USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 72
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
40
314
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS,
As a temperance organization, soon absorbed the Sons of Temperance, appearing in California in 1860. The symbol by which the Order is usually desig- nated are the letters 1. O. G. T. The officers are Past Worthy Chief Templar, Worthy Chief Templar, Worthy Vice-Templar, Worthy Recording Secretary, Worthy Treasurer, Worthy Inside Guard, Worthy Outside Guard, etc.
Numerous lodges of the Order are in Placer County, and the membership has, probably, during their existenee. included nine-tenths of the people, though not as permanent members in good standing. The Order being reformatory and social, without great cost or dreadful penalties, is very popular, the mem - bership consisting of ladies and gentlemen, and are of much beneficial influence. Almost every village and hamlet in the county has its Good Templar Lodge, and these are increasing in numbers and power. The first of these in Placer was the New York Lodge, No. 14, instituted December 27, 1860, by D. S. Cutter, D. G. W. C. T., at Auburn, and had thirty-one members. R. C. Poland was Worthy Chief Templar. Subsequently there were organized Nil Desperandum Lodge, at Dutch Flat; Isabella Lodge, at Gold Run; Roseville Lodge. Rocklin Lodge, Newcastle Lodge, Ophir Lodge, Granite Lodge, at Penryn; Auburn Lodge, at Auburn; Clipper Gap Lodge, Star of the Hill Lodge, at Forest Hill; Rosy Crown Lodge, at lowa Hill; Lincoln Lodge, at Lin- coln, and the Placer County District Lodge. This lodge met at Auburn May 19, 1881, and elected the following District officers. J. C. Hawver, D. D., Forest Hill; Mrs. Don Foster, D. V. S., Auburn; D. 11. Mills. D. S., Colfax; Miss Viola Rackliffe, D. F. S., Auburn; Warren Reed, D. T., Opbir; T. B. Carter, D. M., Michigan Bluff; Miss Hattie Swan, D. D. M., Auburn; Mrs. R. A. Mills, D. I. G., Rocklin; W. Rittinger, D. O. G., Auburn; M. Gregory, D. C., Roseville.
IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN.
This is a society for social culture and benevolence, and is an American institution of a comparatively recent date. As its name implies, it adopts as far as practicable the titles and customs of the aborigines of America, the different organizations being styled Tribes; the officers being Great Sanap, Great Sachem, Great Chief, Great Prophet, etc .; their days of meet- ings, Sleeps; their sessions, Councils; their chair, Stump, and so on.
The Oncida Tribe is located at Dutch Flat, and the Deleware Tribe at Newcastle.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
This order is organized in the interest of the tiller of the soil, and is a recent American institution. The symbol is P. of HI., and the different organiza- tions are styled granges; hence the members are denominated grangers.
There are several granges in Placer County, as the Lincoln Grange, at Lincoln, Roseville Grange and Newcastle Grange, all receiving their charters from the State (range of California.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN.
An Order of friendship, unity, and mutual assist- ance to its members and other purposes. This is one of the many orders of recent organization, and its large membership and increasing numbers are evidence of its popularity and usefulness.
There are several lodges of the Order in Placer County, those at Newcastle, Rocklin, Lincoln, Auburn and Michigan Bluff being in a flourishing condition.
WAR VETERANS.
Throughout California are many veterans of the war with Mexico, now growing old and venerable. They were among the first of the pioneers, and have always been held in high respect and consid- eration, as to a very great extent they have been enterprising and honorable men. There are also many who have borne arms in other wars, more notably the War of the Rebellion, and these, too, are veterans. The ex-soldiers have formed numerous societies, which are generally represented in Placer County. Among these are the War Vet- erans, who December 18, 1881, published the follow- ing advertisement in the Placer Herald :-
NOTICE TO EX-SOLDIERS.
All the veterans, resident in Placer County, of the Mexican War. the Civil War, the Modoc War, or any other war, are requested to meet at Music Hall, Auburn, on Saturday, December 24, 1881, for the purpose of taking such steps as will result in an organization of said veterans, and attending to other business of material interest. By request of CAPT. E. D. SHIRLAND. J. S. DEAN. B. D. DUNNAM.
