USA > California > Placer County > History of Placer county, California > Part 87
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
He was married January 26, 1863, at San Fran- ciseo, to Miss Lizzie Jessup, a native of New York State. Four children live to bless their union, three girls and one boy.
GRAY HORSE CANON.
High up on the Rubicon there occurs quite a flat stretch of grass land, in great contrast with the general characteristics of that usually rapid, rocky,
383
TOWNS AND LOCALITIES.
and narrow gorge. For a mile and a half the river winds sluggishly along through a tussoeky bottom, a quarter of a mile wide, where there is splendid pasturage, and at the sides of which are many deer licks, oeeasioned by the exudations of salts, of which the animals are fond, from the bor- dering ledges. This place is much frequented in the summer and fall by Indians, from the trans- mountain tribes, who come over from the eastern slope of the Sierra, and in season and out of season remorsolessly slay deer of all ages, sexes, and con- ditions, without regard to game laws or common deeeney. Near the head of this flat, from the north, comes in Gray Horse Cañon, onee known as Big Valley. During the prospecting excitement which resulted in the discovery of the Squaw Val- ley mines, the original party looking for the place, during their peregrinations, happened into Big Val- ley, and eamped. Upon packing up to depart, an old gray horse used for sumptering "threw up," and in his anties " bueked " the camp equippage with which he was loaded off, and scattered the traps around promiscuously over a great extent of terri- tory, to the great annoyance and inconvenience of the prospectors. Hence its present name, in com- memoration of the frisky disposition of the old gray horse.
Gray Horse Valley is a fine grazing locality, and is claimed by George Taverner, of Cosumnes Town- ship, Sacramento County, who uses it as a summer pasture for sheep. For about three miles the valley is from 300 to 400 yards wide. It was first claimed by John and George Hunsucker. Five-lake Creek, American Valley Creek, Gray Horse, Bear, and Squaw Creeks all head in one range of mountains, and quite near each other-the two latter running into the Truckee, while the waters of the others run toward the Pacific. Fire Lake Creek comes into the Rubicon above Gray Horse, and between the two is a large and exceedingly rocky point. During the wagon road excitements, when tho Georgetown party were out in search of a practi- eable route to Washoe, two members of the expe- dition-W. S. Montague and John W. MeKinney- took a stroll upon this rocky ridge. Rattlesnakes were numerous then in that region, almost any- where, for the sheep had not, at that time, driven them to cover, as now-a-days, and the two men named did not mind an occasional rattler in their pathway; but upon this particular promontory they began to be too frequent for either safety or com- fort of feeling, and when about passing a erevice in a roek, which was about two feet wide, they were stopped by the most wonderful spectaclo. It was literally filled with twisting, writhing, scaly, mottled serpents-a veritable den of monsters such as they had never before conceived the existence of. They had revolvers, and MeKinney proposed firing a few shots into the mass. This they did; but then thero arose such a horrid stench, to which
the thousand odors of Cologne were as otto of roses, that tho attacking party were forced to beat a retreat, vomiting as they went. MeKinney swears to this day that there were not less than four solid cords of rattlesnakes in that single erevice.
HUMBUG CANON.
The above-named stream is one of the earliest placers worked, and empties into the South Branch of the North Fork of the American, from the south, a short distance above its junetion with Blue Cañon at Euehre Bar. It heads at the base of the grand gravel ridge, upon which are located the Mountain Gate and adjoining mines, having several branches, and was first explored early in 1850. In February of that year L. P. Burnham, now a resident of Damascus; Robert E. Draper, who subsequently lived a long time in El Dorado County, and at Aurora, Nevada, at which latter place he figured in a duel with Dr. Eichelroth, and a man by the name of Kirkpatrick, were among the erowd who first rushed, during the pleasant weather which at that time prevailed and gave promise of an early open- ing of spring, to the locality of Bird's Valley and Michigan Bluff. Snow covered the ridges, and the water in the main streams was so high that but little mining was done there then, which circumstances eaused a feeling of restlessness to pervade the minds of the nomadie prospectors, and these three men concluded to "strike out " in search of other diggings. Therefore, the same month, they mounted snow-shoes, left camp at the future-to-be Michigan City, and boldly turned their footsteps toward the unknown region to the northeastward. Arriving at the head of a canon which ran toward the North Fork, after a weary journey of some eighteen or twenty miles, they proceeded down it to where another branch came in, the two forming quite a large stream within a deep gorgo. Here they eamped, and, upon prospeeting, found gold sufficient in quantity to indnee them to locate claims. As it was of importance enough to do this, a proposal was made that a namo be given it, and the three pioneers having all emigrated to California from Mississippi- though none were natives of that State but Kirkpat- rick-they bestowed upon the stream the name of Mississippi Canon. A few days work, however, seems to have disgusted them, for thereafter they shoulderod their blankets and climbed the hill, with the intention of returning to the place from whence they started. After leaving their camp in the canon, and while toiling up the steep mountain side, Kirkpat- riek, in an interval while resting in the ascent, gave expression to his disgust by saying: " Psbaw, hasn't any gold of any account, it's a regular humbug. and instead of Mississippi we'd better call it Humbug Cañon."
