USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 20
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RESIDENCE OF W. T. FOSTER, CABBAGEPATCH, YUBA CO. CAL.
73
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
nud they were discharged. The Herold of Jammary 27, 1852. states that there had been lately a great falling off in gambling. There were then only two or three places carrying on games with profit, and they were mostly patronized by professionals; within a few weeks several had elused their doors. In December, 1852, the Court of Sessions fixed the liceune at thirty-five dollars jer month for each talde. Ju the diminution of gambling, raffles were resorted to and this miuor hazard proved very pojadar. Grumbling was continued until 1854. The Legislature of . 1853-54, passed a law which was to prove the death blow to the games of chance. At first noth- ing was done under this Act, und in steps were taken to secure its enforcement in Marysville. Jn 1855, the Grand Jury fouml fifty-two bills against gamblers and prostitutes. The former were greatly excited and very hitter. 'They threatened the lives of the wombwers of the jury, purtienlarly Judge O. P. Stidger, who was saved by the City Marshal. The games were carried on in secret, que large establishment being an the corner of First and C streets. The prose- ention of the gamblers served ta throw greater secrecy aronud their operations, nudd lessoned the amount of their ovil influence, Gamb- ling was carried on in the building on the southeast corner of Second D struts, At present it is carried on in some parts of the city, but its influence is nat felt to nuy gront oxtent,
It was not until the wintor of 1850, that Marysville attracted the attention of strolling players. The first entertainment was given in the ball room of the St. Charles hotel, corner af D and Third streets, hay Mr. 11. Rossittor, aml consisteil of a few legerdemain tricks andl slack wire duneing. It did not require 'much of a performance, or any great variety of tricks to please the tasto of the merchant, and miner at that thno. They were willing to pour their " dust " into the coffers of almost anything which lore tho name of a show. During the year 1851, Messrs. Grumulss, Chaigneau, Leya and a cornetist, Mans, Leon Williez, appenrod at the California Exchange. They were fine musicians, far above the members of the ordinary saloon orchestras. In December, 1851, nnd January, 1852, the Lee family gave acrobatic performances at the Pavillion, on Third street, near tho St. Charles hotel. A canvas thenter was erected in the carly part of 1851, by Dr. Rubinsun, ou the corner of Second and Iligh streets, and a Van- deville company was placed on the stage. This venture proved very remunerative, the entertainment being superior to anything yet given in the city. James Stark, the favorite California tragedian, then gave performances with the support of Mr. Nesbitt, Mr. MeCron, and Mrs. J. Il. Kirby (afterwards, Mrs. Stark.) The season resulted well for all concerned. A bull and bear tight was hell October 20, 1851, between the mammoth grizzly bear " Revenge." and a large Spanish bull, at Buckley's hay-yard, in the rear of the Oriental
Hotel. The bear measured four and our half foot in hight, and six and one-half feet in length. It was as brutal a sight as could have len conceived. While the performance was progressing within. a curious incident took place on the outside. A negro named Martin, who was hoping through an opening in the toure, fell back and diel almost instantly, probably from fright. During the first part of January, 1852, the mmsual spectacle of an organ grinder, with his mukey, was seen on the streets, and the twain produced no little jollity and amusement. The New Orleans Serenaders, a species of minstrel troupe, gave entertainments on three evenings in February, or March, in the First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of D and Third strrets) and were well patronized. There was a good deal of discussion and criticism ou account of the church projde allowing such a performance in their edifice. It seems they were misled in regard to the style of the eutertainment. Sunday, February 22, 1852, was celebrated by Peter Robinson, a flour merchant, by a banquet in his warehouse. Mayor Miles presided, and regular and called toasts were offered and replied to. The public celebration of Washington's birthday was hekl in the United States Hotel, on Monday evening, February 23. There were present sixty one ladies and about one hundred gentlemen. The festivities consisted of an oration by Mr. S. B. Mulford and a grand hall. The hill of fare for the supper, as published in the Herald, inelnded sixty dishes-a wonderful variety at that day. Ou the seventh and oighth of May, 1852, the " Rainer and Douallsou Sore- naders " gave minstrel entertainments in the United States Hotel. On the twenty-fifth of that month the Chapman family opened the Marysville Theater in Sheppard's building, corner of C'and Front streets. Lee and Marshall's National Circus pitched its tent in the city, and gave performances on the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth of May, 1852. Signora Elisa Biscacianti gave concerts in the El Dorado Hotel, on tho evenings of June 4th aud Stb. In December, 1851 the people began to feel the need of a theater to accommodate the larger audiences, and to give ample room for the performances of the more extensive companies which were to visit the city. In Octo ber, 1852, the city was visited by a company under the management of Mr. C. E. Bingliam, which gave performances in a bath lunise, eorner of D and Front streets. The success that attended this last series of entertainments rendered the erection of a paying theatre a possibility. Forseeing this result, Seymour Pixley and William W. Smith, the former an architect and the latter City Clerk, commenced the erection of a wooden structure, on D street, and by December had a comfortable and nicely decorated theater in operation. The opening of the first edifice which could properly be called a theater was an event worthy of celebration. and accordingly the new " Temple of the Muse " was dedicated with great formality. An address was delivered, and Mr.
