USA > California > Del Norte County > History of Del Norte County, California : with a business directory and travelers guide > Part 3
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CHAPTER II.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT MATTERS --- THE STATE CAPITAL --- THE
KLAMATH RESERVATION -- BURNING OF THE AMERICA --- THE COUNTY OF DEL NORTE
CREATED -- INDIAN TROUBLES -- FROM 1854 TO 1860.
About the 1st of January, 1855, the difficulties between the whites and Indians terminated in a fight on the Lake. four miles from Crescent City, in which about thirty Indians were killed. The two Companies, the Coast and Klamath Rangers, took jointly part in the affair, assisted by the settlers in Smith's River Valley. A treaty of peace was afterwards made with the Smith's River Indians by the people of the valley. In February an Indian war broke out on the upper Klamath, in which several whites were killed, ferry boats cut away, etc. \ detachment of soldiers were sent from Humboldt Bay to the scene of the trouble, and by their aid the savages were quelled.
On the 22d of February, 1855, the first celebration of Washington's birthay in Crescent City took place. There was a parade during the day, but the ball in the evening at the No. & Hotel was the great attraction on this occa- sion.
The express company of Wells, Fargo & Co. established a branch office in Crescent City, appointing as agent D. W. McCombe. About the same time news was received
33
A RUN ON THE BANK.
by steamer that the banking houses and express companies of both Adams & Co., and Wells, Fargo & Co., had went down in the great storm of business failures which swept over the country in 1855. The news caused no unusual run on the branch office of Wells, Fargo & Co, at Crescent City, but the house of Adams & Co, was besieged by excited depositors, eagerly claiming their money. In one day, between 4 and 10 A. M., the sum of $11,809.16 was paid out by E. G. Wescott, the agent here. All the de- mands against the Crescent City branch of Adams & Co. were paid, with the exception of $626 due to four individ- uals whose whereabouts were unknown.
It seems that Klamath county was as badly governed as any county in the State. Many and loud were the complaints in regard to the financial condition of the county, and much attention was called to the fact that Klamath county, although not quite four years old, was over $13,000 in debt, without roads, without county build ings, even without a proper safe for her records.
The Court of Sessions. a Judiciary tribunal, had been en- trusted with the management of county affairs in general, in all the counties of the state, except San Francisco The Court of Sessions of Klamath county had, so far as the administration and general supervision of county affairs was concerned, made a complete failure it that particular line of business, and involved the county in debt at a time when it should have had a balance standing in its favor.
It is no wonder, then, that a change in the county gov ernment was hailed with satisfaction by the tax-payers of the county, The change consisted in an Act by the Leg- islature, transferring the management of county affairs to a Board of Supervisors.
The Legislature of 1854 -- 5 had under consideration the subject of locating permanently the capital of the State,
1
34
HISTORY OF DEL NORTE.
and among the places proposed and discussed as being suitable for that purpose was Crescent City.
What a wonderful Legislature that must have been! What a number of valuable town lots must have been offered its members to induce them to propose as the cap- ital of the State, a town in the extreme north-west corner, and at that time almost inaccessible during the winter months. What an immense amount of ignorance must have been concentrated in that legislative body of the days of '55! Even in these days of Kearneyism and sand- lot legislation, it excites our admiration, in contemplating the sublime ignorance of the country displayed by this early Legislature.
Unfortunately for Crescent City, the bill removing the State capital to that place failed to pass, and the visions of town lot speculators vanished into thin air. But the Crescentonians were bouyant with life and energy, and the news of the failure was but a passing cloud across their bright hopes and expectations. No doubt, as the principal men of the place discussed the matter over their wine and cigars, new speculations and day-dreams of future greatness served to "Solace the hopes that ended in smoke!"
In April Happy Camp was thrown into a state of great excitement by a murder on Indian creek, and Judge Lynch was again called on to pass sentence on a criminal The quarrel from which the murder arose originated in the store of a Mr. Smith, about a pipe which a man by the name of McFarlan James accused one Phillips of having taken from his pocket. Angry words ensued, which led to a fight between the two, when James received a mortal wound. Phillips threw away his knife and escaped, but was overtaken between Indian Creek and Happy Camp and taken back to the former place.
