USA > California > Tuolumne County > A history of Tuolumne County, California : compiled from the most authentic records > Part 35
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499
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
It must be admitted that the grape crop of the foothills has not yet been able to compete with that of the most favored districts of the wine counties, par excellence, in the yield per acre, the comparative status of the two sections being that four tons per acre in Napa constitute an average crop, while three tons in Tuolumne are regarded as an average. It would not be proper to assume that this dif- ference is owing to deficiencies in the soil or climate of our section, although it is possible that the discrepancy is in part owing to these reasons. It is more likely, however, to arise from the following causes: It is well known that grape raising and wine making have received an extraordi- nary amount of attention in Napa, Sonoma, Los Angeles and other counties, fortunes having been spent in the in- troduction of new and better species of vines, and well proved methods of manufacture. Books have been written upon these subjects, and viniculture has risen to the dig- nity of a much practiced and grandly important art, upon which the prosperity of very important sections of the State depend. Success has crowned these strenuous efforts, which have at length brought viniculture to its present high standing as one of the very first interests of the State. Intense study of the subject has resulted in the production of wine of first-rate quality, champagnes, sherries and ports being imitated to a nicety that makes it nearly impos- sible to tell the false from the genuine. In the foothills, on the contrary, very little intelligence has been directed to the subject, and only enough good wine has been pro- duced to prove beyond a doubt the fitness of this region for such pursuits. A few gentlemen among us have from time to time devoted themselves to experimenting in this branch with splendid results, and it is only from their labors that we are able to speak emphatically upon the sub- ject.
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500
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Hence, we can say that it is more than likely that the same amount of care and experience that has been given to the wine culture in the lower counties would, if bestowed upon our vineyards, result in producing crops as large and as certain as any land can boast of ; and, in addition, we might claim, what is known as a fact, that our grapes are, considering the inferior varieties, superior in flavor to any others grown in California.
It is useless to enlarge upon this theme, though much might profitably be written upon it. The want of cheap transportation prevents wine making, as it does every other branch of manufacture or trade, from assuming the im- mense proportions that Nature and the surroundings would permit. No intelligent person who has traveled in Tuol- umne can have failed to remark the vast extent of hill-side and valley which is adapted to this branch of horticulture. Probably one-half of all the land of the entire county is capable of raising large average crops of grapes. The conditions are so favorable that we may safely record wine making as one of the pursuits which, in the future, will be of the most importance in the county, and very likely the foremost of all.
A variety of the minor or incidental fruit products claim attention next. The making of raisins has always been regarded as profitable, although not much has been done in that direction, These always command a comparatively high price, but native raisins seem never to be able to com- pete successfully with the foreign varieties. At present that branch of industry can only be regarded as of possible great future importance.
Similar language may be used in regard to fig growing -- the more common varieties of that fruit doing remarkably well in all the inhabited sections of the county-but the slight estimation in which the crop is held proves its pre- sent unprofitableness.
501
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
In various parts of the county exist apparatus for the manufacture of cider from apples. The Messrs. Macom- ber, of Sonora, have distinguished themselves in this and its related branches, building up an extensive and profitable business. From a small beginning they have achieved a great success, their brands of champagne cider, cider vine- gar and pickles being of extensive sale and widespread celebrity. A demand for their products comes from dis- tant places, as well as from the nearer towns and cities of California. It may be that these busy gentlemen are the pioneers of a large number who will engage in these and similar pursuits in the near future, to realize fortunes for themselves and great benefits for the county.
As before remarked, it would seem that nearly every soil production had been known to flourish in the fruitful land of Tuolumne. In times past a vast variety of such products (those of the Torrid and Temperate Zones, with their various subdivisions) have been tested; and such widely separated plants as rye and coffee, representing the extremes of the North Temperate and the Torrid Zones, have succeeded in considerable degree. This is a remarkable fact, and one that is unprecedented in the annals of agriculture. After such evidence as this, we may well believe that the county is highly favored by nature; and we may also be well as- sured that the future will see the farmers of this section in a prosperous condition, and their prosperity based upon a far surer foundation than if their sole occupation was in grain or cattle raising. Experience has shown that a sys- tem of mixed farming is the most advantageous for a people and a State. Communities which are self-supporting, pro- ducing their own provisions, and also their own clothing, are not only more permanently prosperous, but always exercise a greater moral influence than those who devote themselves to a single branch of husbandry, as wheat-rais-
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
ing, or some similar occupation. Here in Tuolumne the tendency must always be to the raising of a variety of pro- ducts on each farm-and of a very large number within the borders of the county. It is to be expected that in addition to the present every-day occupations of raising pork, beef, mutton, a little wheat, a great deal of hay and barley, un- limited amounts of fruit, and potatoes, with bees-honey, garden products, etc., each farmer shortly will gather a considerable quantity of grapes, to sell to the neighboring winery, of which Tuolumne will doubtless contain many- "when we have a railroad"-and also derive from his flock of sheep a quantity of wool enough at least to clothe him- self and his family, when made into cloth at the woolen factory, which the section will doubtless possess.
