until 1857, sjiending some time in Wisconsin, Now Jersey, and Georgia. He came to California in 1857, via the Isthmus, arriving in August. He mined for a year on Soda bar, in Plumas county. In the fall of 1858 he came to Lassen county, and engaged in farming and packing. He bought an interest with his brother Edward in a ranch near Susanville, in 1860, which he sold in 1864. In 1862, with Edward and two others, he bought a ranch of 320 acres, four miles east of Janesvillc. Since 1865 he has been the sole owner of this property, where he still resides. In politics, Mr. Mulroney is a democrat. He married Miss Sarah Thompson, April 6, 1866. She was born in Monroe county. New York, June 9, 1849. Their children were all born in Honey Lake valley: William, January 12, 1868, died July 15, 1869; Ellen, August 18, 1869; Alice, January 24, 1872; Thomas, January 14, 1874; Mary, February 12, 1877; Edward, November 12, 1881. S. H. Painter. — June 17, 1830, Mr. Painter was born in Knox county, Ohio. He worked on the farm and attended school until the fall of 1850, when the family moved to Andrew county. 41-2 Missouri. . I line ],]8yl,lic iiianiuil Miss June Kincaiil, liorn in Knox county, Oliio, January 5,1829. Id tlie spring of 1854 lie left tlie new home for California, reaeliing M.irysville in September. For five years he engager! in farm-work and Ijutclierinu'. In tlie winter of IS.iO he went back for his family, and crossed the ]ilains a<;ain the next season, arriving in Honey Lake valley in August. The next year he went to Colusa county, and fanned three years. He then returned to Susanville, and in July, 1864, bought T. H. Epley's claim of IGO acres of land, three miles south-east of Jaiies- ville, on which he has since lived, and been engaged in farming and teaming. John C. Partridge. — He was born in Whitefield county, Maine, May 12, 1837. He attended Kent's Hill seminary until fourteen years of age, when he commenced clerking in a store in Gardner. He remained there until twenty years old, and then went to Illinois, and attended the Rock River seminary two years. In the spring of 1859 he came overland to California, arriving in Susanville in August. A few months later he went to I'lunias county, and engaged in mining on Feather river. Two years later he returned to this county, and kept the Deep Hole station two years, when he sold out and kept books for a firm in Susanville, taught school, and was deputy in the clerk's office until Se])tember, 1868. He then bought the iSaffe JJrush, an, and I. J. and Susan with their gi-andfather Gardner. Mr. Roop clerked in a stoj-e at Oak liottom until June, 1851, and then went to Shasta and kept public house. In October he went to Bear river, and lived there until March, 1852, when he was appointed postmaster as Shasta. June 14, 1853, he was burned out, and lost about ?!lO,000, M he had. He then went over the mountains, and located a land claim in Honey Lake valley. His after history — how he made his settlement, engaged in the tormation of a government for Nevada and became the governor, was admitted to practice law, and participated in all the public movements in this section — is fully detailed in the preceding pages. He jiracticed law in Susanville until the time of his death, February 14, 1869. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was buried with honors, a large concourse of citizens attending his funeral. His two sons served in the Union army during the war. I. J. Roo]> died from the effects of a wound received at the battle of South Mountain. John V. settled in Iowa after the war, and in 1877 removed to Blue Sjirings, Nebraska. Susan came to California in 1862, and lived with her father. She married A. T. Arnold, December 27, 1864, and still resides in Susanville. ( J^or additional Jiior/raphies see page 499.) 4 PffP I N DEX TO THE HISTORY OF SIERRA COTJI^TY. General Description Topograpliy 41 7 Climate 41 T Page 417-419 Area 418 Altitudes 418 Early History of Sierra County 419-422 P. A. Haven at Little Rich Bar. 419 ^fajor Dowiiie's Reminiscences 421 Discovery of Gold at Downieville . ..419 Indian Reminiscences 420 Cut-Eye Foster 421 Early Mining 422 Organization of Sierra County 42.1-424 Creation of Yuba County 423 First Townships 423 Justices' Courts and Justices 423 Miners' Courts 423 Creation of Sierra County 423 Boundaries 424 First Election 424 Officers elected 424 Official History of Sierra County' 425-426 Creation of Townships 42o Naming of Townships 425 Present Election Precincts 425 Xorthern Boundary changed 425 Southern Boundary changed 426 Board of Supervisors 426 The Courts and Jubici art 427-43 1 District Court 427 District Judges 427 Court of Sessions 428 First Grand Jury 428 First Indictments 428 Judges and Associates 428 Connty Court 429 Biographies of Judges 429 Superior Court 430 Sierra County Bar 431 ' >fficers of Sierra County from 1852 to 1882 432-434 County Clerks 432 District ^Attorneys 432 Sheriffs 432 School Superintendents 432 Treasurers 433 Assessors 433 Coroners 433 Public Administrators 433 Surveyors 434 Recorders 434 Board of Supervisors 434 414 Pagp Senators axd Assemblymen 43o Presidestiai. and Gubeenatorial Votes 436-d37 Court-House, and Hospital 437-438 First County Jail 437 Erection of Courtrhouse 437 County Physicians 438 Old Hospital 438 New Hospital 438 Condition of Hospital 438 Historical Reminiscences 439-445 Negro Suit 439 Extent (if a :Mining Claim 439 Unappreciated Eloquence 440 Pap Harris' Sale 440 Asiatic Antics 441 .\ Durgan Flat Incident 441 Punishment by the Lash 442 The Kellcy-Spear Duel 443 The Lippincott-Tevis Duel 444 Criminal Annals 445-455 Hanging of the .'Spanish Woman 445 The Slate Creek Tragedy 447 Shooting of Thaddeus Purdy 448 Hanging of the Indian Pijo 448 (Juick Work at Goodyear's 449 Wliolesale Butchery of Chinamen 450 Hanging of 1 larlow 450 The Butler-Moffat Tragedy 451 A Forest City Fight 452 A Poker Flat Fiasco 452 Tired of Life 452 Execution of Michaid ^lurray 452 Lynching at Chip's Flat 453 Express Robberies 454 DOWNIEVILLE Early Settlement 4oC, Christening of Downieville 456 First Business Houses 456 First IMiners' Electing 457 Langton's Express 457 Durgan's Saw-mill 457 3Iining at Downieville 457 Condition of Society 458 Fire of 1852 459 Business Houses of 1852 459 Fire of 1858 460 Incorporation 460 Fire Deiiartment established 401 456-465 Fire of 1864 461 Fatal Explosi>.n 461 Post-office 461 Scliools 462 Illustrious Citizens 462 Proving up 463 Water Comi>anies 463 Fire Dejiartment 463 Stage I^ines 463 Telegra])li and Express 463 Business Houses, etc 464 Churches 464 Secret Societies 465 Goodyear's Bar 465-469 First Settlement 465 Jlining at Goodyear's 466 Post-office 468 Pioneer Dances 468 Schools and Churches 468 The Taylor Brothers 468 The Murdered Germans 468 J.,ong-bearded Kunt/ 469 Stage fri'ni Camptonville 469 Fire of 1864 469 Sierra City 470-472 First Settlement 470 Sierra Jjuttes Quartz-ledge 470 Demolished by Snow 470 Town rebuilt 470 415 Murder of Black 470 Churches 472 Societies 472 Hotels 471 Schools 471 Page Express and Post ( )ffices 471 Stages 471 Telegraph 471 The E Clanipus Vitus 471 Hose Company 472 SiEKKA Valley 256-275 Discovery and Settlement of Sierra Valley 259 ♦ Loyalton 260 Sierravillc , 261 Randolph 261 Antelope District 261 Craycroft 201 Forest City and Alleghany 473-476 First Diggings — -Eapid Development — Schools and Churches — Stages — Fires — Busi- ness Houses — Societies — etc. Northern Sierka 476_478 St. Louis 47G Ilowland Flat 476 Pine Grove 477 Gibsonville 477 Newark 477 Ilepsidam 477 Port Wine 477 Eureka Citv 47S Mining of Sierra County The various mines and their owners. . 478-483 The Press of Sierra County. . . Newspapers and their editors. .483-484 Schools of Sierra County 484-485 Board of E.^aminers ... 484 School-houses 485 Number of School Children 485 Value of School Property 485 Biographical Sketches Abbe, George H 485 Adams, J. C 271 Bigelow, II. II 48-5 Brown, J. W 486 Brown, A. M 274 Brown, .1. C 2G8 Burgess, William H 486 Busch, August C 486 Byington, L 486 Buxton, G. Q 273 Bringham, Marion C 262 Beckwourth, James P 256 Beaton, Alexander 263 Battelle, T. S 270 Campbell, Jason 487 Castagneto, G. B 487 Clute, John Howard 487 485-498 Ci-ignon, A 487 Connolly, Patrick 269 Cliurch, Isaac S 274 Chapman, Albert P 265 Campbell, Judge William ... 429 Cowden, Judge D. H 430 Downer, Eugenio Kincaid 487 Dolley, E. P 274 Davis, Charles H 273 Davis, Aaron 270 Davidson, Judge Samuel B 429 Eggleston, B. T 488 Eschbacher, F. A 488 Fischer, F. L 488 Fish, N. B. 488 Forbes, Robert 488 Fagg, J. D 269 416 1 Freeman, Joel E 271 Goff, Peter 489 Gallaglier, E. J 275 Haskins, William 489 Haven, Pliilo A 489 Ilerinjrlake, C. A 490 Ilili, S. D 490 1 lutcliinson, Joseph ... 490 Harris, Judge Garland 430 irumphrey, George W 266 Hughes, .Marshall 272 I Fowk, Corel 266 Hatnlen, E. H. 275 Hardin, M 270 Haines, G. P 271 Howe, Judge A. J 430 Jones, I. G 490 Jumji, Dr. Alcmby 491 Kennedy, ilenry II 491 Kimball, Walter B 492 Knutlisen, Jaeoh 272 Keycs, David 1> 206 Lefever, Dr. Josiali 492 Luther, W. T 492 Lewis, Iliram 2C9 Lemmon, B. F 273 ^fartinetti, 1 492 ,"\lcGuire, A. J 492 Meany, X. H 493 I^Towry,' Lewis 493 -McCann, Judge Ferdinand J 429 .Maddux, Theophilus 272 .Myers, J. D 274 ^I iller, James 271 Page Xessler, L 493 Xewman, David D 268 Xicholson, James 270 Orear, J. W 493 Osgood, L. II 493 Pauly. Benjamin 494 Purdy, H. 11 494 Patterson, David B 268 Pettibone, Judge S. J 429 Kyan, W .494 Kowland, Francis M !^64 Eains, W. Smith 269 Rawden, ^Villiam B 274 Sawyer, Dr. J. J 494 Scheffer, () 494 Scott, John 495 Scullin, S. A 495 Spaulding, Ilonry 495 Stewart, J. C 495 Strange, II 496 Sheer, IJoy U 273 Strang, Jared 263 Smith, Judge Alansun 429 Vaughn, Jerome A 496 "Ward, Alonzo 496 Weir, H. G 497 West, John T 497 Weston, Dr. H. S 497 Wiggins, J. S 497 Whitney, D. I 498 Wixon, Julius S 498 West, T. F 269 Weston, Isaac 268 Webber, Dr. 1). G 267 HISTORY OF SIERRA COUNTY Sierra county lies in the north-eastern part of tlie state of California, its entire area being included within the great range of the Sierra Nevadas. From its almost universal mountainous nature it has been appropriately termed Sierra, the lowest jioint within its confines being two thousand feet above the level of the sea. It is bounded on the north hy Plumas and Lassen coun- ties, on the east by the state of Nevada, on the south by Nevada county, and on the west by Yuba and Plumas counties. The topography of the county, with the exception of Sierra valley, presents a continuous succession of lofty hills and deep canons, many of the former rising to dizzy heights, and hundreds of the latter sinking into bewildering depths, with precipitous walls of rock and earth. Most of the hills are covered with magnificent coniferovis forests of red spruce, balsam fir, cedar, sugar and yellow pine ; while the valleys or canons furnish a rich growth of oak and all the varieties of trees found in the foot-hills of California. It is not uncommon to find vast pines towering up to a height of two hundred feet or more, situated at the base of hills, with soaring tops that seem ambitious to reach the liighest altitudes surrounding them. Most of the mining towns in Sierra county are situated far above the snow-line, at elevations ranging from three to six thou- sand feet. Every part of the county enjoys a climate unrivaled for healthfulness and pleasure. Malarial disorders and fevers, so universal in other sections of the state, are totally unknown here. A physician moving here is obliged to reconstruct his system of practice on another basis entirely from that which obtains elsewhere. The water obtained from the numerous mountain streams is of the purest possible quality, being fed by the vast masses of snow melting from the summits. The crystal torrents on every side, dashing and foaming over the rocks, pursuing their serpentine ways through the wild yet always beautiful canons of the Sierras, rushing with mighty swiftness along their narrow channels, and singing the ever-sweet song of rushing waters, are laden with countless numbers of beautiful mountain trout, choice prizes for the eager angler: all of which attractions during the summer months draw many seekers for health and pleasure to these banquet-halls of nature. The county is traversed by the Middle Yuba river on the south, the North Yuba in the center. Slate creek and Caiion creek on the north, together w ith numerous affiuents i)ertaining to thejn all. Oregon creek. Kanaka creek, and Wolf creek flow from the north into the Middle Yuba; the North Yuba forks at Downieville, causing the south fork of the North Yuba, and the middle and north forks of the 47 418 North Yuba. In addition to these streams are many small and lovely lakes scattered through the center and eastern parts of the county. Webber lake, in the south-eastern jiart of the county (spoken of elsewhere in this volume), is a beautiful sheet of water, remarkable for its many echoes. Gold lake, with its many lesser companions, occupies a place in the north, being reservoirs for myriads of the famous mountain trout. The isolated peaks of Sierra county are Table Rock, Saddle Back, Mount Fillmore, Fir Cap, Mount Lola, and the Sierra Buttes. Fir Cap attains an altitude of 6,500 feet, Sierra Buttes 8,950 feet, and Mount Lola, the highest point in the county, about 9,200 feet. The Sierra Buttes moun- tain is one of the landmarks of the state, visible from a large area of the valley of the Sacramento, and rendered prominently conspicuous by the sharply-defined, cone-shaped, serrated, basaltic lava in its formation. The snows in these high altitudes fall to a great depth, obstructing the roads over the ridges for weeks at times, the only means of communication being by travel on snow-shoes. Snow is frequently found on the ridges twenty feet in de])th. Sierra county extends east and west in nearly the shape of a parallelogram. Its greatest length is sixty miles, and the greatest breadth thirty miles, embracing an area of eight hundred and thirty scjuare miles. The primal cause of the settlement of Sierra county was the desire for gold, almost fabulous amounts of which have been found in many parts. The proportion of agricultural to mineral land is exceedingly small, not one acre in fifty being suitable for the plow. Mining has from the first been the principal occui)ation, and will continue to be so for hundreds of years, as the deposits of auriferous gi-avel and quartz seem to be inexhaustible. Xearly every hill and mountain is a vast treasure vault of nature, needing only the brain and the haml of man to unlock the care- fully hidden combination. It was not alway.s thus. The overflowing chests of nature dropped here and there with lavish waste enough of wealth to indicate the incomparable richness of that they kept from human gaze. Perhaps the millions dug from ancient river channel or picked from some chance crevice are but the chipjiings or the shavings from the rest. Following is a list of altitudes of the various points of interest in Sierra county, detained by Mr. E. K. Downer, junior editor of the Moutitain Messenger, who used one of Muller's most accurate aneroids. The figures given are approximately correct. Feet. Downieville 3,000 Sheehan's Ranch 4,600 Eureka 5,150 McMahon's 5,000 Mt. Pleasant Ranch 4,750 Port Wine 5,100 Summit of ridge between Eureka and Mc- Mahon's 5,600 Scales' 4,400 Slate Creek bridge 4,350 Gibsonville 5,600 Newark 5,850 Slate Creek bridge No. 2 5,650 Highest point on road to Rowland Flat . . . 6,050 First ridge above Rowland Flat 5,800 Sears' Union Ditch Crossing 5,925 Feet. Summit of second ridge 6,000 Potosi 5,800 Rowland Flat (Becker's) 5,800 McFarland's 5,750 Sears' U. W. Co.'s office (Pine Grove) .... 