USA > California > Merced County > A history of Merced County, California : with a biographical review of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
On September 30 there is an editorial entitled "A Valedictory," by P. D. Wigginton, in which he announces his retirement from the partnership, and one "To Our Patrons," by J. W. Robertson, an- nouncing that the paper will continue to be Democratic, bespeaking
181
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
continued support of the public, and introducing J. B. Kennedy, who "will be associated with us in the future, as assistant editor."
October 7, 1865 : "Fatal Rencounter at Mariposa .- On Saturday evening last, at Mariposa, a rencounter took place between one Chris. Wilson, and James H. Lawrence, editor of the Free Press. We have heard several versions of the affair so varied and contradictory that we will not attempt to give them as true. Lawrence was arrested on Sunday and was held over till Monday for examination. At the investigating trial he was discharged. On Tuesday Wilson died. He was said to be a quarrelsome disagreeable man when drinking, but when sober right the contrary. On this occasion he was under the influence of liquor, and it is said made threats against Lawrence before the shooting."
"Executed .- Thomas B. Poole, who was tried and convicted of stage robbery, and the killing of Deputy Sheriff Staples, of El Do- rado County, in July, 1864, was executed in Placerville, on Friday, September 29th. In regard to the execution the Mountain Democrat says . ." (tells of the calmness of the condemned).
October 14: "Conference of the Methodist Church." (The story states that the conference convened in San Francisco October 4 and remained in session until the 9th, and that appointments for the following year were made for the following districts : San Fran- cisco, Petaluma, Marysville, Stockton, Oregon, Jacksonville.)
"Stockton District .- J. C. Burchard, P. E .; Drytown Circuit, G. W. Wood, Supply; Michigan Bar, W. M. Armstrong; Visalia, E. B. Lockley ; Mariposa, J. O. Forsman; Clear Creek, J. N. Turner ; Snelling, J. C. Pendergrast; Knight's Ferry, J. H. Neal; Millerton, L. J. Hedgepeth; Montezuma, J. Hedgepeth; Vallecito, to be sup- plied; Calaveras, B. C. Howard; French Camp, George W. Howard; Liberty and Mokelumne Run, W. M. Culp."
October 21 : "Homicide at Clear Creek .- A man by the name of Joseph Heuston was killed by one Thomas P. Martin at Havilah, Clear Creek, September 25th. Martin was brouht to Visalia and loded in jail."
October 7, 1865 : "The Earth Quake .- The earth quake which took place here on Sunday last, seems to have been a general thing all over the southern part of the State. In San Francisco and Santa Cruz it was particularly severe, creating great alarm among the people and not a little damage to property. In San Francisco there is scarcely a brick building in the city uninjured, while in Santa Cruz, says a dispatch to the Bulletin, 'there was a general tumbling down of chim- neys, and those left standing were turned partially around . . . The losses are estimated at $10,000, but may exceed that amount.' We (the Herald) have not heard of any person having been killed though in San Francisco we notice that two Chinese and one Alex. Bridger,
182
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
Secretary of the Olympic Club, were seriously but not fatally hurt. It seems that great consternation existed in that city. . . . At this place it was felt by very few, and those who did feel it describe the shock as being very light, but corresponding in the main with the accounts given by the San Francisco papers."
In the isue of October 7 is an editorial entitled "A Bright Future" about the silver mines of the Montgomery and Blind Springs district in Mono County, which praises the Sonora and Mono road as the best across the Sierras, and points out the market which may be expected to result to San Joaquin Valley farmers from the mining activity there.
October 21, 1865 : "Terrible Steamboat Disaster .- The steamer Yosemite, plying between San Francisco and Sacramento, blew up at Rio Vista on the Sacramento River, about 6:30 o'clock P. M. on the 13th inst. The Yosemite had landed at Rio Vista and had discharged from freight. She was just leaving the wharf when one of her boilers bursted, killing probably one hundred persons and scalding as many more. The cause of the explosion is supposed to be some defect in the iron of which the boiler was made. The following are the names of the persons whose bodies have been recovered and recognized. . . " (Here follow the names of a dozen white people ) " and thirty China- men and one Chinawomen. Many are supposed to have been blown in the river and in all probability will never be recovered."
In the same issue : "Our town has four stores, three saloons, one hotel, one livery stable, two blacksmith shops, two carpenter shops, one wheel wright shop, one tin shop, one boot and shoe shop, one barber shop, one printing office, and one school house. We have four lawyers, two doctors, two surveyors, one school teacher, three print- ers, two editors, four blacksmiths, three carpenters, two wheel wrights. one shoemaker, one barber, and loafers, bummers, and hangers around in proportion. Some town this."
