USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 86
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The Mountain Gate Mine, for which 'a patent has been applied, is located in sections 14, 15, 22. 23, and other subdivisions of Township 15 N., Range 11 E., Mount Diablo Meridian; with a lineal extent along the east line of 9,600 feet; southern end line extend- ing to the line of the Hidden Treasure of Sunny South, 5,500 feet; western line 10,000 feet, and northern (or front) line of 5,500 feet, of which some 4 000 feet along the "white" and 6,000 of the " black channel " are unworked. Since 1860 it has produced over $1,000,000, and has been worked prin- cipally by the owners, who are as follows: John H. Thomas, Tunis C. Broom, John B. Parker, A. B. Campbell, Christopher Elliott, Owen Jones, Robert J. Thomas, J. P. Rains, William Rowlands, William Brown, Jr., G. W. Snyder, J. F. Moody, J. T. Ashley Albert Burgess, Mrs. J. N. Lombard, D. R. Abrams,
Nicholas Weaver, William Broom, Sr., and Mrs. Jane Weaver.
Damascus, being situated upon the northern slope of the ridge, is subjected to deep snows in the win - ter, but its summer temperature is admirable. During the inclement season, in cases of sickness, no little difficulty is experienced in procuring the attend- ance of a physician, the nearest one residing some ten miles distant, at Iowa Hill. At one time, during the prevalence of a fierce snow-storm, and when the earth was enveloped to the depth of many feet, it was found after nightfall that a lady resident, the wife of a miner, was suffering with an attack of pneumonia, and, without relief, could not long sur- vive. Females were never at any time numerous in the camp, but those who were there were respecta- ble ones, and were all favorites with the male popu- lation. A physician must be had at every hazard; work in the tunnels for that night, at least, was abandoned; twenty brave men assembled, who, under the leadership of Gould Coker, set out in the gloom of night, in the blinding storm, to break a trail to Iowa Hill for the physician. By turns, each man would take the lead in the deep snow until exhausted, and another took his place, as, waist deep, they wal- lowed slowly onward through the cold, fleecy mass. Some time upon the following day the heroic little party reached Iowa Hill, and, after prevailing upon Dr. O. H. Petterson to accompany them, and refreshing themselves as best they could within a limited time, started upon the homeward journey. This trip, though not as fatiguing as the one out, was in itself no child's play; for, meanwhile, the storm continued to rage, and the fast-falling snow had well-nigh obliterated the trail previously made. But perseverance, at length, overcame every obsta- cle, and within thirty six hours from the time of starting for the doctor, he was at the bedside of the suffering woman, and not too late to save her life. When the patient was past danger, the humane min- ers were again obliged to escort the doctor home, breaking the road much after the manner they had been compelled to do at first.
The site of the village is on a steep hill-side, over- looking the junction of Blue Canon with the North Fork of the American, the gorge of Humbug Cafion, and a stretch of the Central Pacific Railroad bed near Shady Run. Many comfortable cottages, around which are little garden plats and orchards, dot the landscape; a school house, at which, during school months, there is an attendance of about twenty-five scholars, and a large hotel and store, owned by Owen Jones, are among the architectural features of the place. In March, 1880, a former store-house and hotel were destroyed by fire while the owner, Mr. Jones, was prostrated by sickness at Iowa HIill, entailing a loss of 88,000. A post-office was established and maintained for several years at Damascus, but was finally abolished. The regular
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population will probably not exceed 150, most of whom are engaged in mining operations.
DEADWOOD.
Deadwood is situated about seven miles above Michigan Bluff, across El Dorado Canon, on the divide between that stream and the North Fork of the Middle Fork. The altitude of Deadwood is nearly 4,000 feet. The wagon road leading to the place is circuitous, and follows up the main divide via Forks House (that was), Seeret Springs, around the head of El Dorado Canon, and then down the narrow ridge near the point of which the place is located. Some hydraulic mining has been done here, but the principal mines are now worked through tunnels by drifting and washing the bottom stratum of gravel. In 1881 there were five claims thus working-all old locations.
