USA > California > Riverside County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 38
USA > California > San Bernardino County > History of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, Volume I > Part 38
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From its organization the society has taken an active part in all patriotic celebrations-Fourth of July, Admission Day, Memorial Day, Washington's and Lincoln's Anniversaries, Reunions with the Native Sons, and Native Daughters of the Golden West; flag raisings with the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic and Women's Relief Corps ; receptions on the return of our brave boys of Company K from the Spanish war, and of our heroes of the American Legion from the late World war, all of whom added glory to the American name; the pioneers were active in campaigning for the new auditorium, which will always remain a tribute in their honor.
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The spirit of good feeling, active sympathy and wide charity which has bound the members together has been most remarkable. The mem- bers of the Pioneer Society have been brothers and sisters in the highest sense, a bond cemented by fifty, sixty, seventy and eighty years of uninter- rupted friendship has kept them together now (1922) for thirty-four years. Their regular weekly meetings which have been maintained these many years, the happy observance of birthdays, wedding anniversaries, silver and golden, the annual picnics and camping parties, the dedication of pioneer monuments, the barbecues with the Native Sons and Native Daughters, the pioneer camps in our mountains; all have brightened the last days of many a patriarch.
But they shared all the vicissitudes of life bravely, their sorrows as well as their joys; they have been most faithful in their visitations to the sick and feeble, and ready with practical aid for all members in need. The active interest and regular visitation of members in the County Hospital has been the one bright spot in many a sad and broken life and many an old pioneer, otherwise friendless and forgotten, has received not only these cheering visits, but a fitting burial at the hands of this society. This organization deserves the highest credit for its faithful attendance at all funerals, serving as pallbearers, and relieving the distress of the old pioneers who have fallen by the wayside.
On April 17, 1890, the society entertained with elaborate ceremonies the Society of California Pioneers of New England, when all of San Bernardino turned out to meet and greet them with genuine California hospitality. The tragic death of Gen. Samuel Chapin, one of their mem- hers, just after finishing an eloquent address at the Opera House, will be remembered as one of the most dramatic incidents in local history, and it seemed to bind the two societies in a peculiarly strong fraternal feeling which remained as long as that society existed, but is now no more, because it did not provide for its perpetuity by the admission of members arriving since the days of '49.
Since the organization of the Pioneer Society more than three hun- dred members have been enrolled, many of the older members have passed on from the activities of this world. Many of their sons and daughters have taken their places, to forever keep in memory the sterling spirit and character of their heroic ancestors.
Three honorary members have been elected by the society-Gen. John C. Fremont, the Pathfinder; Alexander Godey, who showed Fremont the paths, and Major Horace C. Bell, the historian; and two life members, Calvin L. Thomas and Jane E. Hunter.
The venerable George Lord served as president from the birth of the Pioneer Society until at his own request he resigned in 1896, being then 96 years of age. Upon his withdrawal from active service, the office of Honorary Past President was created for him to end at his death. To the executive ability, wise and kindly spirit of this beloved patriarch much of the good fellowship and success of the Pioneer Society must be attributed.
Those who have filled the office of president since Honorable Past President George Lord have been: John Brown, Sr., R. J. Roberts, De La M. Woodward, N. P. Earp, W. F. Holcomb, George Miller. C. L. Thomas, Sheldon Stoddard, Bart Smithson, S. C. Cox, Robert E. Bledsoe, Amos Bemis, Legare Allen, all deceased except George Miller, C. L. Thomas, Silas C. Cox, Robert E. Bledsoe and Amos Bemis, at this time -- 1922.
Regarding the secretary of the Pioneer Society, Historian Ingersoll says :
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"John Brown, Jr., has acted continuously since the organization came into existence as secretary, and has kept a faithful record of all meetings, members and matters of interest connected with the society, and also of many matters of historical interest concerning San Bernardino. The Pioneer Society and the citizens of the county certainly owe Mr. Brown much for the preservation of a large amount of material which is of increasing value to all who care for the things and data of the past.
"When the project and outline of the 'Annals of San Bernardino County' were presented to the Pioneer Society, they passed a resolution most heartily endorsing the work. They have been of the greatest assistance to the editors, freely giving the use of their valuable archives, and aiding in every way possible in the collection of material. The facts and reminiscences furnished by members of the Pioneer Society have been a most important factor in the completion of the history of San Bernardino County.
