USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 82
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THE PIONEER FAMILY.
Mrs. Mendenball was the only lady who spent the memorable winter of 1849 at Illinoistown, and she still resides at Colfax, almost in sight of the seene of those early experiences. She is an honored pioncer mother of Placer County, and it is with pleasant memories that the historian commemorates her name upon the pages of this book. Elvira Ellen, her eldest danghter, now wife of Mr. Angwin, of Lajot Ranch, Howell Mountain, Napa County, was the infant in her arms, about four months old, when she reached Alder Grove in August, 1849. George W. Mendenhall, her eldest son, was the first white child born in Illinoistown. which event happened in I851.
Following these the living children born at Illi- noistown are Jennie, wife of A. D. Bowley of Iowa IIill; Sylvester Jacob; Silvinia, now Mrs. Benvie of Reading, Shasta County; Thomas Diek Mendenhall, now a conductor on the Nevada County Narrow- Gauge Railroad, who was born while the family were temporarily residing at Sacramento, and Lydia Ann, born at Illinoistown.
The old pioneer, E. T. Mendenhall, and the eldest son have large landed interests in San Diego County, and remain there, while the others of the family, as a rule, linger near the old birthplace in Placer.
Of the other old-timers of Illinoistown David Fair- child rests in his last sleep at Georgetown, El Dorado County; the three Egbert brothers are all living- one, Robert S., in Oakland, Alameda County; Oliver, at Rio Vista, Solano County, and John B., at his old home east of the Rocky Mountains; Horatio Hos- kins and M. D. Fairchild, are yet in California. The old store at the lower end of the valley passed from the possession of the Messrs. Fairchild in the spring of 1850, having been purchased by Messrs. Furst & Morris, who later the same year sold it to Ed. Brickell. Mr. B. soon had his wife and sister-in-law with him; Mrs. Keck came there the same summer (and is still living on the old Mendenhall place), and Illinoistown began to boast of its superior society.
FIRST FRUIT CULTURE.
E. T. Mendenhall was the pioneer monntain fruit eulturist of Placer Connty, if not the State. Follow- ing closely after him, Col. Wm. MeClure, of Yankee Jim's, came next; then the Applegates and others. Had not the old Sigard Ranch, belonging to Claude Chana, been floated by change of boundaries into Placer County, doubtless to Mendenhall would have belonged the honor of having set out the first orchard of fruit trees in the present limits of the county. At that early period it was thought that the black and mueky soil, always wet, of the little mountain valleys was the kind, if any, most suited for fruit trees, as well as all other kinds of vegetation, and it was upon one of those-the old Alder Grove -- where the maiden efforts of the pioneer were made. A thrifty orchard to-day marks the spot where Men- denhall set out his young trees, brought with great expense from the nursery of Lewellyn, of Oregon.
CHIVALROUS PIONEERS.
The erroneous impression to some extent obtains that the majority of men who pursued the vocation of mining in 1849 were a rough and dangerous class. During a residence now of thirty-three years in a mining region, it is the evidence of Mrs. Mendenhall that the men of the earlier years of California's settlement were less rude and more cultured than those of a later period; for in all her experience of pioneer life, she asserts that the only white man she feared was Jack Allen, when drunk, who is spoken of in another page. Ife never offered insult to her, and would doubtless have been her bravest defender in case of necessity; it was his manner while in an intoxicated condition that appalled.
HOUSES OF ENTERTAINMENT.
Every house, nearly, at Illinoistown became a public stopping-place for wandering miners at the approach of spring, and from the middle of February there were bnt few nights when they were not all crowded to the utmost capacity. One dollar and a half a meal was cheerfully paid for the pork, beans and bread set before the wayfarer, and at times a dollar would be given for the privilege of spreading
THAY & GRAIN
TOLL HOUSE & RESIDENCE OF D. V. NORTON, COLFAX, PLACER CO. CAL.
361
REMINISCENCES OF ILLINOISTOWN.
blankets down upon the floor and sleeping for a night. The floor of every house was generally thus occupied until the rains were over and the ground dried out, and men of all conditions would be stowed thickly, side by side, thus seeking the repose of sleep. The unavoidable result of such promiscuous contact was the generation of enormons quantities of parasitic pests, from which for a time there seemed to be no permanent escape.
