USA > California > El Dorado County > Historical souvenir of El Dorado County, California : with illustrations and biographical setches of its prominent men & pioneers > Part 35
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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS ON THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
George Pearce, A. B. Dibble,
W. T. Wallace, E. J. C. Kewen,
Thomas Henley ; they counted 1,683 votes in the
county. Total vote of the county 3,360.
FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
*J. W. Coffroth
1,706
A. A. Sargent
1,654
FOR SUPERVISOR OF THE 2D DISTRICT.
*C. D. Broocke.
688
A. R. McFarland.
531
GENERAL ELECTION, SEPTEMBER IST, 1869.
FOR STATE SENATORS.
*Henry Larkin 1,506
H. F. Page
1,291
FOR MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
*J. H. Miller
1,530
*J. D. McMurry
1,540
*C. Gildea
1,485
*H. B. Newell.
1,487
W. P. Vernon
1, 283
W. E. Spencer
1,292
S. Senter
1,319
E. F. Taylor
1,242
FOR SHERIFF.
J. B. Hume
1,532
Robert Chalmers
1,262
FOR COUNTY CLERK.
W. N. Muffley
1,477
H. J. McKussick
1,361
FOR TREASURER.
A. T. Gray.
1,438
J. L. - Perkins
1,361
FOR ATTORNEY.
G. H. Ingham
1,484
Phil. Teare.
1,307
FOR ASSESSOR.
T. W. Breeze
1,437
G. Goodmam
1,365
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Whit. H. Hill.
1,48I
C. C. Pierce
1.323.
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
G. W. Phillips.
1,491
F. A. Bishop.
1,313
FOR CORONER.
A. A. Howard.
1,470
Dr. Smith.
1,327
FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR.
Seneca Davis.
1,438
C. E. Merrill
1,348
FOR SUPERVISOR OF THE IST DISTRICT.
S. A. Brown
523
Thomas Fraser.
543
GENERAL ELECTION, SEPTEMBER 6th, 1871.
On the State ticket the Democratic party counted a few more votes than the Republican ; Newton Booth, the candidate elected for Governor, received 1,532, while Henry H. Haight, the candidate for re- election had gained 1,553. Total vote cast was 3,093.
FOR CONGRESS 2d DISTRICT.
James W. Coffroth
1,566
*A. A. Sargent.
1,489
FOR STATE SENATORS.
J. J. Lawyer
1,516
*H. J. McKussick.
1,551
FOR MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
Samuel Flemming
1,480
L. L. Ramsey
1,464
*A. J. Bayley
1,554
Benj. Shivers
1,533
*Samuel H. Center
1,576
J. W. B. Dixon
1,480
*William Barklage
1,539
*Robert Chalmers
1,582
FOR SHERIFF.
Jas. B. Hume
1,414
W. H. Brown
1,635
FOR COUNTY CLERK.
J. B. Richardson
1,507
R. O. Turnbull.
1,566
FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
G. J. Carpenter
1,575
G. G. Blanchard
1,463
.
169
ELECTIONS.
FOR COUNTY ASSESSOR.
Thomas W. Breeze 1,572
Jasper Jurgens 1,485
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Whit. H. Hill. 1,575
George F. Mack 1,494
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
William Jabine
1,544
J. M. Anderson 1,527
FOR CORONER AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR.
A. A. Howard.
1,473
H. W. Russell 1,572
FOR SUPERVISOR OF THE 2d DISTRICT.
Walter Miles 615
Benj. S. Tyler. 476
For Constitutional Amendment 2,126
Against Constitutional Amendment 69
For Refunding State Debt
2,07 1
Against Refunding State Debt .
80
JUDICIAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 18th, 1871.
FOR COUNTY JUDGE.
