USA > California > Tuolumne County > A history of Tuolumne County, California : compiled from the most authentic records > Part 4
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During a portion of its existence, the Herald indulged in polyglottism-running two or more columns in Spanish and occasionally indulging in French. Its course through- out evinced great enterprise and ability. In the first num- ber of the Herald is to be seen an advertisement of the first stage line from Sonora to Stockton. The coaches were to leave the latter town on Monday and Thursday of each week. The fare was twenty dollars. Judge J G. Marvin advertises his express line, which has started, connecting San Francisco with the southern mines. People who wish
38
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
their letters collected and delivered once a week, are ad- vised where to leave orders, and the following price is ap- pended: $2 00 for each letter, when we pay postage; $1 50 when postage is prepaid; $1 00 for a drop letter; 25 cents for newspapers; 50 cents for mailing each letter in San Francisco; 30 cents for mailing each newspaper in San Francisco.
In a later number, there is a proclamation by County Judge A. A. H. Tuttle, that the Court of Sessions offers a reward of five hundred dollars for such information as will lead to the detection of the murderers of Chase, Hathaway, Ford and others, whose murders had recently occurred. All Mexicans were particularly commanded to give what- ever valuable information they were possessed of to the proper officers. From No. 5, the following is extracted: " The gulch at Jamestown has been worked over several times; yet it appears to be as productive as ever. Three Chileños, in a fortnight, have taken out $15,000, and three Frenchmen twelve pounds of gold on last Thursday after- noon."
" Mr. G. P. Fowler, of Massachusetts, has shown us a mass of the precious metal weighing 4 lbs., 4 ozs. and $8, and most beautiful it is. The lump was found at Shaw's.
" Up to this date we have not had any U. S. postal arrangements between San Francisco and Sonora, although the citizens, through our columns, frequently ask the ques- tion, 'why?' Our only answer is, 'quien sabe ?'"
. E. B. & D. H. Hendee advertise the first photographic establishment in Sonora, with rooms nearly opposite the Court House. This location is opposite where the City Hotel now stands. The entire building was then called the El Dorado, Le Coq & Valleau, proprietors.
Dr. Gunn's residence is described as being a handsome two-story adobe building. Peter Mehen owned a row of
39
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
four or five wooden stores, and John H. Valleau's large frame building, which stood on the site of the theater, after- wards kept by John Sedgwick as a livery stable, is also mentioned.
The Herald, of August 17, informed its readers that a party of three Frenchmen took out of a hole they had sunk in Sonora, the enormous sum of three and a half pounds troy in gold dust, and much more was left until the clean- ing up.
Mr. Oliver Twist, of Mormon Camp, is mentioned as having a garden, in which melons were ripening. This is the first mention of gardening; though ranching-particu- larly hay raising-had been entered upon before. L. Shelby advertised "a quantity of hay" for sale, on reason- able terms, ten miles below the Indian Ranch Ferry, as early as the summer of 1850.
A Riot in Sonora.
The deep feeling of jealousy and distrust that had, through one cause and another, been daily increasing, with its attendant ills of threats and violence, culminated in July of this year in a series of extraordinary outrages, and the lynching of certain parties, and the attempted execu- tion of others. Nothing could exceed the state of excite- ment into which Sonora, and the Southern Mines in general, were thrown by certain events which took place near the county seat during the fortnight ending July 20. The circumstances which gave rise to such a condition of affairs were these: On the morning of Wednesday, July 10, four Americans arrived in Sonora, having in custody three Mexi- can Indians and a Mexican, named Pablo Martinez, Dio- nisio Ochoa, Gabino Jesus, and Ruiz Molina; and the re-
40
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
port immediately became circulated that a horrible murder, the third or fourth within a week, had been committed at Green Flat Diggings, about eight miles from town. Im- mediately the entire population of Sonora crowded in front of the house of Justice Barry, and demanded the particu- lars of the affair; and as some who possessed, or thought they possessed, the desired information, related the horri- ble details, the angry exclamations and flashing eyes of the mob told plainly of a deep determination to avenge the crime that their countrymen had suffered. The prisoners were arraigned before Justice Barry, and then commenced a scene of tumult and confusion then unparalleled. In the tumult the predominant cries were, "string them up!' "hang 'em!" "we'll have no mistake this time!" and a rope was produced and a