Gold in paying quantity was first found here in 1852 by a party of prospectors, who, being so elated at their good luck, remarked to all subsequent com- ers, that, though heretofore they had had indifferent success in prospecting, now assuredly had the "dead- wood " upon securing a fortune. So positive were the first discoverers of gold in this locality of its richness and magnitudo, that the most flattering accounts were circulated and a great influx of people resulted. There must have been at one time 500 or 600 people congregated in the vicinity. Many substantial buildings were erected, considering its isolated situation, and high hopes were indulged of sudden wealth to be acquired. The trail from Mich- igan Bluff leads into the gorge of El Dorado Canon, and thence for three miles almost uninterruptedly up an abrupt ineline. Aside from the grandeur of the towering hill, the awe-inspiring ebasms through which meander the tributaries of the Middle Fork, and the impressive jumble of rock and foliage spread out at the feet of the beholder, there is but one singular feature of interest in the course of the toilsome ascent. About a half-mile before reaching the village there are two long, parallel walls of stone, some three feet apart and about three feet high, evi- dently the handiwork of some branch of the human race. For what purpose so laid, or their use, is only a matter of conjecture; but many of those who first visited the spot supposed it to have been a crematory for the Indian dead. In 1855 Deadwood's transient glory had, in a great measure, departed, and since that time its remaining population have been content to delve in the mines there for a certain, though mod- erate, remuneration for their toil.
Periodically during winter come fearful storms of rain and snow in these high altitudes. When warm, and the rain thoroughly saturates the loamy soil that overlies the cement, it becomes dangerous to those who dwell below the brow of the ridge upon the precipitous side-hills, for an ocecasional ava- lanche is loosened from near the summit's erest, which sweeps everything before it. In December, 1860,
on one side of the hill, about one-fourth of a mile below the village stood the house of A. J. Felch, occupied by himself, wife, and boy, aged eight, named William. On Christmas eve, while father and son were sitting in the house before a comfortable fire (Mrs. Felsh fortunately being absent), all at onee the roar which precedes the approaching land- slide smote upon their cars. Before it was possible to get out of doors, the avalanche struek the build- ing, and crash ! it went, apparently carrying away inmates and all! Not so, however, for soon Mr. Felch became conscious that he was still alive! though eut, bruised, and bleeding from contact with falling timbers. But where was the boy ? A plain- tive call from the father elicited no response. Dead, mangled and swept away into the fieree-raging chasm below! thought the poor, wounded, agonized father; but he would search for the lost one. Prov- identially, some oak trees to which portions of the building had been attached had withstood the onslaught of the moving mass, and, under the pro- teeting lee of these, there yet remained debris of the household wreck. Digging among this the father found his boy, unharmed. That either escaped, is little less than a miracle.
At that time, December, 1860, the ditch conveying water to Deadwood was owned by David Davis and John Williams, Welchmen. On the 24th of that month, during the prevalence of a tremendous snow- storm, they both started up the ditch, declaring they would bring the water down therein before they returned. They were never seen again alive. Parties went out to search after the storm subsided, and, on the 5th of January, 1861, the body of Wil- liams was discovered in the diteb, where, having sank in exhaustion, he had folded his arms upon his breast and died. Traeks of animals leading to the body caused its discovery, and exposed portions of the corpse had been mutilated by the ravenous beasts. The Masonic fraternity consigned the remains to their final resting place at Michigan Bluff. About two months after that time the body of Davis was found, and was buried by the Masons at Todd's Valley.
DUTCH FLAT.
This place is situated in the northeastern part of the county, upon the ridge which divides the waters of Bear River from those of the North Fork of the American, thirty-one miles from Auburn, and dates back in the annals of time to the year 1851.
Joseph Doranbach has the honor of being ealled the first settler, having located there in the spring of that year. The name " Duteh " is derived, perhaps, from the nationality of Mr. Doranbach and those who were his companions at the time, but it is diffi- cult to conceive of why " Flat " should be added in giving the name to the then embryo town, except it is to fully carry out and demonstrate the Califor- nian custom of perverting names. In 1854, the
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HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
place was considered, by persons then thought to be visionary individuals, of sufficient importance as a mining locality to warrant the construction of a water-ditch to convey the waters of Bear River upon the tops of the ridges for mining purposes. This gave quite an impetus to the settlement of the place, and it continued to increase in population and import- anee. In November, 1855, a post-office was estab- lished, with Charles Seffens as Postmaster. In May, 1859, it was one of the first towns of the county in population. After the completion of the Bradley, or Placer County Canal, from the North Fork of the American, and the Bartlett & Thomas Ditch, from Little Bear River, in 1859 and '60, the town steadily increased, until, in 1860, its voting popula- tion was larger than that of any other town in the county, having polled at the Presidential election of that year over 500 votes. Since then the number of votes has decreased, but the permanent popula- tion has gained, and now it is next to Auburn in importance. The Dutch Flat Enquirer, a weekly newspaper, made its first importance May 29, 1860, and for a number of years was published regularly. The Enquirer was followed by the Forum, which in turn has been succeeded by the Placer Times.