HISTORY OF BEAR AND HOLCOMB VALLEY BY THEIR DISCOVERER WILLIAM F. HOLCOMB
NOTE-This thrilling history is highly recommended by my advisory board as it relates to two of our mountain resorts now flourishing and booming with people who will be anxious to read their history written by the well known Indian fighter and bear slayer, "Bill Holcomb," the original manuscript in his own hand-writing being in my possession as secretary of the San Bernardino Society of California Pioneers. I approve and recommend it earnestly .- JOHN BROWN, JR.]
San Bernardino, California, January 27, 1900. Mr. President, R. T. Roberts, Sisters and Brothers of the San Bernardino Society of California Pioneers :
It may be remembered that at a meeting of the society held Saturday, December 2, 1899, a resolution was unnanimously passed requesting pioneer Wiliam F. Holcomb to write up a brief account of the discovery of Holcomb Valley and incidents relating to the development of its mines and effect on the county and country at large. Therefore, in obedience to this expressed wish I will endeavor to comply, however much 1 may fall short of your expectations. But, however that may be, you can at least rely on a truthful statement of the facts presented, and this con- nection will be pardoned for giving a brief sketch of myself and family, at the introduction of this narrative.
William F. Holcomb was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Janu- ary 27th, 1831. His parents moved to Illinois when he was but a few months old and settled near Chicago, where they remained for eight years. About 1840 they removed to Iowa and located in Van Buren County. Here, in 1843, his father died. In 1845, his mother removed to what was then known as "The New Purchase" in Wapello County, and here he began supporting his mother by clearing land, making rails, fencing, breaking land and general farm work. When the gold excitement spread through the country he determined to seek his for- tune in California. He left Ottumwa, Iowa, in May, 1850, outfitted with a wagon and three yoke of oxen and provisions. At the Green River crossing on the Cublette cut-off he lost his wagon and entire outfit, the teams drowned and floated down the mad stream. He continued the journey on foot and met with great destitution on the plains before he reached "Hangtown" in California, now known as Placerville, in August "dead broke." He spent about a year in mining at various points with
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varying success and then went to Oregon and looked over the country, and returned to California, coming down to the southern part of the state.
"On our arrival at Los Angeles in 1859, we found everything quiet, no work to be had, what to do, we, Jack Martin, my old hunting and mining companion, and I did not know.
"While in our most gloomy mood, by chance who should I meet but my friend from the Kern River Diggings, Enoch M. Hidden, of the firm of Childs & Hidden, merchants of Los Angeles. Soon he found an old house for Jack Martin's family and we felt happy again. It was here I first heard from some old mountaineers of a place about a hundred (100) miles eastward called Bear Valley (named, as he said, on account of the great number of bear seen there), so Jack Martin and I at once determined to go there if we could possibly find the place. So leaving his family, Martin and I mounted our horses and taking a very small supply of flour, bacon and salt, struck out eastward, depending mostly on our guns. On our journey that day we could not hear a word about Bear Valley, but the next day we came to a ranch on Lytle Creek, owned by one George Lord, and camped nearby and got directions how to go to San Bernardino, where we were told an old settler, named Fred Van Leuven, lived near the mouth of Santa Ana Canyon, who could tell us how to reach Bear Valley. Accordingly we made our way as directed and got the information desired from this hospitable old pioneer. Next day we pursued our journey, following the tracks of a few burros, and camped at a place now called the 'Converse Ranch,' where the trail leaves the Santa Ana River northward. Next morning we began to climb the great rough, steep and snowy range of mountains. On the summit we encountered deep snow and experienced great difficulty in getting our horses through, and found a party of men camped who were surprised at our crossing the deep snow to where they were, who received us in real pioneer style. They were about out of provisions and so were we. Deer was about the only meat we could get as the bear had not yet come out of their dens. This party had found a little gold in a gulch. Among them were Joe Caldwell, Josiah Jones, Jack Almore, Jim Ware and Madison Chaney. Martin and I located camp near them and began prospecting for gold. Sydney P. Waite and partner were also in the valley (Bear Valley) at the same time, prospecting for quartz and operating arastras not very far away.