Just as the three men had sealed tho precipitous sides of the eanon, and were fairly setting out on their return journey down the ridge, human voices
384
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
were heard, and soon after human forms descried approaching them. The new-comers proved to be a party of men following up their trail, supposing they had discovered rich diggings. No declarations upon the part of the three could deter the new party from going ahead; the more the three endeavored to per- suade them that the cañon was a "humbug," the more determined were the interlopers that they were upon the portals leading to great wealth, and into the cañon they would descend. This determin- ation on the part of the last party re-enthused the hopes of the first, and they, too, would return and define the boundaries of their claims. Consequently all went into the canon, when the following day a mining district was organized, and rules and regula- tions were adopted. At the meeting held, Robert E. Draper was chosen to act as Secretary, and in his written minutes of the proceedings occurred the fol- lowing words: " At a meeting of the miners of Humbug Canon, held this - day of February, 1850," etc., which have ineffacably attached themselves to the place, to the entire obliteration of the primal cogno- men of Mississippi. Subsequent workings have proven the banks and bed of the cañon to be rich- no humbug-it having been washed over several times, and at each time producing large amounts of gold.
JOHNSON'S RANCH.
Among the many camps that sprang into existence in this county during the few years subsequent to the discovery of gold in California, was the one known as Johnson's Crossing, or Johnson's Ranch. The spot where the little town once stood is still there, but the inhabitants have all sought other fields for their labors. There was a bridge across Bear River at this place, and it was a stopping-place for the many teams engaged in hauling freights from Sacramento to the mines in the upper country. In 1832 there was a small hotel kept by a man named John Shuster, and soon after that the town com- menced to flourish. It was located about twenty- five miles northwest from Auburn, which was the principal town in the county at that time. Mr. Young Dougherty, now a resident of Sheridan, and from whom the information regarding the place was received, pitched his tent there in 1852, and the next year built his house. In 1836 there were about thirty dwelling-houses and the usual number of business places. Wm. O'Rear was the first post- master, and was appointed in 1854. Ile also kept a hotel.
The place at one time had a population of over 100, and supported two blacksmith shops, two stores, and also a couple of saloons. It was a voting pre- cinct and often polled as high as 150 votes, though the voters came in from the surrounding country.
Among the earliest settlers were Claude Chana, who came there as early as 1846. After him came John Shuster, Wm. B. Campbell, John Swearer, A.
H. Estell, Joseph Rears, Philip Tracy, Dr. Gray, Dr. Esmond, John Boone, Dennis Neugent, Harrison Kimball, Young Dougherty, and others.
In the year 1862 the floods nearly destroyed the place, and then came the debris from the hydraulic mines higher up on the river, and now there is not a vestige of this lively little town left visible. The deer and bear run wild over the site of the town. The real cause of the desertion of the place was the debris from up the river.
MANZANITA OROVE.
This remarkable spot claims a place in the history of the county in which it lies. It is situated about half-way between the towns of Lincoln and Sheri- dan, and contains about fifteen acres. The place gained notoriety in early days from the fact of its being a stronghold for thieves, who had a corral near the center of the grove, where they kept their stolen stock until an opportunity presented itself to drive it to the country lying south. The name is derived from the manzanita bushes growing there, which were much more numerous in the early days than now. Quite a number remain, though the grove is composed mostly of oak. In 1855, some one con- ceived the idea of turning this place into a burial- ground, and there are at the present time several hundred people buried within the enclosure. The first one was buried in the last-named year, in the spring. His name was Wynan. There are some monuments that would grace some of the fine cem- eteries in large cities. The towns of Lincoln, Sheri- dan, and even Wheatland, furnish subjects to pop- ulate this city of the dead. It is a very picturesque spot, and will always remain as a monument to per- petuate the memory of the dead. It is cared for by an annual subscription.
