USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 32
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interlents, C. MeLaughlin, at Marysville, G. F. Thomas, at Stockton, and W. F. Hall, at San Francisco; Trustees, James Haworth, F. S. Stevens, James Birch, O. N. Morse, W. F. Hall, J. F. Jenkins, C. S. Conver, C. MeLanghlin, N. Hedge. Wm. McComiell, John Adriance, Charles Green, G. L. Thomas. The company ran stages from Sacra- mento City to Portland, Oregon, deriving abundant support and receiv- ing patronage from a number of way stations. They also had lines from Marysville into the various mining districts. The advent of railroads proved the means of breaking up this organization. Green & Haskin started an opposition stage lino to the " California Stago Cem- many" to Nevada, in January, 1855. In 1856, D. F. Rogers & Co. established the " Camptonville and Downieville Stage Line." " Uncle " Obed's Independent Line " was tenacionsly running against the more powerful companies, and received a good share of the patronngo.
The most stupendons road enterprise which has agitated the people of this county, was the Nevada Plank Road project. The scheme of build- ing this road was broached Jannary 25, 1853, at an assembly of citizens hell that evening. On the twenty-ninth another meeting was con- vened, and a committee appointed to confer with the citizens of Nevada City, Grass Valley, and Rough and Ready. At another meeting, Feb- ruary 12, a committee of ten was appointed, to propose to the citizens of the Nevada towns to pay one-half the cost of the road. Meetings were held frequently, and two hundred and twenty-five thousand dol- lars were informally subscribed by the people of Marysville, while in Grass Valley the limit was one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. A suitable law was framed and presented to the Legislature, which was passed by that body in May. Sacramonto was a rival in this scheme, but could not obtain subscriptions for sufficient stock. June 30, 1853, the engineers who had been employed to make the survey and estimate, reported as follows :-
Length of Road_ .39} milcs.
Cost of Construction $374,852 75
Total Estimated Annual Revenue 305,000 00
Expenses 23,000 00
Notwithstanding the favorable outlook as presented in this report, the citizens, when called upon to more formally give their support, would not subscribe. In November, a proposition was made in the City Council, to appropriate two hundred thousand dollars, but the charter did not permit over one hundred thousand dollars to be donated. This difficulty was overcome, and an election was called for February 28, 1854, to vote on the question of subscribing three hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars for the plank road. The result was :-- Yes, nine hundred and forty-seven; No, thirty-three. Two attempts were made to form a company, but both failed. An election was held May 14, to decide whether or not a tax should be levied in order to
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FRUIT FARM. RESIDENCE AND PROPERTY OF JOHN PALMER. LONG BAR TP. YUBA CO.CAL.
111
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY CALIFORNIA
build the road, and resulted in the defcat of the proposition by a majority of over one hundred. Thus ended this elaborate scheme.
RAILROADS.
The attention of enterprising men was early called to the feasibility and benefits of a railroad through this section of the valley. In Novem- ber, 1851, Charles J. Whiting, State Surveyor General, arrived in Marysville, having been over the road between Sacramento and that city, with a view to ascertain its adaptability to a railroad. The subject wns agitated and subscriptions taken in Sacramento, Two uther schemes were talked of, a railroad from Marysville to Benicia, another to Vernon. At a meeting held in Sacramento, June 26, 1852, the subject of a railroad from that city to Marysville was discussed, mydl n company was formed with a capital of one million dollars, shares fifty dollars ench, and was called "Sacramento Valley R. R. Co." The directors were :- J. C. Fall, Judge W. T. Barbour, Governor Bigler, J. P. Overton, J. B. Hlaggin, Win. McNulty, W. S. O'Connor, Tod. Robinson, W. B. Skellenger, and General Whiting. The people of Marysville did not tako kindly to this road, but favored the constrne- tion of one to Benicin. The subject of a trans continental railroad was generally discussed in 1853, aud Marysville pressed the claim of Noblo's pass for the route through the Sierras.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY RAILROAD.