Pursuant to the above call, some ten or twelve Mexican or Civil War veterans met at the Herald office, December 24, 1881, for the purpose of taking initiatory steps toward the formation of an organi- zation to include all ex-soldiers resident in Placer County. Judge J. Ives Fitch was elected Chairman, and Capt. E. D. Shirland, Secretary. After a gen- cral interchange of opinions, it was decided to take the necessary steps towards a permanent organiza- tion. Accordingly, Judge Fitch, Captain Shirland, and B. D. Dunnam were appointed a committee to draw up a Constitution and By-Laws, and report at a meeting to be held at the Court House, January 4, 1882, when it was expected a permanent organiza- tion would be effected. Both Capt. Shirland and Mr. Dunnam_are veterans of the Mexican War, the former having been a member of Stevenson's Regi- ment, arriving in California in 1747, Captain of Cal- ifornia Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion, and a resident of' Placer County since 1848.
315
CHURCH, BENCH, AND BAR
The primary object of the association was stated to be to collect money by organized effort for the " Soldiers' Home of California." All who had served in the army or navy of the United States, and hon- orably discharged, were eligible to membership.
CHAPTER XL. CHURCH, BENCH, AND BAR.
An Eloquent Sermon -A Financial Sermon-Church Organiza- tion-Mormonism in Auburn-James E. Ilale-The Bench and Bar-The Judiciary-District Judges-Superior Judge -County Judges-Distriet Attorneys-Attorneys Regis- tered in Placer County -- W. H. Bulloek-C. A. Tuttle.
THE American civilization as known east of the great plains was transplanted upon the shores of the Pacific and in the mountain region of the placers by the immigrants of 1849, who came in one grand body, bringing with them the customs, religion, and principles in which they had been taught in their old homes. Among the settlers were men of the world, professors of religion, ministers, lawyers, and doc- tors; men of ignorance and men of education; men of reckless character, and men of firmest pur- pose of right and honor; generally young or in the early years of middle life; few were aged, and vigor, manhood, and independence were the characteristics of all. The rough element, the stalwart yeoman, and the refined intermixed, forming a heterogene- ous society in which every extreme was found. Ministers were, perhaps, the least among the profes- sions, particularly in the mining regions, and the organization of church societies proceeded slowly.
Sunday, however, was usually observed; by some as a day of rest, devotion, reading or writing letters to the dear ones at home; by others, as a day of repairing and renovating garments, visiting the towns and stores for purchasing the week's supplies, selling gold dust, and enjoying all the sport obtain- able. If no church bell called them to meet in Christian service, nor spire pointed to a better world, there were many whose thoughts on that day recurred to the duties in which they had been trained, and the Sabbath was held sacred, and its traditions pre- served. Many have said that in early times there was no Sunday in California. This was not wholly true. There were ministers among the miners, and occasional services were held. Some of the ministers are reported as having fallen from grace and turned gamblers, and curious stories are told, but among the representatives of the cloth were true and stalwart men.
AN ELOQUENT FRONTIER SERMON.
The following, one of the most eloquent appeals that ever rang among the forests and roeks of the Sierra, is reported as one of the first of the sermons to the miners. That gamblers, hard drinkers, and roystering characters comprised a large portion of the people will be readily believed. But a pioneer
Methodist preacher was among them and he sought to influence them to better lives. His audiences were small, and his efforts appreciated but by a few of those who had adhered to the faith. He therefore gave notice that on a certain Sunday, in a beautiful grove where was a gushing mountain spring, he would before preaching give a barbecue, and supply better liquors than the saloons of the neighboring town furnished its customers. The day came and a crowd assembled. The preacher began his service, when he was interrupted by a gambler known as a desperate character, with, " Mr. Preacher, I say you are a liar ! You promised us better liquors than we had in town. Now where is your liquor ?"