5,600 Table Rock 7,050 St. Louis (Schwartz's hotel) 5,200 Morristowii bridge crossing 4,250 Morristown 5,150 Craig's Flat 5,100 Cafion Creek bridge 4,325 John Yore's bridge 2,900 Goodyear's Bar 2,750 Watering trough . .4,125 Mountain House 4,700 Forest City 4,600 419 Feet. Pliocene shaft 5,575 Earnhardt's 3,125 McCarty's 3,250 Shady flat 3,225 Shoo Fly 3,325 Whitney's lower saw-mill 3,375 Adam AVeitzell's 3,500 Frank Beaver's 3,575 A. Kaiser's 3,950 J. Hutchinson's 4,200 Sierra City (Scott's) 4,250 Sierra Buttes office 5,375 Sununit Sierra Buttes 8,950 J. H. Bassett's 5,400 Slap Jack ranch 6,200 County Cabin 6,600 Feet. Main Summit 6,800 Yellow Jacket point 6,050 Fowle's ranch 5,350 H. K. Turners 4,975 Ridge between Turner's and Toomy's 5,050 Toomy's 5,000 Boyle's 5,000 Chapman's 5,075 James Miller's 4,980 Sierraville 5,000 Loyalton 5,000 Randolph 5,020 Campbell's Saljjhur Springs 5,050 Webber Lake 6,800 Haskell's Peak 8,126 EARLY HISTORY. The first explorers of this region are not all known. Along the caiion of the North Yuba men were mining as early as the summer of 1849. Philo A. Haven came up the North Yuba early in Sep- tember, 1849, and at that time found notices of seven different claims posted on Big Rich bar, signed by Hedgepath & Co. He located on Little Rich bar, and was joined by Francis Anderson, who, on the fourteenth of September, found the first gold discovered in the neighborhood of Sierra's capital town. Several other settlements were made within the present confines of the county, either prior to the discoveries on the North Yuba, or simultaneously with them. By November several of them were quite jiopulous camps. A few days prior to Mr. Anderson's dis- covery at the Forks, he was in Lidian valley with John C. Fulton and Elliott. There they abandoned their mules, and packed their culinary and mining utensils over to where Mr. Haven was on Little Rich bar with his party. Among these was a rocker, so invaluable in those days for a guaranty of large returns. On their way thither they met an Indian, who, being unable to communicate in the English tongue, indicated to them, l)y laying his head three times on a rock, that there were three men working on the river a short distance oft". In this way they discovered the near proximity of Mr. Haven and his companions. On the fourteenth, as previously stated, Mr. Anderson went up to the Forks, and discovered gold at a point immediately above where the Jersey bridge at Downieville now stands. The value of the find was not large — about four dollars — but it encouraged him to proceed farther up in hopes to discover larger pay. The traces of Indians were apparent everywhere. A tree on Jersey flat was still burning, while a white log lay across the river on which were a number of deer skulls. Other indications were seen of a fishing party having been there. Anderson was standing in the water taking out from ten to twenty dollars to a pan, when he heard a loud noise on the hillside, and saw a party of men dressed in various bright colors descending towards him. They were whooping and yelling as they clambered 420 down tlie steep descent, and Anderson's first impression was that they were Indians thirsting for his gore. Grasping his knife firmly, lie determined to sell his life dearly, hut was soon pleased to find no necessity for the exercise of his native valor, as they proved to be the Jim Kane party. Rush- ing down to the river bank, they paid no attention to Anderson, but began at once to wash gravel witli their rocker. They were very fortunate in their selection of a point to work, for they cleaned up all the rest of that day three hundred dollars to a pan. Anderson went down to Little Rich bar in the evening, full of enthusiasm, and guaranteed to Mr. Haven, if he could wash a hundred pans of dirt in a day with a rocker, $30,000 for his trouble. Of course the result fell far short of his extravagant expectations, the Kane ])arty having at first struck a natural sluice, where the gold had accumulated, but which was worked out in a few hours. Notwithstanding, the yield on the following day, and for several days thereafter, was by no means insignificant. The morning's work for the Kane party on the fifteenth netted §2,800. Further particulars of this period are noted in their proj)er order elsewhere. Philo A. Haven's account of the finding of gold on Little Rich bar is quite amusing. About the lastof August, 1849, while working at Cut Eye Foster's bar, just below and near Indian valley, ill Yulia county, he, with his three companions, saw an Indian who had a larger nugget than any tlicy had found. On being asked to tell where he found it, the native became exceedingly reticent on the subject; but after much parley, he agreed to point his finger in the direction of the place he had taken it from, in consideration of what he and his son, a half-grown youth, could eat then and there. The bargain being made, enough breail was brought out to supply two meals for the four white men, and as a sort of trimming to the repast, Mr. Haven began frying pancakes. The company soon saw visions of a famine. Even the great American pie-eater would have hung his head in shame had he beheld the delicate mouthfuls and the quantity of food devoured on this occasion. Hut even an Indian's capacity is limited, and the feast was finally finished, greatly to the relief of the gold-hunters. Then the company awaited with ill-suppressed impatience the perform- ance of the Indian's part of the contract. With great dignity poor Lo arose, and calling the attention of his son to the way he was about to indicate, faced to the bluff, and holding his finger straight out before him, turned completely around, the index digit taking in every point of the compass; after which he sat down with a loud laugh at having so easily sold them. Mr. Haven joined heartily in the laugh, and said it was a good joke, telling the jocose aborigine that he was " heap smart — much too smart for white man '' ; by which compliments he secured his assent to a bargain to allow his son to show the place; the conditions being that if nugijets the size of small walnuts were found, the Indian was to have one gray blanket; and if only the size of corn or beans, a new blue shirt. The next morning they started up the river. About two o'clock of the second day thoy arrived opposite what was afterward known as Big Rich bar. Here the Indian i)ointed to gold lying around, and asked for his recompense. Perceiving Hedgepath «t Co.'s notices posted in various places, claiming seven claims of thirty feet each, they said it would not do, and that not a single piece should be touched. He then led the way to the place where he had found the nug- get, which was near the edge of the river opposite the place now known :is Coyoteville, and point- ing to a crevice, said : " Dig, you ketchum here." Mr. Haven soon raked out a piece weighing an ounce and .i lialf. On the same day he located Little Rich bar a little way up the river. The next day he went u]pon the ridge and saw the Forks, now the site of Dowuieville. A week after, the Hedgepath claims were jumped by several parties. On the Sunday following their location at Little Rich bar, Philo Haven and Carlos Haven, his nephew, strolled up the river, and picked up §700 in pieces between their claim and the mouth of the middle fork of *he North Branch, a short 421 distance above where the Gold Bhiff mill now stands. While returning to oamp, they fell in with a miner who had some jerked venison, and rather than continue on their way that night, they offered the man its weight in gold for a piece of meat weighing eight or nine ounces, which rather liberal offer was summarily refused. Ill April, 1858, Major Downie published in the Sierra Democrat a series of personal reminis- cences of 1849, containing, among other things, his recollections of liis first entry into what is now Sierra county, and his settlement on the present site of Downieville. He and his party arrived at San Francisco June 27, 1849, iu the ship Architect. He was soon en route for Nye's ranch (Marys- ville), to which place he and his companions navigated a barge from Benicia. The North P^ork being reputed rich in gold-dust they started in search of it, but had great difficulty in finding the stream. At BuUard's bar, on the Yuba, he tarried for some time agitating a rocker, all the time hearing fabulous stories from prospectors of rich finds elsewhere, none of whom would indicate the precise place where wealth could be so easily secured. He finally resolved to go farther up the stream ; but those whom he asked to accompany him had not the courage to brave the hardshijis of the unknown country above. After many disappointments he met with some colored sailors, ten in number, who were willing to go, and also induced an Irish lad, Michael Deverney, to make one of the company. On the 5th of October, 1849, they started. At Slate range a Kanaka, Jim Crow, joined them. The succeeding Sunday was spent with " Cut Eye Foster," who was reputed to be a professional horse-thief, and employed Indians to carry on his nefarious business. His corral was the highest up in the mountains, and many a stray mule found its way into it. However, old Foster is represented by Major Downie as being a very philanthropic, if a dishonest, man. At the Mountain house site the Downie party found the trees blazed to indicate the road to Goodyear's bar; but they kept up the divide, expecting to find the big pieces of gold on higher ground. They camped that night on the north fork of Oregon creek. At Secret canon they found the first gold since leaving Bullard's bar. They began to think they were nearing nature's treasury, and crossed the river and camped on O'Donnoll fiat. Here they prospected a day or two, but failed to discover the rich deposits there, afterwards brought to light. Four of them crossed the hill from the flat and saw the deep East Fork canon below them. Following the ridge, they went towards the Forks. He says : " When we got to the first island al)ove the Forks the boys insisted on going back. I had my attention turned to the low ridge that divides the North fork from the South. There had already been so much speculation that one did not like to urge his surmises very strongly; .so I said but little, yet felt assured that there was a fork of the river just beyond that ridge. I agreed that if the boys would go with me around that point, I wouhl then go back to camp with them. They consented to do so. Turning the point, we saw the forks of North Yuba, which have since become so famous. The sjiot where the town stands was then the handsomest I have ever seen in the mountains. Long willows waved on the banks of the north fork, small pine and spruce trees stood in beautiful groups where the saloons now stand ; the hillsides were covered with pretty oaks, stretching out their strong branches and thick foliage, sheltering the Indian wigwam ; and here and there a tall pine towered above everything. But the miner and the trader spared none of these ; the willows were uprooted, the pine and spruce were cast out upon the Yuba's current, the branches were lopped from the oaks, and their trunks made heat for sordid slapjacks; the tall pine was laid low, and all was changed." When they came to the junction of the two streams, they noticed that the water of the north fork was not so clear as the other. An exploration of. the upper regions reve.aled a party at work 422 on a small liar just below the Blue banks. They were very i-cticent about the diggings; and in answer to a question if thoy intended to stay long in the mountains, they rejtlied that they " mout stop a spell longer, and then aicain they moutn't." They seemed to entertain the idea that when their crevice was worked out, gold digging in California would be over with. The remainder of the ]iarty came up the next day, and they unpaekcd on Jersey flat. While encamped on Jersey Hat Jim Crow one day killed with a small crowbar a salmon-trout which weighed fourteen pounds. It was boiled in the camp kettle, and the major says that afterwards gold was found in the bott^om of the kettle. As crevicing was better uji the fork, they broke up camp on Jersey flat, and moved u|i to Zumw alt flat, where each man could make about five ounces a day. A day's work was then three liours and a half. Fourteen ounces a day was no uncommon crevicing. They found gold all along the banks of the north fork, seldom using a shovel, the implements being a butcher-knife, a tin pan, and a crowbar. The party intended to winter on a rough-looking bar up the sDUtli fork half a mile. The major speaks of the rich yield on this bar in these words: "On Monday I commenced to work on the bar. Mamoo and I had about ten feet between us, running lengthwise of the bar. On Monday we took out seventeen ounces; on Tuesday, twenty- four; Wednesday, twenty-nine ; Thursday, forty ounces in the forenoon ; and as we took out only nine ounces in the afternoon, Mamoo would work no longer in the jdace, saying it was worked out. I have washed as much as fourteen ounces in one pan while Mamoo was making coffee. In four days we had taken out in all about S6,000." Eight of the boys started below for provisions, taking all the mules with them, and jiromising to be back in a few days. Jim Crow went with the party. None of them came back with the necessary commissary stores. The only one who returned was Jim Crow, and he came back in the spring with a number of Kanakas and about five hundred white men, whom he was leading to the rich diggings at the Forks, supposing that the Downie parly was frozen or starved to death. The winter was spent at the Forks by the party, who experienced great hardships and privations, both from the weather and the scarcity of food. Many of those who prospected through the eastern part of Sierra county in 1849 returned to the lower camps in the winter, and told glowing tales of the fortunes to be made there. The sub- stantial sacks of dust and nuggets they displayed convinced the doubting miner that his paltry fifty dollars a day or less could be many times increased by seeking the uj)per country. When the sun- shine and rains of spring had melted the deep snows from the ridges, they poured into Sierra's terri- tory by the hundreds. In 1850 many flourishing and populous camps were formed, some of which still exist as substantial, well-built towns. Among them were Downieville, Goodyear's bar. Forest City, Alleghany, Ilowland Flat, and Gibsonville. The famous Gold Lake excitement, though dis- appointing many in their Aladdin expectations, yet served to open up and settle many localities through the vigorous exertions made to discover that supposed valuable sheet of water. [For an account of the celebrated Gold Lake expedition see page 145 in this work.] I 423 ORGANIZATION OF SIERRA COUNTY. The territory now embraced by Sierra county became a part of Yulia county under the act of February 18, 1850, dividing the state into twenty-seven counties. Great difficulty was experienced by the first legislature in making a proper assignment of territory, the population being so shifting that sections»then unoccupied were liable in a few months to become populated with thousands of eager miners, or perhaps they might never have sufficient inhalutauts to demand a county organiza- tion. The courses of the rivers and the character of the mountains were almost unknown, and thus many queer boundaries were given to counties of a most ungainly shajie. Yuba county extended from the Sacramento river to the eastern boundary of the state, embracing Sierra, Nevada, and a portion of Placer counties, together with its present territory. Five townships then composed Sierra county; viz., Goodyear's bar, Downieville, Durgan Flat, Kose Bar, and another not named. Owing to the little knowledge then had of the nature of the country, none of the boundaries of these townships can be definitely ascertained. The lines designated were generally of a fictitious nature, and it is imjiossible to trace them out, were it at all necessary to do so. We have no record of there