USA > California > Siskiyou County > History of Siskiyou County, California > Part 10
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AUGUST 27, 1837 .- At daylight this morning we commenced moving camp and ascended the dreaded mountain and found another on it, after pursuing a ridge about a mile. After ascending this we fondly dreamed we would descend into some friendly valley, but when we had gained the summit of this, behold
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HISTORY OF SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
another ! and our hearts sickened as we forboded another still. Our horses were so weak from fatigue and hunger that they were of little use, nay, of more trouble than service. The cattle, too, were laboring under the same disadvantages, and, besides were so obstinately lazy that every inch of ground we gained was contested. Hallowing, bawling, stones, clubs and anything on which we could lay our hands achieved every inch of our pro- gress. They would turn off from the road, wander down the sides of the mountain, take refuge in dense brush, stop to fight each other, and in short, appeared willing to do anything but go quietly along the trail. Three horses and some of our best cattle tired down on the road. The day was excess- ively warm, our faces covered and our throats and noses filled with dust. Great thirst was the neces- sary consequence of intense labor under such circum- stances, but it was impossible to get water. Under these circumstances I reached the point of the mountain where the road turned down towards the river. Here were lying some of the men who had driven the first band of cattle; some of them had gone down the mountain for water, I myself, sup- posing there was a spring somewhere on the side of the mountain, started in the pursuit, but after going about two hundred yards and seeing no indications of water nearer than the river about a mile distant, three-fourths of which was down the sides of a steep mountain, I returned and pursuaded the gentry lying in the shade to return with me to assist in driving up the rear cattle. At last the whole party were rendezvoused at this point, and we began to descend, and in about thirty or forty minutes gained the valley. Traveling about two hundred paces we came to a cool and delightful rivulet. Never had I so suffered from thirst as this day, and now I plunged into it with an avidity which frightened myself. At the first hasty draught it did not have the usual taste in my slimy mouth. I drank, per- haps three quarts in fifteen minutes. Short-sighted man! Happy that his knowledge is prospective, else he would not adventure upon some of his most ennobling enterprises. Few of our party, perhaps none, would have ventured upon this enterprise could they have foreseen all its difficulties. It boots little to reflect that the future gains will amply compensate for present suffering. Most of the party cursed the day on which they engaged, and would hardly have exchanged a draught of cold water for their expected share of the profits. We encamped about four or five hundred yards from where we descended into the river valley at about four o'clock P. M. Plenty of wood and water and some grass. A good beef was killed, a part soon cooked and as soon consumed, having ate nothing all day. Thrice happy evening ! unknown to those who have not known the contrast of the morning, and were it not for that fearful mountain before us we should forget all our trials in our present happy condition, or, if remembered, to endear our present enjoyments. But meantime another quarrel with Wood and Mr. Y. about the beef. Our horses were so exhausted for the first time on our trip, we guarded both then and the cattle on foot.
AUGUST 28 .- Remained in camp during the day to recruit our animals, though there was but little
grass. Some of the men returned and recovered two horses that were left by the way yesterday.
AUGUST 29 .- At daylight this morning, began our march and ascended a mountain as high as any we had yet surmounted; the road as difficult and the cattle as weak and stubborn as on the last day's march; the horses so weak that nearly all the driv- ing was done on foot. Nearly every inch of pro- gress was gained by the use of clubs, sticks and stones. When we had gained the summit of the mountain, we stopped about an hour for the cattle to eat grass and rest. The descent was about a mile and a half or two miles and sometimes very abrupt. When we had proceeded about half way down, three Indians came to us, and to encourage us, said, "Go on, there is no more mountains ahead." Though not much accustomed to confide in Indian veracity, this assertion produced a shout among us, and "Thank the Lord" came from lips not much accustomed to devo- tion. The first impulse of iny own heart was to hal- low aloud and echo the news; the second to exhibit my unusual gratitude to the naked savage who brought the welcome tale. The happy tidings soon spread along our line and gave us all new life. Even our cattle seemed to catch the prevailing passion, and we were all huddled together in a trice to the mount- ain's base. Our animals and ourselves here drank freely of a beautiful stream. Three cows were here left; we suppose they were poisoned on the mount- ain. We had now about two miles to go around and over the point of a mountain before reaching camp. The brush was very dense and there were several difficult ravines ; every inch was contested and achieved only by the exertion of all our strength. We at length found grass and water, and upon the whole the most pleasant encampment since we entered the mountains. Our labor to-day was only surpassed by that of the former; we did not suffer for water, otherwise it equals any other.