knot tied in it, that there be no delay. The utmost efforts of the officers of the Court produced no impression on the crowd. George Work, the redoubtable Sheriff, a man of the steadiest courage and iron nerve, who never quailed in the discharge of his duty, was as one without influence on the reckless mob. Judge Marvin, As- sociate Justice of the Court of Sessions, addressed the people, but ineffectually. While these things were trans- piring in front of the house, Justice Barry was engaged in taking the deposition of the four Americans who brought in the prisoners. They testified that on the previous evening a Mexican boy had informed them that two Americans had been murdered at the Green Flat Diggings, but they took no notice of the report. In the morning, however, another Mexican called and corroborated the boy's statement. Witnesses immediately proceeded to the spot indicated, and found there the four prisoners, in the act of burning the tent and the bodies of two men. They were immediately taken into custody, and brought to So- nora. Therc also appeared in evidence the shovel and
.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
pickax belonging to the prisoners. The defense set up by the prisoners was to the effect that it was a custom of their countrymen to burn the dead; that the bodies, having been dead several days, had become offensive through de- composition, and in order to remove the nuisance, they attempted to burn them. The prisoners, of whom the three Indians were described as uncouth, and the Mexican, on the contrary, of gentle and pleasing appearance, main- tained a calm and becoming demeanor that aroused the sympathies of some in the audience. By this time it was resolved by the authorities, as the best that could be done, to immediately impanel a jury and proceed with the trial. But Mr. McAlpin and others who were drawn upon the jury, refused to serve, and the case became still more per- plexing. While in consultation the officers had withdrawn, and the opportunity was taken by the people to clect a Judge from among themselves; and Peter Mehen was chosen for the office. A rope was then put around the neck of each of the supposed culprits, and they were led to a hill in the vicinity of the town, where the trial was commenced anew. A jury was impaneled, the trial concluded, and the prisoners sentenced to be hanged. The rope was passed over the limb of a tree, and the Mexican, chosen as the first victim, was given a few moments in which to pray. He knelt down, prayed affectingly, kissed the cross he had in his bosom, and with the gentlest resignation gave him- self into the hands of his executioners. Another moment, and Judges Marvin, Tuttle and Radcliffe, together with William Ford, County Clerk, and others arrived, and by flinging themselves boldly into the crowd, succeeded in effecting a diversion that enabled the proper officers to regain possession of the prisoners, and contrary to expectation they succeeded in lodging them in jail.
The affairs above described occurred on Wednesday.
42
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
The prisoners remained in the jail, without any indication of an attempt at mob law, until the following Monday, which was the day on which it had been understood their trial was to come off. On the morning of this day a mob of eighty men, armed with rifles and shotguns, and march- ing in military style, and presenting a most imposing ap- pearance, arrived from Green Flat, intent on seeing justice done on the murderers of their neighbors. Besides this band, there poured in from Jamestown, Shaw's Flat, Co- lumbia, Woods' Creek, from mountain, gulch and ravine, hundreds of miners, armed with rifles, shotguns, revolvers, knives, lances, etc. All were highly excited, and would not submit to delay. They halted opposite the Court House, when Judge Tuttle appeared and addressed the throng, urging them to be moderate, and assuring them that justice would be done; if the men were found guilty they would surely meet their deserts, and if they were inno- cent they would surely be acquitted. He further urged them to respect the law and acquiesce in the verdict of the jury, whatever it might be. At the conclusion of this sound advice, some one proposed three cheers for the speaker, but the crowd silently marched away to their en- campment, first posting a guard over the jail.
Judge Creaner, of the District Court, was waited upon by a delegation who informed him in unmistakable terms that the trial must go on that day. The Judge, not in the least intimidated, warned them calmly that they were in conflict with the law, and announced that no departure from the regular order of business would be suffered in his court.
In consequence of a rumor that the Mexican prisoners had colleagues in a camp several miles distant, Sheriff Work proceeded there with a posse of twenty men and arrested nearly the whole adult portion of the inhabitants,
43
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
numbering one hundred and ten men ; whom he brought to town and confined in a corral, under a strong guard.
