USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Lor C.
100
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
County in the Assembly. He had a good oppor- tunity to raise a county division excitement, and to bring the subject forward in the Legislature. For this purpose, early in March, 1866, he introduced a bill in the Assembly to create Granite County out of portions of Sacramento, El Dorado and Plaeer. The proposed county would have taken a strip of country from the southwestern part of Placer, of nine miles in length, and of an average width of three miles, equal to 17,280 acres, or that part of the county south of a line running west from Carrollton, through Roseville to section four of township 10 north, range 6 east, according to the United States Land Survey. The reports at the time said " the people living on the territory proposed to be trans- ferred, have neither expressed dissatisfaction with the present situation, or have had any part in the new movement. The whole scheme was gotten up by a few ambitious gentlemen of Folsom." The bill failed to become a law, and Placer retained her territory.
DONNER COUNTY.
An effort was made before the Legislature of 1869- 1870 to create the county of Donner out of portions of Placer, Nevada and Sierra. During the time of its agitation, mueh was said of dividing the debts of the different counties, and of the loss of territory to each. The Grass Valley Union, edited by Charles H. Mitchell who had long been publisher and editor of the Placer Herald said: If Donner County is created, Placer County will lose several well-known places, and the glory of much of her history. " Ground Hog's Glory," "Hell's Delight," " Miller's Defeat," " Ladies' Canon," "Devil's Basin," " Hell's Half Acre," and a few other places of like signifi- cance will be in the new county. " Shirt Tail Canon," however, will be retained in Placer County. Placer should fight the new county, in order to retain her glorious nomenclature in towns.
CHAPTER XX.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY.
Composition of Parties-How to Tax the Mines-Organization of Placer County-Abram Bronk-Campaign of 1852- Patrick C'anney-Campaign of 1853-Political Duels-The Slavery Question in California-Campaign of 1854-A Stormy State Convention-Conventions and Nominations- First and only Whig Administration-Campaign of 1835- Native Americans, or "Know-Nothings "-Efforts to Elect a Senator-Campaign of 1856-The Republicans-Sketches of Candidates-W. W. Carperton-Samnel B. Wyman-A. P. K. Safford-James ('Neil-Charles King -- Philip Stoner -Philip W. Thomas-J. W. Spann-Engene A. Phelps- James M. Gaunt-Hudson M. House-Percival C. Millette- Election of Senators-Triumph of Broderick-Acts for Placer.
THE political history of the county blends with every event and movement of the State, making it difficult to segregate, but the plan of this work is to collect under distinct and appropriate heads the
several questions comprising the general history, in some cases necessitating slight repetitions. The organization of the State and County Governments has been given in the preceding chapters. The dominance of the Democratic party has been shown. California had been annexed to the Union as the result of a war with Mexico, deelared by the latter Government in consequence of the annexation of Texas to the United States. These annexations and the war were measures of the Democratic party, and had been opposed by the Whigs, these being the great political parties of the nation at that period.
The American army having achieved the grandest triumphs known to military history had inspired a spirit of adventure among the people, particularly the returned volunteers, and the speedy following of the discovery of gold in California, a trophy of the war, found many thousands with attachments to home severed, ready for the fire of excitement, and prompt to occupy the newly found gold-fields of the conquered land. This having been a Democratic war, the volunteers were mostly of that party, and these, moving in great numbers to California, gave a decided impress to its politics. Moreover, it being a Demoeratie acquisition, that party seemed to elaim a vested right to rule. This was so lightly disputed, that many who had left the organized States as Whigs, became active Democrats upon their arrival in California.
HOW TO TAX THE MINES.
