USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 27
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ROCK ISLAND BAR.
A company from Rock Island, Illinois, located just above the mouth
DUNNING'S HOTEL. RESIDENCE AND PROPERTY OF Z.DUNNING. LINDA TP. YUBA Co. CAL.
PUBLISHED BY THOMPSON & WEST.
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
of Scott's Bar creek in the spring of 1850, and named the place Rock Island Bar. One of them was named Thomas Bell. The place WAS soon worked out and abandoned.
ELBOW BAR.
In May, 1850, Holton Kilbourn, Wallace Kilbourn, Robert Patent, Joseph Vaughn, and T. G. 11. Jones, now of Nicolans, Sutter county, located this place. The Kilbouns were from Michigan, Patent from Oregon, nurl Vaughn aunt Jones from Fort Madison, Jowa. The bar was named from its peculiar shape. It was worked out and abandoned.
MISSOURI BAR NO. 2.
This bar, the second of this name, is just above Elbow Bar, and forms the northwest corner of this township. It was located in Murch, 1850, by a company chiefly from Missouri. There were Wes. løy Mock, Wm. Mock, John Porkin, Mosos Allen, Sampson Allen, David Ourvin, Johnson, and Garnet. There was once a large camp høre, with hotels, stores, and saloons. It is still worked in the sum. mer season by white men.
In addition to these bars, there were a groat many small mining points wlume names and locations have passed into oblivion, many Ixalities, niso, that received no mume whatever. Eagle Canyon, once n successful point, is now worked by Chinamen. Quartz Canyon, also an old mining entup, is now unoccupied. Rollaml's Point, anothor ohl camp, is now occupied only by Chinamen.
INDIANA RANCII.
The Indian Ranch, in the Keystone Valley, was first settled in 1851, by Page Brothers and A. P. Labadie, who opened a hotel. Jolm Tolles also kept a hotol about the same timo. Gold was discovered along the ravine and creek in 1851, and the diggings were called "Indiana Creek," or " Tolles New Diggings." One hundred feet square was a mining claim, and an ounce per day the average yield. In 1851 and 1852, there were between four and five hundred miners at work along Indiana and Koystone creeks, making a very lively camp. The place received the name from Page Brothers, who came from the State of Indiana. In 1854, Page Brothers & Labadie sold their store and hotel to M. G. Morey, who still owns the Indiana Ranch Ilotel. John Tollos also kept a store and bowling alley. Among tho other carly settlers were L. S. Camper, Reuben Reed, A. J. Reed, Reuben Reed, Jr., Owen Owens, and Edward Medlock; A. Weaver was the first Justice of the Peacc. The first religions ser- vices were held by people of the Methodist Episcopal denomination in a private house, in 1855. After the school house was built ser- vices were held there. A Mr. Satterfield officiated at these meetings, working in the mines through the week. Services are now held every
third Sabbath at the new school house, lev. Mr. Carvin. of Browns ville, officiating. A private school was kept in 1>55 by Miss Phillips, a daughter of Captain Phillips of the Peoria House. It was held in a private dwelling until 1856, when a subscription was raised for the construction of a new school house. It was 20x30 feet, cost about five hundred dollars, and was located near the road from India Ranch to Keystone Hanch. The school district was formed in 1:57. In 1860, thu house was moved three-fourths of a mile further sonth. In 1865, the district was divided. and a new school house was built on the old site, costing four hundred dollars. The old school house was used for meetings for some time, but has now fallen into decay. In 1857, the creek and ravine having been worked out, there was a great decrease in the population, consequent upon the departure of the ininers for other localities. There are now about one hundred people living in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.
DOBBINS' RANCII.