A meeting of the miners was called, and Col. James Taylor made Chairman, E. H. Scovel, Secretary, Perry
35
THE KLAMATH RESERVATION.
Masters, Constable, and John Ware, Deputy. C. Wallace offered a resolution to take the voice of the assembled miners as to the propriety of trying J. A. Phillips by them, or handing him over to the civil authorities. It was re. solved to try him by the miners. A committee was appointed to collect the evidence, C. Wallace and A. Boyce acting as counsel for the State, and S. Boyce and John S. Sands for the prisoner. The jury returned a verdict of "guilty," and the prisoner was hung at 10 o'clock, A. M., March 31st, 1855.
Arrangements for an Indian reservation on the Klamath were completed in April. 1855, by S. G. Whipple, Indian Agent for Klamath county; the reservation to extend from the mouth of the Klamath twenty miles up the river, and two miles in width. Mr. Whipple took with him to the reservation some agricultural implements, tools, seeds, a supply of twine for fishing nets, etc , for the use of the Indians. About 1500 Indians, of every age and sex, were on the reservation, living in some 150 huts. Mr. Whipple engaged the services of H. B. Dickinson, of Crescent City, to instruct the Indians in the various duties and pursuits which their location on the reservation might necessitate.
The number of Indians in Klamath county at that time was variously estimated at from 3000 to 5000, living mostly on the Klamath and its tributaries, and the neces- sity for a reservation had long been felt.
In June a company was formed in Crescent City for the purpose of whaling. Whales had frequently shown them- selves in large numbers in and near the harbor, and it was thought that the whaling business would prove a profita- ble one. The company established works for trying out the oil on Whale island, a large rock, containing about ten acres, situated in the bay, and offering a convenient and safe place for the purpose.
During the summer of 1855 business continued good, and the merchants were extending their trade by every
-
36
HISTORY OF DEL NORTE.
means within their power. A sum of money, amounting to $4100, was raised by subscription for the purpose of opening a trail from Crescent City to the Klamath, which would shorten the route between Crescent City and Yreka. The trail was completed by the contractors in August, of the same year.
Sunday, June 24th, 1855, was a memorable day for Crescent City, and the event which made it so will long be remembered by the early settlers of the county. At 3:20 o'clock on the afternoon of that day, the side-wheel steamship America, A. G. Jones, Commanding, anchored in the harbor, en route for Puget Sound, to which point she was bound with the 21st U. S. Infantry, numbering 132 men, under the command of Major Prince. The sea was calm, the weather fine, and everything indicated a speedy resumption of her voyage. The vessel had touched at Crescent City for the purpose of landing passengers, freight, mail and express matter. After the mail and ex- press matter had been landed, it was perceived that an unusual quantity of smoke was issuing from the vessel, and many were the conjectures respecting the cause. But conjecture was soon solidified into the certainty that the vessel was on fire, and a scene of indescribable excitement ensued, both on shore and at sea. Lighters, boats, and canoes dotted the bay and surrounded the ill-fated vessel; those on shore could see that the crew and soldiers on board were making almost superhuman exertions to mas- ter the threatened calamity.
The report of Capt. T. J. Wright, owner of the vessel, published in the Crescent City Herald, states that "in about 15 minutes after anchoring discovered large quanti- ties of smoke issuing from the coal bunkers, when the cry of " fire," was given No flame conld be seen, but volumes of smoke and gas enveloped the vessel so completely that it was utterly impossible to go below, and the exact loca- tion of the fire could not be ascertained. Having a large
37
BURNING OF THE AMERICA. .
number of soldiers on board, in addition to the crew of the vessel, all the pumps were manned and every exertion was made to save the ship. The officers and crew of the vessel performed their duty faithfully; working inces- santly amid the flames and suffocating gas and smoke, never leaving their posts for a moment, until they were requested to do so and take to the boats. The fire was purely accidental, and is supposed to have originated in the coal bunkers from spontaneous combustion."
All the soldiers who could be spared from the vessel were soon sent ashore, and in about 30 minutes after the fire was first discovered the ship was run aground in the shallow water about one hundred and fifty yards from shore.