Three men by this time were permanent occupants of the lower store, and that being the first halting- place upon reaching the valley, was certain to be thronged each night. A mysterious disease attacked these men; they itched, and seratehing, itehed and scratched and itched again. Some times at night, while in their bunks, they would fancy they felt some creeping thing upon them, which they would ever fail to catch.
This peculiar condition existed for several weeks; when a discovery was made. One of the trio, an old man and pious-a godly Presbyterian-in making bis Sabbath toilet, was the astonished discoverer, and with tears in his eyes, came rushing into the pres- sence of the other two, exclaiming: " By George ! I know now what's given us the itch; we're lousy !- lonsy, by George !" And he piloted his companions to the spot where he had pitched his discarded gar- ments, and there pointed out and exhibited in the seams of the cast off clothing innumerable body-lice, the first that either of them had ever beheld. Examinations speedily made disclosed that all under- garments were alike, and what was the proper thing to do ? The fat and nasty-looking parasites were under the cover of every seam, while nits were strung upon every thread more thickly than scales upon a fish. There was but one road out of such a difficulty, and that was by the crematory route. A bonfire was soon blazing; good honest flannels, made in the far-off East with the greatest care, especially for the California trip, were stripped from off the wearer and foolishly consigned to the flames, and with them countless parasites-victims immolated upon the altar of man's fastidiousness.
RESCUED FROM THE SNOW.
Deeper snow prevailed in the winter of 1849-50 at Illinoistown than there has been at any time since, and several men eame near losing their lives by attempting to travel in it, owing to inexperience.
Two men-Sharp and Murrey-remained during the winter at Barnes' Bar, being the only residents there. From time to time they came to Illinoistown for supplies, which was not a formidable trip when the ground was bare of snow. A prolonged storm in January, which at the Bar was rain, deposited upon the ridge from two to four feet of snow.
At this time, their provisions being exhausted, these two men started up the hill for Illinoistown early one morning. Before reaching the top of the hill they got into snow which, upon arriving at the
crest of the divide, was four feet deep. soft and wet. There was nothing then to mark the road to be trav- eled; all being covered with a white pall, looking similar, they could only guess the route from the general course traveled by them often before. Floundering on in this, first one man in advance for a few rods until well blown, and then the other, they were soon wet to the skin from the waist down. This severe exercise made them perspire freely, and they therefore would not suffer from cold unless compelled to lie out through the long and prospect- ively clear, cold night before them.
The distance to be made, all told, was not more than eight miles, but often they wished they had braved the pangs of hunger and delayed starting, or taken the way toward Auburn. Noontime found them in still deeper snow, and but little over halt way to the coveted goal. Wearily they floundered on, becoming more and more exhausted as the moments lengthened into hours, and the sun sank out of sight below the western horizon.
One, who had a single-barreled pistol, struggled onward in advance of his companion, who had sue- cumbed to drowsiness and fatigue, and, disheartened, was prone upon the snow. The avant courier at length reached a point in advance of his companion, a distance of perhaps a quarter of a mile, when he, too, gave up and fell limp and completely blown into the yielding snow, and gazed upward to the glittering stars, which now were fast appearing in the blue sky overhead. He was a tough old whaleman, and many a cruise had he made in the Arctic seas, and would make one final effort to extricate himself and friend from the certain fate which must follow further apathy. Raising himself. he yet continued the strug- gle for life, but exhausted nature could do but little; only a few yards were gained. Then it was that he bethought of the pistol in his belt. By firing it off, the echoing sounds might reach the ears of some one who would come to his relief. Lucky thought !
The sharp report of the weapon rang out upon the chilling air of fast gathering night, and the weary man who fired it again fell fainting upon the fleecy snow ! A young man who happened to be out of the door of the lower cabin at Illinoistown, prepar- ing wood for the night, heard the unusual sound and divined its meaning. Fresh, impulsive, and athletic, he started down the valley in the direction whenee the sound had come. The progress was slow, and the work tedious, as there was no track, but finally Murrey was reached, and by encouragement and assistance was dragged nearly dead into the house.
Aid was then procured and Sharpe was sought, and with difficulty at length got in. Before the huge fire upon the ample hearth, with hot punch and mulled wine, did the two men soon reeover, and years afterward, when the shifting scenes of life casually brought them in contact with their reseuer, would they recall the event with tear-beglistened eyes.
46
362
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
AN EXHAUSTED TRAVELER.