William M. Dobbins and his brother, Mark D. Dobbins, settled on the creek that bears their name in 1849. William Dobbins when quite young participated in Commodore Perry's memorable engage- ment ou Lake Erie, and at the time of his death, in 1876, was the last surviving witness of that historie contest. He was elected Jus- tice of this region in 1849, and was later County Clerk. In 1856, he went East as a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Buchanan for the Presidency, and never returned to this coast. After passing through the hands of several parties the ranch came into the pos- session of Joseph Merriam, its present owner, in 1862. A store was started by Charles Craft and some others on the Yuba Ranch one mile above this place. In 1867, Slingsby & Gettins opened a store here. and now supply the surrounding country, keeping a jack train upon the road continually. William Slingsby, the senior partner, is Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors. A blacksmith shop is kept by L. S. Camper. Dobbins' Ranch is beautifully sitnated in a lovely valley more than one mile in widtb, lying in the foothills of the Sierras. Fruit is raised in large quantities. The school district was formed by a division of the Indiana district in 1855 and a school house was built one mile from the ranch. Religions services are held by the Catbolic Father from Marysville every few weeks at the residence of James MeMenomy.
GREENVILLE.
This little town is situated in a small basin on Oregon creek and was once called .. Oregon Hill." It is thirty-five miles from Marys- ville, on the Foster Bar Turnpike. This place was first worked in 1850, but did not become well developed until the construction of the Nine Horse Ditch. The company that constructed this ditch was
composed of nine members, and in order to let it be known that it was un " one horse" atfair they named it the " Nine Horses Ditch." A hotel was kept by T. C. Prewett; a store owned by Murphy & Jones was hed by J. Lawrence. The first school was opened in 1861, and taught by Miss Henley. In 1868, a school house was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars, and the Greenville district was formed. The town has now about eighty inhabitants.
MOUNTAIN COTTAGE.
t'olonel Prentice settled Five Mile Ranch and built a hotel which was called the Mountain Cottage Hotel. He was appointed ludinn Agent of the Yuba Hiver Indians, then numbering four or five thousniat. He died at the hotel in 1853. In 1851, Grove & Reed took the house and afterwards sohl it to Frank Collins, its present owner. It. ix located on the Marysville and Comptonville road.
KEYSTONE HOTEL ..
The Janes Brothers settled in the lower part of the Keystom valley and built the Keystone Hotel. This mume emde fron the old " Keystone State," In 1853, it was soll to Lock wood & Dodge, und in 1856 to Woods & Atchinson, who discontinued it as a hotel. After passing through several hands, it was purchased in 1876 by Reed & Suns, who now own the property.
MAPLE SARUNOS UDUSK.
This house, one and one- half miles northeast of Indian Runch, was built by a man who sedd it in 1852 to Peter Labadie. He kept hotel here until 1860, when the Atchinson & Rice Turnpike was built. This took away all the travel and tho house was closed.
EAGLE BIRD HOTEL,
Black & Greer located in 1852, about one milo above Indiana Ranch and built this hotel. Bailey Brothers bought it in 1854, and it has since been used as a private residence.
FOUNTAIN HOUSE.
When the Atchinson & Rice Turnpike was completed in 1860, Robert Johnston built the Fountain House, one and one-half miles southeast of Indiana Ranch. From 1866 to 1878, it was owned by Richard Bliss, who rented it to several parties for hotel piposes. In 1878, he sold it and it ceased to be a public house.
RIVERSIDE HOTEL.
A. J. Groves built this place on the Marysville and Downieville road in 1862 for a trading post. It now belongs to A. B. Clark, who is keeping hotel.
MCRCTIL PLACE.
This place was built by J. M. Ramirez in 1853, who erected a saw
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
will here. It was bought by Dr. Groves and in 1865, by Michael MeRuth, who is keeping hotel here. It is three miles from Dobbins' Ranch on the Chinptouville road.
BESNINGER'A HANCH.
In 1865, A. J. Groves built a trading just live and one-half miles from Dobbins' Ranch, on the road to Bullard's Bar. It was called " Stage Barn," Willimto Beninger bought it in 1875, and is now keeping hotel here.