NEWTOWN.
This, like others of its class, has ceased to exist as a place of habitation. It was located on a side ravine that terminated in what was known as Doty's Ravine, and was started about the year 1855. The population increased to about one hundred. The claims paid big, but it was what they called a "spotted " location, and " once you find it and twice you don't." The town was about five miles north- east of the present town of Lincoln. Not a house is left to mark the spot where so many miners found employment in days gone by. There was a large hotel called the " Cardillion House," owned and run by a man named Cardillion; another was run by Webdell. Neidihut & O'Teele kept a large grocery store, and another was kept by John Barnes. There was a saloon and dance-hall, owned by Ezra Newell, and a livery stable, by Wm. Johnson.
ORIZZLY FLAT.
The mining camp of Grizzly Flat is situated directly cast of Wisconsin Hill, at the head of Griz- zly Cañon.
RESIDENCE OF A.A.POND,
TODDS VALLEY.
STORE OFA.A.POND & CO. TODDS VALLEY. PLACER COUNTY, CAL. .
385
TOWNS AND LOCALITIES.
In 1855-56 this camp had a population of fifty people, the mining ground consisted of nearly forty acres. The gold was course, and was taken out by the handful, and the whole flat was honey-combed with drifts and tunnels. Every miner made some- thing, and many made fortunes. After the flat had been worked out, a company of a dozen miners, who had been successful, was formed to prospect the northerly branch. The name of the company was the Rough and Ready. A long tunnel was con- structed of several hundred feet in length, from a point down the cañon, which cut through the rim- rock of the basin, and drained the claim to a certain depth. A steam-engine was purchased, and a large pump put in operation.
The company worked with constant internal dis- sentions, until the year 1865, when the members mutually separated, and the claim was abandoned.
Upon the dissolution of the old Rough and Ready Company, in 1865, Messrs. Little & Hazelroth, of Griz- zly Flat, obtained a possessory title to the tunnel claim; but, not having the capital to successfully carry on the work, a new company was incorporated in 1878, under the name of the Eclipse Company. This company paid Mr. Hazelroth and the heirs of Mr. Little 82,000 for their possessory title. They also obtained title from the Government for 171 acres of mining ground.
LINCOLN
Is situated in the valley of the Sacramento, bordering the foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, near where Auburn Ravine debouches upon the plain, being nearly directly west of Auburn, and fourteen miles distant in a direct line, or twenty-nine miles by rail. It is on the line of the California and Oregon Rail- road, ten miles from its junction with the Central Pacific. The place was named in honor of Charles Lincoln Wilson, the builder of the California Central Railroad, which was completed to this point October 31, 1861. The first settlement was made in 1859 by John Chapman, G. Gray, John Ziegenbein, E. A. Gibson, and Camron & Ballinger following soon after. In the years 1862-63, the town was very pros- perons, having at that time between 400 and 500 inhabitants, and from four to eight stages making daily trips from Lincoln.
The section of country surrounding Lincoln is decidedly agricultural, and is especially noted for its certainty of crops. Excellent fruit is raised here, and apples of superior quality. Mr. J. R. Nickerson, the pioneer fruit-raiser, exhibited at San Francisco in 1865, at the Mechanics' Institute Fair, 223 varieties of apples, for which he received a high testimonial from the committee.
The Lincoln Winery, conducted by Stephen D. Burdge, is an industrial feature which will probably grow into considerable importance as a more extended knowledge obtains of California's vintage. It was established in 1880, by the proprietor, who learned
the business of wine-making in Italy, in 1828 and the time intervening to 1835, going there from the United States for that purpose. Mr. Burdge came to Placer County in 1850, and has never considered any other place than the locality about Lincoln his home since, as he soon after settled about four miles from the present site of the town, upon the place originally located by Kinsly and Copeland, but now owned by George D. Aldrich, on Doty's Ravine. Mr. Burdge made wine as early as 1851 from grapes grown on the Hock Farm. In 1852 he obtained at the farm, from General Sutter, a lot of cuttings-the General being loth to part with them then, as they were scarce-which he set out upon the Kingly and Copeland place, he having purchased it from them for $6,000. In 1834, bis cuttings had done so well, that he was enabled that season to make a small quantity of wine from grapes grown upon the young vines.