*Chas F. Irwin. 1,439
John Bush 848
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
O. P. Fitzgerald. 1,049
H. N. Bolander.
1,264
Total vote cast
2,302
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 5th, 1872. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS WERE :
John B. Felton 1,309
John F. Miller 1,309
Claus Spreckels 1,309
J. E. Hale.
1,309
For Grant
J. D. Goodwin
1,309
T. H. Rose.
1,309
J. C. Shorb 1,093
F. M. Pixley 1,093
Jo. Hamilton
1,095
F. H. Rosenbaum
1,094
Peter Donahue.
1,094
John Yule. .
1,093
J. Mora Moss IOI
John Nugent.
IOI
Zach. Montgomery.
IOI
W. J. Graves.
10I
For O'Conor
FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS 2d DISTRICT.
*H. F. Page. 1,103
Paschal Coggins 1,375
FOR SUPERVISOR OF THE ISt DISTRICT.
B. S. Crocker.
472
H. B. Newell .
514
Total vote cast.
2,566
GENERAL ELECTION, SEPTEMBER 3d, 1873.
FOR STATE SENATORS.
*Thomas Fraser
947
William Jones
677
Charles Gildea.
939
FOR MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
W. E. Spencer
817
W. E, Riebsam 655
W. P. Vernon. 779
W. T. Gibbs 816
*G. W. Simpers 1,214
*George H. Ingham
1,074
*George E. Williams 1,236
*Nathan Gilmore 1,061
J. W. D. Phillips
684
F. M. Dickerhoff. 691
T. Z. Armstrong
592
M. A. Hunter
588
FOR SHERIFF.
W. H. Brown
1,183
J. D. Skinner .
1,243
J. D. Woodworth
144
FOR COUNTY CLERK.
R. O. Turnbull
952
W. H. Hill
1,058
Bart. Morgan
563
FOR
ASSESSOR AND COLLECTOR.
H. W. Russell
885
T. A. Galt. .
1,048
W. E. Gaylord
621
FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Phil. Teare
907
G. J. Carpenter
1,426
FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
C. E. Dascomb
1,045
J. P. Munson
1,317
FOR CORONER. AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR.
WV. B. House
855
F. Collins
1,148
J. O. Forbes
573
M. R. C. Pullman .
IOI
A. J. King. IOI
For Greeley
170
HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR. FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
J. M. Anderson
892
William Jabine. 1,127
Robert Patton 544
FOR SUPERVISOR OF 3D DISTRICT.
I. P. Jackson
229
G. W. Parsons 321
N. Wentworth
II3
Total vote cast
2,665
GENERAL ELECTION, SEPTEMBER IST, 1875.
The Democratic State ticket headed by William Irwin, for Governor, in this county received about as many votes as both the other tickets together. viz: *William Irwin. 1,238
T. G. Phelps
740
John Bidwell
556
FOR MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE 2D DISTRICT.
Henry Larkin 1,231
*H. F. Page. 937
C. A. Tuttle
371
FOR MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
*G. J. Carpenter .
1,260
Wm. Jones.
1,210
*S. A. Nott
1,230
J. A. Thompson
1,213
W. A. Johnson.
69
FOR SHERIFF.
John D. Skinner.
1,219
John Theisen
1,309
FOR COUNTY CLERK.
Adam Simonton
1,186
George Burnham 1,35º
FOR ASSESSOR.
Walter Miles
1,248
R. Doncaster
1,255
FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Geo. H. Ingham. 1,243
Geo. M. Holten
1,238
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
John P. Munson 1,823
C. E. A. Dascomb.
702
FOR CORONER AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR.
Frederick Collins. 1,130
F. W. Glynn. 701
H. M. Collins
683
W'm. Jabine.
1,242
J. M. Anderson
1,292
FOR SUPERVISORS.
H. B. Newell.
493
F. M. Dickerhoff.
535
First District
J. H. Miller
421
1
Second District
Samuel Center.
353
George W. Parsons
312
Third District
Isaac P. Jackson
286
Total vote cast.
2,543
SPECIAL ELECTION, OCTOBER 20th, 1875.
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS.
*Ezra Carr.
917
O. P. Fitzgerald
1,122
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 7th, 1876.
(PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.)
Samuel Tilton
1,414
* Rutherford Hayes
1,331
FOR MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
G. J. Carpenter
1,362
*H. F. Page.
1,357
FOR STATE SENATOR.
*W. H. Brown.
1,416
D. M. Kenfield.
1,330
Total vote cast .
2,746
GENERAL ELECTION, SEPTEMBER 5th, 1877.
FOR STATE SENATOR.
Maurice G. Griffith
1,282
*W. H. Brown.
1,483
FOR MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
*S. A. Nott.
1,498
*J. H. Miller.
1,425
A. C. Folger.
1,272
Wm. Jones
1,315
FOR SHERIFF.
Henry Larkin
1,314
John Theisen.
1,450
FOR COUNTY CLERK.
George W. Simpers
1,310
George Burnham
1,456
FOR COUNTY ASSESSOR.
Thomas A. Galt.
1,408
G. W. Fountain
1,352
171
ELECTIONS.
FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
George H. Ingham 1,557
W. W. Likens. 384
Thomas Davidson 733
FOR CORONER.
Thomas F. Lewis.
1,387
W. M. Collins
1,358
FOT SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Jonn P. Munson 1,448
C. H. Cromwell.
1,313
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
E. A. Smith
1,402
J. M. Anderson 1,356
FOR AUDITOR OF 2D DISTRICT.
Walter Miles. 647
C. G. Carpenter
367
For the Constitutional Convention.
406
Against the Constitutional Convention
641
Total vote cast
2,777
SPECIAL ELECTION, JUNE 19TH, 1878.
FOR DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
*J. E. Dean.
*G. W. Hunter
*Henry Larkin.
SPECIAL ELECTION, MAY 7th, 1879.
For the new Constitution 1,056
Against the new Constitution
1,348
Total votes
2,404
GENERAL ELECTION, SEPTEMBER 3d, 1879.
At this election four different tickets were voted on the State ticket: George C. Perkins, the candidate elect for Governor had received in El Dorado county, 1, 163; Wm. F. White, 402 and Hugh J. Glenn, 1, 126 votes; a total of 2,691.
FOR MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
*H. F. Page. 1,157
W. P. Williams. 339
T. J. Clunie
1,058
FOR RAILROAD COMMISSIONER IST DISTRICT.
*J. S. Cone. 927
G. J. Carpenter 514
Henry Larkin.
1,256
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS.
*F. M. Campbell.
1,134
H. G. Gesford. 816
A. L. Mann
361
S. N. Buck.
395
FOR STATE SENATOR.
*W. H. Brown
1,314
J. G. O'Brien
694
S. A. Nott.
688
FOR MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
*Thomas Fraser
1,235
M. A. Hunter
687
Charles T. Foster.
774
*Cyrus Coleman
1,104
J. W. D. Phillips
840
Jacob Urey
739
FOR COUNTY CLERK.
*E. W. Witmer
1,268
W. A. Bucknam 653
Julius D. Jackson
773
FOR SHERIFF.
George Burnham
1, 163
Chas. T. Roussin
706
John Cartheche.
827
FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
G. W. Gallaner
812
James E. Dean.
909
Geo. H. Ingham
973
FOR ASSESSOR AND COLLECTOR.
Wm. Rush
777
Walter Miles.
741
Thomas A. Galt .
1,187
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
G. W. Kimbell
1,146
E. A. Smith
967
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
C. E. Markham
1,393
J. P. Munson
1,300
FOR CORONER.
F. Banta.
1,037
B. Hammel
695
J. J Lawyer .
969
Total vote caste
2,696
172
HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 2D, 1880. (PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.)
The candidates of the three tickets got the follow- ing votes in the county.
Garfield, (Rep) 1,417
Hancock, (Dem). 1,520
Weaver, (Greenback)
24
Total vote.
2,961
FOR MEMBER OF CONGRESS
*H. F. Page
1,394
J. R. Glasscock 1,525
B. K. Low
I2
FOR MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
*Thomas Fraser.