The Tudium mill was built an Indian creek in Iran, by Page & Ladadie, It. was rou by Alema posee. When Mr. Page died the machinery was sold and the mill abandoned. Mammoth Stemu mill was built in Oregon creak in 1859, by R. S. Jenkins & Co. It was Hold to the Union Lamber Company who abandoned it in 1871. The machinery was sold ta Bruns & Co., in 1871. A tammery was built here by Chris. W. Weakel in 1859, and operated for a time, Clark's mill was lukt by Ana B. Clark, Bear Oregon Will, in 1858. It was ope- rated by sleum; ahont. 1863, it was destroyed by fire.
The Dashaway mill was built by Comum, Mantague & Robinson, in 1858, about one and one half miles from Oregon Hill. It was owned afterwards by the Union Lamber Conomy and 1. F. Smith, who finally almuchand it. The Oregon Crock mill was built by W. Il. mid (. 15. Pepper, in 1852, on Oregon creek, It was burned in 1857.
l'ayno's or Excelsior mill, was built in 1857, between Indian Ranch und Oregon Hill, by G. W. Payne, The machinery was removed, in 1859, to a new mill on Oregon creek. It was soll to the Union Lum- lwr Company, in 18G4, who ufterwards abandoned it. The Brooks' mill was built by Brooks & Lattes, in 1857. The Union Lanuber Company bought it, mu lator, moved the machinery to the Cottage mill, which they built in 1865, on the Downieville road, A. M. Lach is now the proprietor, und employs thirty- tive men from six to eight months. J. M. Ramirez built a saw-mill on Dobbins' Ranch, in 1851, which he ope- matod until 1853, when he Imilt another on the MeRuth plice, which was run three years, Labadie's mill was built ly Muntz & Labadie, in 1872, on the Maple Springs ranch. Latendie Brothers are the present proprietors, mind when running they cundoy twelve or fifteen
TEMPLAR Q1 ARTZ MILL.
Ramirez & Baker built a ten-stamp, mill, in 1857, for the purpose of working ore from the Templar ledge. In 1858, the munchinery was removed to Oroville. In 1864, the Tempdar No. 2, Gold Quartz Mining Company was formed, and the mill retitted with machinery for ten stamps. The project was abandoned in 1868. The company lost forty thousand dollars. In 1870, the ledge was re-located by Baker & Durgin, who Inven two-stamp mill.
MOREY. FENTON AND MC GEE QUARTZ MILL.
Was built by Morey, Fenton & McGee in 1863. The machinery was for two stamps, and was afterwards sold to parties in Butte county. In 1867, Bateman, Ward, Allen & Clark built a two-stamp mill on Dubbins' creek, just below the ranch. The machinery was sold in 1876. The Indians, under their chief Francisco, were very trouble- some in 1851. Five of them were shot near the Indiana Ranch, which act had a beneficial effect. Ju 1852. Francisco went to Foster Bar, when Justice A. D. Weaver ordered his arrest. The chief endeavored to escape, but was pursued, and was shot by Frank Rred, while pieking up some arrows that he had dropjuul. Captain Borleck then became chief and there was no more tronide. In 1852, the small-pox carried off a large number of Indians in this lucality.
VILAPTER XXXII.
NORTH EAST TOWNSHIP.
Formation Present Boundaries-Description-Woodville House-Slate Range Bar-Missouri Bar, No. 2 Buckeye House Strawberry Valley- - Societies Eagleville -- Willow Bar -- New Vork Bar Yankee Bar Alaleuna Bar-Hampshire Mill-Slate Range Bar -- Buckeye Mill- Eagle or Challenge Mill Deadwinul Still-Independence Mill-Chinate.
WHEN the Court of Sessions, Angust 24, 1850, divided the county into fifteen townships, this territory was included in the town of Foster. The next snldivision into eleven townships, made by the court, Angust 7, 1851, plaiced this region in Oak Valley Township. Again, October 7, 1852, the court divided the county intu ten townships, and the portion of this township, lying cast of Slate creck, was put in Slate Range Town- ship, and that lying west in North East Township, which was the first application of that unme. October 10, 1856, the Board of Supervisors changed the boundaries of the ten townships, giving North East nearly its present dimensions. May 13, 1867, the present line ruiming from the Woodville House to Missouri Bar was established, leaving the township with the following boundaries :- Commencing at the north- east corner of Ynba county; thence on Sierra county line to Canyon creek; thence down said eveek to the North Yuba river; thence down said stream to Missouri Bar; thence in a straight line northwesterly to a jwint on the line between Foster Bar and New York Townships, dne south of a point on Butte county line, one-half mile west of the Wood- ville House; thence north to Butte county line; thence on county line to the place of beginning.
