USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 55
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When the company of which Chana was a member reached the head of Wolf Creek, there was no running water-only holes in the bed of the creek in which it was found standing. Previous to arriv- ing here, no trouble had been made by Indians since crossing the summit; but here, all the night through, an infernal din was kept up in imitation of the cries of coyotes. To some of the more experienced of the men, these sounds had a significant effect; they were wakeful and prepared for an attack. Daylight disclosed the fact that some of their cattle had been shot with arrows, while others had been driven off over a trail leading toward Grass Valley.
On the southern side of Bear River nearly opposite Johnson's ranch, was also an adobe house owned by Teodore Sigard, a Frenchman who had settled there in 1845, and claimed a tract of land under a grant from the Mexican Government issued in 1844. Sigard was undoubtedly the first white settler in the terri- tory now embraced within the limits of Placer Connty. Both he and Johnson had put in and gathered small crops of wheat in 1845. Johnson had acquired his title to the grant he occupied from General Sutter, who, as administrator of the estate of the original grantee who had been killed, had sold the land at public sale. Sigard had traveled extensively in Mexico after leaving his native coun- try, and settled in California in 1839.
As soon as Chana learned at Johnson's that the ranch across the river was owned by a Frenchman, he very naturally went there, and being well received made it his home and worked upon the place. Some of the company who came with him also crossed the stream and camped on the Sigard ranch. Among these were a family with children. Sigard and Chana noticed that among some dainties which the parents had given their children, were a few dried peaches-unpealed and unpitted-and that the pits had been thrown away. This suggested the possi- bility that the rich bottom land of Bear River might be adapted to the growth of the peach tree. There- upon the two Frenchmen carefully gathered all the peach stones they could find, and in November, 1846, planted them. While doing this Chana bethought that'among his effects were a few almonds, and that if peaches would grow, almonds also might flourish. The day previous to setting out from St. Joseph, friends of the party about to leave for the unknown West had given a grand dinner, and after enjoying which, Chana, as he rose from the table, picked np a handful of almonds, and had sacredly kept them as a souvenir of the occasion. These were the nuts he now thought of, brought forth from their safe repository, and this November day, in the year 1846, with the peach-pits, they were planted upon the banks of Bear River, in California, upon Sigard's ranch.
In the spring of 1847, Claude Chana went to work at Sutter's Fort, and afterwards came the gold discovery, and Chana's mining in Auburn ravine and on the Yuba, where he made a fortune and then returned to Bear River. [See Chapter XVI, page 66.]
The peach-pits and almonds that had been planted in 1846, as also some apple and pear seeds, plum-pits and 200 grape cuttings which had been obtained at the Mission San Jose in 1848, and planted, were growing finely and bade fair to be productive; while vegetables of all sorts grew rankly upon the rich loamy Bear River bottom-lands. " Of all places I have seen," thought the pioneer, " this spot is the prettiest and best in which to make my home." Sigard would sell and Chana bought the grant, paying $6,000 in gold. Being an enterprising man, the new owner began extensive improvements, and but few years elapsed before the fruit grown upon it found way to the markets and yielded no little revenue. The almonds grown from the seed brought from St. Joseph, took first premium at the first State Fair. Select peaches taken to Grass Valley and Nevada City brought one dollar for three, while the commoner ones sold at seventy-five cents a pound, and the wine product soon reached from 10,000 to 12,000 gallons annually. A flouring mill, run by a 16-foot overshot wheel was built and the most flourishing condition obtained. The owner, during this prosperous era, often refused 825,000 for the place-always intending it as his home. But a time came when the title was attacked; the grant
240
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
was found to be defective, and after long and expen- sive litigation, Chana lost all but 500 acres, which be managed to secure in some manner, under the laws of the United States. Content with this the old man was still cheerful, enterprising and happy. But the flood of 1861-'62 bronght down the sands from the mountain gorges above, and his mill was rendered useless. He must build levees. He did this, year after year, and although as late as 1874, he lived upon the place and rented it for 82.000 to a tenant, the sand came down the river, piling higher and higher and overtopping his levees, finally swept over all and buried it out of sight-the most complete wreck, the most utterly desolate scene; the most sorrowful case of individual hardship wrought in the entire State by the devastating erosions of this modern age. Money had to be borrowed to fight the elements, for which mortgages were given, and a few years since the place was sold under the hammer, and brought only the pittance of 8500. It is now said to be entirely worthless. And thus the model home of the old pioneer has been destroyed, and be sent forth in the world penniless, with bis weight of years. And yet the cheerful old man repines not, nor utters curses upon those whose acts compassed his immediate financial ruin. At Wheatland he can be found in a bachelor home, attached to which is a winery, where he makes a simple living by manu- facturing a light wine, from grapes grown in the immediate neighborhood, and which he is obliged to purchase for the purpose, having no vines of his own.