Same issue: "Hall, alias Pierce, who edited the Merced Demo- crat, for a short time at this place, was seen about two weeks ago by a friend of ours. Pierce said he was on his way to Van Couver's Island. He denied having anything to do with horse stealing in Tulare County, and said his being with the thieves was accidental. It seems that Pierce's statement about his being innocent of horse stealing was true, for he was at the time afoot, and his feet were so sore that he could hardly navigate."
Same issue: "The Indians and Chinese on the Merced River have suffered terribly this fall with chills and fever. Many of them have died and a great many are now sick. Through their ignorance in the management of the disease it has turned to congestive chills or typhoid fever, which carried many of them to Kingdom Come. Some of the Chinese have been prevailed on by the whites to take
183
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
quinine, and are loud in their praise of that valuable medicine. 'Muche likee John'."
Same issue: "Of Earth Quakes .- The San Jose Mercury is informed by John Gilroy, an old Californian, that in the year 1813 an earth quake shook down all the buildings in that part of the country, even the cattle became frightened, running and bellowing in every direction."
Same issue: "A man named William E. Thornburg, a store keeper on Sullivan's Creek, in Tuolumne County, was found murdered in his store on the 12th inst. The back of his head was beaten to a jelly, and more than twenty knife wounds were found in his body. He was evidently murdered for his money, but who the perpetrators are is not known."
Same issue, an advertisement: "Lumber, Lumber. At the new circular saw mill of J. F. Greeley, five miles above Coulterville. The undersigned would respectfully inform the public of Merced and sur- rounding counties that he is now prepared to furnish all kinds of dimension lumber at reasonable rates. Lumber of the best quality sawed out of the best sugar pine, constantly kept on hand. All orders sent to the mill will be promptly filled. Having a number of good teams in splendid running order, I am prepared to deliver lumber in either of the counties of Mariposa, Merced, Tuolumne, or Stanislaus at the shortest notice. All orders must be addressed to me at Coulter- ville or at the mill. J. F. Greeley."
Same issue : "We see by our exchanges that Mrs. Rowena Granice Steele, assisted by her son, George Granice, is giving parlor entertain- ments in the Southern counties of the State."
Same issue : "Editorial. Mails and Mail Routes .- We call the attention of our readers to our La Grange correspondence, to be found in another column, particularly to that portion which refers to the proposed mail route between Knight's Ferry and this place. The route spoken of by our correspondent is one which has long been needed, and one, too, which with a little trouble and time spent in getting up a petition and forwarding it to the proper authority, might be had. There is no department of our government so much neglected as that of the post office, and no State in the Union labors under so many dis- advantages as California for the lack of proper mail facilities. In this county we have but three post offices, and in many instances per- sons are compelled to travel as far as thirty miles to get their mail . . There are but two routes by which the mail is carried, one by the stage running from Stockton to Mariposa, and the other from Knight's Ferry to Murray's Bridge, on horseback. . . There is a coach running from Sonora, Tuolumne County, through La Grange, to Hornitos, Mariposa County, and with a little encouragement in the way of a mail contract, it would, instead of running to Murray's
184
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
Bridge, run direct from La Grange to this place. . . . Now we would suggest to our citizens to get up a petition asking for a route from some point on the Sonora road (say the Crimea House ) through La Grange and this place to Hornitos. We would then not only have convenient mail facilities, but we would have a general benefit to the community. We suggest the Crimea House for this reason, it is situ- ated about twelve miles from Knight's Ferry at the juction of the So- nora and La Grange roads, and all mail matter sent from Knight's Ferry, Copperopolis, and other towns in that section, to La Grange, Snelling, and other points south, could be stopped at that office and sent directly to its destination, instead of, as is now the case, going by way of Stockton. But if we cannot do this, let us do the next best thing, and petition for the route referred to by our correspondent, and have a mail carried on horseback. "
The inadequacy of mail facilities inspired another editorial on December 9, 1865 :
"Post Office at Forlorn Hope .- We understand that the people of Forlorn Hope and vicinity are circulating a petition for the re- establishment of the post office at that place. A post office in that lo- cality is something that has long been needed, and we hope the efforts of the people to have it re-established will be successful. But while they are about it would it not be better at the same time to petition for an office at Hill's Ferry and another at the San Luis Ranch, and get a route from that place to this? The stage running from San Jose to Visalia passes the San Luis, and all the mail from Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and other counties south, could be brought to that point, and by the establishment of the route above named the mail could be carried by way of Hill's Ferry to this place, on horse back, where is would connect with the stage now carrying the mail from Stockton to Mariposa. It would certainly be a great convenience to a large number of citizens residing on the Merced and San Joaquin Rivers, both in this county and Stanislaus, who are now obliged to get their mail either at this place or Stockton. We would like to see a peti- tion in circulation ; we are sure that every body will sign it. Now is the time to get it up. The mail contracts will be let in February. Our county, as we have before had occasion to remark, is sadly in need of post offices and post routes, and the sooner we petition for them the sooner we will get them. There is probably not a man in the whole county who is not in favor of the proposed route from Snelling to the San Luis Ranch, and yet no one will take the trouble to draw up and circulate the proper petition."
