USA > California > Merced County > History of Merced County, California with biographical sketches of prominent citizens > Part 17
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The almost boundless range was intersected throughont with divergent trails, whereby the traveler moved from point to point, progress being as it were in darkness on account of the height of the oats on either side, and rendered danger- ous in the valleys by the bands of untamed cattle, sprung from the stock introduced by the mission fathers. These found food and shelter on the plains during the night; at dawn thoy repaired to the higher grounds to chew the end and bask in the sunshine. At every yard coyotes sprang from beneath the feet. The flight of quail and other birds, the nimble ron of the rabbit, and the stampede of elk and antelope, which abounded in thonsands, added to the charm.
The chief riches of tho early California pioneer, consisted of cattle and mines of gold. Mining was tho chief industry, and stock raising received great attention. Over the richest soil in the county roamed large herds of cattle, horses and sheep; but in the course of time, as population increased, the country watered by the Merced and San Joaquin rivers was found to bo most fertile and productive. The dwellers of these valleys engaged in tilling the soil, and the dwellers of the hilly parts of the Coast Range and Sierra Nevadas, which are better adapted to grazing, became the owners of herds of cattle and sheep.
Mariposa County.
A history of Merced county could not well be given withont some review of the incidents and conditions of the mother county, Mariposa, of which the present territory of Merced formed a part in the pioneer days of California.
The broad plains and beautiful rivers of the section then embraced in Mariposa connty, had attracted many Mexican ranchoros, who, with their fatted herds, enjoyed the greatest freedom; and who oxhibited in person a royal hospitality toward the wayfarer, often furnishing gnides and horses, at the command of a stranger, for many days' journey, with the only injonction: " Cuando vuelva no dye de venier a verme." Later the mining interest predominated, only for a brief period, however, as the busbandman's plow no sooner turned the soil than a bountiful yield gladdened the hearts of the many honseholds whose habitations began to deck the plains, and in a few years hamlets and villages took the place of lowing herds.
EXTENT OF MARIPOSA COUNTY.
When the State was divided into counties, Mariposa in- cinded all the territory south of the divide of the Tnolomne and Merced rivers, within the San Joaquin valley proper. In fact, its boundaries were rather undefined.
CHIEF ATTRACTION OF MARIPOSA.
To-day, Mariposa is perhaps principally remarkable as containing the Yosemite valley, which has been so fully de- seribed and illustrated that nothing new can be said. But we devote several pages elsewhere to it, and the big trees of the connty.
TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES,
Its topographieal peenliarities strongly resemble those of El Dorado, Amador and Calaveras. With its eastern ex- tremities lying in the high Sierras and its western portion embraced in the San Joaquin valley, it is at once a mining and agricultural distriet. Its forests, too, are so extensive that Inmber can be put down as its third important industry. The Merced river and the waters of the Mariposa both take their rise in this county, the first by the time it joins the San Joaquin being quite an important stream. It has its sonree in the perpetual snow, and then flows over tower- ing precipices and through deep and precipitous canyons until it reaches the tamer and western boundary of the county.
The climate is salubrions, and the landscape is what might be termed picturesqno, similar to that seen by tourists traveling through Switzerland. The soil is nsnally fertile, adapted to limited farming-frnit, vegetables and grasses- especially where water can be had for irrigation.
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HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY.
UNDEVELOPED RESOURCES,
Had the Mariposa Land and Mining company, owners of the celebrated grant, turned their attention to building a canal from the South Fork of the Merced river, which has already been surveyed, for the purpose of introducing water into this section of the country for mining and irrigation purposes, instead of the nseless expenditnro of rnuning great tunnels, sinking shafts, etc., they would now be an in- corporation of exceeding wealth; and Mariposa county to-day conld nnfurl her banner aud exhibit to the world in lotlers of pure gold, inscribed around her emblem (Butterfly) the words, " Mariposa, the Banner Connty of California." Not considering at this time the valne water would be for mining purposes, but for irrigation, simply, it is more than prohahle that the grape-growing business would become more noted than any other locality in the State for the fine quality of its wiues.
At an elevation of 1,000 to 1,500 feet ahove the sea-level, fruit attains an excellence of flavor that is nnaccountable, unless it he from the dryness of the atmosphere and the ahnndance of snlphnrets of iron that impregnate the soil thronghont the mining regiou.
