USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 79
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California was acquired by the Americans as the result of a successful war, the most brilliant on record, and among the early settlers were many who had served in the conquering armies. Others of the pioneers emulated the soldierly spirit, gener- ally they were accustomed to the use of arms, many had crossed the plains, and had been in contest4 with the savages, and the whole population was like an unorganized body of soldiers depending upon might to maintain their rights, rather than civil law. National soldiers or a State militia would have found but little consideration among the strong and independent men who first peopled the State. These men invaded the fast- nesses of the Sierra with a rush. stopping not to ask permission of the Indian nor offering beads, trinkets, and tobacco for a treaty of cession of the territory; but always doing that justice to the native occupant that men should. By this means the country was occupied without serious war, and without the scan- dal that has attended the treaty-making, the Indian wars, and the reservation system of other new States and Territories.
THE MINERS' GUARDS.
Society in 1853 was in a very incohate condition, the chief organizing element-woman-being not
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HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
sufficiently numerous as to exercise a commanding influence. Anything, therefore, to make up a social body was encouraged. Such was the principal object in forming the Miners' Guards. There were no Indians to punish in western Placer, no insurrection to suppress, no Court House and jail to guard, or prisoners to defend from an infuriated mob, no inva- sion to fear; but the miners of Secret Diggings, wishing to have a reason for social gatherings, and to make life more pleasant by having means of regulat- ing their meetings by united efforts, in July, 1853, formed the military company which they styled the " Miners' Guards," with William L. Carpenter. as Captain. The company contained between thirty and forty members, and celebrated its organization by a parade, oration. dinner, and toasts. on the 4th of July of that year. Among those participating in the celebration were: Esquire Crary, who was Mar- shal of the day; Philip byneh, President; John Har- rison and W. P. Vanderbilt, Vice-presidents; E. A. Andrews read the Declaration of Independence; Lansing Stout delivered an oration; Rev. Thomas Parker was Chaplain; J. S. Jordan and W. R. Smith were Secretaries, and Mrs. Williams prepared the dinner. The company was entirely voluntary, and self-supporting, the State not then having prepared for military organizations.
STATE MILITIA.
The Legislature of 1854 passed an Act providing for the formation of a State Militia, and, in March, 1854, steps were taken by the young men of Auburn to organize a military company. The military spirit, however, was not very great at the time, and the project was ineffectual.
The Legislature of 1855 divided the State into six military divisions and twelve brigades. The coun- ties of Placer, El Dorado, Sacramento, Nevada, and Sierra comprised the Fourth Division, and, on the 29th of September, 1855, B. F. Myres, of Auburn, was appointed by the Governor, Brigadier-General of' the Second Brigade.
PLACER RIFLES.
In March, 1856, Brigadier-General B. F. Myres was anthorized by the County Judge to organize a rifle company in Auburn, and a meeting was called on April 5th for the purpose. A company was formed, called the " Placer Rifles," and the following were elected its officers: Captain, James Anderson; First Lieutenant, Alfred Mason; Seeond Lieutenant, Ezra Kinsey; Junior Second Lieutenant, Benj. Stin- son; First Sergeant, S. C. Astin; Second Sergeant, A. S. Grant; Third Sergeant, S. C. Huntress; Fourth Sergeant, J. T. Reed; First Corporal, Samuel Hyne- man; Second Corporal, Dr. Woody; Third Corporal, C. T. Palmer, and Fourth Corporal, Mr. Bartlett.
The company did not receive its arms until late the following year.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The secession of the Southern Confederacy in 1860-61, in consequence of the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, and the arming of the rebels, aroused the martial spirit of the North. In 1861 attention began toward military affairs, and continued to increase until the country became a great camp of soldiers, and the waving flags a familiar sight, the " spirit-stirring drum and ear-piercing fife " familiar sounds, the movements of armies and the reports of great battles the chief news of the daily journals. Long years of peace and prosperity had made the hearts of the people tender and their feelings kind, and they were totally unused and unprepared for the violent death-dealing strife, or the destructive acts of war, and the first scenes of armed assault, and the shedding of blood, sent a thrill of horror throughout the land, creating an excitement rising to indignation, which nothing but retaliation could quell. From the most peaceful of peoples they became the most warlike, and from undisciplined volunteers were made the best and most formidable armies the world ever saw.
"I WISH I WAS IN DIXIE'S LAND."