1,539
*Cyrus Coleman
1,498
David Fairchild
1,397
J. H. Miller
1,436
FOR SUPERVISORS.
Ist District-Thos. Hardie.
588
C. P. Young 537
2d District-Geo. H. Gilbert .
384
Seth Loveless.
631
3d District-A. A. Bayley
433
Geo. W. Parsons.
356
GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 7TH, 1882.
FOR GOVERNOR.
M. M. Estee 1,17I
*Geo. Stoneman .. 1,517
R. H. McDonald 67
T. J. McQuiddy
17
FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTIONS.
S. D. Waterman. 1,213
*W. T. Welcher. 1,487
R. A. Grant.
42
E. J. Shellhouse
19
FOR RAILROAD COMMISSIONER, FIRST DISTRICT.
C. F. Reed . 1,207
*G. J. Carpenter 1,462
Howard Andrews
40
G. T. Elliot
16
FOR REPRESENTATIVES AT LARGE, (CONGRESS).
W. W. Morrow 1,234
Henry Edgerton . 1,215
*C. A. Sumner 1,489
* J. R. Glasscock 1.492
A. B. Hotchkiss
41
Warren Chase
48.
S. Maybell
18
J. Yarnell
41
FOR MEMBER OF CONGRESS.
H. F. Page.
1, 183
* James H. Budd
1,510
J. L. Coles
39
F. Woodward.
7
FOR STATE SENATOR. (Joint El Dorado and Alpine).
J. H. Miller
1,338
Thomas Frazer
1,397
FOR MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY. (Joint El Dorado and Alpine).
*Rowland.
1,414
A. J. Bayley
1,345
FOR MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY.
*Irwin
1,576
Knapp
1,167
Of later years election polls have been kept at the following places: Myers Station, Lake House, Volca- noville, Georgetown, Onion valley, Garden valley, Musquito, Kelsey, Placerville, Sportsman's Hall, Moore's Station, Smith's Flat, Dick's Station, Dia- mond Springs, Pleasant valley, Newtown, Sly Park, Hank's Exchange, El Dorado, Shingle Springs, Nash- ville, Latrobe, Grizzly Flat, Fairplay, Indian Diggings, Clarksville, Wing's Store, Gold Hill, Coloma, Green- wood, Centerville, Salmon Falls and Negro Hill.
CHAPTER XXIII.
REMINISCENSES AND ANECDOTES.
The discovery of gold and the consequent rush of people to Coloma deprived J. W. Marshall, the dis- coverer of gold, of his rights to land, etc., obtained under the Mexican rule, before the treaty was made that gave California to the United States; and it would be no more than right and just that he should receive something to indemnify him for those rights independent of some reward due him for the discovery of gold.
The first idea of recognizing the obligation of the State to give some aid to Marshall, was brought up in the State Legislature, in session of 1860 to 1861. Mr. Laspeyres of San Joaquin county introduced a bill to the effect that steps should be taken by the State to aid the discoverer of gold in California; this bill, however, was killed by amendments.
173
REMINESCENSES AND ANECDOTES.
Again, in the Spring of 1870, the following call made the circuit of the press: "J. W. Marshall, the dis- coverer of gold in California is living at a place called Kelsey, El Dorado county, in this State. He is old and poor, and so feeble that he is compelled to work for his board and clothes, being unable to earn more." But meagerly was this call responded, and of all the assistance that came up to help the poor old man, nothing was done on the side of the State.
The San Francisco Pioneers, in 1873, petitioned the State Legislature for a pension for Captain Sutter, with the result that $250 per month, as a pension, were paid to the latter out of the State Treasury; while Marshall, petitioning at the same time in his own be- half, running out of money became pennyless, and the Pioneer Society of Sacramento forwarded him one hundred dollars.