During Monday evening several hundred men arrived in town, swelling the ranks of the mob to nearly or quite two thousand armed men. To oppose this force, of whom the greater part were bent on summarily executing the pre- sumed offenders, the county officers stood alone, But these were men who had the heart and nerve to do their duty in any situation. Judge Creaner's firmness has passed into a proverb; and than George Work no man was ever better qualified to act in times that try men's souls. The remain- der of the officers, notably William Ford, the Clerk, and Mr. S. A. Booker, the District Attorney, acted bravely.
When, in the order of business, the case of the four Mexicans was called and they were arraigned, a most excit- ing scene took place. When the plea of " not guilty " was heard, one of the guards, standing on a bench, dropped his gun, and the hammer, striking some object, exploded the weapon. Instantly numberless revolvers were drawn, bowie knives flashed forth and the tumult became inde- scribable. One man, in his haste to get out, accidentally fired his own gun and the terrific melee became tenfold fiercer. The struggle to quit the court-room became inde- scribably violent. Doors, windows, all means of egress were put in requisition. An alarm of fire added to the clamor and even the street was cleared instanter.
Some Mexicans, who were in the crowd, were deliberately fired at by different individuals. One announced that he fired " on general principles;" another said he thought they were trying to rescue the prisoners, so he fired pro- miscuously among them.
It is recorded that the examination was postponed.
During the following evening the army went on a spree of such magnitude that it was seriously feared that grave
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
disturbances would result; but such was not the case, how- ever, and in the morning many of them left for their own camps, leaving Sonora in comparative quiet. The examina- tion of the accused men was resumed, when, there being no evidence against them, they were acquitted. So ended this curious case, which is given mostly to illustrate the peculiar feeling shared by most Americans against the Spanish-speaking population. It seems as if the whole proceedings were merely an outgrowth from the jealousy and distrust which the one race bore the other.
Although the law had been vindicated and the men, un- justly charged with murder, freed from confinement, there was still no abatement of the popular feeling of insecurity, and still fresh reports (mostly fabricated by interested parties) of murders said to have been committed, continued to pour in, and a public meeting was held to devise ways and means for a better protection of life and property. At this meeting, at which A. Elkins presided, Judge Tuttle and Joshua Holden, of Sonora; J. W. Van Benschoten, of Wood's; D. S. Dikeman, of Jacksonville; Capt. Runnells, of Sullivan's Diggings; W. C. Wade, of Mormon Gulch, and Capt. Stewart, of McLane's Ferry, were appointed a committee to make arrangements for holding a mass meet- ing of citizens for a consideration of the grave state of affairs. This meeting was called for Sunday, July 21, 1850, and was held in the plaza. The following resolu- tions were adopted :
" WHEREAS, The lives and property of the American citi- zens are now in danger from the hands of lawless marau- ders of every clime, class and creed under the canopy of heaven, and scarce a day passes but we hear of the com- mission of the most horrible murders and robberies ; and as we have now in our midst the peons of Mexico, the rene- gades of South America, and the convicts of the British Empire; therefore:
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Resolved, first, That all foreigners in Tuolumne county (except those engaged in permanent business, and of re- spectable characters) be required to leave the limits of this county within fifteen days from date, unless they obtain a permit to remain from the authorities hereinafter named.
Resolved, second, That the authorities referred to be a committee of three, to be chosen or selected by the Ameri- can citizens of each camp or diggings.
Resolved, third, That all the good citizens of this county shall resolve themselves into a committee of the whole, to carry out the objects of this meeting.
Resolved, fourth, That the foreigners in this county be, and are hereby notified to turn over their firearms and deadly weapons to the select-men of each camp or digging's forthwith, (except such as may have a permit to hold the same;) such select-men shall give a receipt to such for- eigners for the same, and each and every good citizen shall have power to disarm all foreigners.
Resolved, fifth, That the select-men of each camp or diggings shall promptly carry out the duties assigned to them.
Resolved, sixth, That five hundred copies of these reso- lutions in English and Spanish, be published and forth- with distributed throughout the county.
Resolved, seventh, That the select-men from each camp, or diggings, take up subscriptions to defray the necessary expense of such publication, and remit the money thus collected to the proprietors and publishers of the Sonora Herald."
