USA > California > Humboldt County > History of Humboldt County, California : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, farms, residences, public buildings, factories, hotels, business houses, schools, churches, etc., from original drawings, including biographical sketches > Part 23
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
Upon the sululivision of the State into counties in 1850, Mr. Wathall, member of Assembly of the delegatiou from the Sae- ramento District, which included the Sacramento Valley to the Oregon line, proposed the names of Shasta and Trinity for the northeru part of the State, which at that time included what is now Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Shasta, and a part of Butte County.
Our history must of necessity inelnde the territory which was at one time Trinity, Klamath, and Del Norte.
For the purpose of explaining the changes which have taken place in the two northern counties of the State since its first organization, wo preseut a series of diagrams. They will help to show the geographical changes which have taken place at different dates.
When the State was divided into counties by the Act of Feb- ruary 18, 1850, this region was a terra incognita to the legis- lators. The Trinity excitement was then at its height, but still little was known of that region, the population having progressed but little beyond the diggings on the Sacramento River and Clear Creek, and abont Shasta, all the northeastern part of this territory was ereeted into one county called Shasta, with the county seat at Reading's Ranch. The north western
part was callel Trinity County, with the county seat at Trini- «lad. und the territory was divided as in the following diagram :--
NORTHERN CALIFORINA IN 1850.
Oregon
Trinity County
Shasta County
Nevada
All that portion of the State lying west of Shasta County, and embracing what afterwards formed Trinity, Humboldt. Klamath and Del Norte Counties, was created Trinity County. but as it was yet a comparatively unknown region, it was at- tached to Shasta for Judicial purposes. This action was taken because it was expected that a large population would soon be found on Trinity River and about the Bay of Trinidad.
KLAMATH COUNTY ORGANIZED.
Trinity County was divided in 1852. All south of a line due east from the mouth of Mad River being Trinity, and all uorth of that line Klamath County.
The California Legislature of 1850-51 provided for the organ- ization of Klamath County, and ordered au election to be held on the second Monday in June, 1851. The act was approved on May 28, 1851, and R. A. Parker, W. W. Hawks, Edward Fletcher. Smith Clark and B. W. Dullitt, of said county, were appointed and constituted a Board of Commissioners to desig- nate the election precincts for such election. The officers were duly elected and the county government took effect iminedi- ately after.
This act also reorganized Trinity County, and the territory assumed the following shape :-
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 1851.
Oregon
Klamath
Ocean
Shasta County
Nevada
Trinity
The Legislature appointed commissioners to designate elec- tiou precincts and superintend the clection. Five commission- ers were appointed, noue of whom were from what is now Trinity County; two were from Humboldt City, two from Eureka and one from Union (Arcata).
The following were the first officers elected for Klamath: Connty Judge, Dr. Johnson Price; District Attorney, William Cunningham; County Clerk, John C. Burch; Sheriff, Win. H Dixon: Assessor, J. W. McGee; Treasurer, Thos. L. Bell.
A contest immediately arose as to the location of the county seat. By a famous poll book from a precinct called Simpson's Hole, which polled seventy-five votes for Eureka, it received a
1
108
ORGANIZATION OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
majority of the votes. But the Judge ordered a new election, and Weaverville became the vietor. Some irregularity oc- curred at this election and another vote was had in the fall of 1852, but Weaverville was finally crowned the victor.
SISKIYOU COUNTY ORGANIZED.
When the Legislature met in 1852, it created several new counties in the State, and among others Siskiyou. So rapidly did the population increase in 1851, that it became absolutely necessary to form a new county. The county seat of Shasta was too far away, aud the inconvenience of doing official busi- ness there was so great that the need of a new county was im- perative. By Act of Marchi 22, 1852, the County of Siskiyou was created and an election called for May 3, 1852, to selcet the first officers. Wilsou T. Sinith, H. G. Ferris, D. H. Lowry, Charles M. Tutt and Theodore F. Rowe were appointed com- missioners under the act, to supervise the election and organ- ize the county.
The commissioners held their meetings and canvassed the votes in the Veraudali, the most popular saloon in Yreka, and seemed to give as much satisfaction as in the most elaborate temple of justice ever erected. The Act of Organization also provided for the assumption by Siskiyou County of its just proportion of tho debt of Shasta County, contracted while it was a portion of that body. The territory now formed four counties as per diagram :-
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 1852.