In 185-1, this company was projected to run a road to Marysville from Sacramento by way of the foothills. The work was commenced in February, 1855, although little grading was done until April. In June, the first vessel loaded with iron and material from Boston, wrived. On the fourth of July, the frame to the floor of one of the curs was put together, being the first work done on a railroad car in this State. The first rail was placed in position on the ninth of Angust, und two days afterwards the first car over propelled on a railroad track in this State was run for a short distance on this road. This was only a hand-car, but on the fourteenth a platform ear was placed on the truck, and tho locomotive "Sacramento," made in the East, univest at Sacramento City. November 13, the first passenger car was put on the road. February 3, 1856, the road was completed from Sacramento to Folsom; the cost of this division of twenty-two miles Was about one million dollars. The formal opening of the road took place on the twenty-second of February. The officers in 1856 were :- C. K. Garrison, President; W. P. Sherman, Vice-President; H. R. Payson, Secretary; J. P. Robinson, Superintendent; H. Havens, Cashier; C. K. Garrison, E. Jones, W. B. Sherman, J. P. Robinson, Levi Parsous, Charles L. Wilson, H. E. Robinson, Theodore F. Mays, John C. Fall, J. R. Rollinson, E. Burr, C. R. Goodwin, and Edward Flint, Directors. After this road had been finished to this point, it
was the scheme of the company to extend the road to Oroville, cross- jug Yuba river alot ten miles above Marysville. This was to he done because the citizens of Marysville favored the Benicia pujol. and would not subscribe to this road.
CALIFORNIA NORTHERN RAILROAD.
This company was incorporated Jmr 29, 1860, and permanently organized January 15, 1861, with a capital stock of one million dollars. shares being one hundred dollars each. Ground was broken January 22, 1861. It was completed between Marysville and Oroville in 1864, and the opening celebration was held on the fifteenth of Frb. rnary. Butte county loaned its credit to this company for the con- struction of the road to the amount of two hundred and nine thousand dollars of county bonds, at ten per cent., secured by first mortgage bonds on the road. The officers in 1861 were :- M. 11. Darrach, President; J. W. Buthium, Vice-President; D. D. Harris, Secretary : S. Van Orden, Treasurer; U. S. Watson, Chief Engineer; Charles De Ro, J. W. Buffum, Il. D. Smedes, H. B. Lathrop, J. M. Clark, La. Van Orden, M. H. Darreh, Directors. The contractors were Chenery. Burney & Co. The Common Council of Marysville, October 7, 1861, passed an ordinance granting the right of way for railroad purposes to the California Northern Railroad Company. This was vetoed by the Mayor. On the second of February, 1863, another similar ordi- manec was passed and approved.
CALIFORNIA CENTRAL RAILROAD,
This road was commenced from Folsom to Marysville in 1858. In 1861 grading bad been finished for two-thirds of the distance, and the track was laid as far as Lincoln. The contractors were Messrs. C. L. Wilson & Co. The first officers were :- J. C. Fall, President; Wm. Hawley, Vice-President; John A. Paxton, Treasurer; J. D. Judah, Chief Engineer: Irn A. Eaton, Secretary; John C. Fall, Wm. How- ley, Ima A. Eaton, John H. Kinkend, H. P. Catlin, John A. Paxton, S. T. Watts, Directors. The name was changed to the California and Oregon Railroad, and now bears the title of Oregon Division, C. P. R. R. The Common Council of Marysville, October 7, 1868, passed an ordinance granting to the California and Oregon Railroad Company the right of way, and certain privileges in relation to erection of build- ings, tracks, etc. The following will give an idea of the business done in the county by this road. and inchudles the freight handled dur- ing the last year :-
Forwarded from Marysville 26,241,440 lbs.
38,414,200 «
Received at
11,984,690
Forwarded from Wheatland
6,295,590
Received at.
16
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC RAILROAD.
The survey of the Benicin and Marysville railroad was completed in March, 1858, An election was called by the Council for February 25, 154, on the question of a subscription of eight hundred thousand dollars for the Marysville and Benicia National Railroad Company. The result was nine hundred and fifty three in favor, and thirty six against. On the fourth of March the amount wassubscribed. Benicia promised two hundred and titty thousand dollars. This project was allowed to drop until 1837, when another survey was made. The com ties to be traversed by the road, subscribed; Yoba vated to give two hundred thousand dollars, but actually gave bonds for one hundred thousand dollars. The company was organized in October, 1857, with a capital of three million dollars. The road was projected to run to Vallejo, and there connect with boats for San Francisco. In AAngust, 1858, a contract was entered into with D. C. Haskin to construct. the road bed, lay the track and place the road in running onler, with all the necessary buildings, etc. ; the price fixed was three and one half millions, In February, 1869, a few months before the completion of the C'entral Pacitic, this road was tinshed to Sacramento. When the former commenced operations a lively opposition spring up. Great efforts were made to build up Vallejo, and make it the contral distrila ting and receiving city of the State. During the year 1871, the com many having completed its branch road to Marysville, amexed the Napa Valley and other roads. They niso acquired the vessels of the California Steam Navigation Company, and had uhmnost a monopoly of the inhund trade. It was at nbont that time n company was organized by the wealthy owners of the California Pacitic road, to construct a railroad from the northern part of Sacramento valley to Ogden, to compete with the Central Pacific. These brilliant plans were foiled by the owners of the overland road buying the majority of shares in the California Pacific, and thereby gaining control. The location of the track proved faulty from Knight's Landing to Marysville through the tnle lands. If the line had been run from Knight's Landing cast to the bank of Feather river, and then along this higher land to Yuba City, the road would be in running order and successful operation to-day. Knight's Landing, on the Sacramento river, is now the ter minal point. In the winter of 1871-72, the flood destroyed the bridges, track and trestles across the tule. The road might have been rebuilt bad not communication with lower cities been gained by the construction of the California and Oregon railroad.