FIRST SETTLERS IN MARIPOSA,
The discovery of gold on Mariposa creek, on Merced river, and other places, first bronght settlers into this section of the county, first passing over the Merced plains. Among the first settlers was one James D. Savage, who, in 1848-9, located in the monutains near the month of the Sonth Fork of the Merced river, some 15 miles below the Yosemite valley. At this point, engaged in gold mining, he employed a party of native Indians.
James D. Savage had two stores, or trading-posts, nearly in the centre of the affected tribes; the one on Little Mari- posa creek, abont twenty miles south of the town of Mari- posa, and near the old stone fort; and the other ou Fresno river, abont two miles above where John Hunt's store was. Aronnd these stores those Indians who were the most friendly, nsed to congregate, and from whom, and his two Indian wives, Eekino and Homut, Savage ascortained the state of thought and of feeling among them.
Under the head of Indians, on page 191, we have given an account of the attack of the Indians, and burning of his store. While in pnrsnit of the hostile Indiaus Yosemite valley was first discovered.
At this ostablisliment Savage soon built up a prosperous business. He exchanged his goods at enormous profits for the gold ohtained by the Indians. The white miners also submitted to his demands, rather thau travel to Mariposa village,
THE EARLY MINING DAYS,
Tho valleys and ravines soon began to be filled with miners from all parts of the world. Those early days of '49 and '50 in Mariposa connty give wide scope in variety, Upon the walls of the Pioneer Hall in Stockton hangs a relic that is quite interesting. It is ahont ten inches iu diameter and is made of babbit-metal. On tlie adverse side is a pro- file of a man who in early days edited the Mariposa Gazette, and it is said to be an excellent likeness. On the reverse is an inscription saying that the medallion is from the wives and mothers of Mariposa, who presented it to the illns- trions editor for his regard for them (manifested, evidently, through his paper). The date 1850 accompanies the in- scription. The name of the editor we have not ascertained; butas he has long since died, it would, perhaps, be of little interest to the people to know it. An editor's name, even when he is living, is not so important in the eyes of the peoplo as to make mnch concern as to his identity after death, yet his influeuce will live after him.
FIRST WHITE WOMAN IN CAMP,
It appears that when the Mariposa Gazette was started, there was not a white woman in the town. In a short time several white families moved in, and the editor at once began to complain ahont the crying of the children, and the restraint that men felt who had been absolutely free for nearly two years, and otherwise to make it appear that the coming of the white woman was a circumstance to be deplored. One day the women went into his office, when he was across the street in a saloou, and filled their aprons with type, which they gave to an artist in the camp, who made thio medallion ont of it.
J. D. Peters rolates, in au interesting manner, the fol- lowing: " I'll never forget the time the first woman came into camp, The miners heard that she was coming, and they all qnit work and marched fonr miles down the road to meet her. Several largo arches were erected over the road, and a hand of music led the march into town. The town was alive with miners when we got there, who came in from the hills to get a glimpse of the woman and participate in the celobration." Tho first woman who arrived started at once into the pastry hnsiness, and sold pies for $5.00 apiece. Sometimes the miners complained of the pies, but the woman who made them would say if they didn't like them they needn't hny any, as she was not particular whether she sold pies for $5.00 apiece anyway. Those were days when every one feltas independent as a lord.
AN ELEVEN POUND NUGGET.
One of the most exciting stories of early days, is also re- lated by Mr. Peters, Said he: "The report came down the canyon that some one, up towards the head waters, had
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RES.& DAIRY OF PETER MERRELL 10 MILES SOUTH OF MERCED, MERCED CO, CAL.
. RES. OF JOHN O'DONNELL, 4 MILES WEST OF MERGEO, MERCED CO., CAL.
العود
1
S5
CHARACTER OF THE EARLY ALCALDES.
found a nugget weighing eleven ponnds. The miners all wanted to get a look at so monstrous a piece of gold, and during the day hundreds of miners wandered in that direc- tion to see the diggings that would produce such a wonder. I walked eleven miles, and wben I got there it was a baby weighing eleven pounds that was on exhibition. They had regular honrs for oxbibiting the little one, and miners wonld travel many miles to see it, knowing before they started that it was merely a baby, and not a nngget that had been found.
IMPORTANT MINING LOCALITY.
La Grange, called in early days "French Bar," is a min- ing and agrienltural town, sitnated in the eastern part of the connty, near the Tnolnmno, Mariposa and Merced connty line. The history of " French Bar " dates back into the early days of '49 when the gold excitement ran high, extend- ing even to the Old World. Judging from the great num- ber of Frenchmen who settled here in those times, it would seem that the sturdy sons of sunny France had taken the gold fever very bad; they came in great numbers to tbe mines, and generally formed settlemonts to themselves.