Questions of national polity subsequently arose, which still more strengthened the Democratic party of California. The National election of 1848 had resulted in the success of the Whig party, raising General Zachary Taylor to the Presidency, and Millard Fillmore to the Vice-Presidency; and in March, 1849, the Whig Administration went into power. The principles of that party were greatly that of a paternal government, protection to home industry, developing the resources of the country by National aid, and partaking of the profits of labor, or of enterprise. With these principles, the gold mines of California were regarded as the rightful property of the Government, from which, it was its duty to raise a large revenue. The medieval prin- ciple prevailed of the Nation-or the King-being the exclusive owner of the royal metals, as gold and silver were designated, and that no hardship could be supposed to attend the assertion of that owner- ship. Many plans were urged to obtain the Govern- ment's dues from the miners, who were regarded as trespassers, and the subject formed important featuresin the messages of Presidents Taylorand Fill- more. Superintendents were suggested, to be sent from the East with corps of Surveyors, all under large salaries to place them above temptation of corruption; these to mark the claims into plots, to grant leases, receive the gold and superintend min-
POLITICAL HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY.
ing .* The theory was that the Nation had bought of, or taken from, Mexico a gold mine, of which the people were the stockholders, and the Cabinet at Washington the Directors, and all were to be made wealthy by its development.
llon John M. Clayton, Secretary of State, in April. 1849, dispatched Col. T. Butler King, a prominent Whig politician, to California as agent of the United States, to inquire into the state of affairs and report to the Government. This investigation was intended as a basis of action regarding California. In accord- ance with the views of the Whig party, the report of Colonel King was based on the idea of National ownership, and occupancy of all lands producing the " royal " metals, and a partnership in mining.
The Democratic party opposed this policy, and thus added to its popularity in California. There was much " splitting of hairs," a contention upon narrow lines, and much demagoguery, more in accordance with the modern political tactics of " fillibustering," than a settled line of policy that prevented the adoption of the Whig policy, until at last, the miners of California had passed beyond governmental interference, and a new American policy was adopted which dethroned gold and silver from their " royal" seat. In addition, the Demo- eratic apothegm, " the people who are the least governed are the best governed," was very accept- able to the manly and self-reliant class who took possession of California and organized its govern- ment.
Such are the apparent reasons why California in the first years of American occupation was pre- eminently Democratic.
ORGANIZATION OF PLACER COUNTY.
Placer County formed no exception. This was par excellence a mining county, and miners thronged the foot-hills. the river bars, the deep cañions, and the mountain ridges, constituting a large popu- lation at the date of the county's organization. At that date the population was about 10,000, of which 8,000 were whites, largely composed of men. The State census of 1852 showed a total population of 10,784.
The county was organized under Act of the Legis- lature approved April 28, 1851. The California Statutes as published of that year contain the names of Douglas Fry, Joseph Walkup, William Gwynn, HI. M. Honn and Jonathan Roberts as a Board of Commissioners, to designate eleetion precincts, to receive and count the votes. The names of Douglas Fry and H. M. Honn should have been printed J. D. Fry and H. M. House. The election for county officers was held on the fourth Monday of May, 1851, being the 26th of that month.
At this election no party lines were drawn nor convention held. Friends of aspirants, and the aspir- ants themselves presented names in which the two
parties were represented and voted for indiscrimi- nately. The following list embraces the names and votes, as returned by the Board of Commissioners :-
County Judge-Hugh Fitzsimmons, 1,261; James S. Christy, 722; Horace Davenport, 763.
District Attorney-R. D. llopkins, 1,474; W. B. Greer, 889; Peter J. Hopper, 292.
County Clerk-James T. Stewart, 1,118; Hiram R. Hawkins, 961; Wm. M. Jordan, 395; John Me- Nally, 219.
Sheriff-Samuel C. Astin, 1,280; A. B. Hall, 1,059; Wm. Kenniston, 453.
County Surveyor-Samuel B. Wyman, 1,624; Lis- bon Applegate, 129.
County Assessor-Alfred Lewis, 1,073; Wm. E. Miller, 587; E. T. Mendenhall, 139.
County Treasurer-Douglass Bingham, 1,151; Abram Bronk, 818; fliram Jacobs, 679.