This is one of the principal and best-known mining localities of California, the system of hydraulic min- ing being carried on very extensively. The hilt of gravel denominated Dutch Flat is somewhat isolated, presenting three sides to the attack of the hydraulic, and overlooks Bear River, which runs along its northern base, about 1,200 feet below the crest of the hill. The gravel deposit is about one and a half miles in length by half a mile in width, and from 100 to 350 feet in depth. Gold is found throughont the gravel, but there is a thick stratum of pipe-elay barren of the precious metal. Beds of ashes, char- coal, and partly charred wood are found in places beneath a hundred or more feet of gravel. The formation exposes a very interesting field for the geologist. A large number of mining companies are engaged here, and the product has been many mil- lions of dollars. In addition to the ditches stated, the South Yuba Canal supplies about 3,000 inches from the South Yuba River. The mining district embraces Elmore Hill, Indian Hill, and others of local name, besides Dutch Flat. In this district are a large number of mining companies, and the opera- tions are very extensive and interesting. The Cedar Creek Company, purchasing several properties in 1872, was one of the most extensive. It was an English corporation, with a capital stock of £200,- 000. During its most prosperous condition, there were 150 men employed. The capacity of its main ditch was 5,000 inches, the greater portion of which was used in operating its claims, the principal of which were the Pacific, the Central, Jehosophat, Home Ticket, half of the Gold Run, and the Gem. The property altogether consisted of thirty-two claims, comprising about 200 acres of mining ground.
The drill and machinery in use y this company cost $12,000. The property, after having lain idle for about three years, owing to certain complications, fell into the hands of Mr. J. P. Hickey, of San Fran- cisco, in April, 1881, whose intention is to work it extensively and systematically.
Like other towns of California, Dutch Flat has suffered much from fires. The most recent occurred on the 22d of October, 1881, when its Chinese quarter was burned, involving a loss of about $30,000. Some sixty buildings were burned, generally of a poor quality. These, although occupied by Chinese, were generally owned by white people.
In 1860, a company was organized to construct a wagon road from Dutch Flat to the eastern slope, to accommodate the travel then beginning to flow over the mountains to the silver mines of Nevada. Two roads were subsequently constructed, and for several years the town profited by the large travel through it. In July, 1866, the Central Pacific Railroad reached the vicinity of the town, and soon passing on, making Cisco the depot of passengers and freight, and business relapsed to its former dependence on the resources of its neighborhood.
Dutch Flat is situated high up in the mountains, has an unlimited supply of water from pure mountain springs, and timber abundant and convenient. In consequence of its elevated position, the town is regarded as a pleasant place for summer residence, its altitude being about 3,400 feet above the sea-level. Its climate is subject to great changes. Snow falls at times to considerable depth in the winter and spring months, but the summers are warm and exceedingly pleasant. At this elevation, tender fruits, such as the lemon and orange, are not raised; but the pear, peach, cherry, and apple, the black- berry, raspberry, grape, currant, and gooseberry grow in great perfection; so that the citizens are not dependent on the valleys for their supplies.
The principal street, whereon are located nearly all the business houses, is Main Street. The general appearance of the private residences and places of business is neat and tasty, which speaks well for the culture and thrift of its inhabitants. The town at present supports one newspaper-the Placer Times- owned and published by W. A. Wheeler, Esq., and is issued every Thursday. There are three churches, one school house, a number of dry goods and gro- cery stores, one drug store, hotel, livery stable, one fire company, and one brewery, besides the usual quota of lawyers, doctors, etc. Its secret societies number five-Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, Good Templars, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. The Masons and Odd Fellows each have a fine hall. The Ancient Order of United Workmen use the Odd Fellows HIall for their meetings.
The society is good, owing to the settled and reli- able character of the mining interests, and business men find a substantial and legitimate trade; conse quently, they gather their families around them.
"FAIRVIEW PLACE " RESIDENCE OF H.A.FROST DUTCH.FLAT. PLACER COUNTY CAL
RESIDENCE OF H.R.HUDEPOHL. DUTCH FLAT. PLACER CO.,CAL.
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TOWNS AND LOCALITIES.