The song of " Dixie's Land" was the favorite of the Southerners and their sympathizers in the North, and the tune became the national air of the Confed- eracy. So dear did this seem to many, and so pop- ular did it become, that it is here given in full :-
I wish I was in de land ob cotton:
Old times dar am not forgotten;
Look away ! look away ! look away ! Dixie Land ! lu Dixie Land whar I was born in, Early in one frosty mornin'.
CHORUS.
Den I wish I was in Dixie, hooray ! hooray ! In Dixie Land I'll took my stand,
To lib and die in Dixie ! away ! away ! Away down South in Dixie.
Ole missus marry " Will de weaber;"
William was a gay deceaber; Look away ! &c.
But when he put his arm around 'er,
He smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder; Look away ! &c. (Chorus.)
His face was as sharp as a butcher's cleaber; But dat did not seem to greab 'er; Look away ! &c.
Ole missus acted de foolish part,
An' died for a man dat broke her heart; Look away ! &c.
Now here's a health to de next old missus, An' all de gals dat want to kiss us; Look away ! &c.
But if you want to drive 'way sorrow,
Come and hear dis song to-morrow; Look away ! &c.
Dar's buckwheat cakes and Ingen batter, Makes you fat or a little fatter; Look away ! &c.
Den hoe it down and scratch your grahel, To Dixie Land I'm bouud to trabe Look away ! &c.
FIRST COMPANY FOR THE WAR.
The war had really begun with the passage of the Ordinance of Seeession by South Carolina on the
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MILITARY.
20th of December, 1860, but the earnestness of that movement was not appreciated until, on the 12th of April, 1861, when the Rebel army opened fire on Fort Sumter. A temporizing, timid, anti-coercion poliey had continued up to that date, although a Rebel Government had been formed, a rebel army equipped, United States forts seized, and national ships fired upon. With the firing upon Fort Sumter the war is commonly said to have commenced. Then the North flew to arms. Companies were organized, without authority of the Government, in preparation of the call for service.
The first to prepare for war in Placer County were the "Anburn Greys." Under this name a com- pany was formed June 20, 1861, and fifty-four vol- unteers signed the roll. An election was held for officers, choosing C. W. C. Rowell, for Captain; Edgar W. Hillyer, First Lieutenant; Henry Stone, Second Lieutenant; Thos. Cross, Third Lieutenant; A. S. Grant, Orderly Sergeant; John Gorman, Sec- ond Sergeant; John T. Reed, Third Sergeant; John C. Boggs, Fourth Sergeant; Wm. T. McGinnis, First Corporal; Thos. Jamison, Second Corporal; J. B. Langford, Third Corporal; Frank Miller, Fourth Corporal; S. B. Woodin, drummer, and W. A. Sel- kirk, fifer.
The company immediately proceeded to drill and prepare itself for active duties in the field. Reeruits continued to add to its numbers, coming from Auburn and vicinity, Ophir, Illinoistown, Pine Grove, and Seeret Ravine. There was, as yet, no call for troops from California. The first call was made late in July for a regiment of infantry and battalion of cavalry to protect the overland mail route through Southern California and Arizona. This regiment was organized in San Francisco, but had many companies and recruits from the interior, two, Peter Hoin and J. W. Van Mater, being from Auburn.
Late in August, 1861, a call was made on Califor- nia for 5,000 more volunteers, and all independent companies were invited to offer their services. This was the opportunity for the " Anburn Greys," and the company was readily accepted as part of the California contingent. The company then reorgan- ized, as some of its members were not ready to go to war.
Early in September this company received orders to report at the camp of the Fourth Regiment, at Placerville, and on the 13th of the month marched from Auburn. In the meantime a company of Home Guards had been formed, containing some of the members of the "Greys." The officers of the Guards were: A. S. Grant, Captain; J. L. Brown, First Lieutenant; Thos. Cross, Second Lieutenant; Henry Stone, Third Lieutenant, and C. J. Hillyer, Orderly Sergeant.
Previous to the march the ladies of Auburn pre- sented the company with a beautiful flag of blue silk trimmed with silver-bullion lace. On one side was
the coat of arms of California, on the other " Pre- sented by the Ladies of Auburn," and upon a gilt ground the motto, " When duty calls 'tis ours to obey." The presentation was made by Mrs. C. A. Tuttle, in a neat speech, and responded to by Captain Rowell.
The Home Guards escorted the company to the outskirts of the town, gave them a salute, and cheered them on their way, the first to march from home in the service of their country. The Home Guards now assumed the name and place of the " Auburn Greys."