Fire, and especially a fire on board a ship, will arouse all the energy and enlist the aid of any people. The citi- zens of Crescent City were eager to save the burning ves sel, and with wonderful rapidity and energy buckets, ladders, ropes, and everything deemed useful were sent on board. At times it seemed that the fiery element must yield to such persistent and united efforts; but the dense smoke gradually deepened and darkened, the efforts on board became feebler on account of the impossibility of men maintaining their positions, and a sheet of clear flame that tore through the black sky proclaimed the triumph of the destroyer.
Seeing no hopes of saving the ship, the crew and citizens who had fought the fire so gallantly, now left the vessel to her fate. The greedy flame fed eagerly, and on Mon- day morning a charred, smouldering and hideous skeleton was all that remained of the steamer America. Thus ended the career of a vessel almost new, and by far the most efficient steamer that in early days sailed the Northern Pacific.
On the destruction of the steamer becoming certain, the City Council convened, and appointed Major Wendell and
38
HISTORY OF DEL NORTE.
S. G. Whipple a committee to wait upon the owner and commander, and to tender to them, their officers, passen- gers and crew the hospitalities of the city. This act on the part of the citizens showed both courtesy and kindness, but some circumstances connected with the catastrophe
reflect no credit upon any of the parties concerned. It is said that the boatmen of the place made exorbitant charges for their services in saving goods from the vessel, and that the soldiers, as soon as they were landed, commenced a pilfering-war on the citizens' pork and poultry. Perhaps it is only charitable to suppose that the poor fellows were hungry, and had no felonious intentions when they com- mitted these depredations; but some doubt is thrown on this supposition by the following toast, proposed by one of the Company on the Fourth of July :
" THE GALLANT 21ST ---- Set them before Sebastopol, and if they cannot conquer, they will steal it!"
The America was built by Wm. H Brown, New York, in 1853, and registered 923 tons. She was brought around Cape Horn by Capt. Mitchell, arriving at San Francisco in 1854. She was there bought by J T. Wright and en- ployed in the coast trade, the principal portion of the time running to Crescent City. The vessel was valued at $140,000, and was uninsured.
Sometime after the fire the hulk was examined and it was thought that it would pay to tow it to San Francisco, where the vessel could be rebuilt. Accordingly, the steamer Goliah took the hulk of the America in tow, and towed it safely until off Point Reyes, where she experienced heavy weather and broke the hawser, thus sending the unwieldy hulk adrift. Every effort was made to regain her, but without success, and the last seen of the America she was full of water, the sea breaking clear across.
As the first rays of sunlight flashed on the waters of the bay on the morning of the Fourth of July, 1855, the roar of three brass cannon ushered in the dawn of the eightieth
39
FOURTH OF JULY, 1855.
birthday of our independence. These cannou had been recovered from the wreck of the steamer America, and were placed on Battery Point. a rocky strip of land form- ing the left hand horn of the crescent shaped beach, and elevated above the ocean som'e twenty or twenty-five feet. Here, in place of a light-house there was a large lantern fixed on the top of a stout pole; this pole was at regular intervals pierced with holes through which projecting pins were driven, forming a sort of primitive stairway to the Fresnel light above. Near this pole, on a spot command- ing a view of the whole town, the cannon were placed, and throughout the day their hoarse voices proclaimed the independence and patriotism of the people. A procession was formed and marched through the principal streets, including the detachment of U. S. Infantry under command of Major Henry Prince, the Crescent Hook and Ladder Company, and the local military companies. W. A. Ham- ilton was Grand Marshal, J. J. Arrington and F. E. Wes- ton, Assistants. The Declaration of Independence was read by J. B. Rosborough, and the oration was delivered by Jno. P. Haynes.
On the 5th of September a general election was held throughout the State, which was of special importance to this county. It had long been a disputed question as to which town in the county was entitled to be the county seat. When Klamath county was created Trinidad was the county seat. It was afterwards removed to Crescent City, but the people living on the Klamath river were still dissatisfied, and urged that the county seat be removed to Orleans Bar. This place, about 150 miles from Crescent City, is situated in the midst of a mining district on the Klamath river. At the general election above mentioned Orleans Bar was declared by the votes of the people to be the county seat "from and after the 4th day of December, A. D. 1855."
