USA > California > California gold book : first nugget, its discovery and discoverers, and some of the results proceeding therefrom > Part 8
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Rich Bar, crossed the South fork at its junction with the main Trinity, and by Indian advice struck west- ward over the ridge, reaching the coast after much trouble at Little river, whence, on December 7th, they gained Trinidad Head, called by them Cheggs' Point, in honor of their leader. Turning southward they named Mad river in commemoration of Cheggs' tem- per, and coming upon Humboldt bay on December 20, 1849, they called it Trinity. This was not the first discovery of the bay, however, for a Russian chart of 1848, based on information by the Russian-American Company, points it out as entered by a United States fur trading vessel in 1796. The party camped on the site of Arcata, and celebrated Christmas on elk meat, after which Elk river was named. They then sepa- rated. Cheggs, with three others, after vainly trying to follow the coast, finally drifted into the Sacramento valley, where he died from exposure and starvation. The other party following Elk river, and then turning southeast, reached Sonoma February 17, 1850; Woods, their leader, having been mutilated by bears while en route. When the few survivors reached civilization once more they told of their discoveries, and immedi- ately ships were fitted out and large parties sailed for the northern bay. Many of them arrived in safety, and these immediately proceeded inland, where they met several of the miners from Trinity, who were searching for the Cheggs party. It was by members of this expedition that the city of Klamath was founded.
Shortly after the town of Trinidad was started, and it was soon the most prominent place in these regions. It grew so rapidly that in 1850 it was made the county
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seat of Trinity county; which was created in that year and embraced all this newly explored region west of the coast range. It received further impulse from the Gold Bluff excitement during the winter of 1850-51, which drew a crowd of adventurers in search of ready washed gold from the ocean bluffs. Meanwhile dig- gers had pushed their way along the Trinity, and northward to the Klamath river. The region around Humboldt bay shared largely in the traffic with the Trinity mines, and revealed such promising agricul- tural and timber resources that in 1853 Humboldt county was formed out of the western half of Trinity, which was subsequently shorn to its present dimensions by the erection of other counties.
The three classes of mining-placer, hydraulic and quartz-are carried on extensively in Trinity county. Since 1880 the placer mines have generally passed into the hands of men of means, and improved machinery has been added, and the output has been largely in- creased. The Klamath river, into which the Trinity empties, is a torrential stream, and hydraulic mining is carried on extensively. There are several fine pro- perties about Trinity Center, and at Junction City there are several mines which have been large producers for years. The Haas, being one of the smallest, produced $35,000 in 1892. The Trinity Gold Mining Company owns 400 acres, every panful of which shows gold. It has produced some $28,000 in the same time. There are over three hundred hydraulic mines in the county.
Three years ago quartz mines were discovered on Canyon creek, and several of them are producing well, those west of them are doing development work. The quartz mines at Deadwood have been the
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heaviest producers of any mines in the State. Those belonging to the Brown Bear Company produce from $35,000 to $75,000 monthly. A large amount of development work is being done in various parts of the county. A Colorado company has had 120 men employed digging a ditch to convey water twelve miles to the old Hubbard placer claims, which have been good producers.
At Cinnabar, in the northeastern part of the county, a large force has been employed, erecting furnaces, building houses, and preparing for energetic work in the summer of 1893, and it is expected that a large amount of quicksilver will be sent to market.
The mining interests being prosperous all other enter- prises in the county are buoyant, and the prospects of Trinity county are gilt edged.
HASTA COUNTY was formed in 1850, and the first Legislature which met at San Jose allot- ted nearly all of northern California to that county. The county seat was at Redding's ranch on the Sacramento river, near the mouth of Clear creek. It did not remain long there, however. The town of Shasta sprang into prominence because of the extensive and rich diggings found in that vicinity, and it rapidly became one of the most important towns in the north- ern part of the State. The county seat was at once removed thither, and was maintained there until quite recently, when the shifting of population and trade centers caused by railroad construction compelled the return of the local seat of government to Redding. The town of Shasta was almost totally destroyed by fire
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in December, 1852, and again severely suffered from the same cause in June, 1853, and at various times subsequently.