PIONEER CULTIVATORS AND ORCHARDISTS.
With the pioneer work of Claude Chana the valley rested unfretted by plow or other implement of enlightened husbandry for a period of three or four years. In the mining regions the enterprising emi- grants found many little glades and valleys exceed- ingly attractive for their future homes, and there commenced the first cultivation in the county- always excepting the efforts of C'hana.
In May, 1849, Mr. E. T. Mendenhall located at Illinoistown, which he and companions then called Alder Grove, and in August of the same year settled there permanently with his family. Mr. Menden- hall had come with the first gold-hunters from Ore- gon in 1848. returning to his northern home in the fall of that year, and again to California in 1849. As an Oregonian, he sought for his new home a soil wet and heavy, and such he found at Alder Grove. This, he thought, was the only soil that would pro- duce anything in so dry a climate. In his new home he prospered as a hotel-keeper. and thought he would adorn it, as were the homes of the Oregonians. With this view he went to Oregon in the fall of 1850, and procured a number of apple and other fruit trees, and returned with them to his place, now Illinois- town. An orchard was planted, which is still flour- ishing. and thus did Mr. Mendenhall set the example to his neighbors. From 1850 the little ranch has been in cultivation.
Following the example of Mr. Mendenhall, came Colonel Wm. McClure, of Yankee Jim's, who was a pioneer in many works. Mr. Lisbon Applegate, at bis place named Lisbon, about the same time com- menced cultivating the land, and planted an orchard. These were the pioneer fruit growers of Placer County, and among the earliest of northern Cali- fornia.
EARLY RANCHES IN THE VALLEY.
In 1851, Joseph Walkup and S. B. Wyman, mer- chants in Auburn, settled upon a location made by themselves on the verge of the plain in Auburn Ravine-a choice and valuable selection-and there became the pioneer farmers of the valley portion of Placer County. Other settlements were made on sites which have since become known as fertile and highly productive farms, orchards and vineyards, but were established as wayside stations or hotels, the owners paying no attention to cultivating the soil. Large herds of stock were kept and stock taken to "ranch," or in charge, for a certain sum per month. Cox's ranch, on Coon Creek, was for many years a noted stopping-place and pleasant rendezvous for a large area of country. The Union Shed, now Sheridan, and many places on the princi- pally traveled roads, were settled without designs of agriculture, but now claim the rank of pioneers. After some enterprising person had proven that cul- tivation of a certain class of soil could be made pro- fitable, another station-keeper would venture to try the same on bis place in a small way, and thus the black and cracked adobe of the plain, the loam of the intervale, and the red soil of the hills came into cultivation.
In 1851, quite a number of locations were made for gardening, and in the following year their pro- ducts were obtainable in the markets of the towns or upon the tables of the hotels where produced, making a most attractive feature for such table, and thereby spreading their fame among travelers and teamsters.
Messrs. Walkup and Wyman, on their ranch a short distance east of the present town of Lincoln, were the first to harvest a crop of wheat in Placer County, in 1852. Their report for 1853 gave a pro- duet of 1,600 bushels of wheat, and 1,100 bushels of barley, aggregating a valne of 87,000. Such a result was very encouraging to farmers, and the successive reports of the Surveyors and Assessors show the progress that was made.
ASSESSOR'S REPORT. 1853.
Mr. A. S. Smith was appointed Assessor in 1855, and as required by law. reported to the Surveyor- General of the State bis observation on the condition of the county, and a statement of facts regarding its property and resources. In his report he says :-
" The County of Placer, like many of the northern, is naturally divided into lands adapted to mining and agriculture, and each section is generally improved as such. The western or agricultural, joining Sacra-
7.
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RESIDENCE, & VINEYARD OF J. B. WHITCOMB, COLFAX, PLACER CO. CAL.
FARM & RESIDENCE OF JOSHUA REEVES LINCOLN, PLACER CO. CAL.