EXPRESS.
The cause which led to the speedy establishment of express compa- nies and firms, was the necessity of some means for the safe transfer
112
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
of the products of the mines to more central points. One of the first litICH WIH Langtom's Pioneer Express, which was started in the spring of 1850, between Marysville and Downieville. Subsequently the rente was extended to San Francisco. The following is a list of some of the principal expresses which had offices in Marysville, with the approximate dato of starting :-
Freeman & Co
1851
Nowall & Co
Adams & Co.
Wella, Fargo & Co.
Gregory's, (.). W. Gregory).
1853
A. Pargo &
1853
14. Rumrill & Co.
Everts, Snell & Co. 1854
Evorts & Co,, ( later.).
before 1858
Everts, Wilson & Co.
1858
Whiting & Co
Alin Express Co.
Gibson's Express.
Hunaford & Co.
Holland, Morley & Co 1862
Pacitic Express. 1870
The last run for about one year. Its members wero old employes of Adams & Co.
The oxpross business it now eutiroly in the hands of Wells, Fargo & Co. A company which, although it has a monopoly, still charges no unfair ratos, and has lately made a great reduction, throughout all its lines.
The following is a list of agents in Marysville from the commence- mont of the business to this time :--
Frank Rumrill Ist Agent, 1851-52
W. B. Rochester 1.20 "
C. H. Hedges .appointed Ang. 1, 1855
11. W. Theall.
A. B. Brown -appointed Aug. 1, 1858
W. IL. Reod. " 18, 1860
E. H. Jacqueline
March 19, 1862
.E. J. Bacon Oct. 9, 1863
J. B. Condon =
Aug. 10, 1867
W. T. McLean March 2. 1872
.J. B. Fuller 66
July 20, 1878
The amount of treasure shipped from the Marysville office for the last seven years is as follows :--
1871. $2,287,304
2,036,705
1,732.827
1873
1,622,263
1874.
1875.
1,638,930
1876
1,415,386
1877
1,212,611
1878
1,184,561
Total for seven years. .$13,130,587
This embraces ouly that portion shipped from this office. In addi- tion to this the office handles treasure forwarded from other points, amounting in all, to many times the value of the local shipments.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
PUBLIC WORKS.
Bridges-Old Structures-Hanson Bridge-Feather River Free Bridve-Yaba River Bridge- Simpson Bridge-Yuba River Free Bridge-Park's Bar Bridge-Bridges in 1858-1850 Court House-Jail of 1851-Purchase of the St. Charles Hotel-Erection of the present Court House-The City Hospital of 1853-French Hospital-The County Hospital-City HIall-Powder Magazine.
BRIDGES.
