USA > California > Siskiyou County > History of Siskiyou County, California > Part 45
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STAGE LINES.
The daily stage is the great means of communica- tion between the people of this region and the out- side world. The whistle of the locomotive or the rumble of the car has never disturbed the vast soli- tude of these mountains, that ccho to the crack of the driver's lash and listen to the choice English he sometimes bestows upon a frisky leader or a lazy wheeler. Children have been born and become men and women, who have never seen any more exten- sive means of communication than a stage or heavy freight wagon. They are just as intelligent and happy as those in whose ears the rumble of the cars is a constant sound, or from whose eyes the sight of mighty vessels is seldom absent. If any one expects to find in the mountains an order of intelligence inferior to other localities, he will soon discover his error when placed among them. Railroads did not create the intellect, but intellect the railroad.
Prior to 1854 the only means of transportation for travelers coming from below or above, was upon the backs of animals. In that year Hugh Slicer brought two Concord coaches to Yreka, by the way of Oregon and the Siskiyou mountains. With these a line of stages was started to Callahan's, by Great- house & Slicer, passengers between that point and Shasta being conveyed on mules. The Pit river road having been located in the spring of 1856, the
California Stage Company put on a daily line of stages from Sacramento to Yreka, with the design of extending the route to Portland as soon as possible. In September of that year they commenced running a tri-weekly stage from Yreka to Jacksonville. In January, 1857, the Pit River Indians massacred Harry Lockhart, twin brother of Samuel Lockhart, at the ferry on Fall river, and Z. Rogers, Adam Boles, D. Bryant, and a German called John, all liv- ing in Fall River valley. They also attacked the stage, driven by Jerry Robbins, and the driver was compelled to cut the horses loose, mount one of them, and ride for his life, running the gauntlet of hundreds of arrows. He escaped with his life, but was badly wounded. The Indians were severely punished for this act, and it was for his supposed connection with this affair that Joaquin Miller was arrested and barely escaped being shot by Samuel Lockhart. Samuel went to Fort Jones with Judge Rosborough to request Captain Judah to send troops to the scene of trouble, which request was refused. They then departed, but Samuel soon turned back with the intention of shooting Judah, which design the Judge induced him to abandon. He killed many of the Indians in revenge for his brother's death, went to Idaho on the Salmon river excitement, and was killed in a dispute over a mining claim.
Stages were withdrawn from the Pit river route, on account of the Indian troubles, and the company bought out Greathouse & Slicer's line. In the spring of 1856 they ran stages to Callahan's on this side and to French Gulch on the other, using mules between those two points. They soon after packed a small wagon over the mountains, and used it in Trinity valley. In 1857 the company built a road over Trinity mountain, and then only packed over Scott mountain. In 1859 they completed a road over Scott mountain, at an expense of $25,000, and then commenced running clear through from Shasta to Yreka. Until the winter of 1859, the tri-weekly stage to Jacksonville only ran in summer, but that year a road was completed over Siskiyou mountain by an Oregon company, costing $10,000, and the stage ran all winter.
The through line of daily stages from Sacramento to Portland was put on by the California Stage Company in 1860, and has been running in various hands ever since, the distance being materially abbreviated at both ends by the railroads.
What is known as the Sacramento route was opened in 1860 by Stone & Sullaway, who ran stages from Yreka to Soda Springs. From that point Loag & Kenyon packed to Pit river, and had stages from there to Shasta. The toll-road was built by Stone & Son, and then William Sullaway put on a line from Yreka to Red Bluff, which he operated several years.
The California Stage Company sold their stock and property on this line, in 1866, to Frank Stevens and Louis McLean, who got a special contract to carry the mail. They soon sold to H. W. Corbett, E. Corbett, William Hall, A. O. Thoms, and J. D. Carr, who operated the line until the fall of 1869, under the name of H. W. Corbett & Co. J. D. Carr then bought the stock and carried the mail till 1870. At that time the California and Oregon Coast Overland Mail Company obtained the con-
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HISTORY OF SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
tract and bought the stock of Carr. This company is still carrying the mail, and was then composed of J. L. Sanderson, Bradley Barlow, C. C. Huntley, and J. W. Parker. The firm is now J. L. Sanderson & Co., Mr. Sanderson being the chief owner. In June, 1871, they took all stock off the Scott mountain route, and put it on the Sacramento route, which still remains the through route from Redding to Roseburg. They had a way-contract from Yreka to Shasta, and sent mail in a wagon to Callahan's and from that point on horseback.