This township is so named on account of its situation in the extreme northeast corner of the county. It lies pretty well up on the slope of the mountains, Strawberry Valley being three thousand five hundred feet above the sea level. The North Fork of the Yuba river forms the southern boundary, and numerous ereeks wind their devious courses among the hills. Cold clear springs well up on every hand,
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and send their little rivulets trickling to the creeks. The hills are covered with a dense growth of lofty pines, firs, and lonsh, among which many saw-mills have been diligently working for years. Wo give a brief history of the more prominent localities in the township. commencing with the enrliest settled.
WOODVILLE HOUSE.
Charles Barker settled on the Butte county line in June, 1850. A month later, I. E. Brown bought him ont. The place had become known as the Barker stand, and when I. E. Brown built n hotel here he called it the Barker House. In June, 1851, he sold it to Hill & Jumper. It. afterwards became the property of James Woud, who in 1858, erected a large brick hotel, and changed the name to Wood. ville House. The brick for this building was made on the place. Mr. Wood kept a store and bar in connection with the hotel.
SLATE RANGE BAR.
This har is on North Yuba river, between Sinte nad Canyon creeks. A party of fonr or five Mormons worked just above the bur in June, 1849. A company from New Orleans came next. Dr. Mur- phy built a store in 1850, and W. K. Finley opened a dry goods story 1 in 1851, in a brush tent. In its julmy days thero were one hundred 1 men at work here, and also several stores, saloons, hotels, butcher shops, etc. There are at present about fifteen men. One store remains, owned by James Godfrey. The bar is on the route from Campton- ville to Strawberry Valley, and a bridge spans the stream at this point, built before 1858.
MISSOURI BAR NO. 2.
The first work was done on this bar in March, 1850, by Captain William Mock, Wesley Mock, Moses Allen, Sampson Allen, David Garvin, Jolın Perkins, Garnet, and Johnson, most of them from Mis- sonri. For three or four years it was a lively place. In the height of its prosperity there were about one hundred men collected here. In 1853, there were a hotel and store. The diggings were good, and paid the miners well. It is still being worked by the Chinese. The bar lies just where the line between this and Foster Bar Township intersects the river.
BUCKEYE HOUSE.
The first settler at this point, four miles above Strawberry Valley, was a Mr. Ruby, in 1851. The old house was built by him the same year. The Buckeye Honse was built by Bracy & Tayl. Bracy kept a store liere for some time.
STRAWBERRY VALLEY.
Situated in a beautiful valley on the Butte eonnty line, forty-three iniles from Marysville, Strawberry Valley is the most thriving locality
STALLION "JACK ROY"
RANCH AND RESIDENCE OF D. L.CANTLIN, WHEATLAND LINDA I.P. YUBA C. CAL.
.
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY CALIFORNIA.