Nature must have intended that this should be a region of HOMES. She has bestowed on it a climate which is un- equaled. No less an authority than Bayard Taylor, the great traveler, pronounced the climate superior to that of Italy. Healthful to a degree, no epidemic or endemic dis- eases of a severe type exist; and there is no reason why a long life should not be the lot of its inhabitants. The soil (some of it capable of renewal by means of the ditches car- rying mud) is of sufficient fertility, and is very easily worked. Good water abounds, " hardness" in some locations being an objection. This mention of the water supply leads to the interesting topic of irrigation, which enables the domain of agriculture to be so greatly extended. Only those who have traveled over the mining country can have an adequate idea of the extent and number of the ditches which have been dug to carry water to the placers. They ramify in all directions. Every sidehill has one, and frequently a dozen. Hardly any spot exists in the middle region of the county which cannot be reached by water from these ditches. After serving their purpose in assisting the miners to extract
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AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
the gold particles, they now stand ready and mostly unin- jured to carry their streams to the aid of the farmer, whose work needs their aid as much as his predecessor's.
Here, then, is a. water supply worth millions, ready at hand to aid the deserving agriculturist. As if nature, in conferring on the foothill region its glorious climate, valu- able soil, and other unequaled advantages, had not done as much as she desired for the favored people who were to inhabit these hills and valleys, she causes man himself to extenuate her work, by digging for himself (but uncon- sciously for a more lasting object) those endless miles of ditches and canals.
With all these advantages, it would be a wonder indeed if the future population were not a numerous, happy, con- tented and useful people, such as farmers usually are. These farmers will not farm as is done in many sections of this State; they will raise no immense crops in one season, to be bankrupted by drouth in the next. There will be no astonishing yields, and no startling pecuniary returns. There will be only moderate, painstaking farming, as it is conducted in the older-settled States. It is impossible to believe other than that, after the lapse of a few scores of years, these small valleys and the pleasant uplands will be dotted thickly with the tasteful houses (not cabins) of actual settlers, who will live for comfort and not for speculation. There is room for every one who covets a home. Whoever can live on a small farm of tolerably fertile land, in a good neighborhood, and in the enjoyment of the best climate in the world, should settle in these foothills. Already there is an active and enterprising population, with whom farm- ing and kindred pursuits find favor, living useful and agree- able lives, believing in "a little farm well tilled," and who constitute the most permanently valuable class in existence. Many of these present farmers are former miners, who look
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
upon the certain though slow gains of the farmer as prefer- able to the more hazardous rewards of their former calling. Now, grown older, they recognize the value of a home and home comforts, and have sat down content with the yearly bounty that Nature provides.
This class generally take great pride in their new pursuit, and fully realize the worth of good, careful farming. Their homes are often romantically situated, embowered with vines and shaded by broad-spreading oaks and the culti- vated acacias and eucalypti, and ornamented by gardens, with their beautiful contents, of all the open-air flowers common to this latitude.
Having now pointed out some few of the many advan- tages with which, in an agricultural way, Tuolumne is blessed, it is time to take leave of the subject. It is not easy to conclude expressions which the extent of the theme force upon one's mind. Volumes of matter concerning the advantages of these foothills might be written, but the subject belongs in common to the whole range of territory on this slope of the Sierra. Finally, these reflections will recur to the intelligent thinker:
There are in this county thousands of acres of hillsides susceptible of irrigation, and capable of raising unlimited quantities of grapes, yearly, for the production of whole- some wine and raisins.
We could, on demand, pour forth tons of figs, apples, plums, apricots, melons and berries, finer flavored than Eastern epicure ever dreamed of, for the supply of the home and foreign markets.
The silkworm would flourish here, tea can be cultivated, and cotton for our clothing may be grown.