1. E Bingham. the manager, read a poem composed for the occasion My Colonel K. 11. Taylor. The play " Honeymoon" was produced by Mr. Bingham and his company. That gentleman was u tine actor, but the troupe possessed no great merit. For the season of two woutle, an msnally long Que, the new theater wux tilled nightly with large muliences. At a concert given July 9, 1553, for the benefit of Miss Ella Bruce, the seats were sold ut anetion, and the Mutaal Ilook nud Ladder t'ompany purchased the first for one thousand seven hundred dollars. From this time dramatic representations were given "very few days at the theater by the best artists that came to the coast, including Mr. Murdock, Mr. and Mrs. Wallack, Matilda Heron, Mr. Booth, Mr. Stark, and many others of national reputation. Frequent entertainments were given in the city ly minstrel troupes, cirenses aud concert companies. In the fire, in May ISal, the wooden theater was destroyed. In 1854, a new brick theuter building, 70x78 fret, was erected by Mr. R. A. Ekly, on the west sideof Dstrrot, between Sreond and Third. The structure cost thirty eight thousand dollars, und was equal to four stories in hight, the lower portion hoing used for stores and the upper part for the theater. In 1855, the property was owned by Mr. S. T. Watts, and in 1858, by Mr. J. S. Eshown. This theater was destroyed by fire, November 17, 1864, and the prosent structure was erected the following year, at a cost of thirty-theo thousand dollars. It was built by Swain and Hadson, in whose pios- session it is at the present time. The floor of the room is adapted for dancing, the seats being easily removed. Of late the number of visit- ing theatrical companies has greatly decreased, until a performance has become somewhat of a novelty.
CHAPTER XXIV.
JOURNALISM.
The Requisites of a Newspaper Uncertainty of Journalism Marywille Herald The Cali- Soraia Express Daily Inquirer - Weekly Spiritualist Star of the Pacific Marysville Daily News - Daily National Democrat Marysville Daily aod Weekly Appeal-Evening Telegraph- The North Californian- Marysville Daily Standard.
THERE are three things requisite to a complete newspaper; it should be ably edited, judiciously managed, and have a good tleld for eirculation. Without combining these three requirements, a journal is ahuost as certain to fail as the sun to set. There have been, to be sure, cases where the want of editorial ability has been overcome by able management and absence of competition, but they are rare indeed. On the other hand, no matter how able and talented the editor may be, the lack of good management is a defect that is sure to prove fatal in the end.
Marysville has had at various times a number of journals advocat- ing a variety of principles, most of which were unsuccessful, because
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
of the lack of some of all of the cardinal requisitos referred to. To the authoriant about to enter upon the turbulent wa of journalism. the future looks bright and promising, but a few months later when he farts himself buried in bulls for labor, material and supplies, he begins to have a bare suspicion that he has mistaken his avocation, and gives up in despair; or, if he still retains confidence in his ability to courbet a newspaper, he embarks in another enterprise of the same mature, only to rueontiter the same disappointment and disaster again. Below is given n sketch of the various journals that have been pub- lished in Marysville, ax complete as it was possible to make it. It will be observed that of the many newspapers initiated in the city, but one roaming in successful publication at the present time.
MARYSVILLE HERALD.