"There! " answered the preacher, in tones of thunder, and, pointing his finger at the matchless spring, gushing up in a beautiful fountain, with a sound like a shout of joy from the earth, " There," he repeated, "there is the liquor which God, the Eter- nal, brews for all his children ! Not in the sim- mering still, over smoky fires, choked with poison- ous gasses, surrounded with the stench of siekening odors and corruptions, does your Father in heaven prepare the precious essence of life-the pure cold water, but in the green glade and grassy dell, where the red deer wanders, and the child loves to play- there God brews it; and down, low down in the deepest valleys, where the fountains murmur and rills sing, and high upon the mountain tops, where the native granite glitters like silver in the sun, where the storm-cloud broods, and the thunder- storms crash, and away far out on the wide, wild sea, where the hurricane howls mnsie, and the big waves roll the chorus, sweeping the march of God- there he brews it, that beverage of life. health-giv- ing water. And everywhere it is a thing of life and beauty-gleaming in the dew-drop; singing in the gentle rain; shining in the ice-gem, till the trees all Neem turned to living jewels; spreading a golden veil over the setting sun, or a white gauze around the midnight moon; sporting in the cataract; dane- ing in the shower; sleeping in the glacier; folding its bright snow curtains softly about the wintry world, and weaving the many-colored sky, that ser- aph's zone of the syren, whose warp is the rain- drops of earth, whose woof is the sunbeam of heaven, all checked over with celestial flowers by the mystic hand of refraction. Still always it is beautiful-that blessed life-water ! No poison bub- bles on its brink; its foam brings not madness and murder: no blood stains its liquid glass; pale widows and starving orphans weep not burning tears in its depths; no drunkard's shrinking ghost from the grave curses it in words of eternal despair ! Speak ont my friends, would you exchange it for the demon's drink, alcohol ?"
A shout like the roar of a tempest answered. "No!"
A FINANCIAL SERMON.
Of another pioneer preacher of a different charac-
316
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
ter the following is told of one, who, in the story, is called "Old Jack Martin," and is represented as an eccentric character who crossed the plains in the flood of immigration in 1850.
He had been an exhorter in the States, but the gold fever tore him from his theological studies and turned his feet toward the West. With pick, shovel, and pan he went to work in a gulch on the American River; but fortune was not lavish of her smiles in his particular case, and he soon found him- self flat on 'bedrock,' with not a pound of flour or bacon in the cabin. In disgust he abandoned his claim and drifted down to Sacramento, where for a few weeks he earned a precarious livelihood. The mining fever again attacked him and drove him to the mountains, where in a few weeks he was dis- covered walking about the camps, preaching to all who would listen to his harangues, which were usually delivered from the top of a stump or the head of a whiskey barrel loaned him by some accom- modating saloonist. At the close of each sermon he would pass a tin box, prepared for the purpose, around in the crowd.
At a later day he settled down as the regular Pastor of a charge in Dutch Flat, where a rude church had been erected by such of the miners as had not lost all of their religious inclinations in their search for gold. A rather good story is related of the manner in which the old man woke up his con- gregation on the matter of a little back salary due him. On a certain Sabbath morning an unusually large congregation assembled to hear him discourse. Before the beginning of the service Jack descended from the pulpit, and was seen to approach several brawny members of the congregation and whisper into their ears. When he returned to his stand the muscled worshipers quietly arose and stationed themselves at the door, after which the preacher calmly said :-
" My dear brethren, it is now about a year since I first showed up in this pulpit and headed you toward the living pastures on the straight and narrow gospel trail. I've tried to ladle out the square truth as I caught on to it in my skirmishes through the lloly Writ. In my prayers I have shown no partiality, but have wrestled just as hard when asking Heaven to open the eyes of . Bummer Jim'and turn him from his wickedness, as I have when imploring that the truth be made manifest to Colonel Ward, the owner of the Monarch mine.
" Now, I'm going to talk business to you, after which I will drive ahead with the regular service. I want money! I am going to have money, too, before I sling a word this morning. You are not doing the square thing with me, and you know it. When I agreed to look after your spiritual welfare, yon promised me a clean 2,000 a year, but during the year past I have received less than 1,000. Now, I have stationed a mob of business at the door, and the first impenitent sinner that tries to make a sneak
on the open air, will be the leading character in a lively little incident that he will remember as long as he lives. A collection will now be taken up, and as I call each man's name, I want him to draw his bag and empty some dust into the box. Tony Arnold, just you circulate the box. Pass it there to Doc Wilson first. Now, Doc, spill yer dust and set the boys a good example. Tip 'er up-don't be afraid of dropping a grain or two too much. Contribute your mite, that your days may be long in the land that flows with milk and honey. Now, Aleck Jones, it's your turn. Thanks, that was a decent spill. Johnson, I saw the bulk of the wealth on your side of the table in the game at Kentuck's last night, and the church wants its percentage. Good enough- that's a fair share. Judge Mason, skin your weasel and pay toll, or don't travel. That's the ticket- nothing mean about you, Judge. Now, Shorty, chip in and give the glorious cause a boost-may the Lord be as liberal in shaking blessings down on you. Your pull next. Arkansaw, ante and pass the buck. Ilold on, that don't go. You didn't drop three grains into the box. Tip 'er up again, and may your bless- ings be choked off as you choke off the stream of dust."