County Coroner-John C. Montgomery, 811; Enos Fenn, 706. Total number of votes cast, 2,792.
The history of this campaign and its results is given in the chapter on the organization ofthe county. Bingham died, as is there stated, and the Court of Sessions appointed Abram Bronk to the vacancy. The vote as allowed, 2,792, cannot be taken as the full vote of the county, as many of the returns were rejected, and in many localities but little attention was paid to the election. The officers held until their successors, elected in September, 1852, should qualify, excepting such as were appointed, and the Connty Judge whose term was made four years by the Constitution.
The State Constitution provided for annual elec- tions for Members of the Assembly, and biennial for State officers and Senators. The statutes gave Placer two Senators and four Assemblymen; one Senator to be elected each year. The State was not divided into Congressional Districts. The eonnties of Placer, Yolo and El Dorado formed the Eleventh Judicial District, the District Judge holding for six years.
At the election of September 3, 1851, partisan tickets were for the first time presented to the people of Placer. The returns were as follows :-
State Senator-Jacob Fry (D), 1,204; W. Ken- niston (W), 764.
Assembly-Patrick Canney (D), 135; J. 11. Gibson (D), 1 198; F. Bradley (W), 803; D. H. Stickney (W), 729.
County Treasurer-Abram Bronk (D). 447; J. Lagdenby (W), 216.
Public Administrator-Jonathan Roberts (D), 233; J. Coffyn (W), 38; E. Hogan, 23.
District Judge-Seth B. Farwell, 1,110; E. L. " Sanderson, 732.
John Bigler, Democrat, was elected Governor over Pearson B. Reading, the Whig candidate.
Total number of votes cast, 1,968.
Joseph W. McCorkle and E. C. Marshall were Members of Congress, having been elected in 1850, before the organization of Placer County.
'Colonel R. B. Mason's report, June, 1815.
102
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
ABRAM BRONK,
One of the pioneers of California, and one of the first and most respected officers, politicians, and public-spirited men of Placer County, died at Man- chester, Ontario County, New York, May 17, 1870. Mr. Bronk was a native of Rotterdam, New York, and spent the most of his life in that State, with the exception of about six years' residence in Placer County. On arrival in Placer, in the summer of 1849, Mr. Bronk settled at Lower Horseshoe Bar, on the north fork of the American River, where he engaged in mining, which pursuit he followed until May, 1851, when he was elected Treasurer of the county, and held the position until June, 1853. During his official term he performed much of the work of Recorder and Auditor, in aid of the Clerk who then filled these positions ex officio. In 1854 he became the candidate of the Gwin faction of the Democratic party for County Judge, but the division of that party, and the nomination of a ticket by the Broderick wing, caused the election of the Whig ticket, and James E. Hale was the successful candi- date. The following year, 1855, Mr. Bronk was the Democratie candidate for State Senator, but the Know-Nothing furor then prevailing, he was de- feated by Charles Westmoreland. After his retire- ment from office he still continued mining at Horse- shoe, but subsequently became a member of the company which constructed the Whisky Bar Turn- pike road and wire suspension bridge-a work costing $50,000. He superintended the construction of the bridge, which was the first wire suspension bridge erected in Placer County. After the completion of this work, he erected the first suspension bridge across the main American River at Folsom, either as superintendent or by contract. Returning to his native State late in 1855, he there purchased a farm, married and settled down; but several years later he again thought of returning to Placer, and but a few months before his death, corresponded with his acquaintances in this county, making inquiry as to prices, etc., of certain foot-hill lands he desired to make his future home upon, with which he had been familiar in former years. At the time of his death, he still owned a considerable interest in the North Fork bridge and toll-road. Abram Bronk was possessed of a mind far above ordinary, stored with information and acquired knowledge rarely to be found among men in common walks of life, to which were added pure moral courage, rectitude of daily life, an honest heart and a conscience void of offense. Those who knew him best in Placer County, appre- ciated the honest, intellectual man most, with his modest, retiring worth.