We have seen a notice of the formation of a lodge of Masons and one of Odd Fellows. In the issue of October 28, 1865, we find lodge advertisements as follows :
185
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
"I. O. O. F., Willow Lodge, No. 121, Meets every Friday evening at Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall, Snelling. R. R. Leak, N. G., J. W. Robertson, Sec'y."
"F. & A. M., Merced Lodge, U. D. Regular Meetings at Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall, Snelling, on the Saturday of or next succeeding the full moon. P. D. Wigginton, Sec'y.
"G. G. G. The Grand Council of the Order of Guinters, meet every - evening in La Grange, P. Kiernan, W. R. G. M. G., Caleb Dawson, R. G. C. T."
We note the letters U. D. after the name Merced Lodge, in the Masonic notice, which the present secretary of Yosemite Lodge in Merced explains mean "under dispensation." In the following week's notice we find these letters have given place to the number 176.
October 21, 1865 : "Mount Hood, Oregon, is casting up its ac- counts. Immense volumes of black smoke is now to be seen, from the valley below issuing from the crater. Wonder if it has anything to do with the late earth quake."
"Shooting and Cattle Stealing .- A shooting affair took place on Saturday the 14th inst. near the mouth of the Merced River, in this county, in which a Mexican named Hidalgo was seriously but not mor- tally wounded. The circumstances, as near as we have been able to learn them, are about as follows: On the morning of the day men- tioned, Hidalgo came to the house of Judge Belt, living in that neigh- borhood, and was very lavish with his abuse of the Judge and the American population generally. And on being ordered to leave, drew a six shooter, when he and Judge Belt exchanged shots. ... The Mexican then left. Later in the day as Judge Belt was passing up the river about a mile above his place, he found this fellow Hidalgo and another Mexican, a boy named Francisco Hidal, skinning a beef, the property of Wm. D. McFarlane, which they had stolen. Upon ap- proaching them, Hidalgo drew his pistol and fired at Judge Belt, who returned the fire with a double barreled shot gun, the load taking effect in his face and head. Judge Belt immediately gave himself up, and upon an examination, before Justice Ward, was discharged. The two Mexicans are in the custody of the Sheriff, awaiting an examination on the charge of cow stealing.'
October 28: "Copperopolis Railroad .- The Stockton Herald says the railroad to Copperopolis is under such headway that its com- pletion may be looked upon as a fixed fact. . .
Two advertisements, from the same issue: "San Francisco Pur- chasing Agency .- The undersigned will attend to the purchasing and forwarding of goods of every description, either in large or small quantities. All orders (except where the goods are to be sent through Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express ) must be accompanied by the cash. J. J. Knowlton & Co., N. E. corner Montgomery & Sutter."
186
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
"Grade Bros.' Newspaper and Periodical Department .- News- papers and magizines received by mail and express. A large supply always on hand, including monthly and quarterly magazines, daily and weekly papers, etc., etc., for sale at their establishment, Main Street, Hornitos, or delivered to regular subscribers. Connected with the above we still carry on our shaving and hair dressing saloon and will devote our attention and services to those of the public who may favor us with their patronage. N. B .- Particular attention, in this line, paid to travelers. W. A. Grade & Bro. Hornitos."
"Saddle and Harness Maker .- Mr. La Croix, formerly of La Grange, we are pleased to say has opened a saddle and harness shop in town. This is something that we have long needed. Mr. La Croix is a good workman and we doubt not will do a good business."