Numerous pleasant homes cover the hill-sides, and evidences of taste and refinement are abundant.
HENRY A. FROST.
The subject of this biographical notice is a native of Massachusetts, having been born at New Bedford, Bristol County, May 15, 1830. Mr. Frost, through the visitation of the hand of death, lost his father in infancy, and, at the age of twelve years, was left an orphan by the death of his mother. This changed the course of his life, and he removed to the State of Vermont, where he remained until his eighteenth year, at which time he returned to his native State. During the succeeding twelve years, he was engaged in mechanical and agricultural pursuits at Worcester, in Worcester County. In the fall of 1861, he came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, landing in San Francisco in the month of December. He made no stay in the city, but came immediately to Placer County, and during that win- ter remained at Gold Run. In the Spring of 1862, he located at his present place, near Dutch Flat, where he has since resided. During the first ten years of his residence in this State, he followed mining, but of late has been engaged in agriculture in connection therewith.
In Mr. Frost we do not find a '49er, though his twenty years residence in this State gives him the right to the title of an " old settler." He has been twice married, his first wife departing this life in June, 1878. In June, 1881, he was married to Mrs. S. A. Waggoner, a native of Illinois, but more recently from Nevada County, in this State.
HERMAN R. HUDEPOHL.
This gentleman is a native of HIanover, Germany, and was born March 30, 1823. He remained with his parents until he reached his sixteenth year, when he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and, in due time, mastered that trade. During eight years succeeding, he worked at his trade in different cities in the old world. In 1848 he came to America, and located at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed his trade until 1854. In the last-named year, he came to Califor- nia by way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco late in the month of March. After a few days sojourn in the city, he came to Placer Connty, and located at Dutch Flat, and for six months was a miner. From that time until 1865 he worked at his trade, and during that year he embarked in the dry goods business, which he has since successfully followed. Ilis stock is one of the most complete in the town, embracing a full line of dry and fancy goods, clothing, etc.
Ile was married April 5, 1865, in Sacramento, to Miss Catherine E. Power, a native of New York City. By this union there were three children, two girls, aged, in 1881, fourteen and ten years, and one son, aged twelve years. Mrs. Hludepohl died March 8, 1875.
FRYTOWN
Was located on the Auburn Ravine, about two miles below Ophir. It was first settled in 1849. Only a few houses were built, but the miners were in the habit of using the place as supply head-quarters. There was a general merchandise store, kept by Messrs. Fry & Bruce, which supplied the miners in the immediate vicinity with the necessaries of life. The town received its name from the senior partner in the firm. It was one of those mushroom towns which sprang into existence and soon died. But "'twas lively while it lasted."
DUNCAN CANON.
This stream is an important confluent of the Middle Fork of the Middle Fork of the American, and rises pretty well up toward the western summit of the Sierra, between the main North Fork and Picayune Valley. It was never noted for its gold product, and to-day, by reason of its undisturbed condition, its clear, pellucid water, the tangled mat of undergrowth upon its flats, and noble forest trees growing adjacent to its unscarified banks, it reminds the "old-timer" more of the primitive days than almost any other stream of like magnitude in the mountains. James W. Marshall says that it derived its name from Thomas Duncan, who came to the country overland, in 1848, from Missouri, in the train of Captain Winter, and who entered California via the road, or mountain trail rather, diverging from American Valley, and following down the ridge south of the North Fork.
In the fall of 1850, Antoine and other cañons in that locality having been slightly worked, and con- siderable gold of a coarse character exhibited, which had been taken therefrom, naturally the attention of gold-seekers was directed thither, and persons who had been there were eagerly sought, and the oracular knowledge they dispensed was readily "taken in " by credulous inquirers. No tale was too extravagant; however palpable the canard, there were always more to believe than to doubt. The chronicler hereof remembers well how, in the spring of 1849, when one of the pioncer mail steam- ers of the Pacific Coast entered the harbor of Panama upon her first return trip, the city was thronged with Americans, who had only purchased tickets to the isthmus and were unable to get further. There were still doubts as to the reputed richness of the gold mines, and a thousand anxious and excited interviewers stood upon the shore, ready to make prisoners of those who landed. Two brave sailors becoming thus corraled, and finding escape impossible, edified the crowd with yarns that did credit to their imaginative powers, satisfied their listeners, and disillumined the brilliancy of Alladin's Lamp. Exhibiting a buckskin bag which evidently contained nuggets, one of them said: "Why, look here, it's no trouble to get gold anywhere in Califor- nia; it's all over-everywhere! Just after we left
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HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
the port of San Francisco, the mate set me to clean- ing the anchor which we had just hove up, and see! here's over $200 that I panned out from the mud I scraped off the flukes!" and the crowd believed him-for why should they doubt ?