The facilities afforded by the ferries were not sufficient to meet the demands of the increasing travel on the routes in this region, and bridges were resorted to. In the mountain parts these structures were erected at an early day, an account of which will be found in other portions of this volume. Notable among these was the hridge across Yuba river at Parks Bar, eonstrueted by the Parks Bar Bridge Com- many in the last part of 1851, and which opened a shorter ronte from South Yuba and Deer creek. The first bridge across Feather river was built between Marysville and Ynba City in 1853, being completed in September, by George M. Hanson and John C. Fall. It was a cheap truss bridge, about three hundred and fifty feet in length, and eost twenty thonsand dollars. In 1854, or 1855, it was combined with an opposition ferry owned by W. S. Webb, and the latter became one of the proprietors of the bridge. In 1854, one span broke down under the weight of a drove of cattle, but was soon repaired. This bridge remained until the summer of 1861, when it fell while two teams were erossing, injuring one man slightly. Previous to this time Hon. W. H. Parks, who was representing Yuha and Sutter counties in the Sen- ate, introduced a bill authorizing the construction by Sutter county of a bridge across Feather river. The tolls collected were to be applied to the payment of the cost of construction, and as soon as this had been
accomplished, they were to be discontinued. This collection was only to be resumed when repairs were necessary. The bill was stoutly resisted by Messrs. Fall, Hanson and Webb, and created a great deal of public interest. The toll-bridge owners throughout the State, believing this to be an infringement on their interests. joined the above firm in re- sisting the passage of the act, but their efforts proved futile. Yuba county had five Assemblymen and two Senators, and Sutter one Assom- hlymen and one Senator joint with Yuha. All of these were opposed to the act except Mr. Parks, and it was only by tho most strenuous exertions that this gentleman couldl gain this desired point. The old company fought in the courts the construction of a bridge by an injune- tion, alleging that it was an infringement on their charter. The court held the act to be constitutional, and the bridge was comploted in 1861, and was known as " Parks' Free Bridge." The contract was taken by Mr. Brown for thirty-six thousand dollars, but he was soon compolled to surrender it, and it was assigned to Mr. Parks. Tho work was completed by a committeo of ten citizens of Sutter county. The foreman was Joseph Lee, and the foundation was built hy I. N. Hubbard, for two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. Before its completion the old company had built a new bridge, and now the two structures with- in five hundred feet of each other, and costing from twenty-five thou- sand to forty thousand dollars each were striving for patronage. The county fixed the toll on its bridge at ten cents a team, while the others made theirs frec. Affairs remained in this condition until about the middle of December, 1861, when tho bridge was carried away by the flood of that season. This ended the great controversy, and the county's bridge was left without a competitor. The rates of toll were then fixed as they are now, two horses and a wagon, twelve and one-half cents, and for each additional span of horses, six and one- fourth cents. The travel was so great that, September 1, 1871, it was deelared a free bridge, the indebtedness having beon discharged, and with the exception of short intervals it has been frec ever since. It has a donble track, and is one of the finest bridges in the State.
John C. Fall constructed the first bridge across the Yuba river, at a cost of abont thirty thousand dollars. The work was done under the supervision of John Steele; subsequently it became the property of William Hawley. The Yuba bridge was undermined by the current in May, 1858, and one-half of it fell into the stream and was cut away. In consequence of the mining debris filling the lowland hetween the bridge and highland, it became nseless, and was bought by the county and taken down. The Simpson bridge, across Yuha river at Simpson's ferry, about one mile and one-half above the junction of the rivers, was built in 1861, by Mrs. Simpson. It was constructed by Mr. Brown and George Neal, and was an ordinary pile structure. The original bridge was added to, until the length was eight hundred feet.
LITH BY C.L. SMITH & CO. DARLAND. CAL
STAMFIELD RANCHO, 640 ACRES: FARM AND HOTEL OF CHARLES SMITH, PARKS BAR TP YUBA CO CAL.
LITH BY C.L. SMITH & CO. OAKLAND CAL
VIRGINIA RANCHO, RESIDENCE OF HON. L.B. CLARK, PARKS BAR TP. YUBA CO. CAL.
113
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY CALIFORNIA
It became the property of Cockrill & Wilcoxon, and remained until the floxxl of December, 1861, when three Indred feet of it were washed away. This stimulated the citizens, who had now no bridge, and a meeting was held in Judge Filkin's office, to take into consideration the propriety of the county constructing a bridge under the provisions of an act which had been prepared by the committee composed of Hon. William II. Parks, Judge Charles Filkins and Charles Schidell, and lind become a law. At this meeting, W. H. Parks, Peter Decker, W. f. Ellis, Charles Schidell and one other, were appointed to report a plan end probable cost of constructing a bridge and road from Marys- ville to the highland on the opposite side. The committee presented their report, and favored the foot of D street as the location. Jeal- ousies and differences of opinion in regard to the locality created con- siderable contention, and resulted in the purchase by the county of the other bridges, and the building of the present structure. A. J. Binney furnished the plans and specifications for both road and bridge. Messrs. Binney and Parks hecame the contractors for the bridge, fifteen hundred feet long, at thirty-six thousand dollars, and Charles Hedges for the road, abont three-fourths of a mile in length. The latter con- truet was subsequently assigned to Binney & Parks, who completeil the entire werk. In paymout- the contractors received scrip on the bridge fund, which was paid hy the receipts from tolls. This was the second bridge leading into Marysville, that had heen built upon Mr. Park's plan for making the tolls pay for the construction, and hoth Inve proved successful. A eurions experiment in bridge construc- tion was tried above Parks Bar, by Matt. Woods, He erected an iron tubular bridge, hut it proved so faulty that it was not able to sustain its own weight, and when the supports were removed, it foll. The bridges standing in the county in 1858, were as follows :-
Marysville bridge, across the Yuba river, three-quarters of a mile nhuve its mouth.