In 1874 the way-contract to Shasta was secured by the People's Stage Company, composed of Grant I. Taggart, J. W. McBride, James Vance, George Smith, and Abisha Swain, with P. G. Strickland for their agent. They put a regular line of two-horse wagons on the route. The company soon sold to Taggart & Culverhouse, then Taggart became pro- prietor, and, finally, Taggart & Major. In 1878 the regular company again secured this contract, and put on four-horse stages, which are still run- ning.
The old California Stage Company was organized in 1854, by the consolidation of the stage lines that ran out of Sacramento, Stockton, and Marysville, and was the most extensive company of its char- acter that has ever existed. Besides the line from Sacramento to Portland they ran from all central points in the Sacramento valley into the mines in all directions. They were to be found in every corner of the State, and were the great medium of transportation everywhere. In 1866 all their stock was sold to various parties, and the great company became a thing of the past.
The Indian creek road to Scott Bar was built in 1861, and a stage and express line was put on between that point and Fort Jones a year or two later. It now belongs to F. L. Tickner, son of the founder, who has driven it for years. He makes three trips per week. A. A. Beem has a stage running from Fort Jones to Yreka, connecting with Tick- ner's line to Scott Bar. A small express line also runs from Yreka to Oak Bar, one from Yreka to Linkville, via Bogus creek, and one to the same place, via Butte creek.
CALIFORNIA AND OREGON C. O. M. CO.
J. L. Sanderson & Co. are proprietors of this line, which is 430 miles long, besides owning 600 miles of line in New Mexico and Colorado. Few people who ride on these stages have any idea of the mag- nitude of a well-appointed stage line. They see four fresh horses substituted for the tired ones every twelve miles, and a new driver relieve the old one every ten hours, but beyond that they can see little. Here are a few statistics. The line has three branches : From Redding to Roseburg via Yreka, Ashland, and Jacksonville; from Redding to Yreka via Shasta, Tower House, Trinity Center, Calla- han's, Etna, and Fort Jones; from Tower House to Weaverville; aggregating 430 miles.
Horses, 362 regular, 30 extra 392
Drivers in summer .20
Drivers in winter 26
Hostlers .50
Mechanics .6
Stages running in summer 16
Stages running in winter 21
Sleighs for Scott mountain, in winter. 2
Total wagons on band. 40
Total quarterly expenses $40,000
Total annual toll paid .. $12,000
Annually expended in Siskiyou county . $50,000
The operations of the company are managed by Col. W. S. Stone, superintendent of the line; W. L. Smith, and William Carll, division agents; and A. H. Burrows, general agent; all with headquar- ters at Yreka. The company also has local agents at Roseburg, Jacksonville, Fort Jones, Weaverville, Redding, Sacramento, and San Francisco.
STAGE ROBBERIES.
The great sufferers by the robbery of a stage are not the stage company and the passengers, but the express company and bankers, who are forwarding gold-dust and coin. It frequently happens that the passengers are not molested at all, the robbers being satisfied with the treasure-box and the mail.
A number of men have achieved notoriety as knights of the road, that entitles them to special mention, while many robberies have been made by novices in the art, for art it is with some of them. The robbery of Rhodes & Whitney's express in 1856, already related, was done by a part of the celebrated Tom Bell gang. The leader himself, whose true name was Thomas J. Hodges, was never known to be as far north as Shasta. Another noted highwayman was Tom Brown, who is now languishing in San Quentin. He is the hero of countless robberies, and seemed to perpetrate them simply for the excitement they afforded him. For a long time he was accompanied by his brother, who was killed in Yuba county, and it seemed impossible to capture them. A few years ago he was captured, escaped from jail, was re-captured and sent to San Quentin. There is still another noted robber, a mysterious character, known as the Black Bard. His operations have extended from one end of the Pacific coast to the other. All attempts to capture him, or even prove his identity, have been futile. A black mask, and a habit of writing a few lines of rhyme on the way-bill, are the causes for giving him the appellation he bears.