Owing to heavy snows, blocking up the trails, the win-
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HISTORY OF DEL NORTE.
ter of 1855 -- 6 was very dull, and Crescent City wore an almost deserted look. But with the advent of spring came a general revival of trade; the streets were again enlivened by the jingling tramp of trains, the sidewalks encumbered with packages, and the stores resounded to the bustling, hurrying voices of traders and packers. The rate of freight from San Francisco to Crescent City was, with but little variation, $12 per ton on sailing vessels, and $20 per ton on steamers. Passage, in cabin, $40; in steerage, $20. The pack trains received from 2 to 5 cents per pound for carrying freight to various places in this county and Southern Oregon. The express companies were doing a large business, from $150,000 to $200,000 in gold dust passing through Crescent City during the busi- ness season of the year.
On March Ist, 1856, Crescent City was excited when a party of six men returned from the mouth of Rogue river, and confirmed the reports of certain depredations and massacres by the Indians previously received. On account of the war on Rogue river, the Indians all along the coast were greatly excited, and those in the vicinity of Crescent City and Smith's river spoke continually of the Indians above intending to come down and drive off the whites. Some went so far as to intimate that in a " few sleeps" all would be over with the whites.
The Indians on Chetcre river had become refractory, and were threatening the whites. The Indians in the im- mediate vicinity were very much frightened, and repre- sented to the whites that they were in great danger of being annihilated by the Rogue River Indians, Under these circumstances the citizens had made arrangements, in conjunction with Capt. Jones, U S. A., who was then stationed at Crescent City with a company of 50 men, to patrol the streets during nights. Capt. Jones assigned half of his command to this duty, while the other half were ordered to proceed to Smith's River Valley.
41
A FALSE ALARM.
Expectation was on tiptoe, and a feeling that something was going to happen pervaded the community. The most unfounded rumors were circulated during the excitement, and the most absurd reports were taken for certainties. Several citizens were reported killed, who in reality had not seen an Indian. All the houses in Smith's River Val- ley were reported to be in flames, and 300 hostile savages scattered over the valley. And notwithstanding that no band of hostile Indians had been seen within twenty miles of the town, rumor had spread the report on the other side of the mountains that Crescent City had been totally de- stroyed by an incendiary fire.
All the brick stores in town were used to shelter those who could not face the enemy. The brick building on Second street erected the year before by J. J. Friedman & Co., received probably the largest share of these tran- sient tenants. No less than 30 ladies and 15 or 20 children were there congregated, awaiting and drea ling the attack of the Indians.
The streets wore a martial appearance. The "boys in blue" were to be met with at every corner-saloon --.. while companies of gallant Volunteers patroled the streets and declared that they were one and all prepared to die "for their country's good." Dwelling houses and stores were transformed into armed citadels, and every house- holder could truly say that his house was his castle.
Although the terror of the inhabitants was real and not feigned, several amusing incidents occurred during the excitement. Numerous unfounded reports made Uncle Sam's " boys " wish they were in some other part of the world, and caused the bold Volunteers to fortify them selves with " Old Rye," or to " screw up their courage to the sticking point" by a "stone-fence " or an " eye-opener."
On one occasion, a practical joke was perpetrated on a prominent citizen, causing considerable merriment at the time, and securing several " treats " to " the boys."
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HISTORY OF DEL NORTE.
It seems that J. F. Wendell and several others were as- sembled in a certain bar-room, and were discussing the probability of an attack by the Indians, Wendell contend- ing that the danger was great and a fight inevitable. While they were thus discussing the question, some one of a waggish turn of mind affixed a smoked salmon to Wendell's coat tails, who, all unconscious of the act, walked down the street and into the saloon of Arrington & Co. Standing with his back to the stove, the salmon soon began to get warm, and the odor from its scorching sides assailed the nostrils of the unsuspecting Wendell.
The Indians on this coast live mostly on salmon, and consequently bear always with them an unpleasant fishy smell. Therefore it is not surprising that when the salmon affixed to his coat-tails began to fill the room with its odor, Wendell excitedly . shouted, "Indians, by gosh!" and rushed from the room in search of his trusty rifle.