Upon another occasion during that historic winter were the inmates of the lower cabin in the valley aroused in the night by a knocking upon the door. The first thought on being awakened was the " Indi- ans l" but to the question of " Who's there ?" came the response of " Me," from the lips of a white man. Recognizing the voice of a young man named White. the door was speedily unbarred and he was admitted. A brisk storm had raged all the day, and now the snow twirled in thickly falling flakes, and the wind soughed with ominous portent through the surround- ing forest trees. Snow lay at a depth of two feet, and was fast augmenting; it was a night in which he with shelter might thank his lucky star that no com- pulsory incident could send him forth to breast its dire inclemencies.
White, who was usually bright and jovial, seemed now somewhat dazed, and evasively answered ques tions asked him. That he had been out in the storm some hours was evidenced by his drenched clothing and his wearied air. The ruddy fire, a hot brandy punch, and a bottle of mulled wine, with other good cheer tendered him, brought revival to his waning mind, and he told how he and a companion had that day left Auburn, and that the latter had been left on the way in the snow !
It was fully an hour after the arrival of White at the cabin before this fact became apparent from his incoherent utterances. Something must be done to resene the man. The same young man who had brought in Murrey and Sharpe immediately set out after aid, the two companions in the cabin being both advanced in years. Going to King & Hoskins' store, he there found a person about his own age, named Henry Close, who unhesitatingly agreed to start out with him when the situation was explained. At Pierson's place was a powerful horse, which subse- quently fell into the hands of the Indians. and was killed. Pierson loaned the horse to the young men, who, about 12 o'clock, got started upon White's back trail. The tracks were well nigh obliterated by fall- ing snow; the little streams running in the canons were all full; the snow was slumpy and wet, and a person in walking would sink down into it fully a foot at every step. Alternately riding the horse and walking, the two young men searched out the way by following the tracks.
About five miles below Illinoistown, lying beside a prostrate tree, the lost man was found, groaning piteously, chilled to the marrow, foot-sore and exhausted. Had he lain there a few hours longer, most likely he would have been done for. A stiff horn of brandy from a flask brought by the rescuers for the purpose, and the presence of those who would save him, aroused him to effort. He was placed upon the animal, plied with another born from the flagot, the horse's head turned homeward, and he given instructions to not direct the animal's course, when
off they were started, leaving the two men oy them- selves. Anxious to reach shelter, the horse, within two hours from the time of leaving the place where the perishing man was found, reached the house with him in safety. Close and his companion did not get in until 11 o'clock the following day. The man rescued was from Kentucky, then aged about twenty- eight years.
IN THE SPRING OF 1850.
The influx of gold-seekers to the neighborhood of Illinoistown in the spring of 1850, created a demand for gold-saving appliances there. On the south side of the valley, just across the way from the lower store, stood a magnificent sugar-pine tree, probably seven feet in diameter. A man named Frasier agreed to fell it for a half-ounce of gold-dust, which was given him. It proved to be a good-splitting tree, and an old gentleman named Barnard, from White Plains, New York, was allowed the privilege of using the timber for making rockers, and drove a thriving business at the price of six ounces per rocker. In the spring, after the water in the dry diggings about Auburn had failed, several men who had been working there came up and explained to Barnard how there had been a new gold-washing machine invented and used, which was called the " Long Tom," and gave him an idea of their con- struction; whereupon he began making them also, at the price of nine ounces each. Shakes and punch- eons were made from this tree, hewed logs were prepared, and, in April, the old Sears & Miller store was used only as a lodging-place, while a pretentious hewn log house a few yards to the east of it was erected and used for the store and hotel.
WING DAMS IN THE RIVER
Were, in the early days, much resorted to in aiding to drain rieh gravel beds, on account of their extreme simplicity of construction. Beginning, generally, at the head of some rapid and extending down to the next pool, or deep hole below, they were made simply by laying up two parallel walls of cobbles and grouting between them, which process would turn the water at the head and cause it to run in one-half the usual space upon one side of the bed of the stream.
This necessitated the cutting of no race, nor the setting back of the water to any material height above the usual level, and, at the same time, enabled the operating miners to extend their labors on the lower bars to the center of the stream. The gravel upon these ripples was generally shallow and rich.
RESULT OF MINING.
The following, transcribed from memoranda noted at the time, is given to show what was done at that time upon the low bars. It represents the sums made daily by two men with one rocker-one person dig- ging and carrying the gravel, and the other wash- ing it-upon the North Fork of the American, a
363
REMINISCENCES OF ILLINOISTOWN.
short distance above Kelley's Bar, the gold calculated to be worth $16.00 per ounce, the usual price then given :---
1850.