So many robberies have occurred that no attempt will be made to give them in detail; a few happen- ing in this county in late years will suffice. The adventures of drivers, passengers, and "shot- gun messengers," as the men are called whom the express company sends on the stage with a gun whenever a considerable amount of treasure is in the box, would make a most entertaining volume. Drivers have run their teams down steep grades at the top of their speed when ordered to stop, despite the bullets sent after them. An old robber will always stop the stage on an up grade, to prevent such an occurrence. They have remained quietly seated on a bag of gold-dust, while robbers were feeling all around them for it. Passengers have resorted to all manner of devices to conceal their valuables, and messengers have remained quietly in a dark corner till the stage drove on, and then gotten out and gone back and interrupted the bandits with a charge of buckshot.
What is known as the Soda Springs robbery
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HISTORY OF SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
occurred July 18, 1877. It was Wednesday about half-past three in the afternoon that two men sprang from the brush as the stage reached a point about one and one-half miles north of the springs, and ordered the driver to stop. Tom Tyndall was hold- ing the reins, and when he saw their weapons pointed at him, he pulled in on them and let the whole weight of his foot rest on the brake. The only passenger aboard was compelled to pass out the mail sacks, and as the treasure-box was chained, the driver was told to dismount, while one of the robbers chopped it open with the stage axe. They found $600 in coin in the box. Deeiding not to molest the mail, they had the passenger load it on again and then ordered the driver to go on. When the news reached Yreka great efforts were made to capture the two men, which was done by John Hendricks, Charles Carroll, Richard Hubbard and two Indians. The Indians followed their trail to near Trinity Cen- ter, where they were found in eamp early in the morning. One of them was secured, but the other ran and was shot by Carroll and one of the Indians and killed. His name was Joseph Blanchard. The other, named William Barber, was taken to Yreka jail, and when brought up for trial plead guilty. Judge Shearer sent him to San Quentin for fifteen years.
About three o'clock Saturday morning, September 7, 1878, Charles Williams was driving the south- bound stage np the Scott mountain grade. When within eighty yards of the summit he was ordered to stop by three men, one of whom kept him cov- ered with a revolver. John E. Reynolds, the express messenger, sat on the inside in the dark, while the man who guarded the driver stood in the light of the stage-lamp. Williams asked the man to take his pistol off him, as he was unarmed and did not intend to resist. The request was complied with, and as soon as the pistol was lowered Reynolds fired his gun from the inside, killing the robber instantly. The team then began to run, and quickly disappeared over the summit, followed by four shots from the two abandoned robbers. After running a short distance one of the wheel-horses fell, having been shot in the shoulder. The robbers had fled, and Williams and Reynolds camped there all night. Word was sent to Callahan's, and the body of the dead robber was taken there, and an inquest held by Justice Denny. It proved to be Andy Marsh. Parties searched in all directions for the other two, who were caught a week later near the head of the Trinity by J. W. Conant, Richard Hubbard, and another man. They gave their names as Charles Mitchell and Charles Brown, but proved to be Thomas Jackson and Martin Tracy. Judge Shearer sentenced the former to ten and the latter to five years in San Quentin.
About daylight on the morning of the sixteenth of October, 1876, F. L. Tiekner lelt Scott Bar with the stage for Fort Jones, having Searles Tompkins and seven Chinamen for passengers. When he arrived at the foot of the mountain, the passengers got out to walk, Squire Tompkins and five China- men going just ahead of the leaders, while the other two were near the hind wheel of the stage. Close behind was John Magoffey with a load of hay. Just then a man rose up from behind a log and called to
the driver to halt. Tickner saw a shot-gun staring him in the face, and behind it a man with his face and hands blackened and his eyes and wrists covered with flour, and reined in his team at onee. A demand for the box was repeated twice before he began to realize what was the matter, and as the gun began trembling in the excited man's hand, Tiekner hastily passed out the tin box, which con- tained $1,252 in gold-dust, belonging to A. B. Car- lock, and a revolver. John Magoffey then called out that he knew who the man was which caused the robber to point the gun at him, who asked if he wanted his load of hay, also, and then relapsed into silence. Taking charge of the box, the dis- guised man said, " Drive on quick, quick," a remark which led them to believe he was an Indian. All were satisfied that the man had confederates, or he would not have attempted the robbery under such circum- stances. Upon returning to the place in the after- noon, the empty box was found, also a piece of lining, which the robber had torn from his coat and wrapped around the loek of his gun to protect the caps from moisture, was discovered where he had lain beside the log. An Indian named Billy who lived on the river was suspected, and when it was ascer- tained that he had borrowed a gun and returned it the day of the robbery, he was arrested and the piece of cloth found to fit a hole torn in the lining of his eoat, with which it matched. He then confessed and said that Alexander Condrey and Eli Kelly had induced him to commit the act, and at the time the stage was stopped were standing on a small hill near the road, hidden by the brush. In confirma- tion of this he went to the place and found the foot- prints of the men. After getting the Indian to do all the dangerous part of the work, they took charge of the dust and refused to give him his share. They were arrested, and District Attorney H. B. Gillis had them indieted and prosecuted the case to a conviction. They were senteneed by Judge Shearer, Condrey to ten years, Kelly to eight, and Billy to five. The Indian died in San Quentin, while the other two were pardoned out after serving about three years.