The wine manufactured at the Lincoln Winery is entirely the product of the mission grape, denomi- nated Hock by the proprietor, with a beautiful amber color, fine flavor and bouquet, and finds ready market. But 2,000 gallons were made in 1881. The vintage of 1882 is expected to produce 30,000 gallons.
The discovery of excellent beds of coal in 1873, has contributed to bringing Lincoln into prominence. The Lincoln coal mine, situated a short distance from the depot, was discovered in 1873, a description of which can be found on page 213 of this volume.
The Clipper Coal Mine was discovered in June, 1874, by J. D. B. Cook. The property has changed hands several times, and is now owned by John Landers, of Wheatland. In March. 1875, Mr. Glad- ding, the senior member of the firm of Gladding. McBean & Co., the present owners of the pottery, being on this coast, took some of the elay found in the Lincoln coal mine to Chicago, where he had formerly been in business. The sample proved suitable for sewer pipe and that class of goods; a company was soon formed, and in the same year, 1875, he returned and erected a building 110x45 feet, with an engine at one side. The main building is now 216x45 feet; another built recently is 135x30 feet. There are five kilns where the pipe is burned; the engine is sixty-horse power, with two boilers. All the machinery was made in Ohio, and is of the most modern kind. About thirty-five men and boys are employed constantly; the principal manufacture is sewer pipe, but in connection with this they make well-pipes, chimney-tops, flower-pots, lawn-vases, and ornaments of all descriptions.
The present population of Lincoln is about 300. and at the elections about 170 votes are polled. There is one drug store, one express office, two hotels, two grocery stores, one dry goods store, three blacksmith shops, one butcher shop, one tele- graph office, one bakery, five saloons, two doctors, one lawyer, one notary public, and two school teach- ers. There are two churches, one built in 1864 and
49
386
HISTORY OF PLACER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
afterwards sold for taxes, and bought by the citizens of the town, who opened it as a free church, allowing anybody to preach. A Catholic Church was built in 1880, in which services are held regularly. There is one school house, built of wood, with a seat- ing eapacity of about eighty. Two teachers are employed. The buildings in Lincoln are mainly of wood, there being several of brick. The people are supplied with water by a reservoir that is connected with the Bear River Ditch Company, and the water is distributed through the town in pipes. Several disastrous fires have occurred here. In October, 1867, the large flouring-mill of Messrs. Ziegenbein, Heffner & Co. was destroyed, with a loss of about $30,000. October 12, 1875, a fire occurred which destroyed a livery stable, blacksmith shop, and meat market. Another fire occurred March 30, 1876, which destroyed the Logan Livery Stable, together with all its contents, consisting of eleven horses, all the buggies, harness, and saddles, the stock of feed, etc.
PETER AHART
Was born in Germany June 27, 1833, and when but twelve years of age left his native home for the great Republic of the West, arriving in the United States in May, 1845, with his father, his mother dying on the voyage. His father, George Abart, settled in Missouri, and died in 1866. Mr. Peter Ahart came to California in 1852, and engaged in mining, which he followed successfully until 1857, when he bought the farm he now occupies at Lin- coln, Placer County. For some years he pursued the business of raising and dealing in cattle, which he continued for a period of fifteen years, when he turned his attention more particularly to the culti- vation of his farm and the raising of sheep, in which profitable business he is now engaged.
Mr. Ahart is a member of Valley Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is highly respected in the community in which he lives. On the 9th of May, 1861, he was married by the Rev. Mr. Winters, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to Miss Ursula Prudence Ragsdale, daughter of William B. and Sarah W. Ragsdale, and the happy family occupy the pleasant home shown in the accompanying illustration. The farm of Mr. Ahart comprises the extensive area of 2,200 acres, being almost enough for a Dukedom in the land of his nativity. Here in the fertile valley of the Sacra- mento his broad aeres spread out miles in extent, of some of the finest land in the world, showing a wealth that could be acquired by the unaided efforts of man in but few other countries than Cali- fornia.
ISAAC STONECIPHER.