in North East Township. It was named early in 1851 by Captain William Mock, the name being suggested by the large number of wild strawberry vines found around the head of the valley. During the emmer of 1850, some one kept a whisky saloon under a brush shed, syntheast of where the Columbus House was afterwards built. Mr. T. G. 1l. Jones, of Nicolaus, says that he and a party went there in January, 1851. They found the remains of a man in a thicket of pines in the rear of the shed. The body had a rope around its neek, and it was evident the man had been murdered. The party Mr. Jones was with consisted of himself, Captain William Mock, Wesley Mock, David Carvin, Boon Christopher, William Christophor, Joseph Vaughn, and John R. Perkins. The party came from Missouri Bar, out North Yubon river. Mr. Jones superintended the erection of a log obin, and later at honse. The cabin stood north of the valley and was used for a residence while they were building the old Moun- lain Cottage, uno buuumlred feet down the road from the Columbus Ilottan. In the winter of 1850-1 this company used the cabin for an ico-house, selling the ice in Marysville in the spring. Shortly after thu building of the cottage, Dr. C. F. Colton, Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Mar- Idu, and Mr. Maxwell, from Columbus, Ohio, eame to the valley and oreted the Columbus illonse. During the summer, a few miners que nul commenced prospecting in the ravines, and some richi dlig- gings were found on Deadwood creek. The places were called Keu- Incky Gulch, Rich Gulch, Whisky Gulch, etc. The cottage was sold, und spon came into the possession of the Columbus Company. There were three stores in the town in 1854. The population for a number of years was quite large in the vicinity, and business in the town was goxxl. In 1854, a hall was built by Callaghan & Company, over their store, und it was used by the various societies that have been formed here.
A division of the Sons of Temperanee was organized here in 1853. After au existence of one year it surrendered its charter. In 1864, the Dashaway Chub was organized. The object of the society was the promotion of temperance. Its existence was but for one year. Its funds were given to the Sunday School library. Alpine Lodge, No. 226, I. O, G. T., was organized June 10, 1866. The charter members were :- J. F. W. Twogood, W. C. T .; Mrs. U. D. Riddle, W. V. T .; J. C. West, W. S .; D. L. Goble, W. F. S .; James Cole, W. T .; Thomas Ives, W. M .; G. W. Monroe, W. I. G .; O. L. Bridges, W. O. G .; E. A. Emerson, C. M. Riddle, H. Harvey, W. L. Robert sou, James Goldston, Mrs. J. A. Emerson, G. W. Howard, R. W. Einerson, and R. P. Riddle. The membership at one time was fifty- live, and is now twenty-cight. The lodge owns property to the value of two hundred and seventy-five dollars, has a building fund of two luin- dred and fifty dollars, and has bestowed over five hundred dollars in
charitable objects, more than two hundred dollars of which was to the Vallejo Orphan Asylum. The lodge has under its charge a free library of one hundred and thirteen volumes. Regular meetings are held every Saturday evening at Good Templars' Ilall. The present officers are :- E. A. Emerson. W. C. T .; Ada Lovelaud, W. V. T .: L. A. Prindle, W. S .; Charles T. Prindle, W. F. S .; J. A. Emerson, W. T .; F. G. Loveland, W. MI .; James Goldston, W. I. G .; J. C. H. Bucker, W. O. G.
January 2, 1867, was organized the Excelsior Literary and Library Association. It objects were to maintain a library, and to oppose gambling and swearing. In June, 1867, they invested all their funds in a library. The association disbanded June 28, 1868. The library was turned over to the Alpine Lodge of Good Templars, with the understanding that it should be a free library.
The Strawberry Valley Literary Society, or " Sanhedrim," was organized in March, 1865. The society held weekly meetings, aud issued a semi-monthly written paper. the first page of which was illustrated. The editorial committee were M. B. Potter, J. C. West, and D. L. Goble. The illustrations were drawn by John Learmont. The paper was called The Clarion. The officers of the society were :- Granville Levett, President, and J. C. West, Secretary. All local topies were chronicled in the paper. The paper reached its fourth volume, and was discontinued in 1875, the society failing to reorganize for the winter season.
For years occasional services have been held by ministers of the M. E. denomination, but with no regularity. The first Sunday School was held in IS60. Mr. Walbridge was Superintendent, and Miss Martha Jackman, teacher. In the fall of 1858, the first public school was kept, Miss Wyman being the teacher. The present town of Strawberry Valley consists of one hotel, one large store, postoffice, Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express office, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, carpenter shop, Good Templars' Hall, school house, and about fifteen dwelling houses. The population is about seventy. The old Indian name for Strawberry Valley was " Pomingo," their name for a certain plant that grew there.
EAGLEVILLE.