TELEGRAPH.
In 1854 the Marysville and Yreka Telegraph Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $65,000, divided into shares of $100 each. The incorporators were N. B. S. Coleman and A. C. Hunter, of Sacramento, and F. G. Hearn, of Yreka. They opened subscription books, and the project was advaneing finely, when the failure of Page, Bacon & Co. inflicted a blow from which it never recoy- ered. In the summer of 1856, Mr. Case eame through here in the interest of another Marysville and Yreka Telegraph Company, with a capital stock of $100,000. This one was successful, and the line was completed in 1858, and afterwards to Portland Another wire has since been added by the Western Union Telegraph Company, to which the line now belongs. One of these wires is used for local busi- ness, while the other takes all the through business from Portland to San Francisco. As the line is too long for a battery to work, a repeating station has been established at Yreka, where automatic, duplex repeating instruments have been put in. For this
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HISTORY OF SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
reason Yreka is the most important office on the line, and the repeaters have to be watched carefully to keep them in good working order. They are used chiefly at night, at which time C. L. Healy, who put them in, is on duty. The office is in charge of W. J. Wallis, who presides in the day-time.
RAILROADS.
The subject of a railroad has been one much dis- cussed for the past twenty years, and the reported intentions of the managers and the appearance of surveying parties this summer, have revived and clothed it with additional interest. That Siskiyou county, as a whole, would be largely benefited by the construction through it of a line of railway con- necting with either San Francisco or Portland, or both, is beyond argument. That certain classes of business, certain localities and certain persons, would be materially injured by such a road, is also beyond question; but it is universally conceded that the sum of good will so far exceed the injury as to make the railroad a thing much to be desired.
In 1863, the California and Oregon Railroad Com- pany surveyed a route from Sacramento to Portland, following through the mountains the general course of the stage road. It was then inade to pass through Yreka, and was estimated that the highest grade would not exceed 100 feet to the mile, or the greatest cost per mile $100,000. Since then, two other surveys have been made, and the line, as staked out, passes down Shasta valley, leaving Yreka several miles to the west. The road was built as far as Redding, in Shasta county, and another road from Portland to Roseburg. Since then a great deal has been said about the two roads extending their lines so as to connect at the State line.
During the past summer several surveying parties in the employ of the Oregon road have been surveying a route from Roseburg to the State line, to locate an extension to meet the California road. They have also been at work further west on a route to Hum- boldt bay, to see if a line to that point and down the coast to San Francisco is not practicable. Thus far the Central Pacific has shown no symptoms of a desire to extend north from Redding to connect with the proposed extension of the Oregon road, but it is hoped that the move in the direction of Humboldt bay will compel them to take the desired action.
A narrow-guage road has been surveyed from Reno to Roseburg, going through Modoc county, and a few miles have been graded north from Reno. This would bring a railroad station but a few miles nearer than Redding. A narrow-guage road from Jacksonville to Crescent City, Ellensburg, or some point on the coast has received considerable atten- tion, but no steps have been taken to construct such a line.
That the Oregon road will extend so as to be con- nected with San Francisco seems now to be certain, and it also seems to depend on the Central Pacific whether such connection shall be made through Siskiyou county or not. A few months more will settle the question beyond a doubt.
CHAPTER XXI. SISKIYOU PATRIOTISM.
THAT the fires of patriotism burned as brightly in the heart of the mountains, far removed from the scene of strife, as it did elsewhere, it needs but a glance at the succeeding pages to discover. No- where else was a more devoted love for the Union displayed than in Siskiyou county, and to-day the people point to the aid they rendered their country in her hour of trial and need, with justifiable pride.
YREKA UNION CLUB.