being more than two justices of the peace at a time in all of them, many of the localities cling- ing to the alcalde system promulgated by Governor Bennett Reily, in 1849, in this state. The disadvantages of belonging to Yuba county were early felt; Marysville was too distant, and a county government located at that place was to the citizens here as useless as one in Kamtehatka. The trouble, expense, and time retjuired to send criminals to Marysville were so great that many escaped the just punishment for their acts, while others were severely dealt with by Judge Lynch. No jirotection whatever was afforded by the Yuba governijient, and no benefit whatever was derived from it; in fact, the only official who at all interested himself, and paid a visit to this region, wa.s the tax collector, who failed not to scrape together all that he could. The two justices alluded to were stationed at Downieville. Richard Galloway was the first who administered legal justice, but was succeeded in 1851 by Thomas Graham. Graham was a tall, dignified man, wear- ing a long blue coat with brass buttons, all buttoned down before, like the time-honored Old Grimes, deceased. He had a thorough consciousness of his official importance in the community, and was very rigid in exacting the utmost obeisance from the frequenters of his court. William C. Lem- mon was Graham's judicial contemporary. But notwithstanding the exceedingly small number of those authorized in the regular way to dispense justice, and the great number of people resident here, these courts were not overburdened with business. The miners' courts, organized in nearly every community, settled most of the litigation, and tried a very large majority of the criminal cases, whether the most intricate jiroblems as to the right of possession, or whether human life or liberty depended on their decisions. Nothing was shirked. The limited jurisdiction of the jus- tices' courts made this seeming extravagant assumption of authority absolutely necessary, because of the great difficulty in reaching the higher seats of justice at all seasons of the year over the mountain trails, and more especially in winter, when the snow lay in great depth on the inter- vening ridges. For several months of the year Sierra county was entirely cut off from the remainder of the county. As the constantly increasing population rendered a separate county government more and more necessary, the matter was considerably discussed in the latter part of 1851, and a bill for the segregation of Sierra county from Yuba was introduced in the legislature of tliat winter. The passage was easily effected, and the bill became a law by the signature of the governor on the sixteenth of April, 1852. The boundaries, as defined by the act, were as follows : 424 "Beginning at a point in the middle of tlie middle liranch of Yuba river, ten miles from its moutli, running thence in a north-westerly direction to a point on the north liranch of Yuba river, known as Cut Eye Foster's bar ; thence westerly to a point on the dividing ridge between the waters of Feather and Yuba rivers, known as the Lexington house, leaving said house in Yuba county; thence northerly, following out said ridge; thence easterly in a straight line to the boundary line of the state; thence south along said boundary line to a point east of the middle branch of Yuba river and the north-east corner of NevaJa county; thence west, following the northerly line of Nevada county, to the place of beginning. The seat of justice shall be at Downie- ville." A slight effort was made In the inhabitants of Goodyear's bar, then a formidable rival of Downieville, to get that place named in the act as the county seat, but it failed on account of the apathy and imlifference shown by the miners to the advancement of their town, considering themselves only temporary sojourners among the mountains, and not caring at all for the glory of county-seatship. The indebtedness of Yuba county at the time of division was thirty-six thousand nine hundrfd and one dollars, the proportion of debt to which the new county fell heir being nine thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars. An election was ordered to be held on the second Monday of June, 1852, for the selection of a county judge, a district attorney, a county clerk, a sheriff, a surveyor, an assessor, a coroner, and a treasurer. A committee, empowered with dis- cretionary powers as to the apportionment of elect inn [irecincts and the canvassing of the returns, was appointed, consisting of Francis Anderson, John Craycroft, John C. James, C. E. Smith, and T. M. Ramsdell. Tiie election occurred on the fourteenth of June, and the following persons were elected to positions of trust in the county : Oftice. Name. Party. Majority. County Judge Ferdinand J. McCann Democrat 452 District Attorney TJiaddeus Purdy Democrat 488 Sheriff William J. Ford Democrat ... 555 County Clerk J. Webb Nicholson Whig . 84 County Treasurer T. M. Ramsdell .Democrat 485 Assessor E. Frazer Democrat 567 Coroner Cyrus D. Aiken Democrat 453 Surveyor "William G. Still Democrat 495 The officers entered upon their several duties a few days after the election, and the county machinery was soon put in motion. The county boundaries as establisheil at this time have, with one exception, remained substan- tially unchanged to the present time. Disptxtes have at v.arious times arisen about different render- ings of the words employed in the statutes, owing principally to the ambiguity of the landmarks established by the surveys. I ^m^ffisniX :?**;:«¥?'?: 'mr"m 7^ ^f 425 OFFICIAL HISTORY OF SIERRA COUNTY. Sierra county was first divided into townships by the court of sessions shortly after the organ- ization of that body, but as its earliest records are not in existence, the exact date of the order, and its provisions, cannot be ascertained. The first reference to townshii)s made in the olironicles of the court of sessions at hand was rendered October 15, 1853, when Benjamin Hall was instructed to draw a plat of the several townshijjs of Sierra county, which being done, was approved on the following day. His definition of the township boundaries was made by him a few days later, and published in the Mountain Echo in December. By this it appears- that the county was originally divided into nine townshijis, numbering from one to nine ; beginning at tlie north-west corner and running eastward, in the order of numbering congressional townships. June 19, 1855, township No. 10 was created from the western part of township No. 7. Township No. 11 was created in 1856, by the board of supervisors. On the second of August, 1859, townships Nos. 8 and 10 were abolished and added to townshiji No. 7, while No. 1 1 was changed to No. 8. Other changes of a minor character were subsequently made, and on the nineteenth of November, 18G3, there being ten townships, names were given to them instead of numbers, viz. : Township No. 1 was changed to Alturas; No. 2, to Sears; No 3, to Table Kock ; No 4, to Eureka; No. 5, to Indian ; No. 6, to Lincoln : No. 7, to Forest ; No. 8, to Gibson ; No. 9, to Butte ; No. 10, to Sierra. Many changes have since occurred in tliese county subdivisions, to enumerate which would be both tedious and profitless. Sierra county at present is divided into nine townships, with the fol- lowing names: Oneida, Sears, Table Rock, Eureka, Lincoln, Forest, Gibson, Butte, and Sierra. The last election precincts established by the board of supervisors are as follows : Sierra Township — Loyalton, Sierraville. Oneida — Antelope, Crystal Peak. FoEEST — Alleghany, Chips, Forest City, Pike City. Lincoln — Brandy City, Indian Hill, Goodyear's bar, Mountain House. Butte — Downieville, Sierra City, Butte, fiold Lake, Loganville. Eureka — Eureka, Little Grizzly, Monte Christo. Sears — Port Wine, Scale's, St. Louis. Table Rock— Howlaud Flat, Poker Plat. Gibson — Newark, (iibsonville. In March, 1863, the north-western boundary of the county was more clearly defined by the legislature, in these words : " From the Lexington house, thence northerly along the center of said i-idge [the dividing ridge between the waters of Feather and Yuba rivers] to a point known as Pilot peak; thence south-easterly along the center of said ridge to a ])oint due west from a point about one mile below the outlet of Gold Lake, known as the falls ; thence due east to the eastern boundary line of the state," etc. This by no means settled permanently the northern boundary of Sierra county, for a great deal of dissatisfaction was caused in La Porte and the vicinity, the inhabitants of which desired to be severed entirely from Sierra, for the purpose of forming a new county or of attaching themselves to Plumas. The matter was vigorously discussed during the next three years, and finally resulted in an act of the legislature, approved March 31, 1866, setting off a considerable territory in the north-western part to Plumas county. [See pages 162, 163, and 48 426 164 of this work for an account of the change of boundary.] Sierra county recovered a small portion by the act of March 28, 1868, giving her all that portion of Plumas county lying south of Slate creek. The northern boundary of Sierra county has remained as then established to the present time. Uncertainty as to the source of the south fork of the Middle Yuba river led to quite a controversy between Nevada and Sierra counties at this time. In 1868 each county made a survey, but as the initial point was not the same for both, neither would adopt th6 work of the other. By agi'eement, the two boards met on the disputed territory, Viut could come to no imderstanding. Sierra county brought suit against the Eureka company, that hail paid taxes to Nevada county on some of the disputed ground, to enforce payment of taxes. Nevada county instructed her district attorney to defend the Eureka company. The question was settled by the supreme court in 1869, giving Sierra the contested ground. The surveys and litigation cost each county more than the land in controversy was worth to either of them. BOARD OF SUPEKVISORS. Prior to May, 1855, all the business of the county was transacted by the court of sessions, which consisted of the county judge and two associate justices, elected each year by the justices of the peace of the county, from among their number. This body being also empowered to try certain criminal cases and affairs in litigation, we have placed it under the general heading of "The Courts and Judiciary," where a full account of its proceedings may be found. The establishment of the supervisor system in the stale of California necessitated the division of Sierra county into three districts. The tirst election occurred on the first Monday in May, 1855, and resulted in the choice of Seth Chandler, William Henry, and Gustavus B. Wright as the guardians of the county interests. Following are the proceedings of the first meeting of the board : . '•At the first meeting of the board of su]iervisors, held in and for the county of Sierra on this sixth day of May, 1855, the following-named persons were duly sworn and installed as supervisors, under an act of the legislature of the state of California: Seth Chandler, William Henry, Gustavus B. Wright. J. Webb Nicholson, clerk. "On motion, Seth Chandler was elected chairman. Report of the committee on public buildings read and accepted, and the committee discharged from further duty. "In the matter of the acceptance or rejection of the court-house and jail: It appearing to the satisfaction of the board that said buildings are necessary to the convenience of the county, it is hereby ordered that said buildings be accepted; and it is further ordered that theclaim of D. G. Webber, contractor, for five thousand five hundred dollars, be allowed, and that the county auditor draw his warrant on the treasurer of Sierra county in favor of said Webber for said amount, to be paid, one-half in one month and the balance in two months from the date of this order. "Bills were allowed to William J. Ford: for office rent, $800; for prison expenses, $2,080 ; for services in criminal cases, §1,063. "It is ordered that the board adjourn uuiil to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock. " Sbth Cbaxdlek, ChairmanI" 427 THE COURTS AND JUDICIARY. DISTRICT COURT. Uncler llie law of 1850, Yuba county, of wliieh Sierra was then a jtart, was in the eighth judi- cial district, and the first term of the court was commenced at Marysville June 3, 1850, by Hon. William K. Turner. The jurisdiction of this court was very large, including chancery, civil, and criminal cases. In 1851 the legislature formed Yuba, Nov.ada, , and Sutter counties into the tenth judicial district, and Hon. Gordon N. Mott was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Judge Turner to another ilistrict. At the opening of the district court, October 10, 1851, Hon. W. T. Barbour was present, with a commission from the governor as district iudge. He desired an interview with Judge Mott before making the formal demand for the office, and the court was adjourned until two o'clock in the afternoon. During the recess Judges Mott and Barbour, together with the members of the bar, held a consultation together. Judge Barbour stated that he had a commission from the governor, given in consequence of his election to the judge- ship by the people at the last gener.'il election, and that he had taken the constitutional oath of office. Judge Mott stated that he also had a commission from the governor as district judge, and claimed that, as his commission was given to fill a vacancy in the office occasioned by the failure of the legislature to elect, and as it did not mention the term for which he was to hold ofiice, it would hold until the election of district judges in 1852. The constitution provided for the filling of such vacancies " at the next election by the people," and the question of right lay on the interpretation of these words — ^whether they meant the next election, or the next regular election for the office to be filled. Upon the assembling of the court in the afternoon, Mr. Barliour appeared and demanded the office and records, and then the court adjourned to allow the matter to be carried to the supreme court. There it was decided that Mr. Barbour was the rightful claimant to the position, and he took his seat without further interru])tiou. In 1853 Sierra county, having been organized the year previous, was placed in the tenth judicial district, with Yuba, Nevada, and Sutter counties. The first session of the district court was held in Downieville, July 5, 1853, with Judge William T. Barbour on the bench. In 1855 Nevada, Sierra, and Plumas counties were united as the fourteenth district, and the Hon. Niles Searles of Nevada City became judge. In 1857 Plumas was detached, the on his official duties. Judge Howe holds the office until 1884, when his successor is qunlifii'd. 431 SIERRA COUNTY BAR. Following is a complete list of the attorneys at law who have resided in the county and prac- ticed in the courts of Sierra county, together with the dates of their admission to practice, so far as they can be ascertained. Those marked with an asterisk arc the present members of the Sierra county bar. *Francis Anderson July 22, 1 8(59. J. A. Brooks July 25, 1853. D. T. Berry April 30, 1854. Louis Bartlett December 7, 1855. S. F. Brown November 13, 1857. T. J. Bowers April 6, 1871. A. W. Baldwin April 0, 1871. E. Barry April 6, 1871. H. B. Cossitt July 5, 1852. J. A. Clark December 7, 1855. W. W. Crane September 15, 1856. R. Campbell March 9, 1857. W. Campbell July 18, 1857. J. F. Cowdery September 19, 1859. D. H. Cowden March 10, 1862. J. P. H. Cowden April 4, 1866. • Compton April 23, 1866. Willi.am Cain April 23, 1866. * Church 1882. A. Druillard April 28, 1852. *S. B. Davidson June 13, 1861. J. Frazee August 1, 1853. *M. Farley T. W. Gilmore March 13, 1856. John Gale October 6, 1862. H. L. Gear November 28, 1863. James Galloway Erastus Gates I. L. Hogan November 1, 1852. S. C. Huff October 24, 1854. 