Early in September, Captain Thomas A. Young, of Forest Hill, reported to the Governor with a com- pany, recruited on the " Divide," which was accepted, and went to Arizona.
Captain J. Ives Fitch also raised a company in the same region, ealled the " Mountain Volunteers," and joined the camp at Placerville.
Captain William Pitcher recruited a company of cavalry, making, as early as September, four com- panies raised in Placer County.
CAMP SIGEL.
The headquarters of the Fourth Regiment, early in October, was changed to Auburn, where a camp of instruction was established, and called "Camp Sigel." The following were the officers of the regi- ment: Colonel, H. M. Judah; Lieutenant-Colonel, Harvey Lee; Major, Henry llancock; Adjutant, William Forry; Regimental Quartermaster, and Acting Commissary of Subsistence, David J. Wil- liamson; Sutler, James L. Trask.
The following are the names of the officers and men of the Placer County companies in camp, Octo- ber 12, 1861 :-
COMPANY A, AUBURN.
C. W. C Rowell, Captain; Edgar W. Hillyer, First Lieutenant; Edward D. Tuttle, Second Lieutenant; Joseph W. Scobey, First Sergeant; M. A. Gerke, Second Sergeant; D. S. Leebendelfer, Third Ser- geant; Brown Rawles, Fourth Sergeant; Frank Kaiser, Fifth Sergeant; Thomas Smith, Sixth Ser- geant; S. R. Barr, Seventh Sergeant; P. W. Good- man, Eighth Sergeant; R. B. Stanley, Bugler; Dan- iel Phelps, Drummer; J. M. Jenkins, Wagoner.
Privates :--
Hugh Agan, Wm. Lossee,
David Armstrong, J. Mehan,
J. Ashburn, J. MeCred,
John Ballif, H. C. McCoy.
Wm. Bamford,
J. W. MeKinley,
J. Bartlett,
M. S. MeKinney.
J. M. L. Beam,
P. C. Molloy,
Chas. Baer, H. Morgan,
J. Bedford, Edwin Naylor,
J. G. Blake, J. S. Newman,
G. Boyle, J. O'Brien,
F. A. Carr, A. M. Patterson,
Edwin Clapp,
D. Il. Pepper,
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HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
J. Coates,
E. M. Phillips,
H. P. Hale,
George G. Tryon,
H. Cohl,
W. Ramsey,
J. H. P. Hall,
W. Tyler,
H. Christman,
M. Rawles,
W. Hammond,
A. B. Vanalstine,
Wm. Corrigan
1. F. Reavis,
S. Iloffner,
O. Walker,
Jas. Cunningham,
Chas. Reeves,
F. Hoffner,
J. White,
Wm. Doherty,
J. G. Robbins,
L. M. House,
H. Whiting,
Martin V. Davis,
E. Ross,
W. Hartshorn,
C. S. Wright,
R. Ferrell,
R. H. Russell,
Amos Fithian,
J. H. Russell,
W. R. Kineannon,
Wm. Yarrington,
F. J. Frank,
J. B. Saltmarsh,
- Pat. King,
David J. Williams,
James F. Frye,
J. M. Sanders,
S. Gardner,
R. K. Sargeant,
Samuel Gibson,
M. Shimer,
J. W. McDowell,
James llouger,
H. W. Getty,
J. Shrontz,
W. M. Miller,
J. Hyler, - - Monier,
Charles Stewart.
The companies comprising the Fourth Regiment in camp at Auburn were: Company A, Captain Rowell; Company B, Captain Fitch-both of Placer County; Company C, Captain West, of Shasta; Com- pany D, Captain Scott, of Amador; Company E, Captain Crowninshield, of Trinity; Company F, | Captain ('ullum, of El Dorado; Company G, Captain Grant, of Piacer. This last company was organized out of the Home Guards, Captain, A. S. Grant; F.rst Lieutenant, Matthew Sherman. Company Hi, Captain Brooks, of Trinity; Company I, Captain Nugent, of El Dorado.
COMPANY G, AUBURN.
The following is a list of the officers and privates of Company G, Fourth Infantry, raised in Placer County in 1861. as it was constituted in 1865: A. S. Grant, Captain; Geo. Haycock, First Lieutenant; Frederick J. Franks, Second Lieutenant; James F. Chapin, First Sergeant; Rankin McMullen, Sergeant; Walter R. Towle, Sergeant; Benoni Stinson, Ser- geant; Alexander H. Bown, Corporal; Nicholas H. Campbell, Corporal; John H. Fox, Corporal; John Hill, Corporal; David B. McKee, Corporal; Elmer Granger, Musician.