When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter and the lowering of the national flag to the armed forces of rebellion reached Yreka, the same thrill of excite- ment and patriotic fervor that had run through the length and breadth of the land passed over the com- munity. A meeting was called to perfect an organ- ization that should have for its object the expres- sion of love for the constitution, confidence in the administration and a purpose to uphold its hands in the enforcement of the laws. On Saturday even- ing, May 4, 1861, a large concourse of citizens gath- ered at the court house, and were greeted by the patriotic strains of " Hail Columbia," " The Star- Spangled Banner," and " Yankee Doodle," rendered by the Yreka Brass Band. Dr. G. C. Furber called the meeting to or ler and the following officers were elected for the evening : E. Steele, president; George C. Furber, J. S. Peck and G. Lanphier, vice-presi- dents; C. H. Pollard, secretary. A committee con- sisting of W. P. Melindy, A. D. Crooks, Joseph M.1- ler, W. I. Mayfield, and W. W. Beman were selected to prepare resolutions, and while they were engaged in performing this duty, Dr. I. H. Harris addressed the meeting in an eloquent speech that called out hearty and continued applause. The resolutions adopted show the spirit of patriotism that animated the people.
WHEREAS, our Nation is now involved in revolution and a war for the permanent diss Intion of the Union; therefore,
Resolved, That as citizens of the United States and of the State of California, we are in favor of maintaining the integrity of the Union and the honor of the American flag against all opposition, whether traitors at home or eneinies abroad.
Resolved, That in our opinion the Union of States formed under the Constitution was intended to be perpetual, and that the right of secession on the part of any of the States without the consent of the whole does not exist.
Resolved, That the Government of the United States possesses the inherent right to use force if necessary to preserve its integ- rity and to force the extention of its laws, and that all its con- stitutional efforts shall receive our hearty support.
Resolved, That as Californians we are firmly and unalterably attached to the American Union, that we look with disfavor upon any attempt to erect a Pacific Republic; and that we desire no flag to float over us except the broad ensign of the stars and stripes.
Resolved, That we will support the present Chief Magistrate of the Union in his efforts to carry ont the letter of the Constitution and the enforcement of the laws.
Resolved, That the object of this meeting is simply to give expression to the union-loving sentiment of our country, without regard to political parties or party issues.
Resolved, That we invite all good citizens to join us in the organization of Union Clubs.
Resolution number two met with a little oppo- sition, but was carried with enthusiasmn. The meet- ing adjourned until the next Saturday night, when the " Yreka Union Club" was organized with Will- iam S. Moses, president ; Dr. D. Ream and A. D. Crooks, vice-presidents ; C. H. Pollard, secretary.
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P. A. HEARTSTRAND.
P. A. HEARTSTRAND.
Among the natives of a foreign land who have settled in Siskiyou county, and by quiet industry and unassuming integrity have aided materially in its development, none are more prominent than P. A. Heartstrand. He was born near Helsingborg, Sweden, October 18, 1821. At the age of sixteen he went to sea as a cabin boy. The vessel touched at Montevideo and Buenos Ayres, in South America, then at New York, and then returned home. Heartstrand, who was now a seaman, went to England and engaged two years in sailing from there to Constantinople and Odessa, and in 1844 went to New York. He was in Philadelphia when hostilities commenced in Mexico, and went to New Orleans, and then to Mexico, enlisting in the United States Navy. He served as quartermaster on the propeller Massachusetts during the whole war, and went to San Francisco as second officer in June, 1849, in the coast survey service. The survey was
turned over to the navy department, and Heart- strand received his discharge. He acted for a time as storekeeper on a vessel in the harbor, and then sailed as chief mate of a clipper brig in the coast trade. In April, 1850, he went to the Mariposa mines, and then returned to San Francisco. In March, 1851, he sailed to Trinidad, from which place he went to Salmon river, and in the fall to Yreka. There he mined till January, 1852, when in company with Asa White and Mr. Holt, he pur- chased the place he now lives on, which had been located the fall previous. Since that time Mr. Heartstrand has devoted himself to agriculture with great assiduity, and is one of the most successful and respected citizens of Scott valley. In 1856 he was one of the founders of the Rough and Ready mill at Etna. He is now sixty years of age, tall, rugged and strong, with strongly marked Scandi- navian features, and a countenance that clearly indi- cates the generosity and integrity of his character. He has never experienced the trials of matrimony.
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