"Still They Come .- Those large lumber teams of J. F. Greeley still continue to make their regular trips, 'loaded down to the guard.' Greeley sells more lumber than any other mill in the Mountains. Everybody buys lumber from Greeley." Evidently Greeley was in advance of his time in getting advertising
"The Sonora and Mono Road, says the Sonora Democrat, is now in fine condition, and large teams are coming and going daily. Immense quantities of goods are being transported by this route to Aurora, and other points over the mountains."
"Thanks .- We were presented this week, by Mr. Saml. R. Gwin, with a pear grown on his ranch weighing a little over three pounds. It was large enough to feed a whole family."
In the issue of October 14, 1865, appears a proclamation of the board of supervisors, made pursuant to one by the Governor, order- ing an election held for two justices of the peace in Township Num- ber One and two in Township Number Two. "The following persons were appointed Inspectors and Judges at the different precincts in the said county, to-wit :
"Dry Creek .- I. N. Ward, Inspector; John Birkhead and T. M. McKennon, Judges. Snelling .- Geo. Turner, Inspector ; G. W. Hal- stead and J. B. Kennedy, Judges. Merced Falls .- S. K. Spears, Inspector; P. Lynch and Wm. Nelson, Judges. Forlorn Hope .- A. Ingalsbe, Inspector; W. B. Thompson and J. M. Strong, Judges. Neill's Ranch .- Wm. N. Neill, Inspector; A. C. McSwain and A. Pruitt, Judges. Stevenson's (so it is spelled) .- A. Stevenson, Inspec- tor; W. C. Turner and W. L. Silman, Judges. San Luis Ranch .- H. Lambert, Inspector ; People appoint judges. Anderson's .- J. K. Mears, Inspector ; A. Rodgers and John Anderson, Judges. Beighle's -H. Beighle, Inspector; People appoint judges. Mariposa Creek. -P. Y. Welch, Inspector; Thomas Price and J. C. C. Russel, Judges. Hail's Ranch .- R. Hail, Inspector; M. O. Barber and J. C. Hail,
187
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
Judges. . .. Silas March, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, R. R. Leak, Clerk."
July 22, 1865 : "Religious Services .- Rev. T. O. Ellis will hold divine service at the Court House, in Snelling, tomorrow (Sunday) at 11 o'clock A. M. and half past 7 P. M."
"Accident at Mariposa Creek .- We learn that on Tuesday last, near Mariposa Creek, a severe but not fatal accident occurred, as follows : It seems that Mrs. Price and Mrs. Lewis, in company with a little girl, were taking a drive to a neighbor's house. Some part of the gearing became disarranged. The horses became frightened and unmanageable and, running away, smashed up the vehicle in which the party were riding. Mrs. Lewis and the little girl were both pretty badly injured, but as fortune would have it, not dangerously so."
"Burglary and Theft. An Exciting Chase .- The Mariposa Free Press says the store of A. G. Black, on Bull Creek, was entered by a party of Chinamen, three in number, and robbed of a large amount of clothing, boots, and fancy articles. The thieves entered through the door, which was fastened with a padlock, by prying out the staple. After loading themselves with plunder they decamped and came to a halt near Greeley's mill, where they stowed their goods behind an old log and partly covered them with brush. Here they were discovered by Mr. Shehan, who informed some other men, and a party immediately started in pursuit. One of the rascals was caught near the head of Maxwell's Creek, and another discovered by Tim. Shehan in Chinatown. He seized him by the collar of his coat, but John dextrously threw his arms behind him, and made a dive, leaving Tim. in possession of his garment, and taking to the hills. Three Indians armed with bows and arrows were deputized to arrest him, and started in pursuit. After a lively race about three miles, he was overtaken, and together with the other one, brought over to Mariposa and lodged in jail. The third one has not yet been taken."
November 4: "Grand Jury .- The following is the list of the Grand Jurors drawn for the November Term of the County Court, which meets on Monday next: S. K. Spears, J. B. Helms, Dan Yeiser, T. C. Dean, Wm. Winn, J. T. Stockird, J. B. Bennet, C. F. Bludworth, W. B. Thompson, N. S. Hazelton, J. J. Taylor, Joseph M. Stith, Saml. Scott, George Wilcox, John Hanks."
Now is added to the professional cards that of "John M. Corco- ran, Attorney and Counselor at Law. Office-At the Court House, Mariposa."
November 17: "Thanks .- Mr. J. A. Robinson has placed us under obligations for a bottle of his fine grape Brandy, made at his distillery on the ranch formerly owned by Mr. Ostrander, but which was recently purchased by Mr. Robinson. After testing its quality
188
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
and pronouncing it a good article, we laid it away in a secure place where we intend keeping it until it (the bottle ) gets old."