0. C. Hall November 26, 1855. *A. J. Howe December 3, 1855. R. D. Hill June 9, 1856. 1. G. Hargraves August 28, 1860. J. M. Haven March 31, 1864. ♦John Hodgess July 19, 1867. Creed Haymond ... G. C. Hough O. F. Hakes January 9 J. A. Johnson November 9 Moses Kirkpatrick November 3 A J. Lowell June 9 R. C. Logan July 7 Josejih McKibben July 5 J. C. Musser October 24 T. H. Merry March 11 J. P. OGrady April 2 *L. H. Osgood October 27 J. B. Pittman July 26. S. J. Pettibone October 24 J. R. Plunkett November 3, C. H. Pat chin April 20 L. E. Pratt May 4 Alonzo Piatt Thaddeus Purdy S. W. Schultz September 8, Southw'orth September 8, J. G. Stephenson July 19) P. C. Schaffer April 18, W. S. Spear Alanson Smith W. M. Stewart *F. D. Soward October 26, *S. A. Smith October 27, Robert H. Taylor November 8, O. B. Tyler September 15, R. Tregaskis July 18, J. Tidball December 12, C. T. Tracey April 13, Harry I. Thornton, Jr A. Van Clief November 19, *Peter Van Clief A. P. Williams May 3, ♦George Wood *F. B. Wehe April, 1877. 1861. 1855. 1856. 1856. 1852. 1854. 1861. 1864. 1879. 1853. 1854. 1855. 1868. 1860. 1852. 1857. 1857. 1864. 1854. 1852. 1875. 1879. 1853. 1856. 1857. 1859. 1866. 1855. 1858. 1882. 432 ^OFFICERS OF SIERRA COUNTY FROM 1852 TO 1882. County Clerk. 1852. J. Webb NichoLsoii . . 1853. J. Webb Nicholson. . 1854. J. Webb Nicholson. . 1855. J. Webb Nicholson. 1856. Alfred Helm 1857. Alfred Helm 1858. Ralph Ellis 1859. Ralph Ellis 1860. George H. Tuttle 1861. George H. Tuttle 1862. George H. Tuttle. .. 1863. George H. Tuttle 1804. W. F. Thomas 1865. W.F.Thomas 1866. W. F. Thomas 1867. W.F.Thomas 18G8. Harry Strange 1869. Harry Strange... . 1870. Harry Strange. . . . 1871. Harry Strange 1872. Harry Strange 1873. Harry Strange 1874. Harry Strange 1875. Harry Strange 1876. Harry Strange 1877. Harry Strange 1878. Harry Strange 1879. Harry Strange 1880. Harry Strange 1881. Harry Strange .. . . 1882. Uarrv Strange District Attornev. Sheriff. .'■^Thaddeus Purdy William J. Ford. . H. B. Cossitt William J. Ford. . H. B. Cossitt William .1. Ford. . H. B. Cossitt William J. P'ord. . J. J. Musser Edward Irwin . . . . '^.T. J. Musser Edward Irwin . . . . .Harry 1. Thornton, Jr. Edward Irwin. . .. . Harrj- I. Thornton, Jr. Edward Irwin . . . . *Harry I. Thornton, Jr . P. J. White .L. E. Pratt P. J. White ."S. B. Davidson John Kirkpatrick. .J. F. Cowdery John Kirk])atrick. J. F. Cowdery John Kirkjiatrick. J. F. Cowdery John Kirkpatrick. J. M. Haven E. M. Puriiiton . . . J. M. Haven E. M. Purinton . . . D. H. Cowdeu E. M. Purinton. .. D. H. Cowdeu E. M. Purinton. .. John (iale John Campbell. . . John Gale John Cani])bell . '^John Gale John Campbell . . John Gale John Campbell. . . E. Barry H. Spaulding E. Barry H. Spaulding Francis Anderson . . . . H. Spaulding .... School Sup't. . Francis Anderson . F. D. Soward .... . F. D. Soward . . . . F. D. Soward .... . F. D. Soward .... . F. D. Soward .... . H. Spaulding .N. B. Fish... .N. B. Fish... . N. B Fish . . . . .N. B. Fish... . . N. B. Fish . . . . . . F. S. Seabury. . . . Z. W. Keyes. . . . Z. W. Keyes. . . . Z. W. Keyes. ...J. R. Plunkett. . . . F. M. Hackett. . . . William C. Pond. . . . WilHam C. Pond. . . . William C. Pond. ...William C. Pond. . . . William C. Pond. ...William C. Pond. ...J. H. Thorpe. ...J. H. Thorpe. . . . J. H. Thorpe. . . J. H. Thorpe. ...A. .M. Phalin. ...A. M. Phalin. . . A. M. Phalin. ...A. M. Ph.alin. A. M. Phalin. ...A.M. Phalin. . . . J. S. Wi.xson. . . . J. S. Wi.\son. . . . J. S. Wixson. . . . J. S. Wixson. ...J. S. Wixson. ' Records of district and county judges may be found in tlie chapter on " Courts and Judiciary." 2 Shot in Downieville September 8, 1853; H. B. Cossitt apjioiuted. ' Resigned in May, 1858; Harry I. Tliorntou, Jr., appointed. ■• Resigned in October, 1800: successor elected. ' Resigned Augusts, 1863; J. F. Cowdery appointed. •i District attorney became ex-offlcio public administrator in ISTl. 433 OFFICERS OF SIERRA COUNTY FROM 1852 TO 1882 1852. 1853. 1854. 1855. 1856. 1857. 1858. 1859. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864. 1865. 18(56. 1867. 1838. 1869. 1870. 1871. 1872. 1873. 1874. 1875. 1876. 1877. 1878. 1879. 1880. 1881. 1882. Treasuker. T. M. Uuiji.sik'll.. T. M. Ramstk'll . B. M. Fetter B. M. Fetter .... Benjamin Green . Assessor. . E. Frazer E. FiMzei- 1 J. D. Scellen . . F. M. Proctor . . . A. J. McKinsey . Benjamin Green A. J. McKinsey. William Thomas. A. J. McKinsey. . William Thomas A. J. McKinsey. . William Tliomas Samuel Taylor. . . William Thomas Samuel Taylor. ... J. St. Clair Wilson Alfred Marmon . . . J. St. Clair Wilson . . Alfred Marmon . . . 2H. Molineux D. Grush H. Molineux D. Grush H. Molineux John Corbett H. Molineux John Corbett . . . A. B. Asher John Corbett A. B. Asher John Corbett. . . . A. B. Asher J. A. Larrieu .... A. \i. Asher.. J. A. Larrieu ... E.G. Weir .J. A. Larrieu.... H. G. Weir J. A. Larrieu H. G. Weir J. A. Larrieu .... H. G. Weir J. A. Larrieu ... H. G. Weir G. W. Hughes H. G. Weir G. W. Hughes John Scott G. W. Hughes John Scott G. W. Hughes .... John Scott W. T. Luther John Scott W. T. Luther John Scott W. T. Luther Coroner. Public Administrator. Cyrus D. Aiken. . . Cyrus D. Aiken James McNabb. . .Samuel Hungerford James McNabb. ...Samuel Hungerford . .James .McNabb. •L. V. Flint .....O. S. Burnham. . . Josiah Lefever T. M. Ramsdell. . . Alemby Jump T. M. Ramsdell. . . .E. D. Sloat T. M. Ramsdell. ...John C. Stanley T. M. Ramsdell. ...John C. Stanley T. M. Ramsdell. ..T. R. Kibbe Solomon Purdy. . . . T. R. Kibbe Solomon Purdy. . . . T. R. Kibbe Solomon Purdy. . . .T. R. Kibbe Solomon Purdy. . . Alemby Jump H. K. W. Bent. ...Alemby Jump H. K. W. Bent. . . . Alemby Jump Jacob White. . . .Alemby Jump Jac 3. « Resigned 18G4. 485 SENATORS AND ASSEMBLYMEN.. Sierra cmmty w:is allowdl l>y \'i\v logishituro, after lior organization, one state soiiator aiul two assemblynu'n to ic'iuosi^nt lior in tho counsels of state. The first election w hen those officers were chosen occurred September 7, 1853. At that election, James H. Gardner, who for two yeai-s prior had represented Yulta county in the assembly, received 1,89G votes for senator, and Edward W. Haskell l,49o votes, giving the former a majority of 401. There were four candidates for the assembly: John ('. James receiving 1,817 votes; Francis Anderson, 1,620; C. A. Purinton, 1,.54'i ; W. T. Ferguson, 1,530. James and Anderson were declared elected. Following is .-i list of the senators and rejircscntatives for Sierra county from 1853 to the present time: SeXATOUS. ASSEMBIA'MEN. James H. Gardner 1853 — John C. James, Francis AnderscMi. 1855—11. A. Gaston, A. A. Hoover. W. T. Ferguson 185C— S. M. Miles, B. J. Coil. 1857— J. A. Clarke, R. D. Hill. Moses Kirkpatrick 1858 — J.inies A. Johnson, Josiah Lefever. 1859 — James A. Johnson, T. J. Haliday. *Harry I. Thornton, Jr 1860— John Dougherty, Thomas Wright. Wiliinin Kimball 1861— David Lane, E. B. Smith. Francis Anderson 1862 — E. B. Smith, James Crawford. James W. Movie 1803— S. H. Alley, R. S. Weston. L. E. Pratt 1865— M. A. Singleton, G. Meredith. 1867— T. S. Batellc, J. W. Downer. 11. K. Turner 1869 — B. J. Sammons, John Koutz. 1871 — B. J. Sammons, D. L. Whitney. H. K. Turner 1873— G. Winehell, W. U. Morgan. 1875 — John Koutz. tNiles Searles 1877 — L. Byington. tB. J. Watson 1879— James Nelson. 1880— G. Wood. • Resigncil in 1S(!I. t Sierra aiul Nevada nniiilii's funind llic L'Jtli disiriit in 1.S74: Nrvaila witli unr st'nator and three assemblynu'n, aud Sierra witli one -senatur, .juinll.v witli Nevada, and one assi'iidilynian. t Joint senator \N'itli Nevada. 436 PRESIDENTIAL AND GUBERNATORIAL VOTES FROM 1852 TO 1880 Vear. Election. Candidates. Party. Vote. Total. 1852. Presidentinl Finnklin Pierce Democrat 1,619 Winfiel.l Scott Whig 1 ,348—2,967 1 853. Gubernatorial John Bigler Democrat ] ,906 William Waldo Whig 1,515— 3,421 1855. Gubernatorial J. Neeley Johnson ... . . Know-Nothing 3,070 John Bigler Democrat 2,148—5,218 1856. Presidential James Buchanan . .Democrat 2,506 Millard Fillmore American 2,205 John C. Fremont Republican 693—5,404 1857. Gubernatorial John B. Weller Democrat .2,555 Edward Stanley Republican 473 George W. Bowie American 1,810 — 4,838 1859. Gubernatorial Milton S. Latham ..Democrat 2,814 John Currj- A. L. Democrat 1,666 Leland Stanford Republican 295 — i,775 1860. Presidential Abraham Lincoln Republican 1,468 Stephen A. Douglas I. Democrat . 1,539 John C. Beckenridge Democrat 1,347 John Bell Con. Union 389—4,743 1861. Gubernatorial Leland Stanford Republican 2,147 J. R. McConnell Democrat 1,423 John Conness Union Dem 1,200—4,770 1 863. Gubernatorial Frederick F. Low Union 2,380 John G. Downey Democrat 1,303—3,683 1 864. Presidential Abraham Lincoln Union 2,50 1 George B. MeClellan Democrat 1,037—3,538 1867. Gubernatorial George C. (iorham Rejiublican 955 Henry H. Haight Democrat 698 Caleb T. Fay Ind. Repub 97—1,750 1868. Presidential Ulysses S. Grant Republican..- 1,328 Horatio Seymour Democrat 794 — 2,122 1871. (iubernatorial Newton Booth Republican 1,173 Henry H. Haight Democrat 633—1,806 1 872. Presidential Ulysses S. Grant Republican 926 Horace Greeley Lib. Dem 374 — 1 ,300 1875. Gubernatorial John Bid well Independent .... 519 William Irwin Democrat 470 T.G.Phelps Republican 348—1,337 1 876. Presidential Rutherford B. Hayes Pepublican 917 Samuel J. Tilden Democrat 511 — 1,428 1879. Adoption of New Const.. Yes 514 No 731—1,245 437 Yeiir. Election. Candidates. Party. Vote. Total. 1 879. Gubernatorial George C. Perkins Republican 826 Hugh J. Glenn Dein. and New Const. . 457 William F. White Workingmen 225 Scattering 2 — 1,510 1880. Presidential James A. Garfield Republican 997 W. S. Flancock . Democrat 560 James B. Weaver Greenback 12 — 1,569 COURT-HOUSE AND HOSPITAL. On the third of August, 1853, G. A. Booth, E. J. Smith, and T. Purdy were appointed by the court of sessions to draw up specifications for a jail in Sierra county. The state of society which then existed, the large population that Sierra could boast of, and the numerous criminals whom it was highly important should be temporarily deprived of their liberty, made the erection of a con- venient bastilc not only a necessary, but an economical, step. The committee alluded to submitted a report to the court August 18, but it was referred back to them for amendments and alterations; and so changed, to be published in the Mountain Echo at Downieville. The court decided, on the fourteentii of October, 1853, that it could not at this time take into consideration proposals for building a county jail, and the matter was postponed. However, five hundred dollars were appro- priated for a temporary jail. A special term of the court of sessions was held March 14, 1854, to consider the expediency of building a court-house and jail, and tlie opinion prevailed that both were absolutely necessary to the proper administration of county affairs. The committee on plans ami specifications appointed at this session were H. B. Cossitt, Benjamin Hall, Alanson .^mith, and D. G. Webbci-. An adver- tisement for sealed proi)osals for the erection of a court-house 35x51 feet in size, a jail 36x13 feet, and a jailor's house 36x20 feet, was published for one month. Four bids were made on this work, which were opened April 18, and the contract was awarded to D. G. Webber, for f 12, 975. The other bids were made by J. F. Day, Cornelius Day, and William W. Robinson. An order issued from the court on the seventh of April, taking for the public use as much land on Durgan's flat as was deemed necessary, the ground appropriated being then in the possession of William J. Ford. Three hundred and fifteen dollars were allowed him for this tract. In May, 1854, a tax of one fourth of one per cent, was levied on the taxable property of Sierra county to pay the indebtedness incurred on the court-house and other buildings. On the eighteenth of De- cember of the sanie year, fifteen hundred dollars were appropriated as a special fund for furnishing the court-house. Tlie buildings that the county had contracted for at such a liljeral price were put up during the summer of 1854, but the court, considering that the specifications were not closely adhered to, refused to accept the buildings when finished. They remained unoccupied till the first meeting of the board of supervisors, May 6, 1855, when that liody accepted them for the use of the county, as we have already shown on a former page. The court-house still stands on a sightly point of Dur- gan's flat, and thougli not an imposing or gorgeous structure, presents a very subst.anti.il and cred- itable appearance. 438 To supply medical attendance and suitable food to those who, by misfortune or through their own faults and misdeeds, are deprived of the greatest boon of life — health — and have not the means to recover it or to alleviate their sufferings, has from the first been a matter of solicitous care for the people of Sierra county. To the cry of distress they iiave never turned a deaf ear. Camp hospitals, where the disabled or broken-down miner might find a welcome refuge, were sustained in many communities by freely given donations. It is necessary to correct the impression prevail- ini; among the new generation, that in the early days the every-man-for-himself policy was universal tlirough the mines. Though men lived rough, talked rough, and acted rough, the average miner had a great, noble heart, capable of feeling the sufferings of others ; and his purse-strings were seldom tied wlien calls were made for help. The first official provision made for the aid of unfor- tunates was the appointment by the court of sessions, on the eighth of May, 1854, of Doctors T. R. Kibljc and C. D. Aiken as physicians for indigent sick. On the eleventh of ilay, 1855, the board of supervisors appointed a resident physician in each of the three supervisor districts, to furnish medical attendance upon the indigent sick of the county. The following appointments were made : Dr. Aleraby Jump in district No. 1, with a salary of *500. Dr. R. W. Carr in district No. 2, with a salary of $700. Dr. W. E. Rust in district No. 3, with a salary of *500. Changes were made each year in the physicians, until 1858, when the district system was dropped, and one physician for the whole county was appointed, who had all the indigent sick under his charge. In November, 1858, the supervisors ordered the fitting up of the old Fetter l)\iilding on Jersey flat, in Downieville, for a lios))ital, and in December, Dr. E. J. Bryant was ap- pointed to its charge. Dr. Bryant at that time was a promising young physician, and afterwards married the daughter of Samuel Hungerford, now Mrs. Mackey. He held the position of county physician until 1862, when Dr. Tiiomas R. Kibbe was a])poiiited, and served two years. Dr. Alemby Jump was his successor, serving six years, until the appointment of Dr. G. C. Chase, in 1870, who presided over the hospital for three years. Dr. Jump was reappointed in the fall of 1873, and Dr. Chase again in 1875, serving two years. Dr. Jump became the county physician for the fourth time in 1877, an~VL ; . Z 6 < " S < <: a (-> S q: y~ opular fellow with the crowd. Threats of vengeance came from many a throat, and for safety the woman who had done tlie deed left her house hastily, and entered Craycroft's saloon, asking for protection. Her movement was noticed. A mob surrounded the place, so as to give her no possible chance of escape. Some one raised the cry, "Hang her I" and the idea met with an instant general approval. After the lapse of some time, during which her friends tried to save her, the woman was handed over to the frenzied crowd, and leil into tlie main plaza, where a stand had been erected for public speaking the day previous, directly in front of Foster's old cabin. Here she