Subsequently, when W. H. Brown became a niem- ber of the State Senate from El Dorado county, a bill for the aid of Marshall was introduced by him in the Senate, in session 1877 to 1878, (Senate Bill No. 413.) This bill allowed James W. Marshall the sum of one hundred dollars per month for a period of two years, provided, however, that this appropriation should cease in case of Mr. Marshall's death, before the ex- piration of the two years.
These two years have expired a long time, but other steps for his relief have not been made since, as far as we know, and Marshall, when we saw him last, was still walking straight and upright, apparently promising to outlive many a younger man.
In referring to the life-pension allowance made by Congress, in session of 1872 to 1873, to Thompson for carrying the mail on foot from Placerville over the Sierra Nevada to Genoa and Carson, before the road had been opened as a stage road, and the mai' was carried by stage, to gratify the good services of an un- daunted and indefatigable servant, Thompson -- better known as Snow-Shoe-Thompson *- was repeatedly mentioned as the pioneer in the business for which the allowance was proposed at that time. While we do not wish to depreciate the services and merits due to Thompson, it is due to truth and justice also to state, that one of the earliest settlers of El Dorado county, Jack C. Johnson, of Johnson's ranch, pre- ceded Thompson as a trans-mountain mail carrier ; he was the man that opened up, marked out, and trav- ersed the route called after him, "Johnson's Cut-off," which subsequently was traveled by Thompson, and he crossed the mountain range through the depression laid down on all the maps as "Johnson's Pass." By this very route, and through this pass Johnson has
carried the mail from the present site of Genoa to Placerville in twenty-six and one half hours previous to Thompson's first trip over the same route. It is not more than right that the government appreciated Thompson's, services who intrepid and faithfully did his difficult and dangerous duty, unconcerned of season and weather, but let the truth of history be vindicate '. Jack Johnson claims the name as the Nestor and pio. neer of trans-mountain mail carrying on foot by the Placerville route.
It was in the period of the legislatory session of 1860, when the Hail of Legislature was made the scene of a bloody tragedy, and though the final act of this tragedy took place at Sacramento and con- sequently outside the line of El Dorado county, con- cerning the cause of the affair and the principals who set it in scene, however, it belonged to El Doardo and therefore we have to deal with it as an home affair. The following is taken from the Sacramento Standard of April 12th, 1860:
"A serious and perhaps fatal affray took place yes- terday at twenty minutes before one o'clock, in the room of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly, between Dr. Stone and John C. Bell, both members of the Av- sembly from EI Dorado county, in which the latter received five knife wounds in different parts of the body, which are very dangerous and may prove fatal. The wounded man was taken to a rear room in the Occidental saloon, opposite the Capitol, where he was attended by Drs. Titus, Price, Morton and Proctor. He was subsequently removed to the boarding house of Mrs. Mara, on I street, where every attention was paid to him. Dr. Stone gave himself up to the custody of officer McClory. The Assembly immediately after the arrival of the news, took a recess but re-assembled in half an hour and adjourned till 10 o'clock next day."
A number of witnesses were summoned and the case was examined before Justice Barr at 2 o'clock, on April 12th, District Attorney Cole appeared for the prosecution, and Messrs. Coffroth and Stewart for the defense, Attorney-General Williams also sat by the side of defendants counsel and participated in the examina- tion of the witnesses. After some lengthy talk of postponement it was concluded to go on with the case and the following witnesses were called: Dr. Morton, Judge Wilkins (member of the Assembly from So- noma), Dr. Proctor, Wm. B. Carr, Hon. Phil. Moore, Harvey Lee, Capt. McClory, L. Robic, A. C. Law rence (member of the Assembly from Trinity county), Supervisor Green, Frank Stewart, Humphrey Griffith, J. S. Stocker, and S. B. Wallace. The facts and par- ticulars of the affray as gathered from the sworn tes-
*The snow shoes which Thompson used to make his dangerous trips in the winter, are still preserved at the Ormsby House, Carson City, Nevada.