Oregon
Klamath
Siskiyou
Ocean
Nevada
Trinity
Shasta
The exact location of the boundary linc between California and Oregon was not definitely determined upon until the fall of 1868, when the line was run by the surveyors of the United States Government. In a number of localities bordering upon the line, the collection of taxes had been for some time a mat- ter of difficulty. The establishment of the line by the Govern- ment settled the point beyond all controversy, and monuments now mark the spots where the line crosses the traveled high- ways and other points of importance.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY FORMED.
By act of the Legislature, approved May 12, 1853, Trinity County was divided into two parts. The western portion was organized into Humboldt County, and the eastern part retained the name of Trinity. The Clerk of Trinity was required to restore to the Clerk of Humboldt County the books, records, maps and papers held by Trinity County, and the same be- came part of the records of Humboldt, including maps of the
towns of Union (Arcata), Eureka aud Bucksport. This change in boundaries made the territory into five counties as follows :- NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 1853.
Oregon
Klamath
Siskiyou
Ocoan
Humboldt
Trinity
Shasta
Nevada
The act provided its boundaries shall commence at a point in the ocean three miles due west of Mad River, thence due east from the point of beginning to the Trinity River (this old line is shown on our county map) thence up the Trinity River to the mouth of Grouse Creek ; thence south to the north line of Mendocino County, and thence to the ocean. This boundary was rather indefinite and caused considerable trouble as we shall see hereafter.
The territory cut off comprised all that part of Trinity County that lay between the south fork of the Trinity River and the coast, being "a strip some fifty or sixty miles along the coast of rough wooded country," as described at that time. The organization of Humboldt will be fully described in another place.
DEL NORTE COUNTY FORMED.
In 1857 the Legislature decided that there should be a new county formed with the county seat at Crescent City. Now begins the disintegration of Klamath which finally disappears from the map. Del Norte was formed from the northern por- tion of Klamath County, as per diagram :-
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 1857.
Oregon.
Del Norte
Klamath
Siskiyou
Ocean
Nevada
Humboldt
Trinity
Shasta
Officers of Del Norte were elected in May, 1857. The county was divided into three Supervisor Districts. The County Judge was to receive $1,000 per annum. The county was attached to Klamath for representative purposes, and to the 12th Senatorial District, and to the 8th Judicial District. It was first named " Buchanan," but the Committee on Conn- ties and County Boundaries, to whom was referred a bill to establish the new county and define its boundaries, reported it back with the amendment, the name of the county, "Bu- chanan," he struck out and that " Del Norte" be inserted in its stead. Other names had been suggested. One was " Alta."
RES.QF CAP. H.H.BUHNE, EUREKA.
JERSEY BULL.
FARM OF H.H. BUHNE, 6 MILES FROM EUREKA.
PROPERTY OF H.H.BUHNE
"MARY ANN BUHNE"EUREKA, CAL.
FINE STOCK.
NE, HUMBOLDT CO. CAL.
T
10֏
ORGANIZATION OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
Another, " Altissima," as it was the farthest county northi. Among others was the name "Rincon," and " Del Merritt.' The boundaries embraced all the country on both sides of the Klamatlı River as high as a point five miles above the month of Indian Creek, and as far down that river as a point half-way between Clear Creek and Dillon's Creek, taking in Elk Creek and the mining country thereabouts; in fact including the points of Ilappy Camp, Elk Creek, Wingate's Bar, Spanish Bar, Clear Creek, Indian Creek, Forks of Smith's River, and Crescent City and the adjoining country.
U. B. Freaner, J. T. Bayse, l'eter Darby, R. B. Morford and P. H.I. Peveler were appointed a Board of Commissioners to ili- vide the county into three Supervisor Districts.
KLAMATH BLOTTED OUT.
In 1874 Humboldt and Siskiyou Counties acquired the ter- ritory of "Old Klamath," and it no longer appears on our maps. In 1874 it was disorganized, divided, and attached to Siskiyou and Humboldt. Much the larger part was at- tached to the latter county, and at this date the territory of the original two counties has become seven counties, and one has disappeared.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 1874 AND 1882. Oregon
Del Norte
Siskiyou
Modoc
Ocean
Ilumboldt
Trinity
Shasta
Lassen
Nevada
In 1863 Lassen County was formed with Susauville as the county seat. Assemblymian Cressler introduced a bill in 1874, to create the new County of Canby, out of the east end of Sis- kiyou and the north end of Lassen.