and her reptitcd husband were placed to await the issue of their trial. The body of poor Jack Cannon was placed in a tent near by, that the people might see his gai)ing wound, and steel their hearts against a revulsion of feeling. A judge and jury were appointed by those present, together with a lawj^er for the " people," and one for the defendant. A young lawy<'r lately from the states undertook her defense, and right bravely lie denounced the act about to be committed. He called upon those who had left friends - ;md relatives in the east to consider what they would say of these proceedings; for the sake of the women they loved, and tin- women that bore them, not to shed the blood of thi> poor creature. His eloquence was useless. While in the midst of his jieroration the barrel on which he stood was kicked from beneath him, hat going one way and spectacles another, while he was flung on the heads of the mob below, and carried a Inmdred yards before he touched the ground, receiving blows and kicks from all sides. After taking evidence, the jury retired, but soon returned with a verdict of guilty. Dr. C. D. Aiken, as a la.st resort to save the woman, endeavored to prove that she was enceinte. Drs. Kibbe, Chase, and Carr were accordingly ai)pointed a committee to make an examination, and reported that the statement was not true. For his rashness. Dr. Aiken was ordered to leave town in twenty-four hours, and tor quite a jieriod his shadow darkened no door in Downieville. The woman was taken to her cabin, and given one hour to prepare for death, without a priest. Confronting with an unflinching, steady gaze the angry crowd surroumling her, siie sat the wlu)le time; when, her hour being up, she was called forth, and passed fearlessly down the street, chatting and smiling with as much ease as anyone there. From the top of the Jersey bridge a rojie dangled over the side, while beneath it a timber six inches wide was lashed to the bridge, and swung out above the stream. Three thousand excited .spectators were present, many of whom now live to tell the tale. On tlie plank slie jtood, quietly surveying the crowd. Perceiving a friend, sjie took^ off her Panama hat, and gracefully flung it to him, bidding him good by in Spanish. She took the 447 rope ill hrr own haiirls, placeil it about her neck, ami adjusted it beneath her beautiful l)laclv hair with her own tino'ers. A white handljerohief was thrown over her face, her hands tied liehind her, and at each end of the phmk, ax in hand, stood a man ready to cut the Lashings. Another fired a pistol as a signal, and the axes felh She dropped three or four feet, meeting death with scarcely a struggle. The affair created a great deal of comment at the time, the course of the miners being almost universally denounced by the press of tlie country. Even the London Times of that period liad a severe article on the subject. Not long since, the memory of this event caused Mr. George Bar- ton of Downicvilie, who witnessed the lianging, to write some very creditable verses, a few of whicli we jircsent In-low: " Thej placed her lii^li upon the stand. Calmly she sat, no tear, uor frown, Nor quivering lip, nor trembling hand Shook ; but silent, looking down, She viewed the scene of hate and strife. Heard maddened voices cry aloud That she must die, and life for life Seemed the watchword of the crowd. " With hurried forms they held a court, The judge elected, jury sworn ; It seemed but as a mocking sport, For she would die before the morn. Was there no man dared to defend. And help a woman's life to save? A stranger tried, a humane friend — He sank beneath that angry wave. "The sun had passed its noonday line. The jury from the scene retired. And thousands in that solemn time Seemed calm, and yet their hearts were fired ; And pity dwelt in scarce an eye — But silence ! hear the verdict read : The prisoner's ouily'rY, and must die — Hung by the neck till she is dead. ** And still her face seemed more serene Than all that sea of faces there ; Before she left this earthly .scene She begged for time to plead in prayer. 'Twas given — her busom heaved no sighs. Nor fluttering pang, nor bated breath ; No tear bedimraed her keen, black eyes, She knelt to pray, not fearing death. " The sun sank low down in the we.st, And tinged with gold each mountain ridge ; The crowd closed in and eager pressed Onward towards the fatal bridge That spanned the rapid mountain stream. And thousands darkly lined each shore ; The noose was dangling from the beam, Her dream of life would soon be o'er. " Gayly she climbed the fatal pile ; To one she knew, with graceful bend. Flung him her hat, and with a smile, 'Adois, Ajiigo '—good by, friend ; And pressed the noose beneath her hair. And smoothed it down with steady palms : Like making up her toilet there, Ere death embraced her in his arms. " Her face enwrapped and limbs close tied. The handkerchief clasped in her hands To give the signal ere she died — A moment silent thus sha stands ; It dropped — a shot rang on the air. The plank fell from beneath her feet, A woman's lifeless form was there. Her soul had sought the meroy-seat. "Stern winter brought its angry flood That madly rushed towards the sea ; That bridge went down, and yet the blood Stain lingers ; it will ever be A mark — no matter where the blame — To point the finger toward the spot. When every witness, ay, each name. Are unremembered, all forgot." THE SLATE-CREEK TRAGEDY. For a full account of the murder of Dunbar at the Slate creek house, and the subsequent hanging of Fillmore, Miller, and Parks, in 18.52, see page 209 of this work. 448 SHOOTING OF THADDEUS PURDY. In the fall of 1853, a gambler named Muntz and a miner, " Baltimore Jack," quarreled over a game of cards at Foster City. Muntz w<>uniiimitted October 12, 1854, at Rabbit Creek, now La Porte, was hung in Slug canon about eighteen months after. Harlow was known to be an utterly unscrupulous and a dangerous man, and withal a very cunning thief. In 1853 the good citizens of Goodyear's bar had proved a theft on him, and in addition to the admin- istering of a severe castigation, he was branded with the letter "T" on his cheek, that, like Cain, he might bear the jiublic record of his iniiiuily to the grave. Harlow and the wife of Smith, at Rabbit Creek, had formed iin intimacy not altogether consistent with the laws of society, which improper connection is supposed to have led to the murder of Smith, for the purpose of getting him out of the way. On the day alluded to, Harlow and Smith were I'hopping trees in the woods, when the former split the latter's head open with an axe. The wife was suspected of conniving at the murder of her husband. Harlow escaped to Oregon, where he remained concealeil for over a year. Finally he ventured to return to Sierra county, and w.is caught soon after. Harlow was arraigned on the twelfth of February, 1856, in the district Court, Judge Niles Searles presiding on the bench. He was defended by William S. Spear. The trial occupied only one day : on the evening of the thirteenth, the jury, of which William S. Kenney was foreman, found a verdict of guilty. Sentence of death was pronounced by Judge Searles Febru.-iry "27, limiting Harlow's lease of life to the eighteenth of A])ril. The plea of the defense for acquittal was grounded on alleged insanity in the prisoner. Doctors Aiken and Carr having previously made an examination and discovered the necessary maniacal symptoms. But the feeling was so strong against Harlow that the jury had no difficulty in coming to an agreement. Sheriff Ford and his deputies performed the execution in Slug canon on the day appointed, in the presence of a vast concourse of excited witnesses, who cover<'d the sides of the neighboring hills. The job was not performed very artistically. At the first drop the rope stretched so much that the victim's feet touched the ground. Immeiliately several strong hands grasped the rope and hauled the writhing burden to a more elevated position, where he died in a few moments. On tlie scaffold Harlow confessed to an additional crime of which he had not been suspected, and for which another and an innocent party had severely suffered. In 1854 a young man had been arrested for robbing a sluice-box in the Chicago diggings, and had been sentenced from a justice's court to imprisonment in the county jail six months, together with twenty-five lashes at the 451 whippins-post. The punishment was ail ministered in accordanco witli the law, though the man who wielded the lash laid them cm as liuhtly as possible. The term of confinement had expired, and long prior to the hanging of Marlow the unfortunate youth had loft the town with no great love for the place. The establisliment of his innocence by the confession of Harlow produced a reversion of feeling in the minds of the peoi:>le ; and could the young man have been found at the time, he would have been liberally remunerated in a pecuniary way for his suffering and humiliation. THE BUTLER-MOFFAT TRAGEDY. The killing of Robert Moffat at Dnwuieville, in the fall i>f 1855, occasioned great excitement at the time, and thougji David Butler, tlie murderer, met .i retributive fate in an adjoining county, the matter properly belongs to the criminal annals of Sierra county. On the twenty-seventh of September, 1857, Roltert Moffat arrived in Downieville, bringing with him a lot of gold-dust from the Buttes mine. An attempt to rob him on his way thither had been threatened, but the discov- ery of the plot being made in time, the gang of robbers had refrained from making any demonstra- tions of the kind. That evening, Moffat met a Mexican in the card-room of Craycroft"s saloon, and accused him of being at the head of the band of robbers. The Mexican denied the charge, when Butler stepped up, saying that the Mexican was not the man for whom the remarks were intended. Moffat insisted that he meant what he said, which resulted in hard words and threats between them, when Butler went away to arm himself. The conversation was continued between Moffat and the Mexican. Presently Butler returned, with a pistol belted to his side. Moffat asked Butler wliat he was looking at, who answered: " I am looking at you, because I have nothing else to do." Moffat then said he wished to have nothing to do with such a man. Upon this, Butler drew his pistol and struck at Moffat two or three times; then he stejipeil back, leveled his weapon, and fired, the ball taking effect iu Moffat's right side, from the effects of which he died in twenty-four hours. Butler escaped over the hill to the west by the aid of his friends, the gamblers of the place, who led tlie excited crowd up tlie river, shouting, " Catch him! Shoot him!" giving the fugitive a chance for his life, wliich he improved to advantage. Butler fleut the enterprising I'oad-agent to but little trouble to gain a livelihood. The building of substantial highways through the wild caiions and over the ridges, and the running of great, lumbering stages that carry a car-load of freight, express, and passengers, has rendered the calling in these days exceedingly ilifficnlt .md dangerous, such as only the most interpid care to follow. S. W. Langton started his express from Marysville to Downieville in 1850, spreading out and taking in the other camps as his business increased, until he had almost a monopoly in this line. He had the names of thousands of miners, together with their location, and delivered letters to them at the rate of a dollar apiece. At first there was but little to be apprehended from the road-agents, but they soon made themselves felt, and it began to require the exercise of a keen judgment to select men of bravery and determination who could get treasure from point to jioint in safety, despite the obstacles and dangers that threatened them at every step. Some of the stories told by these men, of their escapes aTid failures, are exceedingly sensational, the more so because of their evident truth. Among the first on the route from Marysville to Downieville was (ieorge (Jreat- house. In 1853 Mr. J. N. McMillan was on the route from Minnesota to Nevada City, which was considered a very dangerous one, as four men had been killed on the ridge, whose bodies were found mangled and stiff by the side of the trail. One day, in the summer of 1854, hi' had about two hundred ounces of gold-dust in the express bags, and after leaving Chij)"s flat, going down to Kanaka creek, the bags slipped off. He did not miss them for some time; but when he perceived the loss, he retraced his stejis up the hill, searching for the treasure. He soon saw a man in the act of taking the bags from the ground, who explained as he rode up that he had found them, and was going to return them to Chip's flat. McMillan dismounted, saying he would take charge of them, but found that the straps of one side were unbuckled, and the contents gone. He told the man that one purse was missing; but the latter claimed to know nothing about it, as he had just come up and had taken nothing. Being sure that the ni.in had the gold, McMillan proposed that they should go to Chip's together, and let the agents know what had happened. The stranger, who carried a pig in a sack, agreed to this, and they went back. S. B. Davidson and Mr. Riley, the agents there at the time, had shijiped the missing ]nirse. Before reaching the oftice the man deposited his pig in a vacant cabin, when they went on and told their stories. McMillan was put under arrest by the justice, while McGury, the pig man, was allowed to go. A subsequent search of the cabin revealed the purse hidden in the straw, which led to the arrest of McGury, who was examined and bound over for trial at .a higher court. At the time, however, he failed to turn up, and his bail bond had also been stolen from the clerk's oflice, so that the proceedings of the court met with a decided check. To avoid robbers, Mr. McMillan was fre(iuently obliged, when carrying 455 large sums, to take devious and unfrequented ways towards his destinatioint, invested it during tjie year with the title of Jersey Flat. In the early spring Parton opened a store on Jersey Flat, while James Hawkins brought a stock of goods, and sold them in Downieville. The j)rices were enormous, whisky being sixteen 4S7 dollars a bottle, and other necessaries bringing worse than " war prices." In Ajjril, 1850, the first eating-house was ojiened by Mrs. Judge Galloway in a large log cabin, and the pioneer meat market owed its origin to Ned Barker soon after. The town grew as if by magic. Hundreds came in every day, without cessation, for weeks. It is estimated that in April not less than five thousand people were at Downieville, coming and going all the time. Numerous stores and saloons were opened in tent houses, the proprietors having no time to indulge in more substantial architecture. Woods soon put up his large hotel, which became the must po]iular caravansary in that neighbor- hood. As early as March a miner's meeting was held, at which thirteen resolutions weie passed, form- ing the laws governing the people in their relations to each other as miners. Claims were fixed at thirty feet to a man. Downieville soon became crowded, and it was with difficulty that the multi- tudes could secure their board. Of course all the lazy, worthless fellows, who by a little labor could have made fifty dollars a day, protested that all the paying claims wei-e taken, and that the dimen- sions were too large. Too indolent to perform the labors that others had done, and discover new mines, these malcontents demanded a division of the claims already found and located. But it was not long before hundreds left diggings that paid fifty dollars a day, to search for the famous Gold Lake, and the pressure was removed. They were also drawn away by the discoveries of diggings at Eureka, Howland flat, St. Louis, and other jilaces. Downieville presented a different