174
HISTORY OF EL DORADO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
timony of the witnesses before the Justice's Court gave clear evidence. In the following lines we give the tes- timony of Judge Wilkins, which embraces about the whole of the evidence: "Was present at the time of the affray; at my request Mr. Bell had gone into the Sergeant-at-Arms room, and we were conversing when Mr. Bell turned to Dr. Stone and said: 'Doctor, I am going to defeat your measure.' The measure in ques- tion was about the formation of the new county. Stone asked what were his reasons, the conversation continued and finally turned upon personal matters and the politics of El Dorado county. Bell charged Stone with having defeated certain members of the party of the county ticket; Stone denied it, Bell re- peated his charges whereupon the Doctor said : 'If you say so you are a liar.' I only heard the lie given once, then both put themselves in an attitude of de- fense; I saw Bell put his hand in his pocket, there was some talk of a knife but I saw none, I said 'Gentlemen this is no place to settle a difficulty.' Bell raised his hand to strike and at that instant there was a pistol shot by Stone ; Bell then followed Stone and clinched and struck him ; they were not more than two feet apart when the pistol was fired. After the pistol had been fired the fight was continued, Bell was striking fiercely at Stone and seemed to have the best of him, and then I saw the pistol for the second time, I think it was a small pocket-pistol. There were several persons in the room at the time. I supposed that Bell was going to draw a weapon from the posi- tion in which he stood with his hand in his pocket."
After the examination of the witnesses the Court decided that it was a case of self defense and the at- tack of Dr. Stone justifiable, as it was evident that Bell had commenced the affray. Dr. Stone was bound over to appear before the higher Court with $5000 bail, which was given by Dr. Pearis and Frank Hereford.
DEATH OF HON. JOHN C. BELL.
On Sunday morning April 15th, 1860, Hon. John C. Bell died in Sacramento from the effect of the wounds inflicted upon him by Dr. W. H. Stone, in the room of the Sergeant-at-Arms. The intelligence of his death threw à gloom over Placerville, and saddened the hearts of his numerous friends in El Dorado Co. He was burried in Sacramento on Tuesday, and was fol- lowed to the grave by the State officers, both branches of the Legislature, and the Odd Fellows. The pro- cession was large and imposing, and the funeral cere- monies solemn and impressive in an eminent degree, During the day the flags were displayed at half-staff from the public buildings and the several engine houses, and the bells were tolled. Gen. James W.
Denver, C. F. Rugg, H. C. Sweetser, J. R Boyce, A. D. Rightmire, Jacob Welty, and Samuel Nixon acted as pall-bearers.
The Assembly Chamber was draped in mourning, as were also the seat and desk of Mr. Bell. Some generous hand also strewed his desk with white flowers .- Appropriate resolutions were offered in the House by Mr. Conness. Eloquent and feeling eulogies were delivered in the Senate and House on the deceased,-in the Senate by Col. Dickinson, and in the House by Messrs. Conness, Wilkins, Welty and Lamar, at the conclusion of which both Houses adjourned in respect to his memory.
A resolution was adopted by the House appropria- ting one thousand dollars out of the Contingent Fund for the purpose of defraying the expenses of his funeral and erecting a suitable monument to mark his final resting place ; and a committee of three -- Messrs. Conness, Welty and Beach-was appointed by the Speaker to carry out the object of the resolution.
Mr. Bell was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio; emigrated to this State in 1852, settled in this county, and at the time of his death was aged about 30 years. He had no relatives in this State. He was a quiet, unobtru- sive gentleman, possessing many attractive qualities, a kind heart, a generous disposition and firmness and integrity of character of the highest order.
THE SENATOR.