Privates :-
Andrew Arcola, John F. Maurice,
Wm. H. II. Ackors, John MeMichael,
Charles Brown, Charles Morris,
John Berk, John E. Murray,
Amos P. Myres,
J. Bother,
James Russell,
E. Breed,
W. A. Raywood,
(. Brown,
L. W. Scott,
W. Bryant,
S. Smith,
ยท E. Clow,
Sylvanus Smith,
II. M. Crampton.
W. Sprinkles, S. Streeter,
Charles P. Chapman, Thomas Donley, August Dupins.
J. Davis,
W. R. Stoles,
U. E. Doolittle,
W. B. Swan,
Arthur C. Erwin,
W. Drake,
W. Taylor,
Elijah B. Fitzgerald.
R. H. Dodge.
P. T. Thornton,
James Francis,
D. Fisher,
J. Tierney,
Louis A. Fouquet,
J. 11. Good,
J. Murray.
Jonathan Adams,
J. MeMikel,
G. Austin,
G. Noyes,
J. Austin,
J. M. Ormsby,
E. Baldwin,
J. Paul,
A. J. Bartholomew,
G. Pearce,
J. Beardsley,
J. T. Robinson,
F. Becker,
S. T. Rolson,
James Berry, N. C. Bosworth George McConihe,
Samuel S. Bolton, James J. Moriarty, Michael J. Nelson, James Ogden, Peter N. Beck, James Boyles, Charles Caldwell, William O'Donnell,
Richmond W. Pease, Rudolph Pedlar, Samuel Reynolds, Gustave L. Ruthsturm Kaziner Rozinoski, William A. Raywood, John Rozell, Thomas C. Stephens,
COMPANY B, FOREST HILL.
J. Ives Fitch, Captain; A. W. Copley, First Lieu- tenant; ' A. C. Hlaskell, Seeond Lieutenant; Jobn Pearson, First Sergeant; C. C. Nason, Second Ser- geant; Smith Miner, Third Sergeant ,y W. L. Haskell, Fourth Sergeant; C. If. Godfrey, Fifth Sergeant; D. W. Gaze, First Corporal; Charles White. Second Corporal: Wm. Sherin, Third Corporal: S. J. Kings- ley, Fourth Corporal; George Sterling, Fifth Cor- poral; J. P. Raynes, Sixth Corporal; II. S. Allen, Seventh Corporal; J. Maculey, Eignth Corporal; Samuel Daggett, Wagon Master.
Privates: -
Francis Abrams.
J. W. W. Stewart, T. M. Sharp,
F. Ilbreght,
Uriah Thompson
J. Johnson.
O. F. Warren,
P. Keating,
C. M. Wager,
D. S. Kerr,
John Way,
F. M. Kirk,
B. R. Wells,
A. S. Longley,
William Wilson,
J. B. Loutzenhiser.
Thomas Smith,
Asa Harden,
J. Swarm,
Benj. S. Higgins,
A. Hubbard,
C. W. Johnson,
D. II. Woods,
L. A. Loring, Michael Long,
G. P. Innd, Daniel Davis.
G. H. Gladding,
A. Miller,
W. E. Towle,
George W. Fike.
O. Day,
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MILITARY.
Alexander Graham, Jacob Grinn,
Wm. C. Guirey,
George W. Harris,
Henry B. Hooker, Louis A. Johnson, Timothy Kelley, Robert Lynn,
John Landsbury, Leonard B. Lawes, James Leary,
Samuel M. Murray,
Oliver S. Mabrey,
William Voorhees, Wm. H. Waterman,
Dennis Murphy,
David W. Maikens,
Wm. Malson,
B. H. Schumaker, Charles W. Smith, William L. States, William Sprinkles, Sylvester Smith, Wm. H. Thompson, Frank Trunk, Rosewell Trask, Thomas J. Tramel, Lorrin Tisdale, Reuben Tinker, William J. Tolan,
James Wilson, Barzilla D. Wright.
In October, 1861, several of the companies of the Fourth Regiment were ordered to Oregon and Wash- ington to occupy and garrison the various posts in that quarter, and marched from Auburn. Before their departure, Colonel Judah was ordered East, he being of the regular army, and Colonel Ferris Fore- man, a veteran of the Mexican War, was appointed to the command.