In like manner did Tom Duncan regale the senses of a crowd of miners who happened to be at work near him on Shirt-tail Canon, lato in the fall of 1850. He had, in coming into the country, traversed the region where Antoine Canon flowed; more than that, he had found diggings in a creek, but never stopped to work them, nor had he ever been back to them since. Could he find them for a consideration ? Most assuredly. Thereupon a company of select spirits entered into a compact with Tom, that he would pilot them to the spot. Furnishing him with a horse, the party started out in quest of the favorite spot, which Duncan declared he had been to two years before. Reaching the vicinity, the canons all looked so much alike that Tom couldn't strike the right spot; members of the company canvassed the matter; the guide had either lied to them or was " throwing off " for a better thing-each offense deserving capital punishment. Tom was distrusted. At night he was placed under guard, and he must soon show the place he had contracted to do, or be shot. While camped in the bed of a certain canon, near its head, the guide led the party to the northern side of the ridge, overlooking the North Fork of the American River above Sailor Bar. Ifere were some small flats and ponds, where gold enough was found to induce a relaxation of vigilanee, to the extent that no guard was placed over Duncan the following night. The next morning's sun rose in the canon upon a decimated camp. Tom Dancin and a mule had gone ! The party afterward found the mule at Todd's Valley, but Tom Duncan they never saw again. Hle had sought new diggings out of reach of his late companions-while as a remembrance, they christened the stream upon which they had camped, Duncan's Canon-and thus it goes down to history.
FORT TROJAN.
This peculiarly-named town was located on the Auburn Ravine, about three miles from the present town of Lincoln. It does not date back in its history to the days of '49, but reachesonly to the year 1858. It was lively until the starting of the town of Lin- coln, when the business was transferred to that place. There was a hotel kept by Jerry Henderson, who was also postmaster for the town; Mills & Evans had a general merchandise store; Gray & Philipps had a meat market, and Peter Fritchard had a blacksmith shop. There were two saloons, one owned by Honeycut & Hoffman, and the other by E. A. Gibson. James Beck was Justice of the Peace, and James Berg was Constable. There is nothing left to denote the existence of this town, except the memories of the men who were familiar with the
facts. The common appellation given the place by the miners was " Fort Toejam."
JAMES W. CHINN.
This gentleman was the third son of Robert and Sidney Chinn, who were natives of Loudon County, Virginia. James W. was born at Rich- mond, Virginia, December 28, 1822. He remained in his native city until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he removed to Baltimore, Maryland, and was engaged in a wholesale dry goods establishment. About one and one-half years were spent in this place, when he went to Zanes- ville, Ohio, and was first a clerk, and then pro- prietor, in his adopted business until 1849. The excitement incident to the discovery of gold in California attracted his attention, and he joined the throng who were rushing to the scene of battle for wealth on the Pacific Coast. On the 28th of August, 1850, he arrived at " Hangtown," now Placerville, in El Dorado County, after a long and tedious trip across the plains. From Hangtown Mr. Chinn went to Sacramento, and then came to Placer County, and for a few weeks was in Auburn Ravine. His next move was to Nevada County, where he arrived in October, 1850. He was in that county until September, 1851, when he came again to Placer and located at Ophir. In 1852 Mr. Chinn opened a store and sold miners' supplies, until Sep- tember, 1854. In the fall of the last-named year he opened a store at Dotan's Bar, on the American River, and was agent for Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express. In 1856 he was elected a Supervisor of Placer County. During the latter year he removed to Nevada County and opened a store at Woolsy Flat, and another at Moore's Flat. In 1859 Mr. Chinn was elected Treasurer of Nevada County on the Democratic ticket, and held the office one term. In 1861 he entered the dry goods business in Nevada City, which he continued about two years, when he went to San Francisco and remained until 1866. During the summer of the latter year he came again to Placer County and located at lowa Hill, which has since been his home. Mr. Chinn has always been an active business man, and is to-day reckoned as one of the lively men of the county. Ile is the postmaster of his town, and in connection therewith carries on a banking business, his purchases of gold-dust averaging about $200,000 per year. He is also agent for Wells, Fargo & Co.
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