"Time was fleeting, the old year, 1859, had drawn to a close, and the new year, 1860, had come. Success had not crowned our efforts. Our provisions, except venison, were exhausted and the outlook for us was gloomy, indeed. Jack Martin was now determined on the morrow to abandon Bear Valley and return to his family in Los Angeles for I was determined to stay, at least until the bear should come out of their hiding places. Before separating we concluded to prospect a little more, so we both strolled up to the top of the hill nearby where there was a small quartz ledge. On our way up I said to Martin: 'We have prospected every likely place we have seen in the valley, now let us try this hillside where the snow is melted away and where we are sure there is no gold,' to which Martin objected at first, but I insisted and shoveled up a pan of dirt off the naked hill. rock, pine leaves and all, and Martin took it back down to the foot of the hill to pan out, which he did and run up the hill to show me the fine gold dust, about ten cents, he had panned out, repeating the operation we found more gold to our great joy. Our courage and hopes now renewed for by night we were convinced that we had struck paying diggins. Next day we began the work with rocker and found we could make about $5.00 each per day.
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"In a few days Martin left for Los Angeles to bring up his family and also lot of provisions, taking our gold dust to pay for these articles. I stayed and worked on. Passing through San Bernardino, Martin impru- dently exhibited some of the gold dust; this raised a great excitement, but when he arrived in Los Angeles and showed the gold dust there, and paid for a considerable bill of goods with our gold dust, there was quite a stir there. By this time people began to rush into San Bernardino.
"By this time the bear began to make their appearance in the valley and having no other meat but venison I determined to get some bear meat for a change. Doctor Whitlock was anxious to go with me, so taking our guns we went down the valley about two miles and there in the midst of the open valley we saw two monster grizzlies. I immediately prepared to slip up on them. The doctor objected as it was too dangerous, but I had been waiting too long for such an opportunity which I could not let pass, so leaving him, I crawled out into the open valley to within thirty-five or forty yards of them, took deliberate aim and brought one down. The other hearing his dying groans and seeing him struggling, at once fell upon him fighting him as if to drive him away ; being quick at reloading my muzzle loading rifle, I was ready just as he raised his head to look at me, fired, laying him out along side of his companion. Going up to those monsters I must confess that I felt a little proud of this achievement, for it meant a change of diet for all in camp. I now motioned to the doctor to come up, which he did cautiously and expressed wonder and astonishment at their enormous size. On returning to camp there was great rejoicing, but the doctor reprimanded me in the presence of all, saying I was too venturesome and that I would be killed surely by the bear some day and would never accompany me again on so hazardous an undertaking. Next day those bear were brought to camp, a smoke house built, and they were soon converted into bear bacon free to all. I will say now that this smoke house was never clear of bear bacon while I remained in Bear Valley.
"Soon after this I took my gun and strolled out northward to view the country, and ascending to the summit of the ridge that divides the waters of the Santa Ana River front the waters of the Mohave River, and looking down from this eminence in a northerly direction, a dis- tance of about two miles, there I discovered a most beautiful little valley. I gazed with wonder and delight at the beauty and grandeur of the scenery spread out to my view. But it was late in the day and after a few moments more of observation and inspiration I retraced my steps to camp highly pleased with what I believed to be an important dis- covery. At camp that night I related to my companions what I had dis- covered, whereupon one of the party. Jim Ware, offered to go with me and see the new valley, the Holcomb's Valley, as they began to call it. A short time after this, in company with this same Jim Ware, I led the way over to this newly discovered valley and found four bear out in the center of it. At once I began to creep up on them, and when in good range, I shot one, while the rest rushed up past and within twenty steps of me and began fighting each other ; this excited me as I thought Ware was right among them. In great haste I had reloaded my muzzle loading rifle, which I threw to my shoulder, my eye caught sight of Ware up a tree. I fired, killing one at the root of the tree Ware was up in. the other two bears got away. I was vexed at the actions of my com- panion, but he looked so meek and so frightened that I could not upbraid him. After disemboweling our two bear, we had no time to spare to look over the valley, as it was late in the day and we had five miles to travel to camp. When we returned and told the miners
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about our trip, the valley, etc., there was a general jollification that night and allusions were frequently made to that valley of Holcomb's.