The companies going to Oregon were stationed at various posts: Company A, at Walla Walla; Com- pany B, at Fort Vancouver in Washington Territory ; and Companies D and E, at Fort Yamhill Oregon; Companies A and B subsequently went to Arizona. The others remained in Camp Sigel, under the com- mand of Colonel Forman.
The various promotions and changes of officers, companies, stations, and regiments occurring during the four and a half years service are not traced, but the organizations were very different when dis- charged in the spring of 1866. Captain Thomas A. Young was in command of Company D, First Battalion of Native Cavalry, and died in Arizona. Patrick Munday of Placer was Captain of Company K, Fourth Infantry and in 1863 '64 and '65 was stationed at Los Angeles. He afterwards was member of the Assembly, and died at Cisco, October 14, 1872, from an accident.
DEFENDING COLONEL FORMAN.
Some objections were expressed to the appoint- ment of Colonel Forman, as his loyalty was doubted, and the following card was published :-
CAMP SIGEL, Placer Co., Nov. 4, 1861.
We, the undersigned, commanding officers of the Fourth Regiment, California Volunteers, having seen several articles criticising the appointment of Ferris Forman to the Coloneley of our regiinent, and insin- uating doubts of his loyalty, feel called upon to publicly state that we have full confidence in his loyalty, military ability, and experience, and his determination to do all in his power to aid the Government in prosecuting the war to a successful
issue. Of his bravery, none ean doubt who are familiar with the history of the Mexican War.
A. W. CULLUM, Captain Company F, JAMES EVANS, First Lieutenant Company F,
J. A. HALE, Second Lieutenant Company F,
A. S. GRANT, Captain Company G,
M. SHERMAN, First Lieutenant Company G,
G. HAYCOCK, Second Lieutenant Company G.
J. M. CASS, First Lieutenant Company H,
CHAS. ATCHISON, Captain Company I, W. P. NASON, First Lieutenant Company I.
During the Mexican War, Colonel Forman was in command of the Third Regiment of Illinois Volun- teers, and obtained high commendation for his serviees.
MOVEMENTS OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant E. W. Hillyer, stationed with his com- pany at Walla Walla, in Washington Territory, was elected by the people of Placer County to the Assem - bly, and in December obtained leave of absence and returned to California, where he served his term in the Legislative session of 1862, after which he returned to his duties in the military service. In March, 1866, he was mustered out with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and received the thanks of General MeDowell for his faithfulness and efficiency.
In January, Company G, Captain Grant, left Camp Sigel for Camp Union, at Sutterville, near Sacramento, and subsequently was sent to the southern part of the State, the headquarters of the Company being at San Diego.
Other companies were formed in the county, ready for maintaining order at home or joining other regiments if ealled upon. Of these were the Forest Hill Guards, the Placer Cadets, the Yankee Jim Rifles, and the Auburn Greys. In November, 1863, a military company was organized at Lincoln, with the following officers: F. A. Sprague, Captain; J. A. Hale, First Lieutenant; G. W. Taylor, Second Lieu- tenant; W. Myers, Third Lieutenant. These com- panies did not join the Volunteers, but remained as part of the National Guard of California, the modern term for militia, until 1868, when they surrendered their arms, ete., and were mustered out of service.
MURDERS BY SECESSIONISTS.
Company A, uuder Captain Rowell, stationed at Walla Walla, though far from the armies of the Confederaey, was surrounded by a hostile element, many of the citizens being sympathizers with the rebels, and more dangerous traitors, as elaiming the protection of civil law, jury trial, and the processes of sympathetic courts, than the enemies in the field. On the 10th of April, 1862, a party of the volunteers went to the theater in Walla Walla, and after the performance, expressed joy over the news then received of the fall of Newbern, North Carolina. This aroused the ire of a number of secessionists present. and a melee ensued, during which John B.
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HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Loutzenhiser, who had joined the company, from Illinoistown, was shot through the heart, killing him instantly, and Ansil Hubbard, from Dutch Flat, was mortally wounded. Sergeant J. W. Scobey, after- wards Lieutenant Scobey, writing to a friend of the matter, says :-
The affray was premeditated, commenced, and tragically consummated by a gang of rowdies and gamblers, who boldly and exultingly proclaim them- selves secessionists; who have persistently annoyed and insulted the soldiers whenever opportunity offered; who look upon the volunteers with feelings of hate, and really entertain a sort of contempt for their courage-the first, born of their treason, the latter, of their ignorance. They have occasioned a great deal of annoyance to the garrison during the entire winter. In all this they have had the moral (?) support of the citizens of the Valley, a large majority of whom are disunionists in sentiment, manifesting it both by word and action.