The bill was defeated in consideration of the inability of Las- sen County to spare auy of its territory, and another bill to meet the requirements of the situation was immediately framed. This provided for the formation of the County of Summit out of the eastern portion of Siskiyou. In this shape the bill passed the Assembly and went to the Senate, where it was amended by changing the name to Modoc County, and then passed. February 17, 1874, it received the signature of the Governor and became a law.
ORGANIZATION OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
Until the exploring party of 1849, whose history has just been given as written by Wood, Humboldt County was unknown to the civilized race. The Indian roamed over its wilds. hunt- ing, fishing and fighting as occasion required, fearless of any- thing save the grizzlies or a rival tribe.
Instead of following the usual laws of settlements of a new State, commencing at the frontier and pushing back regularly, the emigrants to this State scattered here and there-to the
extremes as well as the center-in their wild pursuit after the rich treasures of the earth. There were no mountains too high and rugged, and no cañons too deep to interrupt their progress. Towns and settlements sprang up as by magic, and political organizations were soon demanded for proper government of the rapidly increasing population.
As has been already noticed, the search for the mines was the maguet which drew hither the bauds of explorers who ilis- covered and located the various points on the bay. The first trade was done wholly upon the Lower Trinity. Soon other places began to attract the floating population of miners. Set- tlements began to extend lower down the Trinity River and on to New River. The Klamath opened a new field for trade and enterprise, and its tributary, the Salmon, came next. On all these rivers the miners made from one to six ounces per day. The western portion of Trinity along the bay so increased in population that a uew county was a matter of necessity and Trinity was made into two counties.
BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTY.
The Act of May 12, 1853, organizing Humboldt County, pro- vided that the line is "to commence at a point in the ocean, three miles due west of the mouth of Mad River; thence due east from the point of beginning to the Trinity River; theuce up the Trinity River to the mouth of the north fork of said Trinity River, running along the eastern side of said north fork 100 feet above high water mark to the mouth of Grouse Creck, aud thence in a due south direction to the fortieth degree of north latitude and thence west to the ocean, etc." Theselines were somewhat indefinite and for a while considerable conflict of authority and double taxation ocurred along the Trinity River and on the northern boundaries. But they were finally amica- bly settled by the lines heing more definitely determined.
COUNTY SEAT CONTEST.
Very naturally there arose a great contest over the location of the county seat of the new county. Rival towns along the bay exerted themselves to the utmost to secure the coveted prize, and great bitterness of feeling was engendered as the contest deepened.
Union, as it was then called, was designated as the seat of justice. Bucksport and Eureka were not pleased, and became jealous rivals. At the first contest for location of county seat, the people of Eel River in conjunction with all the rural dis- tricts of that part of the county joined with Bucksport and supported that place for the location, hut Union (Arcata) bore off the prize. The air was filled with charges of fraud and dishonest voting.
A petition containing over one-third of the voters of the county was readily obtained and application made for another contest, which was entered into with great zeal on hoth sides. An election to settle the matter by popular vote was called.
110
ORGANIZATION OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
COUNTY JUDGE CALLS ELECTION.
Whereas a petition, signed by qualified eleetors of the County of Humboldt, equal to at least one-third of all the votes in the county at the last general election, has been duly presented to the undersigned County Judge of said county, praying for the removal of the seat of justice from the place where it is now fixed, and that an election be held to determine to what place such removal shall be made. Therefore, in pur- suance of an aet entitled " An Act to provide for the perma- nent location of Seats of Justice of the several counties," passed April 11, 1850, and of an act amendatory thereof, passed May 13, 1854, I do hereby give notice to the electors of Humboldt County, that an election will be holden on the 25tb day of October, 1854, for the purpose of determining whether, and to what place the removal of the seat of justice of Humboldt County shall be made.
J. E. WYMAN, County Judge, Humboldt County. Dated September 14, 1954.
EUREKA CLAIMS COUNTY SEAT.
A meeting of the citizens of Eel River was held at the house of A. B. Liles on the 19th of September, 1854, with B. T. Jam- ison Chairman, aud E. L. Dorris Secretary. It was resolved that the south end of the county was materially injured by the selection of Union Town, and " we the citizens of Eel River take this method of expressing our preference for Eureka." The following committee were appointed to issue an address: Messrs. L. W. Fish, E. L. Davis, J. N. Borden, B. J. Jamison aud J. Burrell. In their address they say : " We believe Eu- reka will poll a greater number of votes for herself tban Bucks- port ean possibly do for herself, and that Union Town will poll a greater number of votes in favor of that delectable vil- lage thau at the last election. And now we ask you to eon- sider whether you ought or not to join us in support of Eureka, and tbus try ouce more to overbalance, by honest votes, the frauds which will-to judge hy the past-inevitably be prac- tieed in Union."