'The anne enterprise way displayed in the establishment of a news- paper in Marysville, that characterized the initiation of the various bruches of trade und modustry in the early days. Marysville wus lid ont in December, 1819, and Time had called but five months his own, laforo Colonel 1. 11. Taylor, n San Francisco merchant of 1819, was so favorably impressed with the future before the new city, that he decided to establish a paper here. As soon as he could negotiate for a press wund type, he put his ideas into form, and Angust 6, 1550, issued the first number of the Marysville Herald, thu: pioner jourout of the city. At first the piper appeared semi- weekly, but. so anceessful was it, that. in October the editor announced that he would in the future issue tri weekly, only he should need " more adver- tisements to help till up." It would seem that he received them, for the tilos of the paper in 18al, exhibit a plentiful supply of this newspaper " fillin." January 28, 1851, Stephen (. Massett, a talented young man from Sacramento, became interested with Colonel Taylor, and the paper was rilited and published by Taylor & Mussett. July 15, 1851, 1 .. W. Ransom purchased a one-third interest, and the style of the firm was changed to Taylor, Massett & Co. The first copy of the Herald obtainable now is No. 120, dated July 22, 1851. On that lato it was enlarged tu a four-page, six-column sheet, and presented an extremely neat appearance. The advertising department was largo, and its news columns contained interesting locals and informa- tion from all parts of the country. Its editorials were spicy, and showed considerable ability. At its inception. the Herald was inde- pulout in politics, but soon fell into the Whig ranks, where it did good work for some time. The impossibility of procuring a sufficient quantity of white paper, compelled the publishers to frequently print their issue upon brown paper, or. as the editor remarked. "do it up brown." A feature of the paper was a column of news and opinions printed in the French language. In addition to its regular issue, the
Herall quiblishofa " steamer edition " a few days prior to the sailing of each steamer for the East. This contained the leading items of news and articles of interest that had appeared in the regular issue subsequent to the sailing of the last vessel. Great numbers of these were mailed by the citizens to friends at home. In October, 1851, Mr. linnamo soll his interest to D. J. Marriner, and November 29, 1551, Mr. Massett sold to Colonel Taylor. Mr. Massett then entered the dramatic and lecture field. May 18, 1852. Colonel Taylor pur- chased Mr. Marriner's interest, and thus became again the sole clitor and proprietor. Mr. Murrinner returned to New York. Satur- day, June 9, 1852, the Herald commenced the issue of a weekly odi- tion, in connection with the regular issue. In tho fall of 1852, W. W. Smith became fart owner of the paper, under the firm name of Taylor & Co., but sohl December 25, 1852, to James Allen, and the firm name was changed to Taylor & Allen. January 29, 1853, Mr. Allen purchased Colonel Taylor's interest; Mr. Taylor, however, re- mained as associate editor until March 29, when General Allen be- came sole cditor and proprietor. Colonel Taylor went upon tho stage, and soon afterwards entered the legal profession, of which he is still a member at Virginin City, Nevada. May 4, 1853, Judge O. P. Stidget, now of North San Juan, Nevada county, and Clarkson P. Hale be- came associated with General Allen, under tho name of James Allen & Co., Mr. Allen occupying the editorial chair. August 8, 1853, the Herald was changed to an evening paper, issued daily, and called the Daily Evening Herald. Again, January 9, 1854, it was changed to a morning daily, and bore the name of the Marysville Daily Herald. L. W. Ransom purchased the Herald from James Allen & Co., Feb- ruary 16, 1854, retaining Mr. Allen as editor. In May of that year, the Herald and the California Erpress began to issue on alternate days, as tri-weeklies, the Herald coming out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It was called the Tri-Weekly Herald. From the year 1855 to January 1, 1858, at which latter date the paper was discon- tinued, the files are unobtainable. During that period, L. R. Lull obtained possession of the paper, and was the editor at the time of its demise. The politics of the paper underwent a change in name chiefly, and not in principles. It gravitated from Independent to Whig, then Know Nothing, Republican, and Stars and Stripes. During the troubles in San Francisco in 1856, the Herall supported the action of the Vigilance Committee.
CALIFORNIA EXPRESS.