This was a severe charge to make against the people of Walla Walla, as at this day it seems impos- sible that disnnionists could exist who were not citizens of the "Confederate States," but the charge was undoubtedly true, and shows the embarrassing position in which the California Volunteers were placed in the various quarters where they were stationed.
END OF THE WAR.
The Placer County Volunteers performed efficient service in various parts of the Pacific Coast States and Territories, although not participants in the struggles and glory of the great battles for the Union, which were fought east of the Rocky Mountains. Exposure, hardship, disease, and assassination caused the loss of many lives, and their graves are scattered through California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and Washington. Some fell in Indian battles, and some by the hands of rebels. The service was arduous and unthankful, but in after years each and all, of whatever rank, from the humblest private to the field officers in command, are proud of the high duty performed, and of the record that they volun- teered to enter the field for the preservation of the integrity and glory of their country.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The California Volunteers were mustered out of service in 1866. Some returned to their homes, and others remained in the region where last stationed. After the close of the war an association of ex-soldiers was formed, styled the " Grand Army of the Repub- lic." All were entitled to membership who had ever taken the oath of service, and had been honor- ably discharged. In March, 1868, a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic was established at Auburn with the following officers: Capt. J. Ives Fitch, P. C; Capt. M. H. Calderwood. V. P. C .; B. R. Wells, Jr., V. C .; W. H. Hubbard, Q. M .; W. H. H. Fellows, Adjt .; T. A. Wright, Surgeon; B. F. Wellington, P. C.
The object of the association is cementing the friendships formed in the field, social pleasures, preservation of the records, tales and history of the war, and the care and due respect to deceased com- rades. Annually, on the 30th of May, the Comrades of the G. A. R. strew flowers on the graves of those who have gone before, and from this custom the day is styled " Decoration Day," and is made a legal holiday.
CHAPTER XLIII.
DESTROYED BY FIRE.
Ophir Burned-Sundry Fires-Great Fire in Auburn-Iowa Hill Burned-Michigan Bluff Destroyed-Fires again in Anburn -Iowa Hill again Burned-Dwelling Burned-Fire at Rattlesnake-Destructive Conflagrations in Auburn-Flour- ing-mill Burned-Buildings Burned-Hotels Burned at Rocklin-Fire at Auburn Depot-More Fires-Empire Mill Burned-Incendiary Fire in Auburn-Dwellings Burned- Hoisting Works Burned-Saw-mill and Lumber Destroyed -Fire at Forest Hill-Destructive Fire at Dutch Flat- Round House and Locomotives Burned-Colfax in Ashes- Residence of J. C. Boggs Burned-Hotel Burned-Incendi- arism-Burning at Lincoln-Barn and Horses Burned- Serious Loss at Lincoln-Residence Destroyed-The Aggre- gate Losses-Later fires in Auburn.
THE record of the destruction of property by fire in California since the discovery of gold is one that will appal the statistician. The great cities, where fire-proof brick and stone buildings were constructed, an abundant supply of water at hand, and an efficient fire department ready to combat the destructive element, as well as the humble mining towns, built of pine and without protection, have over and over again been swept by the flames. During the first ten or twelve years these destructive fires were most frequent, the calamity of repeated losses teaching care in construction of buildings, and in the manage- ment of fire. The first buildings were constructed of pine and eloth, and stove-pipes were thrust through the tinder in the most thoughtless and reckless manner. The long, dry summers rendered all com- bustibles almost to the point of explosion when touched by flame. and when a fire once caught on the substance of a building, it would rise into the sky a column of blaze, bow before the wind and lap the neighboring buildings with a flash, while any stood within its reach. A few minutes from the alarm, and the handsome village would be a smonl- dering ruin; wealthy merchants and prosperous landlords would be impoverished, and pleasant homes would be made desolate. The combustible nature of the buildings and liability to conflagration ren- dered insurance impossible, leaving the loss a total one to the owner. To this cause many of the most industrious, frugal, and worthy of the early settlers owe their loss of fortune, and to many the recurrence of such losses have brought despair, and abandon- ment of hope and energy. Fortunately, however, the spirit of the mass of pioneers could not be thus subdued, and often while the embers of a store and
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