The territory known at present as the county of Shasta was first visited by the trappers from British Columbia in the early part of the century. These men remained in the neighborhood but a short while, how- ever, as they were looking for game and an easy route to the central and southern part of the State.
It was in 1843 that Major P. B. Reading, General Bidwell, of Chico, and a number of others, penetrated into the upper portions of the Sacramento valley, and decided to make their homes there. They were charmed with the beautiful scenery, the fertility of the soil and the abundance of water. They obtained large grants of land in the valley, Major Reading selecting an immense tract on the bank of the river. Subsequent experience has amply demonstrated the wisdom of the choice made by him.
A short time after the organization of the State Government the increase of the population of this region, caused by the stories brought down from the mines, became so great that a portion of Shasta was cut off and organized into an independent county, called Siskiyou. Within the territory allotted to the new county was Mount Shasta ; so that peak is not, as very many people suppose, located in the county of the same name. About the same time Tehama county was formed from a portion of Shasta and in due time the rush to the mines and the constant settling and forming of mining camps in places heretofore deserted was so great that the counties of Lassen and Modoc were also created. Among the other flourishing towns of
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Shasta county may be mentioned Anderson, Cotton- wood, and Millville. In the northwestern part of the county there are several valleys which support settle- ments of considerable size, and which, though some what isolated, are prominent factors in the development of Shasta. Fall River Mills, Burgettville, Pitville, Hot Creek and Burney Valley are the most impor- tant settlements of this region.
As already remarked, Shasta county is one of the oldest mining counties in the State, and millions of dollars have been washed from her gulches and hills, but it must not be supposed that because the days of placer mining have departed the search for gold has been abandoned. On the contrary, it is the opinion of many that only a small beginning has yet been made in the development of the mineral resources of this region, and many weighty facts are cited in support of this belief
Shasta is noted for her superb vineyards and fine orchards, and the acreage devoted to these is greatly increased. And the mines, also, show great activity. More miners find employment than ever before, and more capital is invested. The Sierra Butte Mining Company paid $150,000 for its property on Square Creek, and it has been a dividend paying mine from the start. The Gladstone Company divides about $15,- 000 monthly among its stockholders. There are a great many small properties which are paying well, and every interest in the county is prosperous.
ASSEN COUNTY had an interesting history, pending its organization. It is very probable that bands of trappers were in Honey Lake valley,
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Lassen county, very early, but the fact is not proved. It is not doubted that Peter Lassen and Paul Richeson were there in 1848, when engaged in finding a route from Fort Hall to the upper Sacramento valley by which the Sink of the Humboldt could be avoided. The route they took, and which they called " Lassen's road," was followed by emigrants on their way to the mines for a few years, but was finally abandoned, owing to its great length and numerous dangers. In 1857 a very short and excellent route was discovered by a party led by a man named Noble. They discovered a heretofore unknown mountain pass, which they named "Noble's pass," and so it has been known ever since. Had Lassen discovered this route the county might have been settled earlier, as the emigrants would have taken it instead of following the Truckee and Carson trails. In the latter part of 1853 Isaac N. Roop, post- master at Shasta, came over with a few friends and staked off a tract of land one mile square at the head of Honey Lake valley. In the summer of 1854 Roop erected a frame building on his claim which he used as a storeroom for supplies which he sold to emigrants who passed through the valley that year in great num- bers.
In 1855 Peter Lassen and a companion named kene- beck again entered the county on a prospecting tour, and were so gratified at the results that Lassen at once crossed the mountains to procure men to work the place systematically. In October, 1855, Lassen returned with several men, food and mining supplies, and a large band of cows, oxen and horses. A log cabin was immediately erected. It was sixty feet long and sixteen feet wide. They then dug a ditch about two
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miles long from the little stream now known as Las- sen's creek to the camp.