CAMPAIGN OF 1852.
This being the year for the election of a Presi- dent and Vice President of the United States, the time set for the election was the 2d day of November. A newspaper had been established in
the county, and parties fully organized, brought greater attention to the political contest. The National Conventions bad nominated Franklin Pieree of New Hampshire, for President, and William R. King, of South Carolina, for Vice-President, on the part of the Democracy, and Gen. Winfield Scott, of New Jersey, for President, and William A. Graham, of North Carolina, for Vice- President, on the part of the Whigs.
In the State were to be elected two members of Congress, two Judges of the Supreme Court, and one Clerk of the Supreme Court. For the Eleventh Judi- cial Distriet, comprising the counties of Plaeer, El Dorado, and Yolo, one District Judge; for the county, one Senator, two Assemblyman, a District Attorney, Sheriff, County Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, Coroner, Surveyor, and Public Administrator, and township officers in the several townships.
The Democratic State Convention had placed in nomination James A. McDougall and Milton S. Latham for Congress, Hugh C. Murray and Alex- ander Wells for Justices of the Supreme Court, and P. K. Woodside for Clerk of the Supreme Court.
The Whig Convention nominated G. B. Tingley and Philip Edwards for Congress, Sloan and Buekner for Justices of the Supreme Court, and W. W. Hawks for Clerk.
In the Distriet Convention, Ross was the Demo- cratie and John M. Howell the Whig, nominee for Distriet Judge.
No great difference was observable in the party platforms. The Democratic professed fealty to the Compromise measures of 1850, which had forever settled the slavery question. The Whigs professed greater fealty, claiming that they had been the means of accomplishing that noble and much desired end. The Democrats favored the uniting of the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts by the most improved means of communication. The Whigs declared that their party was the only one favorable tointernal improve- ments by the general Government, and that the Dem- ocratie Party could not be trusted to build the Pa- cific Railroad. These obscure and ridiculous senti- ments are fair synopses of the two platforms.
General Scott, the Whig candidate for the Presi- dency, was exceedingly popular as the Commander- in-Chief of the Army, and had won great honors in the war with Mexico. He was distinguished for his commanding appearance and soldierly bearing, of which he was very proud. His companion on the tieket, Mr. Graham, was from North Carolina, nick- named the " Tar State," and these two facts-Scott's military dress and vanity, and Graham's native State -suggested to Daniel Webster, when told of the nomination, the expression, "feathers and tar, tar and feathers," and this became the slogan of ridicule that took from Scott all the prestige of his military rank and fame.
Franklin Pieree had also served in the Mexican war, as a General of volunteers; but it was for his
103
POLITICAL HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY.
services as a partisan rather than as a soldier that be was rewarded with the nomination.
John P. Hale, of New Hampshire, and George W. Julian, of Indiana, were the candidates of the Free Soil Party. This organization had for its basis the exclusion of slavery from the Territories. It figured but slightly in the election in California.
The vote of California was for the Democratic nominees. Pierce, 40,626; Scott, 35,407; HIale, 100. In Placer County, for:
President -- Pierce (D), 2,851; for the highest elector and for Scott 2,295.
Congress-McDougall (D), 2,822; Latham (D), 2,844; Tingley (W), 2,258; Edwards (W), 2,259.
Justices of Supreme Court-Murray (D), 2,812; Wells (D), 2,779; Sloan (W), 2,552; Buckner (W), 2,266.
Clerk of Supreme Court-Woodside (D), 2,828; Hawks (W), 2,263.
Judge of Eleventh Judicial District-Ross (D), 2,668; Howell (W), 2,212. In the district, Howell received a majority of 700.
The Democratic County Convention met at Auburn, August 28, 1852. Hon. Seth B. Farwell was Presi- dent; John Nye and Morris King, Vice-Presidents, and Philip Lynch, Secretary.