Thus he went over the whole congregation. Not one of them had the " cheek " to refuse a contribu- tion. When the dust was brought forward the preacher said :-
" The cause of the Lord and Jack Martin 'Il not suffer now for several months, and I shall continue as heretofore, to herd your souls on the best theo- logical grass to be found in the gospel ranges. The text chosen reads as follows: . Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye did it unto me.'"
From this text he preached such a powerful finan- cial sermon, that several came forward after the service and wanted to double their contributions.
CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
The first church organization in Placer County was at Auburn, in June, 1852, by the Methodist Episcopal Society. Rev. James Hunter officiated, having service at his residence every alternate Sun- day, at Auburn, and at other places on the other Sundays. Mr. Hunter was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Brook, he by Rev. J. D. Blain, subsequently Presid- ing Elder, and then by Rev. N. R. Peck, now the successful horticulturist. Among those who have presided over the Methodist Church at Auburn are the Rev. J. H. Peters, Rev. J. B. Hill, Rev. Mr. Brooks, Rev. Mr. Nelson, Rev. Mr. Elliott, Rev. E. H. King, Rev. 11. D. Hunter, Rev. S. II. Todd, Rev. G. W. Fitch, and Rev. T. B. Hopkins.
In the Methodist Episcopal Church at Auburn a Sunday-school was organized in October, 1852, by Rev. James Hunter, the Pastor. This has been con- tinned, having a large library and a good attend- ance.
317
CHURCH. BENCH, AND BAR.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Dutch Flat was organized in 1857, by Rev. G. B. Hinckle, P. C., and Rev. S. B. Simonds, P. E. Among the first pas- tors of the church was Rev. T. H. McGrath, in 1860, who removed to the territory of Nevada, and there labored diligently in the service, organizing several church societies, but ultimately withdrawing from the ministry.
Since the first organization churches have gener- ally been maintained in Auburn, but in September, 1857, the Herald makes the strange announcement that there was not a minister of any religious denom- ination at that time located in Placer County. The fact is also noticeable that in nearly all the mar- riages previous to 1870 the ceremony was performed by a judicial officer, indicating a searcity of minis- ters, or an indifference to the religious character of the marriage tie.
The non-residence of ordained preachers did not deprive the people of divine service, as clergymen from other localites often visited the different towns. Fine ehureh edifices were erected in nearly every village at an early day in their history, generally by the Methodists and Catholics, and at the present time there are but very few towns where there is not a spire pointing heavenward, and in the larger towns each of the principal denominations have their elegant place of worship, tully organized church societies, and regular service.
MORMONISM IN AUBURN.
In 1856 Auburn was honored by a representative of the Church of Latter Day Saints, in the person of Rev. Mr. Stuart, who proposed to establish himself permanently there as a teacher of the Mormon faith. At that time the only resident clergyman was Rev. Mr. Brooks, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Mr. Stuart was encouraged in his efforts.
The following is an extract of a letter from Mr. Stuart to the Western Standard in May, 1856 :-
" We preached in the Court House yesterday to a goodly number of the respectable citizens of Auburn. They manifested quite a desire to bear, whether they will investigate is not for me to say, but for them to determine. We are determined to do our duty, with the help of God, come what will. We have appointed Brother Charles Hardy to preside here; he is a worthy young man, a resident of this place. Brother llardy is on his way to Salt Lake Valley from Australia ; he intends stopping here till fall, - and while he remains he wishes to do all the good be can; we recommend him to the brethren, and all good men who wish to investigate our principles."
As nothing more is ever said of the Mormon Church in Auburn, it is probable that but few con- verts were made.
JAMES E. HALE.