241
AGRICULTURE.
mento and Sutter, lies below or west of what is termed the foot-hills. Into this section the streams that rise in the mountainous sections course their way, until lost in the plains of the Sacramento Val- ley, or empty into some of the principal rivers, along whose banks are spread out in one great level plain the most desirable farming lands. All of these lands have long been located, and on which are many good and permanent improvements. These ravine bot- tom-lands are desirable on several grounds-water for stock and domestic use in abundance during the long dry season; banks lined with timber, affording fire-wood and shade groves for stoek. There are a few ranchers in isolated spots scattered through other sections of the county-on the mountains and rivers-but generally speaking, agriculture is con- fined to the valley section.
The principal productions of these lands are wheat, barley, oats and hay, though experimental crops in corn and other grains have been planted in several instances. There were 1,545 acres cultivated in wheat, producing an aggregate of 30,900 bushels, averaging twenty bushels per acre.
Through the agricultural or lower portion of the adjoining counties of Sacramento and Sutter is a general grazing depot, where stock of cattle cross- ing the plains the year before, and young and poor cattle from the southern counties. are ranched, fatted, and fitted for market. During the whole season, from this section, little bands of cattle are driven north, east, and south, for immediate slaughter. Among the citizens of our county are many enterprising farmers.
No reliable or correct record of the number of cattle, sheep, hogs, etc., in the county can be given.
During the past year or two, considerable atten- tion has been paid to the introduction of horticul- ture. A number have planted the different fruit trees, together with grape vines, and are patiently awaiting time to decide the important problem. These experiments are not confined to the agricul- tural portion proper, but are general. The following tabular statement from an amateur farmer residing near Auburn, is perhaps the most advanced orchard, and largest, in the county.
KIND.
1 YR. 2 YR.
3 YR.
4 YR.
TOTAL,
Apple trees
30
35
25
15
105
Pear
5
5
15
Peach
8
3
1
20
Cherry
66
3
-
10
4
17
Plum
2
5
Apricot
6
6
Quince
6
1
10
Grape vines
5
10
10
25
Total
There are 143 improved ranches in the county, many of which have good and permanent buildings and fences-others are only inclosed with brush, while some are only surveyed and staked. The
improvements and stock on these ranches are assessed at 8219,000."
ASSESSOR'S REPORT, 1856.
The same Assessor, in his report for 1856, says :- "The lower or western portion of the county, sit- uated on the foot-hills adjoining Sutter County, is almost exclusively an agricultural and grazing coun- try. In this section are located the finest ranches in the county, if not in northern California, the improvements on which are steady and progressive. This section is fast being converted into rich grain lands, orchards, and vineyards, though occasionally in the upper or mineral portion of the county fruit orchards are in a most prosperous condition. Many young fruit trees were destroyed last year, or the growth retarded for two years by the grasshoppers, and, in the higher lands, were more or less affected by frost. The coming year Placer County will raise hundreds of bushels of the finest peaches, and when all the orchards now planted reach maturity, this fruit will be as plentiful as tomatoes at present. Farmers, who have given their attention to the rais- ing of wheat and barley have been very successful, and in several instances have reaped large profits. This is particularly true of our citizens cultivating lands on Coon Creek, which runs through the north west section of this county. The average yield on these lands has been about thirty bushels to the acre.
There are 5,844 acres of cultivated land in this county, and about 12,000 acres inclosed. Most of these lands are good and productive, and entirely eleared of timber. All lands in this county are claimed under the preemption acts, the Spanish grants terminating at our western boundary. The poorest lands in this county would bear one or two years' crops, no doubt, but after the second year the soil is so thin it would probably fail. Consequently it will not pay for improving or farming. A large quantity of oat hay is raised yearly on these lands, which bringsa high mountain price. In listing the cultivated lands, I have not included the small patches and parcels scattered through the entire county as gardens. Neither was it possible to gather an accu- rate account of vegetables raised and consumed at home. The growers themselves found it impossible to render an account approximate to a true account. Suffice it to say, Placer County raises its own vege- tables, excepting potatoes, and has the soil to raise sufficient vegetables for northern California.
FRUIT TREES.