1850.
September 18-19 .. $ 84 00| October 16.
$368 00
20.
133 00
17
347 00
61
21
60 38
66
18 138 00
66
23
55 00
19
38 40
26
38 40
22 274 00
27
48 50
23
150 00
.6
30
7 75
=
25
85 50
October
1
37 75
=
26
17 50
2
18 50
29
109 00
3
34 70
30
77 50
16
4
100 20
31
38 00
5
94 50 November 1
65 00
66
7
60 20
6.
2 79 50
8
62 00
66
4
78 00
9
55 25
6.
5
30 50
10
154 30
..
13
224 50
66
14.
200 00
Total
$3947 88
66
15
200 00
The rain about the middle of November raised the water and prevented further working upon the low bar that fall, but a small wing dam the following season enabled the same parties to obtain near $25,000 from the bed of the stream by the simple process of working then in vogue.
EARLY PHYSICAL FEATURES.
There is a marked difference between the appear- ance of the face of the country of to-day and the time preceding settlement. Then, in spring time, native grasses, alfillerie, indiginous flowers of various kinds and hues thickly covered the entire surface of the great valleys; and the elk, antelope, grizzly, coyote, and minor animals made the great plains their home. Approaching the foot-hills, the white oaks were encountered, in pristine form, standing amid the tall growth of wild oats, resembling some old orchard long ago planted by civilized hand.
And then when the pine lands were reached, what a park-like picture they presented. But little undergrowth was seen-the annual fires kindled by Indians, either for the capture of game or from sheer carelessness, having kept it down. The red earth was untrodden save by the wild animals and aborigines, and no roads nor ugly scars from miners' work rent abrasions to roil the limpid waters of the streams.
So porous was the soil that the great rain-fall of each succeeding winter scarcely ever was sufficient to cause the water to run over the surface at any place outside the natural depressions of river and ravine in the foot-hill region between the valley and the snowy zone. Spongy, it absorbed it as it fell, and caused it to seek drainage upon the bed-rock underneath.
By this cause was travel rendered extremely diffi- cult in the rainy season of the first few years of
settlement. The unpacked earth retained the mois- ture until drainage and evaporation relieved it, and was not as now impacted by civilization's giant tread. So soft would the ground become that outside a beaten path, even upon the hill-sides where bed- rock did not protrude, a domestic animal, unloaded, would sink down to a depth of from six to eight inches. Wagons upon roads, once cutting through the surface crust, would sink to the hub in quagmire underneath. These conditions caused high freights, the priec from Sacramento to Illinoistown, in Novem- ber, 1849, being sixty cents a pound.
PIKE COUNTY REPRESENTED.
Of the immigrants who thronged the mountains in 1849-50, were large numbers from Missouri, who very positively made known their presence, were very assertive of their rights, proud of their State, and of their lineage through the first families of Kentucky and Old Virginia, and quite clannish. People usually, when asked their former residence, promptly gave the State or county whence they came, but the Missouriau's reply was the county only; as, from " Pike County," "Jackson County," "Chariton County," " Howard county," and the like. So many answered " from Pike," that all Mis- sourians were given the name of " Pikes."
A story is related of the early settlers of the region, which was often repeated and helped to fix the appellation. Society, of course, was made up of all the elements that could be gathered, and the few ladies were glad to assemble with members of their sex without the discrimination used in older commu - nities.
At a party of ladies where the representatives of several States were assembled, the conversation quite naturally flowed with reminiscences of the past. The triumph of their handiwork in the dear and distant homes of the East, where the means and methods of housekeeping were more convenient than could be hoped for soon in the wilds of the Sierra Nevada, were the themes upon which each loved to dwell. One related of the excellent cheese she used to make in Ohio; another of such rich butter as she made in the green hills of Vermont; another of the luscious tarts and jellies that graced her well-spread table in Maine; another of the handsome quilts and the merry quilting parties that were so pleasant in old-time Indiana; another of the fine flannels she had woven and the garments made in Iowa, until one young lady, who had remained quite unnoticed, broke in with a bitter sneer :---
" Wall, I don't keer a dog-gone fer yer old cheese, and tarts, and quilts, and sich sort o' Yankee fixin's, I kem from Pike County, Missoura, and I kin cut, shoot, and play keerds."
The supremacy of Pike County could no longer be ignored, and "Pike" became the synony in of Missouri.