In the upper mountain ranges exist thousands of acres of succulent grasses for the sustenance of myriads of cattle
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AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
and sheep; on the verge of the snowbanks there can be made the finest butter.
There are great tracts of timber.
There is water power sufficient to run a thousand grist, quartz and saw-mills.
Our soils are renewable. Every stroke of the miner's pick loosens and sets moving a mass of fine slum, contain- ing all the elements of fertility. If we cause this to settle upon our wastes of rocks and cobbles we produce an addi- tional area of good land-a garden spot, suited for the production of the choicest edibles.
We have many mines of gold. There are rich pockets to be exposed each year following, and there are milling veins which are richly worth working.
There are other sources of wealth too numerous for even hasty mention in this article, which will be fittingly closed by the reproduction of data derived from the Assessor's Reports, which will be sufficient to exhibit the present standing of the county in comparison with the year 1876:
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
EXTRACTS FROM ASSESSMENT LIST OF 1882.
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Total value of real estate
$1,052,095
Personal property 1,034,075
Total valuation $2,086,170
Land inclosed, acres
135,707
Land cultivated, acres
34,450
Wheat, acres
6,200
Wheat, bushels
124,000
Barley, acres
2,800
Barley, bushels
57,500
Oats, acres.
550
Oats, bushels
16,500
Rye, acres
25
Rye, bushels
625
Corn, acres
85
Corn, bushels
1,700
Peas, acres
15
Peas, bushels
650
Beans, acres.
25
Beans, bushels
500
Potatoes, acres
200
Potatoes, tons
600
Onions, acres
50
Onions, bushels.
2,750
Hay, acres
25,000
Hay, tons.
25,000
Butter, pounds
23,000
Cheese, pounds
1,500
Wool, pounds
28,890
507
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES.
Wine, gallons
90,400
Brandy, gallons
2,500
Beer, porter, etc., gallons
23,000
Lemon trees
100
Orange trees
200
Olive trees
25
Apple trees
45,000
Pear trees
21,000
Fig trees
1,540
Plum trees
30,500
Peach trees
22,500
Quince trees
250
Grape vines, acres
775
Value of fruit crop, dollars
75,000
Grist mills (1 by steam, 3 by water power)
4
Barrels of flour made in 1880 14,500
Saw mills (5 by steam, 1 by water power)
6
Lumber sawed in 1880, feet.
5,400,000
Shingles made 235,000
Quartz mills
34
Tons of quartz crushed.
85,000
Ditches.
17
Mining ditches (having an aggregate length of 152 miles, and using 10,240 inches of water daily). 7
Irrigating ditches (30 miles in length, irrigating 2,550 acres of land).
Swarms of bees 440
Cows
2,660
Other cattle
2,800
Goats.
2,605
508
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Hogs
2,290
Horses
2,075
Mules
113
Jacks and jennies
44
Sheep
13,932
Lambs
3,456
Statistics for 1876.
Real estate, dollars
823,000
Personal property, dollars
631,000
Land inclosed, acres
164,600
Land cultivated, acres
8,142
Grist mills.
6
Quartz mills.
34
Ditches
6
Length of ditches, miles
150
Horses
3,285
Mules
187
Horned cattle.
8,650
Sheep and lambs
20,800
Goats
5,600
Hogs
4,919
Wheat, bushels
30,900
Barley, bushels
18,534
Hay, tons.
3,074
Oats, bushels
300
Potatoes, tons
220
Lumber, feet
6,100,000
Product of mines, dollars
713,150
Apricot trees
450
Apple trees.
30,780
Peach trees
15,000
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
509
Pear trees.
4,500
Plum trees 4,900
Cherry trees
880
Fig trees.
765
Quince trees
450
Grape vines
500,000
Wine, gallons
90,000
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Appendix.
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APPENDIX.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES PREPARED TOO LATE FOR INSERTION IN THEIR PROPER ORDER.
Z. H. CUNNINGHAM
Was born in Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine, on Sep- tember 10, 1832. At the age of twenty-four he left New England for California, selecting Springfield, Tuolumne County, as his residence. Here he remained, working at his trade of bleksmithing, until 1864, when he decided to try the State of Nevada. One Summer, however, in Esme- ralda County satisfied him, and the same year saw him set- tled in San Francisco, where he has since remained. Mr, Cunningham married Miss Martha Winslow, of Lewiston. Maine, and has two children. His son, William L., is as- sociated with him in his extensive smithy, on Mission street, San Francisco.