Peach
2,607
Cherry 64
Apple
1,637
Figs
11
Pear
360
(Fooseberries
36
Plum
118
Almonds
2
Currant
228
Apricots 20
Quinces
20
The peach trees are now in a most flourishing condition, and vary in age from one to five years. About one-eighth of these will bear the coming sea-
31
203
242
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
son (accidents excepted). More attention has been paid to planting this fruit than others, and a rich reward is awaiting the pioneers in this county, among whom are Messrs. J. R. Crandall, of Auburn, and Wm. MeClure, of Yankee Jim's.
VINES.
Strawberry
16,423
Grape
2,702
Many of the former produced abundantly this year, and it may be safely anticipated the yield next year will be much greater. The grape cuts are yet young, and no great results can be expected from them for several years.
GRAIN.
There has been raised:
Wheat, bushels
59,770
Barley,
56,760
Oats,
4,180
llay, tons
1,310
Corn, aeres
50
Peanuts, bushels
100
LIVE-STOCK.
Neat cattle 3.899
Sheep 1,388
Work
456
Yearlings
750
Cows
1,554
Bulls 40
Horses
1,052
Hens 3.500
Mules
468
Turkey's
263
Calves
610
Ducks
82
Swine
5,543
Geese (tame). 5
The annual product of the dairies of Placer, I am unable to report. They are all quite small, and in their infancy. The coming year it may be reason- ably expected that butter and cheese will be quite an important product of the county."
The Messrs. Cox, at their ranch on Coon Creek. were among the successful farmers of 1856. With an expenditure of 82.200 they raised, and prepared for market, wheat, barley, and hay of the value of $12,800. Four of their neighbors, the same season, raised an average of 4,000 bushels of grain each. These same farmers were quite extensively engaged in stock herding and raising, which business was then very profitable.
FLOURING-MILLS REQUIRED.
With the cultivation prior to 1857, the capability of the soil to produce grain and many of the fruits had been fully proven, and the question next to be considered was to find a market. Shipments of wheat were made to New York, and flour brought back in return. thus traveling over 17,000 miles to mill, returning the same, a longer road than an eco- nomical farmer usually takes with his grist. So distant a market was not very encouraging to farm- ers, and the construction of flouring-mills was demanded.
The following letter to the Placer Herald, from Coon Creek, dated March 3, 1857, shows bow mat- ters stood at that time :---
" MR. EDITOR - Having finished seeding and
nothing much to do until harvest, we will look around, like prudent farmers, and see what place will afford us the best market.
Shall we be forced, another season, to haul our grain to Grass Valley and Nevada to find a market, and in return bring our fencing lumber from another county-one that will build up mills, when there is a plenty of lumber near and more of easy access, and as good market for our grain if we had the mills to manufacture it?
Are there no men of nerve and capital that will take hold of the enterprise and push it through in California style ?
Possessing the resources of water, which can be had anywhere along Bear River Ditch, at a trifling expense, what is to prevent it?
Though Placer County will raise enough grain for her own consumption, under her present manage- ment of things scarce a pound of it will be used, but we shall draw our supplies from other sources, while the produce of home must be carried abroad to be manufactured.
The flouring business can be carried on much cheaper and at a greater profit to the operators at home than elsewhere. For instance, there are twenty-five farmers on this creek, who will in the aggregate cultivate not less than 1,500 acres of wheat, which, at thirty bushels per acre, will give us 45,000 bushels of grain, and at one eent per pound or one dollar per 100 for grinding, will amount to the handsome sum of $27,000, which will go into the hands of men in another county, while the remain- der of the farms on the plains and the ranches in the mountains, with what will come from other coun- ties. will be sufficient to supply one mill the entire season. A mill will manufacture 100 barrels per day; running 200 days in the year will grind 6,000,- 000 pounds of wheat, and at the above rates will amount to the handsome sum of 860,000. This may be done with a merchant mill, that need not cost more than $15,000, with $15,000 contingent expense, which ought to cover all expense, and will leave then to the operator the sum of $30,000 clear.
Now all this is within the bounds of reason, and as a large profit deserves the attention of men of enterprise, and be better pay than an indifferent quartz ledge. Thus a ready market can be found at home. Placer is the fourth county in the State in point of population, yet she is far behind Nevada in enterprise. The latter has two fine flouring-mills that have realized fortunes to the owners this season. The peculiar localities for mills, and the convenience of the grain and ready markets, offer a fine oppor- tunity to men of capital to invest.