In early days La Grange was a lively mining camp. It had the advantage, like Knight's Ferry, of hoing situated directly on the ronte to tho northern mines, and mining towns of Coulterville, Mariposa, Hornitos and the Tnolumne mines. It contained several thousand inhabitants, and was the scene of many stirring events in those times.
The site upon which the town is hnilt was taken up for a ranch by Elam Dye, in 1852. Shortly after some fifty Frenchmen located on a bar of the river (one mile below tbe site of tbe present town), and commencod prospecting for gold. No one dreamed of tbere being any worth digging for, but the enterprise of these sons of Ganl soon brought to light the existence of a rieb placer, and as soon as they satisfied themselves that the diggings would pay, they sent word to their friends, wbo soon joined them and built np quite a camp, to which the name of "French Bar " was given, and retained until the name of La Grange was given it. The present town is located on the second bench or table-land from the river.
There was a great mining excitement at La Grange in 1854-5 which attracted many to that locality. Mines were staked ont all along the river, above and below the town, and extending into the surrounding bills.
CHARACTER OF THE RULERS.
The Spanish mining codo was the first laws to govern the early miners in their camps and operations.
Col. Taylor, of Stevenson's Regiment of Cal. Volunteers, was Sub-Perfect of the San Joaquin district, which com- posed the whole territory known as the soutborn mines.
The Alcades, wbo administered the local laws, bad unlim- ited powers and jurisdiction. Mike Tubbs figured in the mining section as Alcade. He was an English sailor, and his actions will serve to show bow law was then admin- istered in tho mines.
A SEVERE JUDGE.
Mike Tnhbs was a severe Alcade. He had been boat- swain's mate in the royal navy, and was expert with the lasb, which was his favorite modo of punishment. He would try the case, pronounce the judgment, and with his own pow- erful hand inflict the penalty. Two dozen lasbes, with a tough riata, donbled so as to make two cuts with one stroke, was his lightest dose. To a thief who had robbed a tent of a hlanket, he administered one hundred lashes. Fifty were given one morning and the remaining fifty the next, after which he gave the half dead wretch tbe alternative of instant departure or the infliction of another fifty the following day if caught in camp. He abandoned his claim, took only bis blanket, pick, coffee-pot and tin cnp, and dragged his torn body away before sundown. One of Mike's terrible sen- tences was suffered hy an Indian of Jose Jesns' tribe. He had come to camp with another of bis tribe, a poor old Indian, and the pair had managed to get whisky enough to make them drunk. A quarrel ensued, in which the younger Indian -- a low, squat, stont fellow, with only a breecb-clont upon him, and bis tbick, short, coarse hair, like a chimney- sweeper's hrusb, hanging low npon bis neck-had badly ent the other with a knife.
A TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT,
The trial was brief and the sentence prompt. It was, that he sbould recoive seventy-five lashes, have his ears cropped and his hair ent off. Mike administered the larger portion of the lashes himself, and then called upon Charley Shaw, his Sheriff, to finish the flogging. Charley was left-banded, and the cross-entting of his blows tore the miserable vic- tim's back into shreds and strings. Yet he barely winced or writhed under the torture, and not a whimper or moan escaped him. The flogging over, "Doctor" Wright, the sawbones of the camp -- who bad to fly tbe camp a few weeks afterwards for bis butchering malpractice in operating upon a Spanish senorita for cancer-was ordered by the Alcade to crop the ears. The first he almost sawed off quite close to his bead with a pair of dnll shears he had in his " instru- ment " case, and Tubbs told him to ent off the other, not so close, with a knife. The Indian bore tbis barbarity with the same heroic stoicism. Then followed the hair-entting. The sbears were again put in nse. With much difficulty the first clip was made. But with it came from the Indian the most unearthly yell that ever startled the ears of the list- eners. It was as thongh the iron had indeed pierced the tortured victim's sonl. It so appalled the Doctor that ho
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HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY.
was unable to resume the operation, and a volunteer, who said he had often tried his hand on sheep, was at once ap- pointed to the service.
A DIFFICULT TASK.