One mile above Strawberry Valley lies the old town of Eagle- ville. The first settler at that point was Andrew Rowe, abont 1851. A man named Cole came a little later. and built a honse on piles, so as to be above the reach of grizzly bears, who were his constant terror. When the miners began to work the gulches here, the place beenme a sort of beadquarters, and was named Eagleville, after the Eagle Mill. The town tben rejoiced in a hotel? store, and quite a number of inhabitants. With the decline of mining here, has also disappeared the town.
WILLOW BAR.
Gold was struck at this point on the river, one mile above Mis. sonri Bar in 1:52. Tho bar was small but flourishing, und was worked with gonl success nutil 1870. Since that timo the China men have been working the place. In 1855, thore were two stores, two hotels, and a large number of miners.
NEW YORK HAR.
This was a sumll bar, one parter of a mile above Willow Bar. Gold was found in 1852, but the bar was so small and so nour Willow Bar that it never becamo much of a place. The same is true of Yankee Bar, just above.
ALABAMA INR.
This bar is situated on the river, a little way below the mouth of Hampshire creek. Work was commenced in 1852. It boemmo soon worked out, as did all the small bars.
HAMISHAR MILL AND STORE.
In the fall of 1861 a company was formed at tho Barker House, for the purpose of mining, merchandising and lumbering. It was called the Hampshire Company, and consisted of twenty men, one of whow was JJ. W. Pratt, now at Clipper Mills. They built a saw mill one mile from the mouth of Hampshire creek, which stream they named This was completed in the spring of 1852, and huuber brought. one Imulred dollars per thousand feet at the mill. They also mined along the stream at Sneker Bar, Collins' Riffle and Alabama Bar. They located their store at Willow Bar. The next winter was a disastrous one, and the company failed. The mill was abandoned in 1856, and was destroyed by fire in 1859.
BUCKEYE MILL
The Buckeye Company built a saw mill in 1851, one-fourth mile above Slate Range Bar. It was destroyed in 1853.
EAGLE OR CHALLENGE MILL.
This mill was built at Strawberry Valley in 1855, by J. K. Emer- son and J. O. Goodwin and Brother. In 1862, the mill was moved to New York Township, two miles above the New York House, and called Challenge Mill. It is now owned by A. M. Leach.
DEADWOOD MILL.
This mill was built by Mr. Low in 1854, on Deadwood creek, near Eagleville. In 1876, it became the property of F. G. Loveland, who converted it into a shingle mill. It is rou by both water and steam power, and employs three men.
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
INDEPENDENCE HILL.
This will was built by Mr. Low in 1858, was moved by the Union Jaunber Company in 1868, to Drummond Springs, Plumas county.
The water ditch on Ient ereck was constructed by E. Goble and some others. The water right was taken up in Proamber, 1853. A tunnel was mb at entaiderable expense, but fomul to be of little value. Mr. Goble is now sole proprietor of the ditch.
The Onion ervek ditch was originally constructed by Brucy, Patter- Bon & Sheppard, in 1857. The present owners are J. C. H. Buckner, J. W. Glazebrook and O. P. Merrell.
Snow falls on the mountains very heavily some seasons. In 1867, il wus twenty one feet dep. The usual depth is from two to ten feet. In some places suow renmins the whole season round. The clear, invig- orating atmosphere and the health giving exercise required in locomo. tion among the hills render sickness a rare thing indeed.
CHAPPER XXXIII SLATE RANGE TOWNSHIP.
Derripliva. Ohl Dinouestone Promend Thanolorire- Comidaville - Camplanville Water Company Vabn Light hifnutry - Gravid Rouge Lange No, Bet, F. & A. M Lo Fayrtle Chapder No. 21. R. A. M. Førry Bar Gordon Valley Roneb Wisconsin Hooter Juntivo Himse -- Dad's Galeb Frerioan's Crossing Golona Hill-Young's Hill Railroad Hill Muonline Creek -- Ook Valley Celestial Valley Slate Rouge- Phisbury Hill Other Mining L'oms-Weed's Polut Now MIIIIn.
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