The Whig Convention met in the same place, September 4th, with F. G. Russell, President, Frank Caldwell and George Ellmore, Vice-Presidents, and C. W. Belden and R. O. Cravens, Secretaries.
The nominees of these Conventions and the returns of the election are given in the following :-
State Senator-Joseph Walkup (D), 2,716; James E. Hale (W), 2,164.
Assembly-Patrick Canney (D), 2,706 (was elected Speaker pro tem.), Benjamin F. Myers (D), 2,474; John Hancock (W), 2,274; Thomas White (W), 2,269.
Sheriff -- S. C. Astin (D), 2,726; Wm. T. Henson (W), 2,135.
District Attorney-P. W. Thomas (D), 2,697; R. D. Hopkins (W), 2,125.
County Clerk-Wm. A. Johnson (D), 2,658; A. S. Grant (W), 2,056; H. R. Hawkins (W, and running independently), 175.
County Treasurer-Ed. G. Smith (D), 2,681; Henry Hubbard (W), 2,189.
Assessor-William Gunn (D), 2,682; John Bristow (W), 2,178.
Coroner-Dr. Pinkham (D), 2,704; W. J. Patter- son (W), 2,148.
Surveyor-N. O. Hinman (D), 2,737; Geo. M. Hill (W), 2,127.
Public Administrator .- Henry Barnes (D), 2,733: Jonathan Roberts (W), 2,148.
Total number of votes cast, 5,144.
The great leaders of the Whig party in the United States were Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. Clay died June 29, 1852, and Webster October 24th of the same year. From their death the strength of the
party waned, and with the defeat of Scott it left the field as a great national power. For some years, however, it maintained organizations in the various States.
The census of 1852, which had been taken under the authority of the State, showed a total popula- tion in Placer County of 10,784. In this were included females and children, foreigners and Indians, colored and Chinese not vested with the elective franchise, yet the vote of 5,144 shows nearly one- half the population to have been voters.
PATRICK CANNEY.
The first gentleman who had the honor of repre- senting Placer in the Legislature of California is worthy of special mention in the history of the county, though many years have elapsed since the service was performed and since the subject moved among his fellow pioneers. Patrick Canney was elected to the Assembly September 3, 1851, he being then but twenty-four years of age. His duties were performed so satisfactorily that he was re-elected to the same position in 1852, serving through the term of 1853, being Speaker pro tem. of the Assembly. At the expiration of his term, he received an appointment in the Custom House at San Francisco, and there resided during the remainder of his life, dying at the early age of thirty years, March 1, 1857. The San Francisco Herald of March 2d paid him the following warm eulogy :--
A noble spirit was yesterday quenched in the cold embrace of death. Patrick Canney is dead. A truer man never lived. His nature was all goodness, gen- tleness and kindly feeling. No soil of worldliness ever stained the purity of his character. In the dis- charge of his duties as a public officer, no danger could affright, no blandishments could allure him. Bold and steadfast in the declaration of his princi- ples. honest in his purposes, faithful in his friend- ships, true to every obligation, unflinching in his assertion of the right-he possessed those genuine graces of character that endeared him in a singular degree to all who knew him. Ilis untimely fate has created a most poignant sorrow in the hearts of all his friends-and who that knew Pat Carney did not love him ? Indeed, indeed, we shall ne'er look npon his like again-so brave, so gentle-of such a win- ning geniality-so honest and truthful and magnani- mous and unseifish. May God have mercy on the soul of the simple-hearted and worthy gentleman. Since the world began there never has been a better man than poor Pat Canney.
CAMPAIGN OF 1853.
The campaign of 1853 involved the election of State, Legislative, and township officers, and several vacancies in the county, and the United States Sen- atorial question was always open. The Whig County Convention met at Auburn, June 17th, and elected delegates to the State Convention, which metat Sac- ramento July 6, 1853. The delegates so chosen were R. O. Craven, J. (. Hawthorn, A. S. Smith, A. S. Grant, Day Coulter, Theodore Hotchkiss, and James E. Hale.