aspect then from what it diil a year or two later. The great pines that grew down to the water's edge were scarcely touched by the miners, except when they wished to get them out of the way. Myriads of tents covered the flats, in which the rude arts of the ])ioneer cuisine were practiced in all their primitivcness. S. W. Langton started, in the spring, his express to Marysville, and the arrival of the cxpi'essman with letters that cost the homesick miner a dollar apiece was far more anxiously looked for than is the mail-bag in these days of ra])id communication, when the score is settled with Uncle Sam at the beginning of the journey. The building of Mr. Durgan's saw-mill soon altered the appearance of Downieville. The trees began to fall on every side ; saw and hammer awakened the echoes ; building commenced in real earnest from lumber that cost eighty dollars a thousand at the mill, and carpenters were in demand at sixteen and twenty dollars a day. Gambling and drinking became the prevailing vices, as in all new camps, with their accompaniments of boisterous music, big, yellow nuggets, and oceans of coin striking the eye and ear at once. Whisky was retailed at four bits a drink, and was mostly made in the back rooms of the saloons. This explains why there was never a scarcity of whisky in the mountains, even when flour and beans were worth nearly their weight in gold. The general idea in 1849 was that all the gold must be in the rivers ; but in 1850 the rich flats, the deep bars, and the high benches began to be worked with surprising results. Some fluming of the river-bed was done during the year, and in 13)1 this kind of mining had become almost a mania. Between Downieville and Goodyear's, a distance of four miles, the river was carried nearly the whole way in flumes, costing an immense amount of money. Though a great deal of gold was taken out, these enterprises, on the whole, failed to su])ply very large dividends, in consequence of the tremendous losses occasioned by incipient floods. The fluming companies generally were deceived by the holes in the river-bed, which, when pumped out, were often entirely barren. The richest company working on the bars was the Steamboat, on Steamboat bar, which for some weeks in 1851 averaged S.J,000 a day. The Virginia company, of which S. B. Davidson was secretary and general manager, had a claim below the mouth of Slug canon, running down to Steamboat bar. There were nine in the company. In 1851 their highest day's work produced $2,617, and on the 52 * 458 five succeeding days tliey secured 12,200, 81,059, 81,120, ?;2,138, and 82,135, consecutively. It was tlie custom among all the companies to divide the gold every night, thus avoiding complications with defaulting cashiers. The Jersey company, in 1850, had a claim above the present site of the Jersey bridge, embracing the spot where Frank Anderson had made the first discovery of gohff Twenty ]iersons formed the company in the fall, who worked twenty rockers. Their yield was very gratifying, even in those days, the gold being weigheil niglitly on the steelyards in the butcher- shop, and divided with even-handed justice. Their harvest ran from twenty to sixty pounds of gold-dust every day. On Durgan flat, Frank Anderson, Cliarles Lewis, James Irwin, and J. W. Hamilton had a claim sixty feet square. On this they worked eleven days, and took out $12,900, one day's yield amounting to |4,300. Then they sold the precious piece of land to other parties, Anderson's partners going back to the states. The new company did somewhat better, averaging $1,500 per day to each man, working also eleven days. The Bennett boys then took their chances on what remained, and averaged *1,200 per day per man, until they dis]iosed of the ])ro|)erty to others. During the six months from the time of opening this claim, it passed into several other hands, yielding, in the aggregate, over 880,000. Around Downieville every foot of ground paid rich returns. The Tiiuup diggings, spoken of elsewhere, proved a mint to those wlio worked them, for a long time. It is said that in 1850 three men always made it a point to fill a tin cup with gold, before quitting work at night, and they didn't wear tliemselves out at labor either. On a low bar just below, George Barton and ]>arty were working. One day they sunk a hole five feet deep, and panned out $2,500 in two hours, consisting of coarse gold tiiat raiigrd in size from two bits to eU'ven ounces. In the fall of 1850 the largest piece known to be found on the river was excavated at Gold bluff, two miles above town, on the Sailor claim. It was jiure gold, almost round, and weighed twenty-five pounds. Other pieces from the same claim weighed from one to five pounds. They were cxliildtcd in the theater, on the stage. IMr. Harton, who has written many very inter- esting reminiscences for tlie Messenger, tells the following, as illustrative of the condition of society at tliis period : "Tiiere was an absence of women in 1850, and well on to 1851. There were not half a dozen women in town, white or Spanish. In the fall of 1851 I was mining on Durgan flat, and was in the shaft drifting, when suddenly I heard the most exciting yells and hurras on the surface, and called to find out what was the cause. It was some time before I could get an answer. My partner at last hallooed down, ' Come up — come up ; they are coming.' ' Well, who is it?' ' Wliy, the women!' All hands knocked* off, and soon the flat was alive with men. The trail then was nearly straight down Galloway's hill, and they were in view from town for about an hour. They were four or five of the demi-monde, under the care of the afterwards notorious Rose Cooper; as they neared town it grew dark, and the miners crowded in from up and down the river, cheering and yelling up the crowded main street, till they landed in the Gem saloon. One of the women was so frightened that when she entered she fainted, fearing they were going to be lynched, as the Spanish woman had been hung by a mob on the 5th of Jidy the same year. In 1851 a Mr. Morris built a theater back of the lower plaza, and Ned Bingham, McClosky, and a tolerable company occupied it ; and that was a step on the road to more civilizing influences. It was run straight along, Sundays included ; in fact, that and Saturdays were their best nights. The scenery was the worst of daubs, and the stage furniture the wildest attempts at sylvan scenery: interiors of castles, ships, and raging seas ; but it pleased all, and the miners heartily sujtported it." In 1851 the Downieville precinct polled 1,132 votes. Sierra Woodall was the first wliite child born in the county. Her introduction to the world was made in 1851, at Snake bar, two miles 459 helow Downieville.and at the organization of the county the name of Sierra was given her. A^nes Galloway was the first child of Downieville, now Mrs. H. F. Turner of Sierra valley. Plight Inuiilred miners were working on Durgan flat in 1851. Durgan erected a little foot- bridge across the stream to Downieville, and the inhabitants of that section were taxed each four dollars a month for the privilege of walking across it. On the night of February 19, 1852, Downie- ville was entirely destroyed liy fire. There were so many cloth tents and plain board shanties that the fire fiend made quick work of it, and the morning sun shone on a flat waste of ashes. The loss was about $150,000. Houses of a more substantial character soon replaced the old ones. On the following day a great meeting of the inhabitants was held. Robert Keifer, George A. Booth, and another man were appointed to lay off the streets, which they did on the twenty-first. The citizens could not agree at first about the width to make the thoroughfares, but at length, after holding three meetings, in which the matter was fully discussed, it was decided to make the streets forty feet wide. McNulty opened the St. Charles hotel two days nfter the tire. It was an im- mense, light frame, covered with cotton, with benches and tables running lengthwise of the struct- ure. On the anniversary of Washington's birthday McNulty took in, for meals alone, it!2,600. Craycroft & Co. in a short time put up their immense saloon, which had a counter in it seventy-five feet long, that on many an occasion lightened the purse of the rash individual who culled the whole house up to drink, and to whom the long perspective of expectant men waiting to be served at his exj^ense must have been a cheering sight. A brief glance at a few of the business men stationed here in the summer of 1852 may not be inopportune. In the line of dry goods, E. W. Haskell & Brother k'd the trade; Knapp & Paull ke])t a variety store ; Sam Rosinsquy ilealt in boots and shoes; Ferdinand Reis supplied the Tuiners with im])lcraents and tools; while William B. Hamblin & Son sold them jiots, kettles, and tinware; Hawley, Simmons, & Co. and Thomas Tobin & Co. wholesaled and retailed groceries and liquors; S. Walton & Co. traded general merchandise for gold-dust; A. A. Cochran owned the Sierra drug-store; Green & Shejjard worked in precious stones and metals ; George A. Reynolds bought gold-dust ; Dr. B. N. Freeman, Dr. George Chase, Dr. Wilson Carr, and Dr. C. D. Aiken attended to the j)hysical ailments of the camp. The National theater, with J. J. McClosky as man.ager, supplied Thespi.an amusements to the pleasure- seekers ; while Reverend R. R. Dunlap preached Methodism to the religiously inclined. Among the numerous hotels were the Arcade, kept by A. Wheeler, and the Bridge house, by Mrs. E. Lowry & Co., together with McNulty's and Wood's caravansaries. In 1851 Craycroft & Cheever had built a saw-mill above town, which was in operation; and in 1852 Philo A. Haven erected an- other farther up the East Fork. Haven's flume headed two miles above Downieville, carrying wat])ointed niarshall ; R. Smidaker, night-watchman ; and J. F. Cowdery, city attorney. II. A. Fordham became secretary, but resigned, and C. \V. Gilbert succeeded him. Two ordinances relating to loose" hogs and fast driving were passed at this meeting. The contract for building the Jersey flat bridge, a former one having been swejjt away by the floods of 1861, was awarded by the council to James Jiorlaud, June 8, 1863. The incorporation act was amended by an act approved March 31, 1866, which changed the boundaries as follows : ^^^^;^^r^'>^^.?.^^ RESIDENCC or W.T.LUTHER. DOWNICVILLE SIERRA C°C^l- 461 "Commencing at the north-east corner of the warehouse of Hughes & frarnossett, on the turnpike ; thence southerly to the south-west corner of the dwelling-house belonging to Thomas Freliill, on Durgan flat; thence easterly to the flume known as Flandreau's flume, and along the same to a point on the South fork of the North Yuba river opposite the south-east corner of the house of J. Volmer; thence northerly to the south-west corner of Noble's foundry; and thence north-westerly, crossing the north bank of the Yuba river, to the north end of the brewery of F. Busch ; and thence to the north-western corner of tiie Catholic church ; and thence to place of beginning." In a few years the expense of a city government became irksome to the people; interest in the election of oflicers began to flag, and finally these elections were discontinued altogether. The town is still incorporated, and may at any time desired revive its municipal institutions, but at present there is little disposition to do so. An act was passed in March, 1863, establishing a fire department in Downieville, to consist of chief engineer, first and second assistants, president, secretary, treasurer, and a board of deleo-ates of three from each hose company. Downieville for some years had had two of these comjianies both of which are in existence at present: the Mountain Torrent hose company No. 1, and the Cat- aract hose company No. 2. At the first election of the department Otto Housman was made chief- Jack Campbell, first engineer; John Long, second engineer; Will Stich, secretary and treasurer. The delegates chosen from the Mountain Torrent company were John Brockman, Henry Bassing and W. N. Burrows; from the Cataract company the delegates were Mat Lynch, E. M. Grijipen, and J. Meroux. It was not long ere the choicest powers of the department were brought into requisition, this time to cope with another great fire that threatened to exterminate for a third time the prosperous town. The fire of February 21, 1864, wiped out the principal part of the business portion, and was only held in check by pulling down frame buildings that furnished fuel for its continuation. In this way the solid brick structure now owned by J. W. Brown was saved from the destroyer, though it received a severe scorching. The Sierra Detnocral was again burned out, and only a very small amount of damaged material was recovered — proving the finishing stroke of that excellent sheet, that caused its permanent dissolution. The hall and records of the Masonic order were a second time destroyed, and the propertj' of the Odd Fellows met a similar fate. The Cath- olic church, which had been destroyed in the fire of 1858, was now farther uj) the hill, and escajied a second burning. This fire, in its effects on the prosperity of the town, was somewhat more disas- trous than that of 1858. The population had decreased in consequence of mining excitements else- where, which drew off those given to speculation, and the ruined structures were replaced only as the demands of business required. Downieville had reached its culminating period, from which it settled down into a steady-going hamlet, making thereafter but little noise or stir in the world. Among the incidents happening in this decade should be mentioned the accident which occuned on the twenty-seventh of May, 1863. Company K, sixth regiment California volunteers, had a short time before been recruited in Sierra county, with headquarters at Downieville. By the premature discharge of a cannon fired in honor of the capture of Vicksburg, from the bluffs below town. Lieutenant M. M. Knox and Second Lieutenant William A. Donaldson were horribly mangled and killed. Knox was blown down the declivity two hundreil feet, while Donaldson had his eyes blown out, his wrists torn off, and was otherwise mutilated. Military rites were performed over the grave l)y the National Guard, the Sierra Guards, and the fire conipanies. Downieville was made a post-office in 1852, Edward Haskell receiving the first aj)pointment as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1854 by James Gernon, who presided over the mails for four 462 years. In 1858 Francis Anderson was appointed, and signed P. M. to his name until 1862. In that j'ear A. G. McKinsey obtained the position, liokling it during the long period of thirteen years. In 1873 William Ryan became the postmaster of Downieville, and is tlie present incumbent. A man named Kempton started the first private school in Downieville, in the spring of 1853. The money for its support was raised by subscription from the few families who had children to send. Kempton taught but two months, when, not finding a fortune in the educational line, he gave the school up to a Mr. Boucher, who in a short time resigned in favor of a man by the name of Rogers. In the fall of 1853 Mrs. S. M. Shoemaker established a school where the bank is now situated, which became a very creditable institution, according to the laudations of the Mountain Echo. In 1854 Mrs. Stephens taught in this place; then a young man by the name of Myers, and afterwards a Mr. Patterson. In the spring of 185G J. A. Col)us was engaged in teaching, wlicn Mr. George Hardy started a subscription list to build a school-house. He succeeded in raising abiut ?800. The contract was let to George Webber and another parly, for |>780. At this time the public was considerably in arrears with former teachers. To lift this indebtedness, a theatrical performance was given in