E. G. LYONS
Was born in Paris, France, July 29, 1834, and came to California in 1852. Landing at San Francisco, he went to Tuolumne County, associating himself with his father, Hugues Lyons, in general merchandising. In 1864 h re moved to San Francisco, selecting the wine trade for his vocation, and is identified as a prominent merchant in that city.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
H. PALMER
Was born in England December 9, 1825, coming to America when two years of age. His early education was received at New York, in which city he remained until reaching his twenty-fourth year. In 1849 Mr. Palmer, catching the "gold fever," took passage on board the ship " George Washington," and arrived in San Francisco August 28th of the same year. Proceeding to Tuolumne County, he located some claims on Wood's Creek, near Campo Seco; in fact, was one of the first settlers in that neighborhood.
Leaving Campo Seco in 1853, he went to Algerine, from which place he removed two years later to Knight's Ferry, engaging at the latter place in merchandising, which occu- pation he followed until 1870.
After a trip to the Eastern States, Mr. Palmer returned to California, and has since been connected with the wine interests of San Francisco and Oakland.
SOL MILLER.
Mr. Miller, whose portrait appears herein, and who is extensively known throughout the greater part of the Pacific States as a most energetic and successful commercial trav- eler, was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in August, 1829. Leaving his ancestral acres in early life, when the " gold fever " took so many westward, he too sought these shores, coming to Panama, thence traveling down the South American coast to Peru, from whences he came to San Francisco in the early Spring of 1849. Going immediately to the mines, he worked for a time at Jacksonville, on the Tuolumne River. A short time spent there, he returned to
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APPENDIX.
San Francisco, then proceeded, in the Fall of the same year, to Angels' Camp, in Calaveras County, subsequently going to Vallecito, where he had the good fortune to "strike it rich," and again returned to San Francisco, and engaged In business with P. K. Aurand, their house being on Wash- ington street, San Francisco ; but misfortune overtook them, and they were burned out on May 6, 1850.
After this calamity, the two partners proceeded to Tuol- umne County, where they settled, establishing themselves in mercantile business at a place to which they gave the name of Montezuma House, the name of which has remained attached to the important mining camp which subsequently grew up near by.
On Saturday, June 29, 1850, the following occurrence took place, which has marked an epoch in Mr. Miller's life: On the evening of the above date three Mexicans, cus- tomers, came in and purchased goods, for which they ten- dered payment. While in the act of receiving the money, Mr. Miller was stabbed by a weapon which one of them drew from beneath his serape. Three wounds were inflicted upon him, one, the principal, being through his body, from side to side, penetrating both lungs; another in the back of the neck, and the third in the arm. The victim fell and became insensible, so remaining until, awaking in the dark_ ness, he found his partner near him, who said, " Sol, I am stabbed; are you alive ?" And they lay until midnight, spending their time in giving each other explicit directions as to the disposal of their effects in case that one recovered. Dying then, this brave partner's last words were a query as to the other's sufferings. On the following morning help arrived, and the survivor was taken to the hospitable house of Judge Robert McGarvey, at Oak Springs, where he re- mained until his recovery, his kind host assuming charge of the property of the two men, which was delivered unin-
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
jured to Mr. Miller. The outrage was committed for pur- poses of robbery, but the desperadoes realized but three hundred dollars for their infamous crime, because their victims had taken the precaution to hide the remainder of their money, amounting to seven thousand dollars, in a bread barrel, where it was undiscovered by the Mexicans, and was delivered over to the survivor.
After an inquest, held by H. P. Barber, Esq., the re- mains of the partner were buried where he fell, and for more than thirty years the spot where he rests has been kept green and suitably marked by head-board and fence, the one living testifying to the good qualities of the dead who perished on that fearful night.
. Since then Mr. Miller's life has been taken up almost entirely by business affairs. In 1850 he formed a partner- ship with " Count " Solinsky, which existed until the estab- lishment of Adams' Express Company, when they became Agents for the latter firm, at Chinese Camp, Big Oak Flat, Montezuma, Don Pedro's Bar and Coulterville. On the failure of their employers, they became Agents for the Pacific Express, and afterwards for Wells, Fargo & Co. Messrs. Miller & Solinsky remained together until 1870, when the former became Tax Collector for two terms, then Under Sheriff during the shrievalty of James Trout. In 1871 Mr. Miller left Tuolumne and went to Stockton, where he conducted a branch of the business house of Messrs. Spruance, Stanley & Co., removing, in 1875, to San Fran- cisco. He has since been acting as Solicitor for the last named firm, and has achieved a wide celebrity in his busi- ness.