AUGUST 30 .- Lay encamped all day.
AUGUST 31 .- Moved camp and counting the cattle, ascertained that we had lost about forty-nine head since leaving the Jesus Maria [Buenaventura].
SEPTEMBER 3 .- Since the last date we have been making short marches and camping wherever we could find small parcels of grass. Our fancied expectation of getting ont of these mountains each successive day has been delusive. Lofty mountains have been exchanged for deep and difficult ravines, and our labor little diminished. I reckon yesterday the most laborious day to myself since beginning the trip, my bones aching from exertion and my lungs painful from hallowing. Since last date have lost some cattle and two horses. The horses for the first time were suffered to go unguarded last night. This morning found that two horses were missing, one, Mr. Y's. favorite saddle horse and one of B. Wil- liams'. The horses were found near the top of the high mountain on our left, whither they had gone in quest of grass. Mr Y. had much difficulty in driv- ing them down to camp. It was thought possible that the two lost horses had been stolen, but more probable that they had been left by the way in the brush yesterday. The cattle were very impatient, having scarcely anything to eat, so that I was left running all the morning till about one-half past seven, to prevent them from wandering, though
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HISTORY OF SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
not my guard. Moved about three miles, and find- ing grass encamped. Mr. Young, B. Williams and Tibbets returned in quest of the lost horses, and returned, sun one-half hour high, after a hard day's walk, having found the two horses. They had been unmolested by the Indians, as well as two bulls tired down by the way, one of which they also brought on. To-day Turner and Gay went in advance about six miles to examine the road and reported favora- bly, having found several parcels of grass at which we can recruit our animals. They also found very opportunely one hundred and thirty Indian trade balls- will probably be needed. A repulsive mount- ain still lies before us. The report is favorable; we may not cross it.
SEPTEMBER 4 .- Moved one-half mile to fresh grass and camped. Some of the wretched cattle wandered to the very summit of the high mountain to our right and were got down with much diffi- culty.
SEPTEMBER 5, 1837 .- Remained encamped all day with the hope of finding mountain sheep. *
* * Moved abont eight miles on September 6th ; road very brushy and difficult; camped at a spring apparently impregnated with ferruginous matter. [Probably soda springs. ] Traveling along a bank which sloped abruptly towards the river, a loose mare slipped and stopped not till she reached the bottom. On hearing of this I returned to see if she could be got out, but could find nothing of her. She had probably struggled into the current and been carried away. Poor horses! They have be- come so weak and their feet so sore that they dread the move, and passing along the side of the river to-day, some crossed to evade the drivers, and they frequently try to conceal themselves in the brush. This is the first encampment since entering the mountains known to any of our party. It is said we shall reach Chasta valley in three days. Grass is not very plenty. The mineral springs above named possess purgative properties; animals very fond of it. About twelve Indian houses, vacant.
SEPTEMBER 7 .- Moved about a mile and found a better encampment for our animals than any one we had found since leaving the San Joaquin.
SEPTEMBER 8 and 9 .- Lay encamped, our ani- mals rapidly recruiting. For the last five or six days we have seen no Indians. The country is, per- haps, the line between the Indians of the valley and those of the mountains, though sometimes occupied by one or the other, or, perhaps, held in common. The Indians of the mountains do not appear to be numerous, having never seen more that fifteen at one time. They are unoffending and friendly. I was particularly pleased with their language. The enunciation is peculiarly clear and distinct, and entirely free from the harsh gutterals which I have been accustomed to in Indian languages. Like all American savages, before they have had much inter- - course with white men, they exhibit a great pro- pensity for long and high-toned harangues; that we could not understand them was no consideration. One old man, after seating himself in silence and smoking his pipe with much formality, raised his voice to the highest key and began as follows: "In yonder mountain I was born. There I sucked my mother's breast." "There he had grown up," and, 1
doubtless, many other items of equal importance, could we have understood him. I never failed in getting a grand harangue when I addressed one of these mountain orators. We have been frequently scattered along the road for a mile or two where there was dense brush on all sides, and, of course, much exposed; indeed, we have been much at their mercy, but they have offered no injury either to ourselves or property. [An experience quite the reverse of that of the miners and packers who pen- etrated this region in 1850 and later.] On counting our cattle correctly, ascertained that our present number was six hundred and eighty (680), making our previous loss less than we had supposed.