"Next day several of the party took donkeys and went with me around up the Van Dusen Canyon to pack in the bear. It took us all day to get back to camp. There was more talk of Holcomb's Valley.
"I now proposed to prospect this new valley. One of the party, my old friend, Ben Choteau, desired to go with me, so in a few days we took our guns, blankets, a little grub, pick, shovel and pan on our backs and struck out to prospect that new valley of Holcomb's as our com- panions continued to call it. We arrived there about sun down and found a monster grizzly out in the valley, which I shot but did not bring down and as he ran close by us, Ben's gun missed fire, we followed him a short distance, but darkness ended our pursuit. Next morning early we took the track and followed to where he had crossed a quartz ledge which we stopped to examine and found gold in it. We now abandoned the hunt and taking some dirt in a handkerchief to prospect, we returned to where we had left our outfit and digging out a hole in the main gulch, found water and washed our handkerchief of dirt, and behold, we had found a good prospect. We panned dirt from other gulches and found fair prospects. We were not greatly elated at our success in this new valley of Holcomb's and did not look any further for that wounded bear, which was afterwards found dead, close by, but spoiled. We now returned to camp with great joy. Evidently we had struck new diggins in that new valley of Holcomb's, as the boys now called it. That night there was a bonfire and great rejoicing in camp over the new discovery of gold in Holcomb Valley, and we resolved to return next day to stake out and locate our claims, so we did return next day, May 5th, 1860, just ten years to a day from the time I left home for California.
"Soon this discovery of gold spread like wild fire and the rush began. At Bear Valley log cabins began to appear like magic, a store opened by Sam Kelley, a blacksmith shop erected by John M. Stewart, whose daughter, Nancy Stewart, became my wife. November 8th, 1860. I was now ready to move over to the new valley from Bear Valley and open up the mines there, so I gave all of my interest in the Bear Valley mines to my old partner, Jack Martin, with whom I had crossed the plains to California on foot in 1850, and departed for the new gold diggins in Holcomb Valley, now generally so called. We got moved over and camped on the main gulch, between what is now called Upper and Lower Holcomb Valley, arriving there about May 10th, 1860, unpacked, and got dinner, eight of us in all. We had left all of our bear meat in Bear Valley. and now, if you will pardon me, I will relate just one more incident with bear.
"Joe Caldwell, a big, good natured fellow, and a kind of leader in our company, said to me while eating dinner, 'Bill! Take your gun and go and see if you can't get us some fresh bear meat.' 'Well,' said I, 'sup- pose you go and try your luck.' I knew he wouldn't go for a bear had previously knocked him down and ran over him. He only laughed and told me to go on. So after dinner I took my old trusty rifle, walked briskly down to Lower Holcomb, about four hundred yards, and there in the open valley were four bears busily engaged in digging for mice or gophers. I had but little difficulty in approaching them. With steady aim I brought down one when the others gathered around him in great rage, fighting among themselves. Three more shots as quickly as I could reload and shoot, and all was over. The four bears lay dead within a few feet of each other. Returning to camp within half an hour from
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the time I left it, I met Joe Caldwell, who called out, 'Well, Bill! what did you kill?' He had heard the four shots. 'O, nothing,' I replied. 'but four bears.' 'Is that all,' he exclaimed, 'I can do better than that with a club.'
"The next day we started in to using rockers to wash out our gold with. We were quite successful right from the start. We had not worked long till some of our gold dust from Holcomb Valley began to be scattered about in the different avenues of trade, and another rush was now on, excitement became great, and prospectors gathered from all directions, some on horseback, some with pack mules and burros and many on foot with their outfits on their backs. By the 1st of July Holcomb Valley was swarming with prospectors. Every day strangers would call on us, and watch us taking out the gold and ask us many questions which we answered truthfully. We were making from $5.00 to $10.00 a day to the man. Many buildings were now going up of some kind, some temporary concerns, mere brush sheds and some pretty sub- stantial structures. We continued our mining operations, conveying our pay dirt to our rockers with horses and cart and in sacks on the backs of burros.
"Some new developments were made in Upper Holcomb, both of water and mines, and a new town sprung up in a very short time, as is often the case in the mines and here we held our first 4th of July celebra- tion in 1860; Mrs. Van Dusen furnished the flag for the occasion and for her patriotic favors we named the place 'Belleville,' in honor of her little daughter, 'Belle.'