On Friday morning, March 5th, before daylight several farmers and residents of Smith's River Valley arrived in hot haste in the city. They reported, that on the day previous their scouts had informed them of the approach of the Indians; that every house along the coast above Smith's River was in flames; and finaly, that but a few hours would remain to the settlers to bring their families to a place of security. It was already dark on the evening of Thursday when they yoked up their oxen and hitched up four teams, loaded with their families and a few house- hold articles. After crossing Smith's River their way was for a distance of four or five miles through a dense redwood forest, which made the dark night still darker, and made it necessary to pilot each team by a lantern. The road was new and rough, and after a variety of inci dents almost inevitable to such a trip. the party reached the opening at the head of Elk Valley, and there halted at the place of J. Y. Valentine.
From this place some of the men started on horses to
.43
A FALSE ALARM.
Crescent City, which, as before mentioned, they reached before daylight on Friday morning.
As the day broke, the bell on the Truck House of the Crescent Hook and Ladder Company rang out its clear notes for a call of the citizens, and a short time afterwards Capt. Jones started with a portion of his men and a num- ber of Volunteers out to Smith's River Valley. At a sec- ond meeting during the forenoon, J B. Rosborough was appointed Commander for the purpose of directing the means for the repulsion of the Indians, and sundry parties were sent out in different directions to scour thoroughly the neighborhood.
While all this was going on, the report was brought in, between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, that the Indians in large numbers, and well mounted, had been seen but three miles back of the town, and that they would be on the spot in less than an hour.
The successive arrivals of friendly or inoffensive Indians from the neighboring rancherias, formed an episode in the events of the day, adding fuel to the intense excitement pervading the community: These Indians, partly on the representations of the whites, and partly of their own accord, put themselves under the protection of the whites, and were removed to the island on which the light-house is now situated. They were understood to confirm the reports previously received; but afterwards it turned out to be another proof, of how much oftener the whites mis- understood than comprehended the meaning of the rod man.
Evening drew near, and the town was hushed in expec- tancy. Every moment the listening ear was strained to catch the stealthy tread of the red-skin; but the night wore away, and still no savage war-cry had been heard, and when morning broke, the inhabitants were gratified to find that their scalps yet remained in their proper posi- tions.
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HISTORY OF DEL NORTE.
Then followed explanations: A drove of mules in charge of some Mexicans on their way to Crescent City had been taken for a band of hostile Indians; other causes of alarm were disposed of by similar developments, and on the return of the several scouting parties during the day, it was ascertained that no hostile band had crossed or even as much as reached so far south as Smith's River. Thus the panic ended, and the people once more resumed their accustomed manner of life .. Guards were, however, placed during the nights for some time afterwards, and the Indians confined on the island were not removed for several days. The number of Indians confined on the island, as shown by the rations issued on the 2d of March, 1856, were: Smith's River, 179; Lagoon, 58; Ottegon, Chacha, Kohpay, Neckel, 79; Total, 316.
In the Crescent City Herald of April. 1856, I find the first record of a theatre in Crescent City " Not one of those gorgeous palaces, within whose walls the people in large and crowded cities lounge away their leisure hours, but still a theatre, within brick walls, with a neat stage, scenery, footlights, and all the most indispensible para- phernalia of a Thespian temple," was erected in Crescent City. The theatre is situated in Darby's brick building on Front street, and is capable of seating comfortably 200 persons. On the opening night, the "Crescentonian Dra- matic Club" presented "for the first time in Crescent City " the popular drama of " 'I'be Toodles," and the even- ing's entertainment concluded with the laughable farce of " Paddy Miles, the Limerick Boy."
The population of Klamath county in 1856 was esti- mated as follows: Happy Camp, mining population, 100; Indian Creek, 450; other localities down to the mouth of Salmon River, 250; Salmon River, 1200; Smith's River Valley and Redwood Diggings, mining and farming popu- lation, 200; Crescent City, 800; Total, 11,700,
During the summer of 1856 business at Crescent City,
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ORLEANS BAR.
owing to continued Indian difficulties in Oregon, was almost at a standstill. The town was filled with idle miners, who had been forced to leave their claims through fear of the Indians. But in other parts of the county, where the consequences of the Indian troubles were not so severely felt, trade was better, and the miners were still working their claims with profit.
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