SEPTEMBER 10 .- Moved about five miles and finding excellent grass, encamped and remained the eleventh.
SEPTEMBER 12 .- Made a long and difficult march and gained the long wished for Shasta valley; began to leave in the rear our old acquaintance, the Snow Peak [Mount Shasta, no doubt] with feelings of anything but regret. Lost two horses, one of which, a pack animal with the pack on, was found back of camp. After traveling about three miles in the valley, we began to feel some solicitude about Wood and Jim, who had returned in pursuit of the horses, and halted for them. In about fifteen min- utes they appeared and we proceeded on our way. Long march to-day.
SEPTEMBER 13 .- Made an early move and halted on a stream tributary to Rogue river. [He was mistaken here, of course, and it was probably the Shasta river]. We here ate breakfast, gave our animals a few hours to eat, and moved until after sunset, and reached a good encampment; distance twenty miles. Mr. Young had supposed on leaving the place at which we halted for breakfast, that the distance to this place was not more than three or four miles, but it proved to be eight or ten. Once started we were obliged to go through.
SEPTEMRER 14 .- Moved camp about ten o'clock, and after traveling five miles crossed Chasta [evi- dently the Klamath] river; about five miles further encamped; but little grass and water for our animals. About two miles before reaching camp five or six Indians came to us in a friendly manner, and one, accompanied by a boy about ten years old, followed us to camp. There had been frequent threats on the way that Indians would be killed as soon as we crossed Chasta river, and I had heard threats of killing this one while he was following us. It had generally passed as idle braggadocio, and I was hoping that present threats were of the same sort, I, nevertheless, intended telling Mr. Young. In the hurry, however, of unpacking I could not do it unobserved. We had just let loose our horses and sat down when a gun was fired just behind me. Gay and the Indian were sitting within ten paces of each other when the former shot. The Indian sprang up to run when Baily, also, shot at him. The Indian ran about twenty prices and fell dead down the hill. Some of the scoundrels now hal- lowed, " Shoot the boy !" The little fellow, how- ever, turned a point of rocks, plunged into the brush, as he was not pursued, and escaped. They after- wards alleged that it was only to prevent his spread- ing the news. At the sound of the gun Mr. Young
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HISTORY OF SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
asked vehemently, " What's that ?" and began cen- suring the act. I sprang up calling it a mean, base, dastardly act, and that such men were not to be depended upon in danger. Bailey retorted, “ Are you to be depended upon in danger ?" I replied, " Yes," "We will see." said he. I said, "Yes." Carmichael was one of the first to censure the mur- der, but he now joined others against me. "We are not Missourians," said he, "We will avenge the death of Americans." Mr. Young and myself soon saw that it was no use to wrangle. Some of the party were silent; most were in favor of the act; only one that I now recollect spoke against it. Turner, Gay and Bailey were three of four survivors of a party of eight men who had been defeated at the next river [The battle occurred on the Rogue river but two years before], and several of the survivors were much mangled. Turner's wife had also escaped. This they allege as their justification. But the murder was committed four days before reaching the place of their defeat, and the Indian may have been another tribe. Nor could any con- sideration of private revenge, allowing its legality itself, authorize the endangering the property of others. We must prepare ourselves for fighting our way through the hostile Indians. This fool act may, as Mr. Young said, " cost us half our animals." One act of barbarity is not to be omitted. Camp and Pat stripped the Indian of his skin clothing and left him lying naked. The Indian had a bow and about ten or fifteen arrows; only two arrows in the pouch had stone points.