The publication of these resolutions, together with the decided action taken by the people of other camps, had a good effect. There was at once a perceptible lull in the social atmosphere ; and the Herald, the mouth piece of the American faction, was moved to say :
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
" The prompt action of the people in the late emergency has had the effect of teaching certain hombres a lesson that they will not soon forget. * It by no means has been proven that the late guerilla acts were committed by Mexicans or South Americans alone. The outcasts of every nation under Heaven have combined to disturb us; and we think that now they have been effectually silenced. We pray the mining population to assist us in restoring public confidence, to return to the old regime, to silence the tongues of Sydney convicts and boisterous inebriates, who delight in tumult and " braggadocio," who palm them- selves off as American citizens, and stain a privilege whose honor every American citizen should guard with jealous care.
" Real estate is rising in value, and everything is looking up. The commercial interests of the country have been suffering at the rate of $10,000 per day, and our merchants' time lies idly on their hands. * Action, action! gentlemen. Fold not your hands, but quiet the alarm among the men on whose labor your future depends. The jealousies of sects and the rivalries of men of different countries are small matters at times like this. Let us beg the people to use their power mildly. To protect the good of what country soever, while they punish the evil disposed. Americans! greet kindly the stranger who asks your hospi- tality and protection. You may entertain angels unawares. The burden of the tax on foreign miners has been rendered less obnoxious. The following notice has been distributed throughout the county : ·
" NOTICE .- The Collector of Taxes for foreign miners an- nounces that he is now authorized by the government to receive $20 for the privilege of laboring in the mines until the last day of December next, and to issue a license for that
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
period. He is instructed to protect all who comply with this requisition, and punish all others as violators of the law. The Collector's office is at the head of Washington street, Sonora.
L. A. BESANCON. " Aug. 3, 1850.
" The effect that we long ago prognosticated has taken place. The miners are rejoiced, and in one or two in- stances there have been public manifestations of joy. Hundreds who had made preparations to leave the country have resolved to make California their homes."
The improved state of affairs indicated in the above edi- torial, may be regarded as the beginning of a more healthy and settled condition, which took its rise from the ener- getic measures of the American population at the time when it seemed as if the foreign element were about to usurp the functions of government even, and by terrorism rule or ruin the country.
Business Affairs in Sonora.
The people of Tuolumne, and of Sonora in particular, felicitated themselves upon the improved prospect of busi- ness affairs, and argued from the look of things a perma- nent prosperity that future years has shown to be well founded. At the time of which these facts are noted, Sonora contained, according to trustworthy estimates, two thousand permanent inhabitants with which to begin the new era of things. There was invested in merchandising the sum of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with at least one hundred business houses of a substantial char- acter, and a large and constantly increasing number of comfortable dwellings. Large stocks of goods were carried
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
by the business houses, and even from the earliest times it has always been possible to purchase nearly every article of comfort or luxury that the fancy could dictate. In this connection it may be appropriate to introduce the prices current of the common articles of trade, which will be seen to have suffered a very material decrease since the preced- ing year.
Prices current, prepared expressly for Sonora, by Peter Mehen, merchant:
Flour, per cwt. $17 to $18
Barley, per cwt. 16 to 18
Mess Pork, per cwt 45 to 50
Prime Pork, per cwt. 35 to 38
Bacon and Hams, per lb.
55 to
60c.
Lard, per lb.
60 to
75c.
Rice, per lb. 18 to
20c.
Brown Sugar, per lb
36 to
40c.
Coffee, green, per lb.
60 to 75c.
Coffee, brown, per lb.
80 to 90c.
Sperm Candles, per lb 95 to $ 1
Brandy, per gallon $ 2 to $ 4
Gin, per case 10 to 11
Whisky, per gallon 2 to 4
Claret, per box.