He found it a most difficult task. At every motion of the shears toward him the Indian twisted and squirmed to break loose from Mike's strong lashings, which bouud his arms and feet and body, and he could not break loose. His neck and head were free to move, however, and these he jerked and dodged about in such a wild mauner that several times the points of the shears came in contact with his face and sorely lacerated the flesh. And at every clip, from first to last, as the hair fell from his ngly shock, he howled and shrieked as only an Indian can make his agony expressive in sounds. Upon being cut loose from his bonds he ran from the spot np the creek toward the hills with all the energy of a madman, and although some in the camp feared that the outrageously maltreated savage would wreak his vengeance upon any unfortunate white man he should find in his power, or perpetrate the lex talionis upon persons he- longing in the gulch, thore was no subsequent word or sign of lıim.
MARIPOSA, HORNITOS AND COULTERVILLE.
We must, however, leave these early and interesting scenes, and give a brief sketch of the principle features of Mariposa county, and then pass on to the formation of Mer- ced county.
Mariposa village, the county-seat, lies 145 miles southeast of Sacramento, 185 miles easterly of San Francisco. 110 miles easterly of Stockton, and 45 miles northeasterly, via stage road, from Merced.
The town of Mariposa and its environs contains ahont 700 inhabitants, two churches, two schools, two hotels, stores, shops, stables, etc. The court house, jail and county poor house are also located here. The daily stage from Merced, with passengers, mail, etc., arrives every day. One newspaper, the Mariposa Gazette, is issued every Saturday, at this locality.
Hornitos is an old mining town on the stage road leading to Merced, about twenty miles from Mariposa.
The neighborhood of Hornitos is dotted with quite a number of ranches, farms and gardens, that raise a sufi- ciency of cattle, hogs, barley, hay, vegetables, etc., for liome consumption. Goat-raising and improvements of the Cash- mere goat has become a prominent feature in this section.
Coulterville is likewise a mining town, sitnated about twenty-five miles from Mariposa, on the Mercod river. It contains abont fonr or five hundred inhabitants, with one good hotel. There are quite a number of farms, gardons, ranches and vineyards, sufficient to supply the domand of a much greater population than at present reside there.
MERCED COUNTY ORGANIZED.
Organization, First County-Seat, First Court, Court House, Officers, Juries, Trials, Etc.
The hill creating Merced county was passed by the Legis- lature of 1855. John Bigler, who was at that time Gov- ernor of the State, approved the same on the 19th day of April of that year. Lieutenant-Governor Samuel Purdy was at that time President of the Senate, and W. W. Stow, Speaker of the House. This county, which at that time constituted part of Mariposa county, was represented in the Senate by Major A. McNeill, and by E. Burke and Thos. Flournoy in the Assembly.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
By the provisions of the Bill, A. Stevenson, Wm. N. Neill, Wm. J. Barfield, Chas. V. Snelling, James McDer- mot, Samuel Lovejoy and Charles F. Bludworth were ap- pointed a Board of Commissioners, whose duty it was to designate precincts, appoint judges and clerks of election, canvass returns and grant certificates of election to those entitled to receive them.
FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS.
The Board held their first meeting at the ranch of James A. Neill aud hrother, and issued their proclamation for an election to take place on the second Monday of May, 1855.
At this election the following officers were chosen, to-wit: John W. Fitzhugh, County Judge; E. G. Rector, County Clerk; Charles F. Bludworth, Sheriff; Jack W. Smith, Dis- trict Attorney; Geo. W. Halstead, Connty Treasurer; Jas. W. Robertson, County Assessor; Erastus Kelsey, County Surveyor; Gordon H. Murry, W. J. Barfield, and Samuel D. Kelly, Board of Supervisors; Samnel H. P. Ross and J. A. Vance, Associato Justices.
FIRST COUNTY-SEAT.
The question of locating the county-seat was also, by pro- visions of the Act, submitted to tho vote of the people, and resulted in favor of the Ranch of Turner & Oshorne on Mariposa creek, ahout oight miles distant from Mereed. It is owned at this time by E. T. Givens, the incidents of whose life are given olsewhere.
FIRST COURT HOUSE.
The Court House, so-called, at this time, was a ono-story wooden building, ahont 12 feet wido and 25 foet long, with
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FIRST COURT HOUSE AND COURTS.
a door at each end, and one on the east side. A rough and unfinished huilding.
FIRST COUNTY COURT,
The first Court held in this couuty was the Court of Ses- sions, in June 1855, shortly after the conuty was organized, John W. Fitzhugh presided as Judge, and Samnel H. P. Ross and J. A. Vance sitting as Associate Justices. It was held at the spot designated by law, ou the north branch of Mariposa creek, on the ranch of Turner & Oshorne.