104
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
The Convention was held at the date mentioned, and William Waldo was nominated for Governor and Henry Eno, of Calaveras, for Lieutenant-Governor; Tod Robinson, of Sacramento, for Justice of Supreme Court; D. K. Newell, of El Dorado, for Attorney- General; Geo. E. Winters, of Yuba for Controller; Samuel Knight, of San Joaquin, for Treasurer; S. E. Woodworth, of Monterey, for Surveyor-General, and Sherman Day, of Santa Clara, for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Democratic Convention met at Benicia June 20th and nominated John Bigler, of Sacramento, for Governor; Samuel Purdy, of San Joaquin, for Lieutenant-Governor; Alexander Wells, of San Fran- cisco, for Judge of Supreme Court; John R. McCon- nell, of Nevada, for Attorney-General; Samuel Bell, of Mariposa, for Controller; S. A. MeMeans, of El Dorado, for Treasurer; Seneca H. Marlette, of Cal- averas, for Surveyor-General, and Paul K. Hubbs, of Tuolumne, for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The campaign was not very exciting, and to the people generally appeared chiefly to concern the heads of the tickets. The Democratic nomination was usually deemed equivalent to an election. Big- ler had been nominated through the aid of David C. Broderick, a persistent candidate for the United States Senatorship. Waldo had assisted the over- land immigration during several summers, and was thought popular among the masses. The entire Democratic State nominees were elected, the vote for Governor being, Bigler, 38.940; Waldo, 37,464.
The election occurred September 7, 1853, and the result in Placer County was as follows :-
Governor-John Bigler ( D), 1,925; William Waldo (W), 1,747.
Senate-Charles A. Tuttle (D), 1,948; W. R. Long- ley ( W), 1.643.
Assembly-Benjamin F. Myers ( D), 1,729; B. L. Fairfield ( D), 1,890; Geo. II. Van Clett ( D), 1,775; James O'Neil ( D), 1,719; James Evans ( W), 1.612; James Trask ( W), 1,513; William Wilson (W), 1,646; Samuel Crary ( W), 1,700.
Assessor-Wm. McCarty ( D), 1,709; Daniel Dewey (W ). 1,371.
Surveyor-C. W. Finley (D), 1,926; Wm. A. Elli- son (W), 1,462.
Public Administrator-Wm. M. Jordon ( D), 1,980; Dr. J. L. Finly (W ), 1.498.
The Legislature met at Benicia January 2, 1854. and removed to Sacramento February 25th following. The Senate consisted of thirty-four members, and eighty in the Assembly. The session was an ex- ceedingly stormy one. David C. Broderick again came forward as a candidate for the United States Senate, for which position be had aspired since the organization of the State Government. By his aspirations and management the Democratic party was divided into what were commonly denominated " chivalry " and " anti-chivalry," or " Broderick," wings. He had attempted to have himself elected
successor to John C. Fremont, whese term expired March 3, 1851, but not succeeding in this, was suffi- ciently skillful in his management as to prevent the election of Senator until late in 1853, when John B. Weller was elected. There being no Congressional statute fixing the time of election, Broderick assumed it could be done at any time. The position of Placer County upon this question was anomalous, and is stated in the historical sketch of the county pub- lished in the Directory of 1861-" While the South- ern men united upon Mr. Gwin, and opposed the election of a United States Senator by the Legisla- ture of 1854, in every other county, and the North- cru men united upon Mr. Broderick, and favored the election at that session, in Placer County, the South- ern men favored Mr. Broderick and the Northern men supported the Gwin faction. Thus we see the astute and far seeing Southern Democrats of that day assisting Mr. Broderick in carrying out the great Northern sentiment' which he professed to represent, and the Northern men opposing him and his party, and advocating and expressing the same sentiments and opinions that Southern men did in other counties."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.