The dismantling of the river steamboat of the golden era, known by every old timer in California, who all repeatedly made use of her services to go down to ' Frisco,' will be justification enough to give a short sketch of her strange and romantic history. A local item in one of the San Francisco dailies but recently announced that the old pioneer steamer Senator, belonging to the Pacific Coast Steamship company, was to be dismantled for a coal barge and her machinery removed. Thus ended the career of what we believe to have been the most profitable vessel ever built since the invention of the steam engine. Considering that she has outlasted the Golden Age, Golden Gate, Sonora, St. Louis, John L. Steph- ens, Sierra Nevada, Uncle Sam, Brother Jonathan, Northerner, Yankee Blade, Pacific, S. S. Lewis, In- dependence, North Star, Nebraska, Nevada, Great Republic, Oriflamme, Ajax, Colorado, Constitution, Golden City, America, Japan, Alaska, Arizona and Montana, Sacramento and others, the longevity and excellence of this ship borders somewhat on the marvelous. After thirty-four years of more constant service than any other vessel has ever seen, she has not been broken up entirely but converted into a coal barge still to serve some nautical purpose.
G.W. RAMSEY'S RESIDENCENP FRUITRANCH .COLOMAVALLEY . ELD.,Cº.CAL.
175
REMINISCENSES AND ANECDOTES.
The history of this Methuselah of American steamships in short is as follows : She was built in 1848, at New York, by W. H. Brown, to run between Bangor, Maine, and Boston, but before she was quite finished, the California gold fever broke out and she was dispatched for the Pacific co ist, arriving in Sep- tember 1849. She left New York with coal in her hold and all her main deck staterooms, the latter be- ing first consumed. Arriving at Rio de Janeiro, she took coal, water and supplies, then sailed for Val- paraiso and thence to Panama, where she took on 520 passengers at $300 in the cabin and $200 in the steerage. After arriving at San Francisco, her deep water bulwarks were cut away, her masts taken out and she was speedily transformed into a river steamer. She began to make tri-weekly trips to Sacramento, at $35 cabin passage, $15 deck passage, $5 for a state- room and $3 for a single berth extra. Freight was $20 per ton. Dinner, which was the only meal served on board, was $2 per head. Her receipts for the round trip would often amount to $20,650 of which $10,000 would be for cabin passage, $4,400 for deck passage, $650 for staterooms and berths, $1,600 for meals and $4,000 for freight. This lasted for about four months, before any other boat of good business capacity came on the line, the New World being the next one.
To recollect the names of her officers: Captain, Lafayette Maynard, U. S. N .; John Van Pelt was mate and also acted as pilot; Dennis Crowley, second mate; J. L. Sheppard, engineer; Marshall Hubbard, clerk, and James Duffy, steward. After a lapse of six months Captain Maynard went ashore to act as agent of the boat and John Van Pelt was promoted captain. When the New World came out, Marshall Hubbard, of Massachusetts, and Francis Cunningham bought an interest in her and she ran opposite days with the Senator, under command of Captain Edgar Wake- man, whose license was afterwards revoked by the local inspectors for a collision with the Eclipse. He was succeeded by Captain Samuel Seymour, who died in 1859. The New World had been built in New York expressly to run on the Sacramento river, and was the first steamer ever launched with steam up, in the Atlantic waters. But when the passenger trade on the Sacramento river changed into the freight trade, requiring larger boats, she was sold, in 1864; she could not carry over seventy tons, while the Senator often had four hundred tons aboard. There were nearly four months in which the Senator's gross receipts were upwards of $50,000 per week, but she drew too much water for a low-water boat, and from September to January she was too deep for the river.
Early in 1854, a great combination was formed by which seven lines of boats were consolidated into the California Steam Navigation company. After the consolidation the Senator was laid up at Washington, across the river from Sacramento, from July, 1854, until the following May, when she was taken down to San Francisco to be placed upon a southern route On her way down she met with some accident ; Capt. Seymour was bringing her down without a pilot and concluded to run the 'old river' instead of steamboat slough, as was usual. But just coming out of the old river at the foot of Obispo island, he struck her rudder against a snag and tore it out. Two little schooners were lying near there, windbound, and for the sake of getting his boat to San Francisco Capt. Seymour agreed with the captains of the little crafts to tow them down for nothing for the sake of getting his boat s'eared. The Senator was then lashed be- tween them and reached port in safety.
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