A PRIMITIVE COURT.
The Court organized under a number of oak trees on the banks of the two branches of the creek above mentioned. For a Judge's stand and Clerk's desk, a common dining table was used. Thoro were only two chairs on the ground, and they were occupied by the Judge and Clerk. For other seats, benches, boxes, kegs, etc., were brought into requi- sition. There wero two juries in attendance-Grand and Trial.
THE GRAND JURY TREE.
A large oak tree standing on the bank of the south hranch of tho creek was used as a Grand Jury meeting. The tree cast its grateful shade down into the hed of the creek. Here the jury retired to deliberate on the important matters pre- sented for their review. This tree was in front of the "Court Honse " jnst mentioned, about 150 yards.
WHOLESALE INDICTMENTS.
Every man against whom complaint was made was indicted, and ont of some twenty-five indictments found, not a single party was convicted-whether this was owing to the inex- perience of the Court and its officers, or the proneness of the juries in those days to acquit, was never explained. Probably they reasoned the only way to hit the guilty ones was to indict everyhody whose names were presented before them, and not he accused of hias. It would he proper to say, however, that tho indictments were principally for horse stealing and hog stealing.
THE TRIAL JURY TREE.
The trial jnry occupied as a jury room the bed of the north hranch of the creek, which was also shaded by trees. When a case was disposed of and given to the jury, the Conrt, as a rule, adjourned until a verdict was rendered, in order that the Sheriff might summon on the next case,
LAUGHABLE COURT SCENE.
The place or locahty where the first Court was held is one of the most windy places in that section of the county, and
much amusement was indulged in at the expense of the Clerk, who, being without desk. or other repository, was com- pelled to carry his papers in his hat and iu his pockets. At times a sudden gust of wind would get the hest of him during a session of the Court, scattering indictments, war- rants, summonses, suhponas and other legal documents to the four winds. At such times all was confusion, and Judge, Jury, Clerk and every one else turned their attention to hunting aud catching papers.
FIRST COURT HOUSE LOCALITY UNNAMED,
This place never reached the proportions or dignity of a towu, not even a narue was ever given to it, although several, such as " Farefield," "Barfield," "Fairplay," and " Buz- zard-Roost," were suggested, none was selected, and the coming Fall found it minus a county-seat. The inaccessi- hility hy road from any direction, lack of mail facilities, combined with other causes, rendered it necessary that the seat of justice should he removed to some more convenient point. Consequently a petition for that purpose was circu- lated and the question of removal submitted at the general election in September of that year.
PICTURES OF COURT HOUSES.
Our artist has endeavored to sketch this novel court scene as described. We present it to our readers as a corner scene of the frontispiece of this History. We also give a view of the original Court Honse at Snelling, before any alterations or additions wero made. By comparing these with the beautiful Court House now used at Merced, the wonder- fnl progress of the conuty during its life of twenty-fivo years may be readily compreheuded. This new and beautiful Court House, as well as the village of Merced, occupy a spot which in 1855, when the county was first organized, and for several years thereafter, was uninhabited, save hy wild cattle, mustang horses, antelope, elk and coyotes. At that time (1855), the entire population did not exceed one thousand souls, and the assessed valnation of all the property of the county, real and personal, did not reach seven hundred thousand dollars. How marked the change !
SECOND LOCATION OF COUNTY-SEAT,
At this election several places competed for the honor, to-wit: George Turner's Ranch (Turner & Oshorne's), N. B. Stoneroad's Ranch, and Snelling's Ranch, the latter heing successful. The County records, with George Turner, the proprietor of the town, hag and baggage, were removed to the town of Snelling. For the first year or sixteen months, the Courts at that place were held in the parlor of the only hotel in town.
In the oarly part of 1857 the Court House, which had
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HISTORY OF MERCED COUNTY.
been in conrso of construction for nearly a year, was com- pleted and tnrued over hy the contractors-James O. McGahey and Charles S. Peck-to the Board of Supervisors.
The cost of this building was thirtoen thousand ($13,000) dollars-thirteen hundred dollars of which was raised hy private subscription-the Supervisors not wishing to he too lavish with the people's money, were unwilling to pay from tho public funds more than the sum of eleven thousand and seven linndred ($11,700) dollars.
CONDITION OF COURT HOUSE IN 1866. :
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