10 to 12
Among the more prominent business houses that existed at that time were E. Linoberg & Co., who kept a store commonly known as the " Tienda Mexicana," situated on the corner of Washington and Linoberg streets, of which Mr. Morris officiated as head salesman. Their line was provisions and clothing. The firm employed a pack train which made constant and regular trips to and from Stock- ton, laden only with their own purchases. Dodge & Co. dealt in beef, but added a stock of provisions, clothing,
y Truly Mark twain.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
liquors and groceries, at their store in Washington street, fronting the plaza. Apothecaries' Hall, of which John E. Stothers was proprietor, was situated on Washington street, opposite the Court House. Theall, Perkins & Co. did an extensive business in general merchandising. Reynolds & Co.'s express, as a portion of the legitimate business, engaged in the transmission of letters on a very consider- able scale, if their advertisements of unclaimed missives are to be taken as a criterion. On some occasions the number thus advertised was not less than two hundred and fifty. Sullivan & Mehen, auctioneers and commission merchants, also wholesale and retail dealers in provisions and miners' tools, kept a store on Washington street, fronting the plaza. Green & Holden, another prominent firm, occupied quar- ters opposite E. Linoberg's store, on Washington street. Peter Mehen's original store, being vacated by him, was occupied next by Major Stewart, who carried on a similar business. Next, south of the Major's place, was the Sonora Restaurant, situated nearly opposite the town well. The establishment was kept by Louis Maris. Labetoure & Walsingham were auctioneers and commission merchants. At a somewhat later date, Bennett & Phillips opened a store in the northern end of town, which had been occu- pied by Street & Co., with an assortment of provisions, clothing and miscellaneous goods. The Eagle Restaurant, founded in 1851 by Sanderson & Co., upon the dissolution of their co-partnership, was afterwards carried on by Syl- vester & Harlow. Messrs. Street & Co. instituted the man- ufacture of syrups in Sonora, in the Spring or Summer of 1851. Yaney & Barabino kept a large stock of mixed goods and were the most prominent dealers in cigars, tobacco, etc. Other merchants doing business in Sonora were A. Elkins, P. McD. Collins, M. M. Steward, Terrence Clark, Louis Elordi, G. G. Belt, besides others, many Mexicans. W.
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HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
O. Tripp was the first shoemaker to establish himself in town.
Messrs. Moore & Edmundson did an express business, running a passenger or saddle train to and from Stockton tri-weekly.
Coytier & Daney, whose place of business was in Miran- da's house, on Washington street, beside the Sonora drug- store, kept an assortment of guns and pistols, ammunition and other articles.
The above notes are taken partly from the old Sonora Herald and partly from personal recollections of living men and will bear the test of the liveliest memories. It is very difficult at this time to procure accurate details of the con- dition of things at the time now under consideration, and so, in order to avoid any possibility of error, many points of interest, but of doubtful authority, have been omitted. Subsequently, however, owing to the more settled state of society, to the multiplication of newspapers and to the less remote date, historical facts became more easy of access and of verification, and the historian's task easier in propor- tion.
Having considered the resources and business of Sonora, it is now proposed to proceed to the remaining camps in the county.
Jacksonville, as has already been said, was founded in the Spring of '49 by Col. Alden A. M. Jackson, although that gentleman does not possess the distinction of being the first settler, for that honor belongs to a Mr. Smart, who located there a few weeks previously and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. His property was known as “Spring Garden," which acquired celebrity as being the first fruit garden in this portion of the State.
The new town grew but slowly, as compared with the rate of increase of other locations. Its growth, however, was
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HISTORY OF, TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
permanent. From the time when Col. Jackson erected the first store until the middle of the Summer of 1851, there had been a steady enlargement, sufficient to place it second only to Sonora in point of population. And in later years, although Jacksonville suffered the inevitable decline that has attended all the mining towns of that era, still she sank into insignificance but slowly. Situated upon the Tuolumne River, the efforts of her inhabitants have always been di- rected to mining the bed of that stream, which at its low stage, in the months of August, September, October and November, is successfully done. At other times, the flats and gulches of the surrounding country afford a field for the exercise of their industry.
The mining operations conducted here were of a very ex- tensive character for that day, being devoted to turning the course of the river. The Jacksonville Damming Company was organized on the 20th of January, 1850, with the ob- ject stated as follows: " To change the present course of Tuolumne River, above and below Wood's Creek, by digging a canal of 20 feet in width by 2,380 feet in length, requir- ing a depth of 2 feet in the first 200 feet, and an average depth of 18 inches throughout." The company, comprising fifty members, went to work and constructed the race and also a stone dam across the river. After all this work, the race had to be deepened throughout from 10 to 20 feet, but before the work could be completed, a freshet destroyed the portion completed.
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