All the while numerous settlers had been staking and working claims, and in April, 1856, an attempt was made at forming some kind of government. On the evening of the 26th of that month a mass meeting was held and Peter Lassen was elected president. It was moved and adopted that as Honey Lake valley was not within the limits of California the same was declared a new territory. It was further stipulated that each male settler over twenty-one years of age should have a right to take up a claim of 640 acres The dimensions of the county as planned by these men, and to which the name of Nataqua was given, covered about 50,000 square miles. The settlement grew so rapidly that in 1857 the authorities of Plumas county began to take judicial notes of it, and, believing it to be within their jurisdiction, asserted this belief by creating it into a separate township under the name of Honey Lake township. The settlers were indignant and held several mass meetings, but finally, after attempts at self-government, they decided to obey the authorities of Plumas county. When the government surveys were made it was proved beyond a doubt that Honey Lake valley was within the boundary line of California and in Plumas county.
In 1864, after a full consideration of the subject, it was decided to organize a new county out of the ex- treme northeastern portion of Plumas county and eastern part of Shasta counties. To this was given the name of Lassen in honor of old Peter Lassen, who was undoubtedly the first white settler.
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EHAMA COUNTY was regularly organized in 1856, and Red Bluff was selected as the county seat in 1857, and there it has remained since. No reason has been given for the selection of that name. The first settlers in what is now Tehama county were N. C. Chard, A. G. Toomes and R. H. Thomes, who went there in 1844, settling noar Alder creek, and appropriating five leagues apiece of the best land they could find. Houses of adobe were constructed, and large numbers of Indians employed, a beef paying the wages of 100 Indians for a week. Peter Lassen also took up his residence in the territory in 1844. In the three following years a great number of pioneer settlers were attracted to the section, and Tehama City and Danville became thriving rivals, and Red Bluff was started in 1849 by John Meyers, who built the first house there.
Tehama county is centrally located at the head of the Sacramento valley in northern California, and almost surrounded by high mountains. The precious metals in paying quantities have never been found within its borders, but the dry atmosphere and fertile soil specially adapt it to the production of the finest grapes and the choicest fruits, and many thousands of acres have been planted to these. In 1892 large quantities of fruit, green and dried, were sold in Portland, St. Louis, Chicago and New York, realizing fine prices. The prune and grape yield was extra good. A cannery was established at a cost of $25,000, and 10,000 cases of fruit were packed and sold, the profits more than paying for the plant.
The school system of Tehama county is splendid. It was inaugurated in 1853, the first teacher being a young
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lady. The high standard established by her has been sustained. The community is a quiet one, devoted to farming and fruit growing, and it has escaped the exciting scenes which enlivened mining camps. Teha- ma is a fine locality for those seeking quiet and pros- perous homes.
LUMAS COUNTY derived its name from its principal river, Rio de los Plumas, or Feather river, which was so called in 1820 by Captain Luis A. Arguello, who headed a Spanish exploring expedition, because of the abundance of wild fowl feathers found floating on the bosom of the stream.
As early as 1843, Peter Lassen and a Russian com- rade named Isidore Meyerwitz, were there in search of a better route from the northern part of California to the Sacramento valley. It was decided to branch off from the old Oregon trail, and pass to the south down the stream to Lassen's peak, and thence by the base of a lofty mountain to Mountain Meadows, and west to Big Meadows and the headwaters of Huer creek, and down that stream to Lassen's ranch, where the emigrant parties generally disbanded. This road retained its popularity for only a year or two, when it was abandoned for a better route.
Of all the emigrants heading for the gold fields, the objective point was Sacramento, and none consid- ered the journey ended until the Sacramento valley was reached. None thought of making a stop to prospect for gold, and very many were inclined to feel weary when they found it necessary to retrace the toilsome way they had passed a month previously.