the Downieville theater, which was participated in by R. II. Taylor, W . S. Spear, Captain Hungerford, George Barton, Cheever, and several others. The play produced was the "Golden Farmer." Several young men took the ladies' parts, and the single entertainment was a grand success, netting for the school fund about seven hundred dollars. D. H. Cowdcn taught the first school in tlie new building on Jersey flat, starting with twenty pu2)ils. In 1861 the building was raised eight feet, to accommodate a primary school in the basement. This is the same bulMing now used for school purposes, in which Mr. James Tully presides as principal over one hundred and fifty-one pupils in regular attendance. The value of school property in the Downieville district is estimated at ^1,900. Downieville can boast of having been the whilom residence of many who afterwards rose to distinction and prominence in the various w:dks of life. Hon. Joseph McKibl>en made Downieville his home for several years after its inception. In 1851 he repi-esented Yuba county in the Califor- nia senate ; and when Sierra coimty was created commenced the practice of law at the county seat. He was nominated for congress from the third district, in Atigust, 1858, upon the democratic popular sovereignty ticket, and was elected by a large majority, and served with considerable ability. At the opening of the war he joined the Union ranks, and soon became colonel of a regiment, where he did excellent service for his country during the entire war. The illustrious and gallant Colonel E. 1). Baker resided in Downieville for some time after leaving Illinois. During the Mexican war he served with distinction under General Scott, acquiring considerable celebrity before following the tide of gold-seekers westward. He was admitted to practice in the Sierra county courts, where his wonderful eloipience was heard in many an important case, taking at once a position iti the front rank of California .attornej'S. Upon his removal to Oregon, a San Francisco paper upbraided the people of this state for not ])roperly appreciating his remarkable talents in oratory and the law. Oregon did credit to herself in sending Colonel Baker to the United States senate, from which body he witlidrew to join the army of the Potomac, as colonel. His death, which occurrcil at Edward's ferry, October 21, 1861, was lamented by the whole niirthern people, and especially by the inhabitants of the Pacific coast, to wjiom lie was endeared by many ties. John M.ackey, the great millionaire, lived in Sierra county when fortune had not yet learned to smile upon him. He was a common working-man, though a good judge of ore, and worked on the ridges at Forest City and Alleghany. It was in Downieville that he married the young widow of Dr. E. J. Bryant, who was the daughter of Captain Hungerfonl, a popular barber of the town. e 463 Ex-Governor J. A. Johnson, who left his law practice in Downieville to take the gubernatorial chair, remembers tliis )jlace as his home, as do several others who have since risen to high positions ■Isewhere : among them, J. F. Cowdery, city attorney of San Francisco; Moses Kirkpatrick, after- wards sheriff of San Francisco county; Judge R. H. Taylor, William Stewart, L. E. Pratt, and William J. Ford. Applicaticin was made by Judge A. J. Howe, November 10, 1881, in behalf of the citizens of Downiexille, at the general land office, for a patent to the town site, which was granted. The town site embraces the east half of the south-west quarter of section 26, and the north-west quarter of section 35, all in township 20 north, of range ten east of the Mount Diablo meridian, and consists of 240 acres. In the flood of February, 1881, the Durgan bridge was swept out. The present bridge was constructed by the Califurnia bridge company, in the short space of two weeks, on a contract calling for $3,200. Downieville is supplied with water by numerous ditches and ])ipes, owned by five different water companies. S. D. Hill & Son furnish water to Durgan flat by pijies running from the Oro tunnel. Jersey flat is partially supplied by M. H. Mead, who carries the water in pipes from tiie South fork. S. M. York & Brother's ditch taps the East fork two miles above ; while the old Haven flume, owned by J. M. Hall & Co., with John Hughes as agent, comuiences on the East fork, at Pauley's saw-mill, and supplies Busch's brewery, Chinatown, and a number of residences with what they require. H. vSpaulding's flume, which is the main water supply of town, heads at the Good Hojie mine, runs a mile in length, and conducts through pipes laid along the streets the quantity necessary for the usages to which it is put. This ditch haa been in operation many years. A reservoir on the hill west of town furnishes water to protect the village from fire. On Main street there are six fire-plugs, with a fall sufficient to throw a stream far above the highest buildings. Jersey flat has three plugs, supplied from the ditch of S. M. York & Brother, and Durgan flat owes its protection to the water supply of S. D. Hill & Son. McGuire & Wilbern have a private ditch a mile and a half in length, heading in Hungry Mouth ravine. The Downieville fire 'department is fully organized and in working order. A large bell on Main street sounds the dread alarms, summoning the department to its onerous labors, and the promptness with which the call is responded to reflects credit on the members. The officers of the department are as follows : chief engineer, L. Byington ; assistants, N. H. Meaney, J. S. Wiggins ; delegates from the Mountain Torrent hose company, N. H. Meaney, V. Hartling, A. Cohn ; from the Cataract hose company, S. M. York, J. M. B. Meroux, W. J. Holmes. Joseph Garibaldi is foreman of the Mountain Torrent company, with T. Bessler assistant, and A. Cohn secretary. H. Spaulding is foreman of the Cataract company, assisted by William Byington, while H. H. Purdy performs the clerical work. Downieville is coanected by daily stages with Marysville and with Sierra City. The former route is owned by Dan T. Cole, Warren Green, and John Sharp. The distance is sixty-five miles, and twenty-four horses are in use constantly. The drivers are George Sharp and Ben Wood, both efficient men in the Jehu line. Weir & Mead own the route to Sierra City, the distance being twelve miles. The Alta California Telegraph company built a line of telegraph from Nevada City to Downieville in 185.5. W. W. Smith, the first operator, was succeeded by A. C. Chapman the same year. In December, 1855, J. W. Orear took the office, and with the exception of one year, 1864-65, he has filled the place ever since. In the interim, A. F. Chapman was operator. A district telegraph system has been in operation for a nuinbtr of years, connecting several business houses and residences with the court-house. Wells, Fargo, & Co.'s express succeeded that of Langton & 464 ■if- Co., in 1866. J. W. Orear was appointed their first agent, and is the present incunibont, having held the place continuously since. The Downieville foundry and machine sliop is an important institution, being the only one in the county. Solomon Purdy erected the first foundry, in I85.i. Prior to 1866 it was owned and run for several years by Oland & Noble. Messrs. Manson, Thom, and Luther bought it then, and conducted it until tlie spring of 1877, when the property was purchased liy Taylor & Forbes. The dam across the North fork was built in 1867, at a cost of $3,000, furnishing a splendid water power to propt-l the machinery. Thirteen thousand dollars were paid at the last sale for the property. Pennsylvania Lehigh coal is used in the furnace, costing forty-four dollars a ton laid down at the foundry. The works were burned in July, 1869, and again in September, 1872. Quartz-mill building and repairing have for a long period been the leading features of the work performed. The two breweries of Downieville make an excellent quality of beer. The amber rtuid was first brewed here in 1854, bj' Borge, who two years after sold his brewery to Scammon & Schultz, and they to John Uupp and another ]iarty. Ferdinand Busch bought the property in 1858, and still owns it. The Monte Christo brewery was built in 1861. L. Nesslerand Joseph Wackman became the proprietors the same year. The former purchased the latter's interest in 1866 ; but in 1868, and for fight years after, J. A. Blohm was a jiartner, Mr. Nessler being now the only pro- prietor. The brewery was burned in 1864, involving a loss of §10,000, and a second time was consumed in 1870. H. Scammon's banking house has been conducted by him since 1866. H. T. Briggs is the present oashit'r. The principal business houses of Downieville may be enumerated as follows: St. Charles hotel, P. Eschliacher ; McDonald hotel, Owen McDonald ; dry goods, B. Latreille, Bril- liant & Co., Cohn Brothers; groceries, Spaulding & Mowry, A. Garibaldi, J.' M. B. Meroux ; hardware, J. W. Brown ; drugs, C. C. Smith, W. B. Kimball; watches and jewelry, II. Purdy; furniture, T. M. Stackus; livery stable, Weir & Mead ; butcher-shops, L. Byington, John Coster; blacksmith shops, George Ift, W. D. Nolan. The town sui)ports a large number of saloons, several of thom being elegantly fitteil up. The Methodist Episcopal church of Downieville was organized some time in the year 1855, with Rev. H. Ewart as the first regular pastor. Services were held prior to that time by itinerant ministers. In 1856 Rev. John B. Hill was sent to this place, and remained until the following year. During his pastorate he succeeded in raising sufficient by subscription to build the church which now stands. The list of ministers who have had this charge since Mr. Hill are given as follows: William Hulbert, 1858; W. S. Turner, 1859; H. B. Sheldon, 1859; W. S. Urmey, 1860; C. H. Nortluip, 1861; J. Rogers, 186.3: James Wicks, 1864: J. B. Fish, 1865; James Wicks, 1868; Josejih I'ettit, 1870; W. B. Priddy, 1871 ; Will Gordon, 1873 ; P. L. Haynes, 1874; E. M. Stewart, 1876; John Ajiplcton, 1879; B. F. Rhoads, 1881. A Congregational society was organized in Downieville in 1855, with Rev. W. C. Pond as pastor, who held the position until 1866, when the society was allowed to die out. A Congregational chapel was built in September, 1858, but upon the disorganization it was sold and used for other purposes. A Catholic church building was erected in 1852, at which time Father Dalion was priest. He was succeeded two or three years after by Father Delahunty. In 1858 Father Morris was sent to this charge, and in 1861 Father Lynch. The succeeding pastors were Reverends Baker, Maroncy, Sheridan, O'Donnell, and Kerley, the present pastor ; Father Kerley being ajipointed in 1879. In 1858 the church was burned in the great fire, but was soon rebuilt higher up the hill, where it now stands. Mountain Shade L^dgk No. ix, F. & A. M. — This Masonic lodge was organized under I 465 dispensation, in 18')], with H. P. Benton, W. M.; W. B. Hamblin, S. W. ; George Fagg, J. W.; and a nicinbershi]) of thirty-seven. A charter was received Mayo, 1852, when G. Pagg became W. M. ; T. B. Graham, S. W.\ and H. McNulty, J. W. ; numbering fifty charter members. The present meinbersliip is forty-five, and the ofKcers are Robert Forbes, W. M. ; Henry Spaulding, S. W. ; Lewis Mowry, J. W. ; H. H. Purdy, treas.; Jolm Scott, sec; A. Cohn, S. D. ; A. J. MeGuire, J. D. ; L. Byington, marshal; J. M. B. Meroux, J. A. Blomh, stewards; Valentine Hartling tyler. The present liall was built in June, 1864, two former ones liaving been burned in the fires of 1858 and 1864. Sierra Chapter No. 21, R. A. M., was organized in October, 1857, under dispensation, and was chartered May 7, 1858, with Lewis Reynolds, H. P. ; John D. Scellen, K. ; and Solomon Purdy, S. The jsresent ofiicers are William T. Luther, H. P. ; L. Byington, K. ; James B. Crooks, S. ; H. S. Purdy, treas.; William Ryan, sec; H. Strange, C. of H.; Benjamin Pauley, P. S. ; George C Martin, R. A. C. ; V. Hartling, M. of 3rd V.; Jacob Lewis, M. of 2nd V. ; D. L. Whitney, M. of Ist V. Sierra Lodge No. 24, I. O. O. F., was chartered June 6, 1854. The first officers were R. H. Taylor, N. G. ; E. W. Casey, V. G. ; William DeKay, R. S. ; A. Smith, P. S. ; J. H. Scales, treas. The membership of the lodge at the time was fifty-four. They erected a hall soon after, which lasted until the fire of 1864, when it was consumed. The handsome structure now owned by the lodge was put up in a short time. Tlie present membership is seventy-one, with the follow- ing elective officers: H. Carpenter, N. G.; T. B. Eugleston, V. G. ; H. D. Hill, sec; L. H. Osgood, treas. Blue Range Encampment No. 8, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 25, 1856, with a mem- bership of nineteen. The first officers were W. Heaton, C P. ; T. R. Kibbe, H. P. ; J. H. Hickox, S. W. ; C. K. Wright, S. ; E. M. Griijpen, treas. ; E. W. King, J. W. The membership at present is fifty-two, with these officers: William J. Holmes, C. P.; John T. Mason, H. P. ; H. Strange, S. W. ; A. Cohn, S. ; H. G. Weir, treas. ; H. Carpenter, J. W. Downieville Lodge No. 123, A. O. U. W. — This flourishing beneficiary order was char- tered in Downieville in 1879, and has acquired a large and constantly increasing membership. The hall is on Durgan flat, directly in front of the court-house. GOODYEAR'S BAR. This celebrated old mining camji, one of the first located within tlie present confines of Sierra county, is picturesquely situated on the North Yuba, four miles below Downieville. Beautiful ])ine-clad hills surround the place, conspicuous among which is the noble crest of Grizzly peak. In the distance may be seen Saddle Back, Fir Cap, Monte Christo, and many other i^oints of interest alike to the practical miner and the lover of nature. The first inhabitants of Goodyear's bar were Miles Goodyear, Andrew Goodyear, Dr. Vaughan, and a Mr. Morrison, who settled here in the late summer of 1849. At that time the hand of man had not molested the beautiful groves of oak and other valley growths that fringed the turgid waters of the Yuba, Rook creek, and (ioodyear creek, then dashing their silvery torrents over primeval rocks, or explored the rippling depths where lay the yellow sands so highly prized for ages. The scene was soon changed. Discoveries of rich gold deposits caused others to settle in the neighborhood, who had left the lower diggings and followed 53 466 up the stream in search of a more rapid road to wealth. Philo Haven, Frank Anderson, and the Downie party passed here during the fall at different times, seeking the North fork. Miles Goodyear was taken sick shortly after his arrival, and lingered along for several months, finally, on the twelfth of November, 1849, yielding up his life. He was buried on a point opposite Goodyear's bar, since named Slaughter bar. The remains were deposited in an old rocker, with a buffalo robe for a shroud. A rough head-board, carved by Dr. Vaughan, told the stranger that Miles Goodyear was no more, giving the date of his departure from earth. The body was after- wards removed below by his brother Andrew. Great hardships were experienced at Goodyear's bar during the succeeding winter. Food was terribly scarce, and the prospect of famine drove nearly all the pioneers to the lower country to obtain the necessities of existence. Flour was the most needed and the most difficult to procure. Even the nutritious bean, the pioneer's loadstar in .ill new countries, was not to be had. Famishing parlies from other places came to Goodyear's to sate tiieir vig. rous appetites, but most had to go away hungry for what their abundance of gold would not buy. What was sold brought the uniform price of four dollars a pound, were it f.od, tools, or blankets. Before supplies arrived the inhabi- tants of the bar were compelled to test the unsavoriness of beef bones from a dead animal lying on the bar, and the last bone had been deprived of all anim.al matter ere relief came. With the return of spring came a great horde of eager miners, and long ere the snows had vanished from the ridges thousands were delving every foot of ground that showed promise of returns. Andrew Goodyear was located on a point, with several Indians who were working for him, and had very rich pay ground. At a meeting of the miners the size of the claims was fixed at thirty feet square. Daniel Cowley, who arrived that spring, was forced to content himself with half a claim, not another spot being vacant. James Golden, now a well-preserved old gentleman of 82 years, arrived at tiie camp on the thirty-first of March. The buildings were nearly all of canvas. Many of them were called hotels, where a fare rude and plain enough for an anchorite was charged for at the fancy price.