Isaac Stonecipher, now a resident of Lineoln, was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of November, 1819. Leaving Pittsburg on the 14th of January, 1850, for California, vin the
Isthmus of Panama, at New York he purchased a ticket for passage through, the connecting steamer on the Pacific to be the Monumental City. Arriving at Panama, that mythical vessel never came, and after remaining three weeks in suspense concluded to wait no longer. The whale ship Rowena in the meantime came in and fitted up for passengers, and in her he embarked upon the Pacific side. Not long after the vessel went to sea an epidemic broke ont, which prostrated many of the passengers, and before the ship reached Acapulco, in Mexico, thir- teen had died and been cast overboard. Here the Captain of the Rowena determined to leave his sick passengers, and Mr. Stonecipher, being one of these, was taken ashore. Partially recovering, when the steamer Winfield Scott came in, eight days after, he was enabled to procure passage on her, and arrived in San Francisco April 30, 1851. On the 1st of May he arrived at Auburn, and has continuously resided in Placer County ever since.
SHERIDAN.
The village of Sheridan, named in honor of Gen. Phil. Sheridan, is situated near the southwestern portion of Placer County, in township 13 north, range 5 east, Mount Diablo meridian, twenty miles northwest of Auburn, or thirty-six miles by rail; is a station on the Oregon Division of the Cen- tral Pacific Railroad; is the trading point for a con- siderable population of farmers and stoek-raisers, who occupy lands and grazing ranges surround- ing it, and is the only place in the county which bas at this time in operation a flouring-mill. With a public school, several trading establishments, post and express office. and one hotel, it is quite a thriving little town. The locality was first settled upon in 1855, by Mr. E. C. Rogers, and soon after came Mr. Young Dougherty.
The flouring-mill was built in 1870, under the pat- ronage of the late Mark Hopkins, for Daniel Click, who has ever since its construction been the man- ager, and is now its owner. The motive power is steam; the fuel, wood, being hauled from the foot- hills, some six or eight miles distant in an easterly direction. The water used is obtained from wells sunk npon the premises. and pumped into tanks by steam. The capacity of the mill is about 175 bar- rels of flour per day, and consumes nearly all the grain raised within a radius of ten miles.
The town site is located near a historic place- that wayside hostelry, so well and favorably known to all old-time travelers as
ROGERS' SHED.
The " Shed," or " Union Shed," as afterwards called, was built by E. C. Rogers, in December. 1857, and comprised a one-story house, 24x80 feet, and the nninclosed shed in front, 40x40 feet, and twenty feet high, under the shelter of which the monstrous freight teams, then thronging the roads.
387
TOWNS AND LOCALITIES,
could repose, and be sheltered from summer's heat or from the winter's rain. A large barn and corral were also an attachment of the premises upon the opposite side of the road. Situated as the "Shed " was upon the old Sacramento and Nevada road, and there being also four other roads diverging there- from, it became, in those early days, quite a noted place. One road ran westerly toward Nicholaus; one northwesterly to Marysville, via Kempton's Crossing of Bear River; one northeasterly toward Grass Valley, via McCourtney's Crossing of Bear River, and another running casterly to Auburn via Danetown. The distance from the " Shed " to Sac- ramento was thirty miles; to Grass Valley, twenty- eight; to Nevada, thirty-two; to Auburn, twenty; to Marysville, fifteen; to Nicholaus, thirteen; to Johnson's Crossing, four and to Coon Creek, three. For four or five years after its establish- ment, two stages passed the "Shed " daily; and the number of big freight teams during that period was from forty to sixty each day, the most of the latter either stopping over night or for dinner. The road was then traveled by all teams going to Grass Valley, Nevada, North San Juan, Forest City, Downieville, and other places in the mountains in that direction, and, as they here laid in a supply of feed to last during the round trip, the "Shed " became the market place at which the farmers of the surrounding county congregated for the purpose of disposing of their hay and barley.
And then the "Shed " became a place where the people of both valley and mountain resorted for amusement. During these lively days, now, alas, all deadened by the remorseless puff and snort of the locomotive, there were two evenings in each week devoted to dancing-school; while, as regularly as the months rolled round, was there a public ball beld- one every month-at which the people flocked from all sides, from the very suburbs of Sacramento, Marysville, Auburn, Grass Valley, and from other places. A fine race-track and frequent trials of speed soon attracted many stock-breeders to the place, some of whom brought and matched blooded horses, and either lost or won considerable sums of money.
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.