For more than a year but one paper was issued in the city, and that of an independent cast, when a full-fledged Democratic paper-The Cali- forniu Express-appeared npon the scene. The first number was issued November 3, 1851, by George Giles & Co., and edited by
Colonel Richard Rust. January 12, 1852, W. T. Giles & Co. became proprietors of the paper, Colonel Rust continuing in the editorial chair. July 26, 1852, J. McElroy and Andrew Brady purchased the paper, under the name of J. McElroy & Co., retaining Colonel Rust in his editorial capacity. June 22, 1854, Luther Laird, George W. Bloor and M. D. Carr, became proprietors of the Express, with the firm name of L. Laird & Co. Colonol Rust still continued to wield the editorial shears and pen, assisted by George W. Bloor. Upon the death of Luther Laird in 1856, Lloyd Magruder becamno one of tho proprietors of the paper. The same yoar M. D. Carr weut East, and Stephen Addington, now of the Colusa Sun, purchased his interest in the Express, and hecame the assistant editor. July 26, 1857, Colonel Rust resigned the editorial chair to John R. Ridge. Novouber 6, 1857, W. F. Hicks & Co. hecame proprietors of the paper, and John R. Ridge retained the editorial control. Angust 4: 1858, Mr. Ridge resigned his charge, and A. C. Russell succeeded him, acting in that capacity until March 26, 1859, when the editorial duties were assumed by J. F. Linthicum. In 1861, the paper was issued by tho Express Printing Company. The California Express was from the first, a warm exponent of pure, unadulterated States Rights Domocracy, aud during the long civil war, was an earnost advocate of the "Lost Cause " and the right of the Southern States to secede from the Union. So distasteful did its course become to the loyal citizens of Marysville, that it was several times threatened with destruction at their hands. The E'xpress was ably edited, and had for contributors some of the most talented men on the coast. It was very successful and influential nutil it adopted its unfortunate policy of defense of the South. From this time it began to decline, and in 1866, was compelled to succumb. Like the Herald in the early days, the Express issued a " steamner" edition for circulation in the East. It also published a weekly in con- nection with its daily issue.
DAILY INQUIRER.
Althonh there was already one well established Democratic paper in the field, yet J. DeMott & Co., commenced the issue of another, the Daily Inquirer, November 1, 1855. George C. Gorham wielded the editorial pen. The paper fell into the hands of Oscar O. Ball the next year, who published it until it ceased to exist, in December, 1857. Mr. Gorham was succeeded as editor by W. N. Walton, W. H. Mautz, Mr. Buckelew and Mr. Coulp. During its existence of two years, the Inquirer was, politically, Democratic, Neutral, Know Nothing, and finally, Democratic again.
WEEKLY SPIRITUALIST.
The first number of the Weekly Spiritualist was issued in February, 1857, by L. W. Ransom, editor and publisher. It was an exponent
LITH BY C. L. SMITH & CO. OAKLAND. CAL.
RANCH AND RESIDENCE OF A.N. GARRISON, EAST BEAR RIVER TP. YUBA CO. CAL.
75
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
of the school of Andrew Jackson Davis' Harmonial Philosophy, awl inet with such faint encouragement that its publication was discontinued the following May.
STAR OF THE PACIFIC.
In March, 1851, A. C. Edmonds counnouced the publication of a weekly paper, called the Star of the Pacific, an organ of the Universalist denomination. The paper was removed to another field of labor, July 1, 1857.
MARYSVILLE DAILY NEWS.
The first issue of the Marysville Daily News, and independent. paper, auxle its appenruneo January 9, 1858. The publishers were A. S. Randall & Co., consisting of A. S. Randall, S. B. Christian, James Allen, J. F. Whitaker, Walker Boulware, and Jalm O. Heatley. They pur- chased tho Herahl from 14. R. Lull & Co., and the Daily Inquirer from Oxenr O. Ball. The paper was placed under the editorint charge of Juines Allen. August 12, 1858, Mr. Allen sald his interest to Jolm R. Ridgo, and the paper was chinged to the Daily National Democrut.
DAILY NATIONAL DEMOCRAT.
John R. Ridge, having rotired from the California. Repress, pur- clused an interest in the Daily News, and assumed the position of editor. The News had heen an independent mper, It now it was changed to an advocate of Donglass Democracy, and was issued Angust 12, 1858, as the Daily National Democrat. April 23, 1861, Mr. Ridge retired and George C. Gorham took ctlitorial charge. Although Democratie, the paper was thoroughly Union in its sentiment, and as there was another Union papor published in the city, the Appeal, it was thought best to combine, auml consequently, in October, the Democrat was merged in the Appeal, which appeared as a Ropublican organ.
MARYSVILLE DAILY AND WEEKLY APPEAL.