"About all the lumber used in building was cut with a whip saw. and sold as high as $10.00 a hundred. Split clapboards were also used in building as well as to cover the houses.
"Provisions and all kinds of goods were brought in on pack animals so freight was high, so the miners decided to have a wagon road built to lower prices, started a subscription and raised $1.500, for which Mr. Van Dusen built us a wagon road leading from Holcomb Valley westerly along the mountain range passing close by the Green Lead Mine, on by Cox's Ranch, thence by Rock House, westerly down the mountain side by Rock Springs, westerly over a desert to the Mohave River, on southwesterly near where Hesperia is now, thence through the cedars to the head or summit of Cajon Pass, where the road was already made by that brave old pioneer of pioneers, John Brown, Sr., leading to San Bernardino, and all Southern California. This pioneer Holcomb Valley wagon road was scarcely completed when teams began to haul freight of all kinds, goods, wares, merchandise, machinery, lum- ber, etc., practically doing away with the use of pack animal trains. Other roads were built. The first wagon road was constructed from Holcomb Valley to Bear Valley by way of Van Dusen Canyon but was a long way around. A shorter road was built afterwards from Lower Holcomb south through Holcomb's Pass to Bear Valley. These roads were all constructed by the pioneers of Bear and Holcomb valleys. and caused the population to increase rapidly. In the state election held Tuesday, September 4th, 1861, nine hundred and fifty-nine (959) votes were cast in San Bernardino County, over three hundred (300) of these votes were cast in Holcomb Valley, known as Belleville Township.
"Mining has been carried on every year in Holcomb Valley since its discovery, and the miners have added large sums to the world's supply of gold.
"As already stated, I married Miss Nancy Stewart. November 8th, 1860, and have been blessed with the following children : Charles
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Holcomb, William W. Holcomb, father of Grant Holcomb, one of the promising young attorneys of the San Bernardino bar; Frank L. Holcomb, Minnie Holcomb Swarthout, George V. Holcomb and Mamie Holcomb Robertson. During my residence in San Bernardino I served the people of the county as county clerk and county assessor, and have been an active member of the San Bernardino Society of California Pioneers.
"And now pioneers, and friends, if the perusal of these pages shall be found of any historic interest to you or should give you any desired information or afford you any pleasure or satisfaction, then is my highest object consummated.
"In conclusion, now let us look back over the history of this county and see what great changes for the better have been wrought within the last forty years, what effect the providential discovery of the Bear Valley and Holcomb Valley mines has had on our county, on our citizens, individually and collectively, who can tell? In thus looking back, it seems to me that this county has been especially favored by Divine Providence and for the many blessings, both temporal and divine, bestowed on us, we ought to be grateful to our Heavenly Father who alone can grant us such great and bountiful blessings.
"WILLIAM F. HOLCOMB."
SHELDON STODDARD-MONUMENT BUILDER, MAIL CARRIER, TRAIL BLAZER
Sheldon Stoddard, of San Bernardino, was born near Toronto, Can- ada, February 8, 1830, the son of Nathaniel and Jane MacManigal Stod- dard. His father was a carpenter by trade and a native of Massachusetts ; the mother was born in Glasgow, Scotland. The father died at Toronto and the mother came to the United States about 1838 with her four sons and after a year in Ohio located at Warsaw, Illinois. She crossed the plains to Salt Lake and then to San Bernardino with the colonists of 1851, returning to Utah about 1875. Of the sons, Arvin and Albert came to California in 1849. Rufus died in Utah in 1904. Sheldon Stod- dard started for California in 1848, coming by way of Council Bluffs and the North Platte route to Salt Lake. Here a party of about thirty men, under the guidance of Captain Flake, started for the placer diggings in 1849. Among the members of this party were Charles C. Rich, George Q. Cannon, William Lay, and Sheldon Stoddard. They rode pack animals and followed a trail as far as Mountain Meadows, intending to take a northern route via Walker's Lake to the placer diggings. They traveled westward for eighteen days without guides, compass or maps. They found no water, and were saved from perishing by a providential shower that seemed to come from heaven to restore and save them from a terrible death, famishing for the want of water, a miraculous escape for which blessing they all returned gratitude to their Heavenly Father.
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