SEPTEMBER 15 .- Moved before sunrise, road bushy and difficult. Had much difficulty in ascend- ing the bushy hill. The cattle were driven to-day in three bands. The first ascended with little trouble. The second, which I was assisting to drive with more. Some of the third band were unable to get up and were shot by the drivers. The two first bands had halted until the arrival of the third. After allowing a half hour rest, Mr. Young gave orders to march. Some of the drivers, however, had become displeased because he had not stopped in the valley below, and now did not pay any attention to his orders. Here a most horrid quarrel ensued. Curses, guns and knives were bandied for fifteen minutes. Turner, Gay, Carmichael and Bailey were the principal speakers against Mr. Young. Myself and Des Pau tried to quash the business; others were silent and apparently indifferent. \Here we were in a most difficult pass where a dozen Indians might have killed the half of us and numbers of our animals before we could gain a good road, and no doubt we would have been here attacked, if the Indians had had time to collect. [They were on the Siskiyou mountain some eight or ten miles north of Klamath river.] Property of a very exposed nature was to be protected, and, besides, we were in equal danger from each other. We now had much diffi- culty in driving through the dense wood down the bushy hill for about a mile. We then gained a prairie, and as there was a gentle declivity nearly all the afternoon, we traveled without much further difficulty until two hours before sunset, when we encamped; little grass. At night strengthened the guards, putting five men on each, instead of four. My station was beyond the brook on which we were
encamped, to prevent the Indians from firing into camp or among the horses from the brush in that quarter. About one hour after I had taken my place, the moon having just risen, I observed about five Indians stealing along the wood around a small hill to the east, seemingly with the intention of get- ting into the brush near camp, having a double- barreled flowling piece, I fired one barrel, which brought them to a halt. The discharge of the sec- ond was a signal for their retreat the way they came. I now hastened to reload my gun, but could get no powder out of my horn. Supposing it was empty, I hastened to camp to refill it, but could get none in; and now I found that a rag which I had wrapped around the stopper had slipped off and stopped up the horn. The guards were again strengthened by addition of another man to each, which took all the party for guards for one night except two, which two had no guns. No further molestation during the night.
About two o'clock P. M., when we were passing a difficult place between the mountains on the left, covered with dense brush, and a thick wood on our right, the horses and cattle being scattered along for a mile, hallowing and a shot in the rear announced an attack. I was at this time carrying a young calf before me on the horse with the forward band of cattle, because its mother would not remain behind. At the alarm signal I hastened forward to place the calf with its mother and acquaint Mr. Young, and then to return to the assistance of the rear. The horses being foremost were not molested, as well as the forward band of cattle. The attack was made from each side of the road. Five or six head of cattle were wounded but only one killed. This was able to travel out into the open plain, where she was butchered, and as we needed a beef it happened at the right time. In this attack the enemy was so well concealed, that not one was seen until we had gained the open plain, when a few showed themselves on the bill, but beyond the reach of gunshot. Camped on a small brook on the edge of the brush; had the same guards as last night. [This was in Rogue river valley, in the vicinity of Ashland, and the stream was, probably, Ashland or Bear creek.]
SEPTEMBER 17 .- Moved after breakfast. A few arrows were shot at us from a thick wood on our right. Nothing was injured, however, but the riding horse of B. Williams, into the right hip of which an arrow was shot, but without much injury. Camped in the open plain where there was no water for our animals, but a small spring about four hun- dred yards distant supplied our own wants.
SEPTEMBER 18 .- Moved about sunrise. Indians were soon observed running along the mountain to our right. There could be no doubt that they were intending to attack us at some difficult pass. Our braves occasionally fired on them when there was a mere possibility of doing any execution. About twelve o'clock, as we were in a stony and brushy pass between the river [Rogue river] on our right and a mountain covered with wood on our left, firing and yelling in front announced an attack. Mr. Young, apprehensive of an attack at this pass had gone in advance to examine the brush and ravine, and returned without seeing Indians.
E.SCHULTZE.
A. J. CALDWELL.
E.SCHUTTE
MRS. A. J. CALDWELL.