Among the throng marching westward across the broad plains and towering mountains, towards the land of gold, in the eventful 1849, was James Ellery Hale, then an ambitious young lawyer, looking, with many of his companions, forward with hope at the
bright prospectof wealth and fame that awaited him on the Pacific Coast. Since then the period of the average years of man has passed, and the pioneer still battles the way of life, bearing the bonored marks of time upon his brow, and buoyant in spirit, bold in act, ready in speech as when he left the comforts of Eastern civilization to build up a new one in the unknown West. The frosts of many winters crown his head, but his body and mind retain the vigor of the prime of manhood.
Judge Ifale first saw the light in the town of Smithfield, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 15th of October, 1824. He passed his youthful years in his native county, there attend- ing school and college, studying the profession of the law, and was there admitted to the bar. With a thorough education and a noble profession acquired, like an enterprising American youth, he went West, seeking for the field of his future labors and triumphs the broad and fertile prairies of Illinois. In 1846 he settled in Knox County, Illinois, and there com- menced the practice of his profession. As he was becoming well established in his practice, the excit- ing news spread over the world of the discovery of gold in California, and the bright opportunity then opening at once impressed itself upon the young lawyer. Illinois was then a frontier State of the far West, and its people looked across the plains as the direet route to the Pacific, and large companies were formed to make the journey with wagons drawn by mules or oxen. The influence of many joining induced others, until it seemed as if the "Sucker State " would be depopulated of its young and most active men. The great rivers were convenient channels to carry the emigrants from all parts of the State far on their journey to the West, and this convenience and the passing of the hopeful and hilarious bands raised the excitement and swelled the crowds. IIale, joining one of these companies, bitched up bis oxen on the west bank of the Missouri in the spring of 1849, and drove out into the wilderness of an unnamed land. In the slow progress of an ox-team, Sacramento was reached on the 26th of October of the same year. That was the end of the journey. nearly all the immigrants pushing forward to that point after their long journey, calling there for letters and news from home, disposing of their jaded teams and getting outfits for the mines. From Sacramento Hale sought the mines of El Dorado and Placer, making the latter his permanent home since February, 1852, his resi- dence being at Yankee Jim's for some years. Ile eame as a lawyer and has continued the practice, except when in office, during his life.
From the earliest date of the golden era in C'alifor- nia, Judge Ilale has borne a conspicuous part in politics. In early life, as a Whig, he took an active part in advancing its interests, attending its con- ventions, and " stumping " the county. Such a man, with ambition and energy, soon came to the front. In the political campaign of 1852. Ilale was nomi-
318
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
nated at the Whig State Convention as one of the Presidential electors, and by the County Convention for State Senator. In that year California gave a large Democratic majority, and Placer was one of the strongest Democratic counties. The Democratie candidate for the Senate was Joseph Walkup, who was elected by a majority of 552. In 1854 he was eleeted County Judge on the Whig ticket, defeating Abram Bronk, Demoerat, and Hugh Fitzsimmons. Broderick Democrat. This position he held until 1869, when he was succeeded by E. H. Vandecar, a Democrat. While holding the office of County Judge the Whig party had gone out of existence, the Know- Nothing party had grown into being, swept the State and disappeared, and a chaotic mass of ele- ments was opposing the Democracy. These at last crystalized into the Republican party, and from that time Judge Ilale has been one of its most prominent members. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate by the Republicans of Placer, the county then being entitled to two Senators. His Senatorial term continued through four years, during which time political matters of the most vital importance agitated the public. The great questions pertaining to the saving and the restoration of the Union, amendments to the Constitution, and the establish- ing of equal rights among men, found in Judge Hale a clear expounder according to Republican principles, and one ever ready to do battle for the right.
While a strong and active partisan when political questions were at issue, in all subjects of a non-polit- ical character his counsel was sought by people of all parties. In all cases he advocated the cause of the people and the material interests of Placer County. Throughout the history of the county fre- quent mention is made of his aets, from which a story of his life may be gleaned. In November. 1867. Judge llale was appointed by Governor Low reporter to the Supreme Court, which position he held until 1871. In 1872 came the Presidential Cam- paign, with Gen. U. S. Grant and Horace Greeley the opposing candidates. James E. Hale was nom- inated one of the Presidential Electors on the Repub- lican ticket and was elected. At the meeting of the College of Electors. Judge Hale was chosen to carry the vote to Washington. This journey was success- fully made, the Judge being a companied by his fam- ily, and remaining for a visit of several months in the East.
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.