This estimate will, I think, fall far below the true resources of the grain crop this season, for in this vicinity, in ten miles square, there are no less than 5,000 acres in grain, which, at an average of twenty- five bushels per aere and three eents per pound, will amount to $225,000. And all of this produce will go
243
AGRICULTURE.
to build up the wealth of another county, and the farmers, on returning home from the mills at Grass Valley and Nevada, will bring back loads of lumber to build fences and houses, which, in all probability, will amount, this season, to more than 300,000 feet.
All of this custom our lumber men are deprived of. This sale of lumber would amount to perhaps a million feet annually, if there was a right mill in the vicinity, and a market nearer to home, and at the same time relieve us of a monopoly that is heav- ily felt by the grain growers. Though flour is sell- ing at this time at the Bay from thirteen to eighteen dollars per barrel, and wheat from three and one- half to four and one-eighth cents per pound, yet at Grass Valley they are only paying four cents for the best article of wheat, which is not what it is worth below, say nothing about the transportation, which is worth froin two to three cents per pound.
Now I hope the citizens of Auburn and vicinity will take the matter under consideration and at once build a mill that will add wealth to the county, profit to the owners, and be a god-send to the farmers.
PROGRESS IN 1857.
An examination of the reports of the Assessor of Placer for the years 1856 and 1857 show a very favorable progress in agriculture, and the fact that this industry was becoming one of the great resources of the county and State. The improvements made were more substantial and home-like, indicating that the farmers were really prospering; the experimental trials had proven satisfactory, and permanency had taken the place of the nomadic, cattle-grazing char- acter formerly prevailing. The adaptability of a large area of the county to horticulture was making itself manifest, as the increase in the varions trees and plants proved. Of these the Assessor reported the following in 1857: Peach trees, 6,166; apple, 2,800; pear, 298; plum, 375; cherry, 88; quince, 1,018; figs, 11; apricots, 39; nectarines, 20; currant bushes, 351; gooseberries, 116; strawberry vines, 20,000, and grape vines, 5,742. This showing, although largely in excess of the previous year, was regarded as falling far short of the real number in existence at the time the report was published, as the Assessor's count had been made in the season before the planting of fruit trees commenced and could not be included in his report.
The cereal product for 1857 was given as follows: Wheat 73,000 bushels; barley, 82,850, and more than fifty acres of corn, which, being usually marketed green, the number of bushels was not given.
Of neat cattle there was a decrease, owing to the fact that but few were raised in the county, but driven there from other parts of the State, sold and slaughtered; but of other stock there was a favora - ble increase, which can be observed by comparing the two reports. In 1857 the number was: Neat cattle, 638; work cattle, 472; cows, 2,194; horses, 960; mules, 373; swine, 4,763; sheep, 3,853; yearlings,
1,052. Poultry-hens, 7,992; turkeys, 660; dncks, 260; geese, 102.
These reports have shown the first stages of agri- culture in the county, and its progressive condition until it had become a fixed and prominent resource. From the first the progress has been sure and steady, until the present, when Placer ranks among the highest in its cereal and horticultural productions. There are many instances of great success worthy of special notice, among which is the following from a letter in the Herald of April 8, 1871 :-
RANCH OF J. R. NICKERSON.
One of the most remarkable instances of success in life commencing in California under the most adverse circumstances, but success soon attained by indomitable energy and enterprise may be learned by a visit to the magnificent ranch of Mr. James R. Nickerson, now celebrated throughout the State as a viniculturist, orchardist, etc. This rancho in Placer County is situated about three miles northeast of the railroad depot in the town of Lincoln, and twelve west of Auburn, the fair capital of Placer County. Mr. Nickerson was born in 1819, in the good old State of Kentucky, whence at the age of sixteen he emigrated with his parents to Missouri. During his stay in the latter State he resided in Howard, Char- iton, and lastly Linn County. While in Chariton he married a lady of an excellent family, and who now adorns and gives luster to their beautiful home in California by the urbanity of ber manner and genial, happy disposition. The issue of this marriage has been four sons and three daughters, two of the former and one of the latter being married, while the two remaining sons and a daughter, just blushed into womanhood, yet live with their parents on the ranch. In 1849 Mr. Nickerson, leaving his family for a while, came to California, where he engaged in various voca- tions till some time in 1851, when he went back to Missouri, and in the spring of 1852 returned with his family to California, with the determination to make it his future home. His design was to settle in Tulare County, and was proceeding thither when a simple circumstance occurred which caused him to change his previous intention. How truly the poet Campbell says:
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