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Very few halted in Plumas county, and yet one of the emigrants was the cause of opening up. the country in 1850. Among a party of these travelers in 1849 was a man named Stoddard who, with a companion, left their companies in the mountains to hunt game, it being their intention to join the others a few miles further on. They roamed among the mountains for a few hours and finally lost their way. Over bill and down dale they walked, but could find no trace of their friends. At last they came upon a small lake, from which they drank to refresh themselves. While standing on the shore they noticed several glittering particles along the water's edge. They picked several of them up and on examining them closely found them to be lumps of pure gold. Before they had time to collect a stock they were set upon by the Indians. Stoddard's companion was killed, but he managed to escape and made his way to the mines, where he told his story, which was given little credit until he showed the nuggets of gold he had found. A search party was formed and in the following spring they left the mines and went in search of the lake, which became known as Gold lake, and the effort to find it, the Gold lake movement. After wandering aimlessly about for a few weeks they became despondent and began to look with suspicion on Stoddard, who they began to think was crazy and the lake a myth. Certain it is . that neither the lake nor any traces of it was found, and after a month the party returned home after endeavor- ing to kill Stoddard, who, suspecting their intention, made his escape.
The news of Stoddard's reputed find and the sub- sequent effort to again discover the lake attracted
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thousands from all parts of the State to the scene, and in a short time what was previously a wilderness became quite a settlement.
Before the Gold lake excitement occurred, the first Legislature of California had divided the State into counties, attaching to Butte county this entire region, which was then an unknown wilderness. The geography of the State was so imperfectly known and the pop- ulation so fluctuating, that proper assignment was impos- sible. During the year 1852 a number of settlements were made on the fine agricultural land of the valleys. The fall before, the Court of Sessions of Butte county had divided this locality into townships and had appoint- ed officers. But these were of small use as the miners preferred to settle their little quarrels among them- selves and, though part of Butte, the Plumas section was little governed by it.
So large was the population in 1853 that the county conventions of both political parties were held in this region. Finally the people were tired of being ruled by officers elected by another section of the county, and in 1854 John B. McGee, a member of the Assembly and resident of the Plumas section, introduced a bill creating the county of Plumas. It passed the Assembly without any trouble and on the 17th of March the Senate took favorable action upon it. On the 18th of the month the signature of Governor John Bigler mada it a law and Quincy was made the county seat, a posi- tion it has maintained until the present time. This place is equally dependent upon its mining interests and upon agriculture, being situated in the American valley. The location of the town is pleasant and desirable, and the climate is healthful. Quincy has a weekly news-
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paper, several general business stores, good schools, secret societies, and all other social machinery of a well- ordered California business community.
La Porte is a mining town situated at an altitude of 4,500 feet upon the divide between the Feather and Yuba rivers. It is about thirty miles south of Quincy. Snow falls in winter, some time attaining a great depth, traveling being carried on by means of snowshoes.
Taylorville is the principal town in Indian Valley, one of the most prosperous agricultural regions in the county. Greenville is credited with a population of several hundred. Meadow Valley has a fine situation on a stream which is tributary to the North Feather river. The headwaters of two branches of the Feather, spreading out toward the northeast and northwest, have cut their way through gorges and canyons from 300 to 500 feet below the general level of the country. From the base of the Sierra a series of valleys stretch across the county for 100 miles in a southeastern direction, connected with each other by canyons, passes or low divides, such as Big Meadows, comprising some 30,000 acres ; Mountain Meadow of small area ; Butte Valley, three miles long and one mile wide; Greenville, a small valley ; Indiana Valley, eight miles long and four miles wide ; Genessee Valley ; Clover Valley, a long gorgelike depression, narrow at its lower end, but reaching a width of a mile or more at the upper end, and the lower end of Sierra Valley, a depression of some twenty miles long and ten miles broad.
There are many rich mines in Plumas county, and active development work is being prosecuted. The want of the communities is a railroad, and the people are anxious therefor. Several surveys have been made,
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and the hope is well founded that the county may have quick communication with the outside world at an early day.
ENDOCINO COUNTY was organized in 1859, and got its title from a neighboring cape, so christened in the sixteenth century by a Span- ish navigator in honor of Antonio de Mendoza, the Viceroy of Mexico and patron of the voyager. In May, 1863, the settlement of the county received an impetus by the dicovery of gold in several localities both in placer mines and quartz ledges, but it was not abun- dant, assaying low, and was not worked to any great extent. Coal, copper, silver and petroleum were discovered about the same time, and were worked advantageously. Rich specimens of copper were found at Sanel and Point Areva.