The citizens of Bueksport and vicinity pledged themselves that in ease Eureka received at the first election a larger num- ber of votes than Bueksport, that at the second election they would vote for Eureka, and vice versa, hut the arrangement does not seem to have been carried out.
BUCKSPORT CLAIMS COUNTY SEAT.
A committee of citizens interested in giving the county seat to Bueksport, issued an address, in which they say :--
" That Bucksport is the most appropriate place for county seat in Humboldt County. It has the best town site, the best natural advantages for a commercial city, and by far the best water on the bay for shipping purposes. That it is the nearest eentral of any of the places proposed, and most accessible; tbat it will acommodate the citizens generally better than any
other place, produce more general quiet, and that, when once established, will be far more likely to remain permanent tban any other place on the bay; are facts of so general notoriety and so well established in the minds of most unbiased persons, that arguments to substantiate them are nuneecessary."
In the Humboldt Times of October 14, 1854, is published a eonveyanee from Wm. Roberts to the committee for the pur- pose of laying such honorable motives before the public as shall secure the election of Bucksport for county seat.
Wm. Roberts agreed to convey by deed to the trustees named below, a large portion of his quarter section of land at Bucks- port, on which is situated that most beautiful plateau over- looking the bay and ocean. The deed provided for surveying into lots fifty by one hundred l'eet, and that every citizen of the county outside of Bueksport precinet, shall be entitled to a lot of that size for the nominal priee of one dollar, if he sup- port Bucksport for county seat, and it he elected as such.
It provided also that the county be entitled to a choice block of land anywhere on his premises for eounty buildings, to be selected by the County Judge, or such commissioners as may be duly appointed. Signed by following committee :-
S. B. KNOX, A. CALDWELL,
J. C. MARTIN,
C. A. PINE,
A. J. HUESTIS,
J. CLARKE,
WM. EDGAR.
October 21, 1854.
RESULT OF THE VOTE.
The result of the matter was that neither place received a . majority of all the votes cast, as will be seen by the following table :--
For Bucksport.
For Eureka.
Union.
For Union. 205
16
Eureka .
3
13
389
Bueksport
14
221
1
Eel River
2
12
45
Table Bluff
1
12
26
Pacifie .
12
7
Angel's Ranch
25
South Fork.
60
1
1
Total
310
288
469
ANOTHER ELECTION ORDERED.
It became the duty of the County Judge under the law, to seleet the two towns obtaining the highest vote, and to order another election. Uuion and Eureka therefore became the contestants, and the following notice of a new eleetion was given :-
"It appearing to me, from the certificate of Lewis K. Wood, County Clerk of Humboldt County, that no particular place received a majority of all the votes east at the election held on the 25th ult. for the purpose of determining whether and to * wbat place the county seat shall be removed, and that the towns of Eureka and Union received the greatest number of votes at said election, I do hereby order that a new elcetion
111
ORGANIZATION OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
be held on the 20th of November, 1854, to determine which of said places, Eureka or Union, shall be the county scat."
J. E. WYMAN, County Judge.
Dated November 4, 1854.
Each of the rival candidates went actively at work for a final contest. It was charged by people of Union that every precinct except theirs, cast illegal votes. That soldiers voted at Bucksport; sailors at Eureka; Klamath County miners at South Fork, and foreigners at Angel's Ranch.
In the meantiuic, as will he seen by the number of votes cast, that the population of the county had rapidly increased since the last vote was taken !
RESULT OF THE SECOND VOTE.
Union.
C
1,713
Eureka.
207
South Fork
2,136
-
Angel's Ranch
319
9
Bucksport
1
5t
Ecl River
0
24
Tablo Bluil
Total
3,107
1,804
It was evident that wholesalo frauds had been commited at this election. Four thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight votes cast in five precincts, where there could not, at most, have been over 800 legal voters, and yet reputable citizens certificd to thicse votes as being cast.
The County Judge gave notice that "it appearing by the certificate of the County Clerk, to me issued and directed, that at the election held November 20, 1834, to determine which of the two places received the greatest number of votes cast for conuty seat, a majority of all the votes were given in favor of Union, and I do hereby declare the town of Union to be the couuty seat front and after this datc."