The first number of the Daily Appeal appeared January 23, 1860, with 11. B. Mighols as editor. It was issued by G. W. Bloor & Co., and was independent in politics. B., P. Avery & Co. mmr- chased the Appeal, June 5, 1860, and hegan issuing a thorough Repub- lican paper, Mr. Avery managing the editorial department. It began at that time to issue a woekly, which practice it still maintains. October 29, 1861, the Daily National Democrat was combined with the Appeal, and the paper was enlarged to its present size. It was published by the Appeal Association, B. P. Avery, editor, and A. S. Randall, business manager. In 1862, C. D. Dawson, one of the pres- ent. proprietors, purchased an interest in the paper. Mr. Avery relin- quished the editorial duties in 1862, to A. S. Smith. In 1863, W. L. Cowan succeeded Mr. Randall as business manager. Jannary 1, 1866,
E. W. Whitney became manager, and was sharedel the following May by L. B. Ayer. April 26, 1-70. A. S. Smith resigned the editorial chair to Frank W. Gross, and in September of the same year P. 11. Warner became the manager. November 28. 1871. 11. .. Iloblitall assumed the management of the paper, which la resigual August 13, 1873, to H. W. Haskell. October 31, 1873, the Appeal came into the hands of the present proprietors, E. J. Lockwood and 1. D. Dawson. Mr. Haskell remained manager until January 25, 1574. when Mr. lock wood assumed that position, which he has since con- timed successfully to occupy. The mechanical department is under the careful supervision of Mr. Dawson. When Messis. Lockwood and Dawson obtained the paper, A. S. Smith was again introdured to the editorial sanctum, where he has since remmined, ably discharging the duties of that onerous position. For several years the Appeal has been without a competitor in the journalistic field of Marysville, and has been so snecessfully connected, that it is the leading journal of Northern California. It appears daily, except Mommy, with an issue of fifteen hundred. The weekly is published on Friday, and has a cir- culation of two thousand. The Appeal has always been a staunch Republican jerper, only flying the truck once, when it supported General Bidwell, Independent candidate for Governor, in 1875.
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH.
Late in the year 1867, after the demise of the Express, William Cowan commenced the issue of n daily by the name of the Eceniuy Telegraph. December 14, 1867, G. M. Hanson, editor of the Sutter County Sentinel, brought his paper to this city and combined it with the Telegraph, issning and editing both papers, February 15, 1868. the publication of both was discontinued.
THE NORTH CALIFORNIAN.
A short time after the Telegraph gave up the ghost, a daily paper called the North Californian made its appearance, edited by James G. Eastmm and Thomas Waters. After a brief career of two or three weeks, this little fledgling peeped its last, and was seen no more.
MARYSVILLE DAILY STANDARD.
When A. S. Smith retired from the editorial rooms of the Ap- peul, he commenced the issue of an independent daily, called the Marys- ville Daily Standard. The first few munbers, commencing May 16, 1870, were printed at the office of the Weekly Sutter Banner, while Mr. Smith was awaiting the arrival of his printing material. Jime 6, 1870. the Standard was enlarged from a six to a seven column paper. The Stundund was edited with vigor and ability for three years, when the material was sold to the Appeal Association.
CHAPTER XXV. LINDA TOWNSHIP.
Changes of Township Boundaries Early Settlers Linda The Reasons for Its Location Inauguration of the Town Elita Election of Phil W heater, as Areally Progress and Solsequent Decay Sand Flat Ousey's Bar Agriculture The Brophy School Vila statiun.
By the first subalivision of the conuty into townships, made by the Court of Sesions. August 24. Issn, all that portion of the present. county of Yuba, lying between Benr und Yuba rivers, was divided into two townships; the upper part embracing the northern portions of the present Linda and Rose Har townships, was put in town number eleven, while the lower portion, including the balance of Linda and Rose Bar, and all of East and West Brar river, was muudlo town number twelve. After the segregation of Novala county, the court mude another division, AAugust 7, 1851, and this region was then divided into east and west parts by a line running from the mouth of Dry creek, on the Yuba, directly south to Bear river; the western part was the Town of Eliza, und the mustern, Parks Bar. The court again divided the county, October 7, 1852, making no alter- atiou in this region, except that the name of the castoru portion was elminged from Parks Bar to Rose Bur. Thus they remained until October 10, 1856, when the Board of Supervisors remodekut the townships, forming the township of Linda. The enst line of the township as then formed, ran about one-half mile further eust than at present ; the south-east coruer of the present township was then in Bear River township, and Linda included a part of the north east cor- ner of Bear River township. The present boundaries were approved by the Board of Supervisors, September 17, 1861, and are :- Com- mencing at the south-east corner of Section 34, Township 15 N., R 5 E .; thence north to the Yuba river. ; thenec down the middle of said stream to its junction with Feather river; theuce down the middle; of Feather river to its intersection with the Government line, thirty chains west of the south-west corner of Township 15 N., B 4 K .; tlience east along said line to the place of begining. The township of Linda is essentially an agricultural one, and consequently did not become settled for that purpose until after 1852. A few settlements were made along Yuba and Feather rivers before that year, and along the line of travel to and from the mines, for the purpose of keeping hotels; also on the Yuba river some grant locations were made prior to the discovery of gold, all of which have been given at lengthi in the preceding pages.
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