* which prevailed. A man named Woodruff opened the first regular store, in a log building; other stores were soon run by James Golden and a Mr. Vinyard. Among the early business men of Goodyear's, in addition to these, may be mentioned : Hughes & Davis, Scott & Arnold, Hook & Co., Hickok & Jolmson, and George & Scellcn. Several rich bars were settled on, above, and below Goodyear's. Two miles below was St. Joe bar, above it was the Nigger Slide, and farther up was Woodville bar, first named Cut-Throat bar, because of a sick German who had cut his own throat there. Ranty Doddler bar and Hoodoo bar were close to town. The origin of the latter name is ascribed to the peculiar enunciation by an Indian of the salutation, "How-dye-do ?" rendering it "Hoodoo." Two hundred yards above Goodyear's, a wing-dam was built in the summer by Dr. "William Todd, John Scellen, and others. Cox's bar was located two miles above the town. Sickness prevailed at Goodyear's during the fall of 1850, erysipelas becoming an alarming epidemic, from which a large number died. In the winter of that year a log cabin was put up for hospital purposes, and supported by donations from the large-hearted miners. Daniel Cowley was deputed to the office of making the collections for the sick, and many times his leathern purse was packed to the top with freely given gold-dust. Dr. Barkdul, an Ohio man, officiated in the capacity of physician at the hospital. In 1850 the old ditch that supplies water to the town was built by Colonel T. M. Ramsdell, James Harpman, and John Lake. The water supply was from Eock creek, and the ditch supplied many of the miners with water to work the long toms. The North Yuba tunnel, a very good piece of engineering, was constructed in 1852, by Messrs. Cunningham, Cowley, Ramsdell, Hocker, 467 Echstein, Dr. Todd, Peterson, and others, the company being a consolidation of several others. The tunnel was three hundred feet in length, twelve feet wide, and ten feet in height. It cut off a point around which the river flowed, and into it the waters were turned, leaving the bed of the stream dry for some distance. The enterprise was not prolific in returns, paying slender dividends on the investment. Under the beautiful ranch now owned by H. H. Kennedy numerous tunnels were run, the bed-rock beini^ below the present bed of the river. Several years ago some miners were e.vploring one of them, when they came across a place that was caved in. Digging through this obstruction they came upon a pool of water from which they obtained a basketful of trout that were adapted by nature for their subterranean abode, having no eyes at all. This curious cir- cumstance shows that in a comparatively short space of time species of the finny tribe can undergo important changes in their physical structure. In 18.52 a dozen well-patronized whisky-shops were in operation at Goodyear's, sufficient indi- cation of a wild and rollicking camp. It was at Goodyear's that Peter Yove made liis first lucky find. Having several men working at the north end of Kennedy's ranch, he saw one of them standing over a long tom, holding up his hands and exclaiming, "My God! my God!" He pro- ceeded to the spot, and found that from one wheelbarrow of dirt had been cleaned up two thou- sand dollars of gold-dust. The news was kept secret from the other miners, and the harvest of dust for some time continued large. In 1852 extensive fluming operations were carried on between Goodyear's and Downieville. Flumes were erected all along the water-course, and with but short breaks here and there, the river was conducted from tlie latter town, four miles to Goodyear's, on the flumes. Hundreds of miners were working the bed of the river. In November, 18-52, heavy rains came on, which raised the stream to a volume greater than the flumes could carry, and they were all swept out. Vast quantities of timber went down the swollen torrent, the puerile strength of man being powerless to overcome the irresistible forces of nature. The losses by these floods were enormous. In 1853 more fluming was done, but not on so extensive a scale as during the ye.ar preceding. In 1852 Mr. J. C. Stewart arrived at Goodyear's. At that time the whole flat was covered witli houses. The presidential vote of that year was nearly GOO from Goodyear's alone, the outside camps forming other election precincts. An effort was made at the organization of the county, in the early part of the year, to get Goodyear's bar named in the organizing act as the county seat, but it proved unsuccessful. It is believed that had the miners paid more attention to this matter the seat of justice might have been fixed here instead of at Downieville ; but the peo- ple were far more interested in making money from their diggings than in the prosperity of the town, considering themselves only temporary sojourners on California soil. In this way Good- year's lost the only opportunity she ever had of becoming the jjermanent metropolis of Sierra county. In 1851 George Toimg, now deputy assessor, came to Goodyear's bar, where he mined a number of years. Stores were then owned by Robinson & Wood, James Golden, Hugh Lynch, and Sam Davis. A hotel was being run by Edward Echstein ; the Mansion house was under the supervision of Mr. Wellman, while the Eldorado, about the first of the permanent caravansaries, was managed by James Harpman and John Lake. The saw-mill, as it now stands, was erected in the summer of 1852, by Peter Britton and George Lethtenberger, who sold to James Golden in May, 1853, he having bought a part interest in the fall of 1852. In 1854 Mr. Golden sold half of the mill to a man named Englebrecht. Mr. Stewart, in 1850, bought the other half, and has been interested in it since. John Schriver became his partner in 1864, the firm still existing as Stewart & Schriver. The flume which brings water from Woodruff creek to the mill was first built in 1858, and has been rebuilt once, at a subsequent period. 468 A post-office was established at Goodyear's in 1852, and Woodruff became the first postmaster. He was succeeded by Robinson, who was followed in succession hy the Meyers brothers and Julius Meinhart. Mr. O. F. Ackerly has had the office about ten years. Langton's express started through this place in 18-50. Wells, Fargo, & Co. established an office here in 1858, with John D. Scellen as their first agent. Some years ago the office was discontinued, without ever being re-established. A private school was first taught at Goodyear's, rn 1856, by Mrs. Massey. Slie had but few pupils, the boy-and-girl crop of the mountains being at tiiat time very small. Afterwards Mrs. Parker, now Mrs. J. M. Haven of San Francisco, taught the young idea for a short time. The school was held near the present site of the .school-house. Mrs. Delaney became the next instruc- tress of youth. The school-house now used was erected in 1862, for church and public uses, and was built by subscription. It was finally converted into a temple of learning, where, at the" present time, Mr. Albion Miley presides, giving universal satisfaction. The customs of the early days are so often described by able writers that perhaps not more than a casual mention of a few peculiarities is necessary here. The scarcity of the softer se.x in the mining camps is a fact so often rehearsed as to be proverbial of the times. In the pioneer dances, impersonations of females for partners were made with, the utmost care. Men would don muslin head-gear and tread through the mazy waltz with as much composure and propriety as tliough they had always played maiden parts on the theater of life; and their rude admirers would cavort and salute with as much suppleness of limb and excessive politeness as they had ever exercised in the more brilliant circles of eastern society where they had formerly moved. The old fiddler who always presided at these strange orgies knew but half a dozen notes of one sickly tune, which he repeated over and over during the long nights of revelry. But when a real '" live woman " appeared on the floor, the joy of the miners knew no bounds. Upon the arrival of one in camp, she would be greeted with rousing cheers, throwing up of hats, and a general jubilee. In 1852 a celebrated singer came to Goodyear's, accompanied by her husband, who was a gambler. Though dressed in male attire, she did not escape the congratulations invariably vouchsafed to her sex. Life at Goodyear's bar was not always one of pleasure. Adam's sentence, imposed for disobe- dience, has been inherited by all his descendants ; but to no one was given a larger legacy than to the miner of this region who earned his daily bread by a liberal flow of cranial pers])iration. Hard work was the programme of the hour to a large majority of the miners, but the rewards were generally proportionate to the intensity of the labor, and every Uody made money, and was willing to spend it. Scenes betokening a not very high civilization were frequently enacted at the bar. Some of these are related in the criminal annals of the county, but a very large preponderance of them are never spoken of, while many are forgotten entirely. In 1852 people who walked on the road to Downicville noticed, two miles above, at the MeGintie place, a liorrible stench arising from decaying matter on the bank of the river. No investigations were made for some time as to the character of the objects producing the offensive odor, but one day Henry Foster saw a piece of canvas close to the i-ivcr, anJ descended the bank to obtain it. Lifting it u]\ he saw a leg protruding; then two human bodies in an advanced state of decomposition were revealed to his astonished gaze. They were well-known Germans, who had been murdered and buried there weeks before. Bullet holes were numerous on their persons, and the head of one was crushed and beaten. Lying around were several Imlian arrows, ])laeed there to tlirow suspicion on a few miserable savages who lived in the neigiiborhood. The mystery enveloping the death of these men was never cleared ; nobody was suspected, and the world heard no more of the affair. The fatal quarrel of the two Taylor brothers occasioned some excitement when it occurred. In 1852 they lived in their 469 cabin on the ]ioint, seemingly on amicable terms. About noon one day several Indians were seen near the door of the cabin, making- violent gesticulations and yelling. The miners working a distance off thought the Indians had been up to some deviltry, and started for the place, ready to take dire vengeance on them, providing anything of a sanguinary character had been perpetrated. In a moment the younger brother emerged, tore open his shirt, and exclaimed, " See what my brother has done,'" expiring as ho fell to the ground. The boys, while sitting at their dinner-table, had quarreled over some trivial matter, when the younger rose to strike the elder, who was a less powerful man. Seizing a long bread-knife from the table, the elder Taylor plunged it into the body of his brother. He was afterwards tried, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary. A Missouri gambler by the name of Kuntz was for some time seen haunting the gaming-tables of the place. After his arrival twenty-dollar gold pieces began to disappear mysteriously, and no amount of searching could reveal their hiding-places. Kuntz was the proud possessor of a long, heavy beard, that he kept tucked away under his collar. When several bright double eagles were shaken out of his beard one night, he was politely requested to migrate to other pastures by the irate vigilance committee that sat on his case. The road was completed that connects Downieville with Goodyear's, Mountain House, and Camptonville, July 4, 1859. The stage came up from Camj)tonville, decorated profusely with flags and banners, and the horses were decked out in proper colors. This was a great day of rejoicing in the mountains, for it meant the abandonment of the time-honored pack-mule, who had painfully threaded the narrow trails for so many years, and the establishment of a closer communication with the outside world on wheels greatly more indicative of a country civilized and prosperous. Praises went up from all sides to Colonel Piatt of Forest City, to whose untiring efforts, with voice and brain, were largely due the successful issue of the enterprise. On the fifth of September, 1804, a fire broke out in P. Cody's saloon, which spread rapidly and consumed the business portion of town. Wc apjieud a list of losses : Jacob Fluke, hotel, $4,000 F. H. Nichols, $3,000; Nicholas Gunsburger, butcher-shop, $3,000; John Newman, stable, $2,500 Newell art of the Downieville charge. An attempt was made in 1854 to organize a Congregational church, but did not prove successful. Prior to 1860 all the transportation of goods and commodities into this region was done with pack-mules. Colonel Piatt of the Sierra Turni>ike com])any succeeded in getting a road built from the Mountain House in 1860, aided by contributions from the citizens. This road is invariably passable at all seasons of the year. A line of tri-weekly stages is run by James M. Scott to the I 475 Mountain Rouse. Tlie Henness pass road also runs through Forest City to San Juan. In 1872 the town began to revive, in consequence of the heavy mining enterprise in progress under Bald Mountain, and has steadily grown to be the most important mining center in the county. The place is supplied with water from springs to the south-east, owned by Thomas Ellis, who brings it into town with pipes laid aling the principal streets. The business of Forest City is conducted by the following persons: A. H. Miller and P. Grant, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes; C. Heintzen and Derrickson & Nelson, groceries and hardware; Dr. R. Weston, drugs; W. A- Wayland, notions, jewelry, and tobacco; Scullin & West, Forest house ; A. Read, Bald Mountain hotel ; George Lawrence, Union hotel ; George Miller and J. T. Bradbury, butchers ; J. M. Scott, livery stable; John Phillips, blacksmith; J. H. Downing, tailor; Mrs. Lowe, Forest City restaurant; Dr. Josiah Lefever, practicing physician ; D. Jewett, resident dentist. At Alleghany a post-office was established in December, 1857, with Joseph Evans postmaster; and the town flourished greatly during the succeeding years. The Union quartz-mine was opened in 1862, and the first pay struck in the summer of 1863, when four men in six days took out $11,600. A mill was built in December, after which the first twelve days yielded $37,400, and the week following §9,000. This mine has changed hands several times ; in April, 1881, it was sold to a New York company called the Golden Gate Milling and Mining company. The Kenton quartz- mine, now the Harlem, was also located in 1862. At Chip's, the American mine was located in 1857. A mill was put up, but legal complications broke the company, and the mine was sold to W. A. Hawley & Co., in 18G5, but was worked unsuccessfully. In April, 1879, Mr. Hawley organ- ized a company who brought machinery to the place, and ran it a year and a half without profit. Then J. O. Groves, one of the company, aske