There is another professional card, that of "John W. Bost, Sur- veyor and Civil Engineer. Will do all kinds of surveying on short notice and on reasonable terms. Particular attention paid to drawing maps, &c, &c." And there is a "Notice of Dissolution of Partner- ship of A. Ingalsbe and D. E. Ingalsbe," dated November 13th.
In the issue of November 28 appears the professional card of "Dr. J. A. Hamilton, Physician and Surgeon, Snelling, Merced Co., California. Would respectfully tender his professional services to the citizens of Merced County. Office-Corner Green and Third Streets."
"Lost-On Sunday, Nov. 5, between Snelling and Forlorn Hope, a double cased gold watch. Thomas Eagleson."
December 2: "Bold Robbery .- On last Tuesday evening about dark Mr. Wm. Arther, who drives a peddling wagon for Mr. Gwinn of this county, was stopped by three men, and robbed of thirty-one dollars. It took place a short distance from the stone house situated on Dry Creek, and on the road leading from that place to La Grange. Fortunately Mr. A. had his money in two purses, one containing silver and the other gold. The one containing silver being a little heavy and unhandy to carry, he had thrown it into a box in the back part of the wagon; this he saved. He does not remember ever to have seen either of the men before, but thinks one of thm was a Mexican. When ordered to stop one of the scoundrels threw a riatta on one of his horses and held them until the money was handed over. The team, we understand, was returning from the mountains where it had been with a load of apples."
Same issue : "Hon. W. S. Montgomery left on yesterday morn- ing's stage for the Capital, to take his place in the Senate among the assembled wisdom of the State."
December 2, 1865 : "John S. Watts, who was indicted in this county for cattle stealing in March last, but whose trial was removed to Fresno County, has been convicted and sentenced to the State Prison for two years."
December 9: "Agents for the Weekly Merced Herald: San Francisco, J. J. Knowlton & Co .; Stockton, M. Magner; Knight's Ferry, A. Hewel; La Grange, Wm. Floto; Hornitos, Wm. A. Grade ; Princeton, M. Hagerty; Millerton, Jeff. Shannon."
"Thanks .- Mr. S. P. Jackson has our thanks for an arm full of huge sweet potatoes raised on the ranch of Jackson and Hender- son. They are the largest and best we have seen this year."
"Our fellow townsman, John C. Breen, has been elected Copying Clerk of the Assembly."
189
HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY
December 16: "Mr. Erastus Eagleson, our traveling agent, will in a short time visit the counties of Mariposa and Stanislaus in the capacity of canvasser and collector for this paper. He is authorized to receive and receipt for all monies due this office. Mr. Eagleson will soon also make a thorough canvass of this county." (The editor goes on to state that the subscription price of the Herald is $5 a year, and that he hopes to secure 300 subscribers in this county. He bespeaks the support of the Democracy in particular. )
"Notice is hereby given that Wm. H. Turner, Chas. M. Blair, R. R. Leak, and James W. Robertson, having been duly appointed and created a County Board of Examination for Merced County, they will meet the County Superintendent of said county at the School House, in the town of Snelling, on Saturday the 30th day of Decem- ber, 1865, at 9 o'clock. All persons wishing to qualify as teachers, and all teachers holding limited certificates, attend.
"T. O. Ellis, Sr., County Supt."
December 23: "Editorial. The Child is Born .- If the election of Cole to the United States Senate is an indication of the prevailing sentiment of our legislators, and if they correctly represent their constituency, California may be set down among the foremost of Radical States. .
"Drawn Off .- The stage heretofore running between Sonora and Hornitos has been drawn off. . . . '
"Snow .- The inhabitants of this burg and surrounding country were surprised on Monday morning last on arising from their slum- bers, to see everything outside covered with snow, which had fallen during the night to the depth of about three inches. . . . This is more snow than has ever been known to fall at one time in this Valley since its settlement by the Americans, and we believe it is the third time that snow has been known to fall in that length of time, at least we do not remember to have seen it more than that number of times. The hills south of town remained white for several days, and even now after the expiration of almost a week, it has not all melted."
"Since the late snow storm our attention has been called to the muddy condition of the streets of this metropolis. It requires some skill in navigation to make the trip from the palatial structure from which the Herald is issued to the storied edifice where Ah Li presides over our chemuck department, and furthermore the route is about the driest in the burg."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.