ANDREW JACKSON CALDWELL
Was a son of John and Mary (Baird) Caldwell, of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he was born October 9, 1832. His father was a farmer, and in 1840 moved to Knox county, Illinois. Here Andrew remained, working in summer and attending school in winter, until 1847, when he went to Peoria, Illinois, and there learned the blacksmith trade. After serving his time he spent one year at Knox- ville, and in the spring of 1850 crossed the plains to California in search of fortune in the gold fields. He arrived in El Dorado county after about three months' travel, and at once went to mining on Wea- ver creek near Cold springs. After mining one year he returned to Illinois via the Nicaragua route, intending to stay, but it was too quiet there, and in 1853 he fitted out an ox-team, and having once crossed the plains, was this time employed by some parties to take them through to Oregon. They went by the northern route and landed at Oregon City in the fall. After spending the winter in Oregon City, working at blacksmithing, he started for Yreka, arriving there June 6, 1854. He sold his cattle and went to mining on the Greenhorn, and con- tinued until 1856. He then went out on Shasta
valley and purchased the place on which he now resides. In 1852 a blacksmith shop was started on his farm by Clarkson & Raynes. They sold to John
Sissell and he to Mr. Caldwell. His original pur- chase was about 160 acres, to which he has con- stantly added until he now has about 800, all under good fence and well adapted to grain and stock. The residence was erected in 1859, and is one of the many good improvements in Shasta valley. After roughing it for many years he decided to change, and was married to Miss Leonia Arbaugh, daughter of George W. Arbaugh, January 1, 1867. There are six children: - John, born June 6, 1868; William Anthony, September 25, 1869; An- drew J., September 4, 1871; Harry, January 3, 1874; Mattie Ann, February 3, 1876, and Edward Harri- son, June 9, 1878. In business Mr. Caldwell 'has been successful and accumulated a good property; in politics a Democrat ; in his religious views a Prot- estant, having been reared in the Old School Presby- terian faith. In 1857 he went to Oregon and pur- chased a band of cattle which he brought to Siski- you county, and has since that time been engaged chiefly in stock growing. He seldom sells any grain or hay, but on the contrary feeds it to stock, and thus returns a reward to the land for its production.
8.8, - LITH. BY C.L. SMITH.
·RESIDENCE OF ANDREW J. CALDWELL. MT. SHASTA DIS'T., SISKIYOU COUNTY, CAL.
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HISTORY OF SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
On making further search he found them posted on each side of the road. After firing of four guns, the forward cattle having halted and myself having arrived with the rear, I started forward, but orders met me in front that no others should leave the cat- tle, Mr. Young feeling able, with the two or three men already with him to rout the Indians. In the struggle, Gay was wounded in the back by an arrow. Two arrows shot into the riding-horse of Mr. Young, while he was snapping his gun at an Indian not more than ten yards off. To save his horse he had dismounted and struck him on the head, but he refused to go off, and received two arrows, probably shot at his master. Having another bushy place to pass, about four or five of us went in advance, but were not molested. Camped on the spot where Turner and party were attacked two years ago. XSoon after, the men on day guard said they had seen three Indians in a small grove about three hundred yards from camp. About half of the party went, surrounded the grove, some of them fired into it, others passed through it, but could find no Indians. At night all the horses nearly famished, as they were tied up. Night set in dark, cloudy, and threatening rain, so that the guard could hardly have seen an Indian ten paces off, until the moon rose about ten o'clock. I was on watch the first half of the night.
[Here the manuscript book of Mr. Edwards abruptly ends, having eighty-nine pages. We have followed them from the head of the Sacramento valley to Rogue river.]
In the year 1838 the United States government sent out a fleet of vessels, under the command of Com. Charles Wilkes, on an extensive voyage of exploration that lasted five years. In the month of September, 1841, a detachment of the expedition started on an overland trip from Vancouver to Yerba Buena (San Francisco), passing through this region on the old Hudson Bay Company's trail. The party consisted of :---
Lieut. George F. Emmons, in command.
Past Midshipman Henry Eld.
George W. Colvocoressis. "
Assistant Surgeon J. S. Whittle. Seaman Doughty.
Sutton.
Waltham.
Merzer.
Sergeant Stearns.
Corporal Hughes. Private Marsh. Smith.
T. R. Peale, Naturalist.
W. Rich, Botanist.
J. D. Dana, Geologist.
A. T. Agate, Artist.
J. D. Breckenridge, Assistant Botanist. Baptiste Guardipii, Guide.
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