The gentleman married Miss Roxie A. Searl, in January, 1857, who died in July, 1860. By her there is a daughter, Miss Agnes A. Miller. In 1863 he was again married, this time to Miss Hattie N. Humphries. The issue of the second marriage is also a daughter, Lulu, who is now twelve years of age. The family now reside in Oakland.
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APPENDIY.
S. B. MINOR
Was born in Riga, New York, June 19, 1825. At the age of 20 Mr. Minor went to Michigan, in which State he caught the " California fever," thither migrating, and arriving in San Francisco via the Isthmus on March 1, 1852. Pro- ceeding to El Dorado County, he there passed the Winter of 1852, settling at Mud Springs in the Spring of 1853, where he remained until 1855. Concluding to try his for- tunes in Tuolumne County, Mr. Minor went to Jamestown and engaged in mining in the Georgia Claims. In 1864 he left the mines to accept a position at San Quentin, under Lieutenant-Governor T. N. Machin, then Warden at the State Prison. However, in 1866, he moved to San Fran- cisco, being employed by the railway companies, and in 1870 went into the liquor business, being at the present time still in that line, his place of business being No. 13, Third street.
J. A. BENHAM,
Was born on October 12, 1820, at Seneca Falls, Seneca County, N. Y., and in 1852 came to California, arriving on April 1st, having come by way of Cape Horn. After nine months' residence in Sacramento he went to Tuolumne County, where he for some time mined between Sonora and Columbia, then opening the Magnolia Hotel at Colum- bia, which he managed until 1859. After one year's resi- dence in San Francisco Mr. Benham went to Virginia City, becoming one of the most prominent contractors and build- ers of that region. The White Pine excitement took him to Hamilton, where, however, he remained but one year, returning to San Francisco to take a position in the rail- way mail service. At the end of four years Mr. Benham
8
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
went to Oakland, where he has since been identified as one of the most prominent builders, Dietz's Opera House being one of the many buildings erected by him.
G. W. McPHERSON
Was born in Merced County on October 25, 1858, but shortly after his birth was taken to Tuolumne County and lived in the neighborhood of Table Mountain until his ninth year. He then moved to Snellings, Merced County, where he received most of his education. After six years' residence in the latter place he went to Yosemite Valley, acting as guide for visitors until 1876, when he removed to San Francisco, engaging in mercantile pursuits, and is at the present time in the manufacturing business in that city at No. 608 Market street. Mr. McPherson is one of the Trustees of the Tuolumne Reunion Association.
WILLIAM G. DINSMORE.
This gentleman was born in Norridgewock, Somerset County, Maine, in November, 1821. The details of his eventful life are as follows:
Going to Boston in his early years, he remained there for three years; he then returned for a short time to his old home, preparatory to starting for the new El Dorado. On February 5, 1852, he left New York on the steamer Prome- theus, coming to Nicaragua. It was Mr. Dinsmore's for- tune to be one of the passengers of the ill-fated steamer North America, which received them on the Pacific side and was wrecked about one hundred miles below Acapulco. The survivors of the catastrophe, numbering among them
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APPENDIX.
the gentleman whose story is now being told, arrived finally at Acapulco, where, after a detention of two months, they took passage on the clipper ship Northern Light, and finally reached San Francisco after a tedious passage of twenty-two days.
Traveling about the country for a while, and visiting Marysville and other places, Mr. Dinsmore finally accepted the position of steward on a Sacramento River steamer, remaining so employed throughout the winter of 1852-3 Becoming proprietor of the Essex House and then of the Garden House, he occupied himself in conducting the busi- ness of those hostelries until 1855, going in that year to the mines. In 1860, after spending the intervening years in mining, he engaged with Dr. Baldwin in the drug busi- ness at Columbia, which they followed four or five years. Then spending a year in a cabinet factory, in 1866 he established the newspaper called the Columbia Citizen, renting a printing press of the Messrs. Duchow. At the end of a year Mr. Dinsmore withdrew from the new enter- prise, and going to Sonora became employed in the offices of the various newspapers published there, and remained until 1867. After spending some time in Oroville, San Francisco and other places, he finally removed to Oakland, where he took charge of a drug store and remained for five years; then buying out the store with its stock, and con- ducting it until 1878, when he entered the employ of an express company, and finally, in July, 1882, he engaged with the Central Pacific Railroad Company, in whose em- ploy he still remains.
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