The County rented rooms and were paying as follows :-
. $500.00
For Court Room per annum
180.00
Clerk's Office
120.00
Treasurer's
120.00
Sheriff's
$920.00
The people of Union were anxious for the erection of a Court House but the Supervisors declined to take any action. Tbe result was that the contest was continued, and at one time it was proposed to divide the county so that each place could have a county seat. The proposed division " to commence at the center of the channel at the entrance and run up to the north end of Indian Island and across to the mouth of Big Slough and up to its head, and theuce across to a point on the south fork of the Trinity and down that stream to the Trinity, down the Trinity to the Klamatb thence to the ocean and along the coast to the place of beginning." But this plan did not work aud the matter was finally settled by the Legislature.
EUREKA GAINS THE COUNTY SEAT.
Union retained the location until the Act of the Legislature of 1856, removing it from that place to Eureka, which act took effect on May 1, 1856.
"The Board of Supervisors at special mceting, April 12, 1856, accepted the proposal of R. W. Brett, to furnish the county with a court room, two jury rooms, Clerk's, Treasurer's and Sheriff's offices at Eureka for one year from the first day of May, 1856. Mr. Brett reserved to himself the use of the court room and with this reservation furnished the rooios mentioned for $200 per annum.
On Thursday the first day of May, L. K. Wood, County Clerk and ex officio Recor.Ier, removed the records, hooks, files, safes, etc. belonging to those two offices to Eureka in accordance with the Act declaring Eureka the county seat of Humboldt County from aud after that day.
R. W. Brett who owned the buildings at Eureka occupied by the county for court room and offices, had them improved in January, 1857, by having tbc court room extended through to the frout of the building, the same height and width, making a very spacious room, some seventy-five by twcuty-five feet and sixteen feet high. These rooms were used until the Court House was built.
PRESENT COURT HOUSE.
The county in 1860, purchased the block of ground lying between Second Street and the bay-being above the termin- ation of First Street-and between I Street on the west and K on the east, with a large frame building thereon, built by Hin- kle & Co.
A contract was then entered into for placing this building suitably on the block, adding wings thereto and finishing the whole for court room and all the county offices according to plans and specifications. Tbc contractor performed the job faithfully and to the entire satisfication of the Board of Super- visors.
The main building is eighty feet in length parallel with Sec- ond Strect, by twenty-four deep. In the center there is a front projection, for entry-way, etc., extending towards Second Street twelve feet by twenty-six feet in width. On the opposite or bay side, there is a wing of the same width (twenty-six feet) hy tbirty in length, giving the building the shape of a cross. It is three stories high and finished throughout.
The court room is +Gx25 feet in the clear. The jail is over the jailer's department, consisting of one large room and three cells very substantially arranged. The grand jury room occu- pies the third floor in the eastern end of the main building.
On the front projection are large, gothic windows. The court room is lighted hy six large, plain windows, three sash each, hung on pulleys.
The building is surmounted with a helfry rising from the
For Union. 429
For Eureka.
5
112
ORGANIZATION OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY.
interscetion of the roofs. It is a good frame structure and rests upon a solid and extremely well-built stone fouu- dation.
The entire cost of the ground and building together was 35,507.00.
It must, however, be admitted that the building is bardly up to the times or creditable to a wealthy and prosperous county.
COURT OF SESSIONS.
The affairs of the county were managed by the Court of Sessions from the organization in 1853, until 1855, when they passed into the bands of the Board of Supervisors.
The County Judge as Chief Justice, and two Justices of the Peace, as Associate Justices, composed the Court of Sessions. Annually the County Judge convened the Justices of the Peace of the county, wlio selected from their own number, two who should act as Associate Justices of the Court of Sessions for the ensuing year. In case of a vacancy or a failure to attend, the County Judge appointed another Justice, and as this fre- quently occurred, some years half a dozen gentlemen occupied the position.
DUTIES OF THE COURT OF SESSIONS.
Tbe duties of this Court of Sessions at first were chiefly to administer the affairs of the county, a function now discharged by a Board of Supervisors. In 1851 a radical change was made in the powers of this court by conferring upon it the criminal jurisdiction previously exercised by the District Court. It had the power to inquire into all criminal offenses by means of a Grand Jury, and to try all indictments found by that body, save those for murder, manslaughter, and arson, wbich were certified to the District Court. In 1855 the Legislature created Boards of Supervisors in the various counties, leaving to the Court of Sessions only its criminal jurisdiction. In 1863 the Court was abolisbed and its powers were conferred upou the County Court.
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