Feather River bridge, aeross Feather river, betweon Marysville and Yuba City.
Linda bridge, across the Yuba river, three miles above Marysville. Dry Creek bridge, across Dry creek, on the Foster Bar Turnpike, twenty miles above Marysville.
Foster Bar bridge, across the North Ynha, thirty-five miles above Marysville, and five miles helow Camptonville.
Bullard's Bar bridge, across the North Yuba, one mile helow Fos- ter Bar, on the county road leading from Galena ranch, via Dohbins' ranch, to Camptonville.
New bridge, across the North Yuba, five miles below Foster Bar, thirty-two miles from Marysville.
Freeman's bridge, across the Middle Yuba, on the road from Marys-
ville to Camptonville, via San Juan, French Corrall, Sweetlands and Sabastopol, thirty-six miles from Marysville.
Emory's brilge, across the Middle Yul. four miles above Free. man's, and on the road from Marysville to Forest (ity, Minnesota and Downieville, forty miles from Marysville.
Slate Range bridge, across the North Yuba, eight miles above Fes. ter Bar, forty-four miles from Marysville.
Cherokee bridge, across the North Yuba, three miles above Slate Range, on the road from Campoouville to Strawberry Valley and La Porte, forty-seven miles from Marysville.
Houcut bridge, across Honcut creek, on the road from Marysville to Oroville, twelve miles from Marysville.
McAdam bridge, aeross Dry creek, near its month on the road from Marysville to Timhuctoo, Smartsville and Empire ranch, twelve utiles from Marysville.
COUNTY BUILDINOS.
The first building erected for the transaction of county business was a canvas structure on the corner of E and Third streets in 1850. It was a room ahont twenty feet wide and thirty feet long, the second story being used as a Masonic hall. In this place were hell the ses- sions of the Courts, public meetings and religious services. September, 1850, a one-story frame jail was completed on the lot, corner of D and Sixth streets, 18x28 feet, costing eight thousand dollars. The jail lot cost three hundred dollars. The expense of grading it the first year was more than the original cost In December, 1852, the Court of Sessions appropriated six thousand dollars for the purchase of the St. Charles Hotel property, on the southwest corner of D and Third streets, for a Court House. They also gave five hundred dollars to repair it. There were only canvas partitions in the building at the time. When the present Court House was completed the old property was sold in June, 1855, for ten thousand seven hundred and twenty. five dollars. In 1854, lot five, block three, was hought hy tho Court of Sessions. The need was now felt for a more improved and convenient Court Honse, accordingly in 1855, such a building with jail attached, was built at the corner of D and Sixth streets, and occupied in No- vemher. The contract was for twenty-eight thousand dollars, but it probably cost as high as forty five thousand dollars. A Jailor's dwelling was erected in 1856, at a cost of five thousand eight hun- dred dollars.
In September, 1853, the city established a hospital in charge of Jno. T. McLean, M. D., ou Maiden Lane, between Sixth and Seventh streets. It was in part a private institution. The French citizens at this time also had a hospital which they maintained, in charge of Dr. Amouroux. The county hospital was erected in 1856, the lot cost- ing sixteen hundred dollars. The contract as first arranged for a one
-
story structure, was eight thousand two launched and ninety two dol lars. Before it was completed a second story was added, at an udi tional cost of six thousand, eight hundred and twenty dollars. Before it was ready for ocupation more money had to be extended in furnish ing and making the necessary arrangements for the reception of the patients. It is on the north side of Seventeenth street, between Il :url I streets. The dimensions were Dixis fort.
The new City Hall was contracted for in October, 185 l, for sistema thousand dollars, although when tiuished it cost nearly twenty thun sand. The Station House was erected in Issi, being completed in the spring of 1855. It adjoins the (ity Hall and contains several cells and apartments. The city also erected a circular building on Franklin Square, thirty feet in diameter, ono story high und thur- oughly fire-proof. This was used as a powder umgazine for the storago of theet dangerous substance.
CHAPTER XL.
LEVEES.
The First Levee In Marysville in 1804 The Great Lovce In 1968 Subsequent Ropales Flood of 1875 The New Lever of 1:16 Creation of a Market Expertos L'untruction Insurance of Boods Nauw of Commissioners Bear River Levee DIstrlet No. 1 - Extent-Character of the Work Namns of The Commbalonem.
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