11
120 25
66
14.
53 00
12
110 40
=
24
77 00
28
22 40
364
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
CHAPTER XLV. TOWNS AND LOCALITIES.
Alta-Antelope - Applegate-Auburn-Great Fires-List of Losses-Incorporation of Auburn-A Railroad Town -Fare Reduced-A Business View-Old Settlers-Water Supply -- Great Freshet-William Ambrose-A. F. Boardman-James Borland-Dr. J. R. Crandall-C. C. Crosby-Alexander Lipsett-D. W. Lubeck-T. M. Todd, M. D .-- Antoine Cañon-Barnes Bar-A Glimmer of the Great Rebellion- Barrett's Store-A Death Struggle-Bath.
IN the general history of the county, the early discovery, the movements of individuals, the inci- dents of settlement, the success of miners, and in other references, nearly every town, river bar, and mining camp, of old and of modern times, have been mentioned, and in some instances quite full histories given. There are many localities whose history is full of interest, and upon which memory loves to linger in commune with the recollection of seenes of those bright and hopeful days when time seemed so laggard and the future at command. Then con- ventionalities and classes were unknown. Equality reigned supreme, and toil had no terrors, so that hope spread the inaccessible bed-rock with gold or directed the impracticable tunnel to the auriferous channel. These recollections may be preserved in the legends of the pioneers; aborted and exaggerated in the stories of the magazine and novel writers; or found in occasional sketches in the newspapers. Their aggregate would burst the volume covers. Here space and other questions forbid, and brief must be the mention of many. Placer County is divided into eleven townships, which are designated by numbers. Township No. 1 includes Antelope and Roseville, in the extreme southwest; No. 2 includes Ophir, Gold Ilill, Virginiatown, Mount Pleasant; No. 3, Auburn and Clipper Gap, extending from the American to Bear River; No. 4, Applegate, Colfax, Dutch Flat, Gold Run, Alta, Emigrant Gap, and others; No. 5, Forest Hill, Yankee Jim's, Todd's Valley, Butcher Ranch; No. 6, Michigan Bluff, Bath; No. 7, Iowa Hill, Sunny South, Damascus, Wisconsin Fill, Humbug Canon, Grizzly Flat, Bird's Flat, Monona Flat, Sucker Flat; No. 8, Canada Hill, Tahoe City, Deadman, Last Chance, Long Canon, and the high region of the Sierra forming the southeast part of the county; No. 9 is in the foot-hills, embracing Rocklin, Penryn, Newcastle and others; No. 10 is in the valley. embracing a large area of farming land and the villages of Lincoln and Sheridan, and No. 11, on the line of the railroad, embracing Ciseo, Hot Springs, Summit, Truckee River, Lake Valley, ete.
-
ALTA
Is a creation of the Central Pacific Railroad, dating its existence as a town from the time the road was constructed. The place received its name in the spring of 1866, and on the 13th of July following the completion of the railroad to that point, and the establishing of a station, was celebrated by an excur-
sion from Sacramento. The locality is two miles from Dutch Flat, and, via the railroad, thirty- three miles northeast of Auburn, at an altitude of 3,607 feet above the sea. With the completion of the road to this point, Alta became the depot for freight and passengers for Dutch Flat and all points beyond, making it a brisk business point during the year 1866. The region surrounding was covered with a dense forest of pines, and was the seat of several large saw-mills. Although much of this grand forest has been utilized in lumber, a large business is still carried on. Near Alta are the large lumber yard, store-houses, and box factory of Towle Brothers, who carry on the most extensive lumber business in the county. They have several mills, the largest having a capacity of 50,000 feet of lum- ber every twenty-four hours. From the lumber depot a narrow-gauge railroad leads to the mills, ten miles distant, passing by inclined planes over a ridge rising 1,300 feet on one side and falling 2,400 feet on the other, a stationary engine raising and lowering the cars.
At Alta is a fine hotel, kept by E. M. Banvard, and the usual stores, saloons, and residences of a flourishing village. Population, 120. Population of Towles' Mills, 225.
ANTELOPE
Is a station on the Central Pacific Railroad, in Township No. 1, near the line separating Placer and Sacramento Counties, twenty-one miles south west of Auburn, having an elevation of 154 feet above sea level. In the rainy season a small stream flows past, called Antelope Creek, the name being sug- gested by the large bands of antelope once so plen- tiful throughout the valley.
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