Mendocino county has prospered unusually, owing chiefly to great natural advantages, and of late years to the completion of the San Francisco and North Pacific railroad. Her soil is exceedingly fertile, and the red- wood forests compete with the wealth-giving agricul- tural enterprises. Along the coast are several pros- perous towns supported by the lumbering interest.
AKE COUNTY is one of the smallest in the State. It was noted for its rich grazing grounds as early as 1840. In 1847 the first permanent settlers, Messrs. Stove and Kelsey, located near Clear Lake, and the next year were killed by the Indians. Fear of the Indians delayed settlement until 1853, when this abode
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of lovely scenery and healthy climate filled up rapidly. In 1861, Lake county was cut off from Napa, and a seat of government established at Lakeport, on the land of William Forbes. Uncle Sam, at the foot of Clear Lake, a mountain peak 4,000 feet high, is the most elevated point in the county. The county contains medicinal springs of high character which attract many visitors, and has some promising quicksilver deposits. The Sulphur Bank Company produces an average of 200 flasks monthly. Otherwise, the county depends upon agriculture and fruits, but these are sufficient to render its citizens independent and happy.
LENN COUNTY is the latest subdivision in the State. It is probably the banner wheat grow- ing section of the world, and claims that there is more first-class agricultural and less waste land in proportion to area in it than in any other county in the State. It also contains many profitable orchards and vineyards. The warm valley land composing the larger portion of the county is suitable for the production of citrus fruits, grapes, cherries, peaches, apricots, prunes and plums, while the foothills and mountains yield bounti- fully the choicest olives, pears and apples.
During 1892, a chrome mine was developed in the mountains, in the western part of the county, and yielded several car loads each month. No other mines have been opened. Willows is the county seat and contains every convenience of a young and prosperous city.
UTTE COUNTY was born with a "gold spoon in her mouth." Her rivers, valleys and moun-
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tains have yielded millions of the yellow metal, and are continuing to add vast sums to the wealth of the world. Her great fields wave with wheat and grain, and the luscious orange flourishes abundantly in her warm soil. Butte as a county had its origin under the act of February 18, 1850, a few months after the first con- vention met that established American government in the State. It included the present territory, Plumas, a part of Tehama, Colusa, Sutter and most of Lassen counties. It was about eighty miles by 160 miles in extent, being as large as Vermont and Delaware together, and containing 8,330,000 acres.
The mining industries of Butte have been some of the most extensive in the world. John Bidwell dis- covered gold in the Feather river in March, 1848, two months after Marshall picked up the nugget at Coloma. The operations, which began with the simplest form of pan-washing of the early miner, have culminated in gigantic hydraulic systems to wash whole mountains into sluice boxes, which have startled the entire world. Many large nuggets have been found in the various mines of Butte. In 1853 an old forty-niner found a chunk of gold as bigas a beef's heart. He sold it for $1,500. In 1859 a nugget weighing fifty-four pounds was taken from a hydraulic mine near Dogtown. It was called the "Dogtown nugget," and its value was $10,690. A number of pure diamonds were found in the early sixties at a place known as Cherokee flat. The two leading mining districts are Bangor and Forbestown. In the former cement gravel mines, abandoned for twenty-five years because the owners did not understand the method of extracting the gold in a profitable manner, were reopened in 1892, and two
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hundred men were employed, while fully $30,000 was expended in opening the mines, building mills, arras- tras and other mining works. Large sums have been expended on the Gold Bank mine, owned by W. W. Stow, and on the Shapespeare mine, owned by Alvinza Hayward. These are to introduce the improved methods which, when they become general, will make the yield of precious metals in California as great as it ever was. In the high regions about Gravel Range, and what is known as the Golden Summit district, extensive and costly improvements were made, and some $80,000 has been expended in mills and in open- ing and developing quartz or gravel mines. These mines promise to be very rich. Near Oroville during the past summer, the Golden Feather mine turned out a large sum in gold, but the amount cannot be learned. The Banner quartz mine near Morris ravines is being extensively developed by Major Mclaughlin and a New York company.
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