USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 4
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Bancroft, in his " Native Races of the Pacifie States," divides the Indians of the coast into seven distinct groups. The Californians comprise one of the important branches occupying the territory between latitudes 43° and 32° 30' north, extending east into the Rocky mountains. This group is subdivided into geographical divis- ions, viz: the Northern Californians, the Central Californians, and the Southern Californians.
The early inhabitants of this region belonged to the central division which occupied all of California and extended from about latitude 35° to 40° 30' north. The races in this region were separated into numerous small tribes whose system of nomenclature was exceed.
RESIDENCE DF JOHN.L.STEWARD, MARYSVILLE, YUBA, CO, CAL.
(FORMER RESIDENCE OF A. P. WILLEY.)
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HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
ingly primitivo. The segregation of these Indians was not properly into tribes, but into villages, each having its own name and head. Sometimes one chief would be more powerful than other neighboring chiefs in physical strength, number of warriors, or hereditary influ. ence, and honce had authority over the villages near him; such was the case with the ruler of the Hocks. From the report of Adam Johnson, Indian Anb-agent, to the Department of the Interior in 1850, we call the following: " I could discover no distinction in their ens- " toms, habits of lifo, or their general language, which eould induce " me to think they were not originally the sune people. Indeed their "enstoms and manners of living nre, in many respects, almost idontical."
Fram June to the middle of September, 1850, Mr. Jolinson travelod over more than eight hundred miles through the Sac mumonta valloy, and along the banks of tho rivers. lle visited ten distinct tribos of Indians, besides meeting many wandering families ur communities. The following is a list of the tribes visited in the valley and the noighboring mountains: -
Tho Hooks -- Located nyon lock Farm, near the old residenco of Cupt. Sutter, numbering from eighty to one hundred.
Tho YUBAs-At or nonr the junction of the Yuba with Feather river, numboring about one hundre.l and eighty.
'Tho O-jae-PAS-On Feather river, abont thirty-two miles ab In its mouth, comprising about minuty or one hundred poople.
The BOGAs-A short ilistance above the O-lip pas, on the opposite sido of the river, including abont seventy.
Tho Ilo-1AL-11-PAN-At the baso of tho mountains near the Feather rivor, about one hundred and fifty in number.
Tho ERSKINS-On Butto creok, near Neal's rancho, comprising abont oighty.
The MA.CHUCK-NAS-In tho valley near Potter's rancho, including about ninuty.
The CUSH- NAS-In the mountains, on tho South Yuba, numbering abont six hundred.
The TAGUs-Also in the mountains above the head-waters of Butte eroek, the number boing unknown.
Tho NIM-SUS-Also in the mountains, near the Tagus tribe; num- ber unknown.
General Bidwell locates the villages in what is now Sutter county, as follows :-
YUBAS, where Yuba eity is now situated, numbering from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five.
SksnuMs, located in Shanghai bend of the Fenther river, between Yuba city andl Hock Farm.
Hocks, located near Sntter's residence, was the largest village in what is now called Sutter county.
YORULMES, situated three miles below Hock Farm.
OLASIIES, located about one mile above Nicolaus. on the west bank. No permanent villages were located on the rastern bank of the Sacramento river, on account of the lands being subject to overflows. There were no other tribes in Sutter eonnty. although the Colusi, ('optis, Willys and Kymatins ranged through the country aromul the Buttrs.
In Yuba county, on the site of Marysville, was a village of In- ilians ealled the MEMAIS. It was of good size and populated by about one hundred Indians. When Cordna settled there, some of these Indians located on the south side of the Yuba (in 1843).
The TOMCHAS were' located a little above, on the east side of the Feather river, but not immediately on tho banks. The dis- tance from tho month of Yuba river was about two miles, and from the banks of Feather river abont a half mile; they numbered about fifty souls.
The Huncurs were located on the east bank of Feather river, just below the mouth of Honcut ereek, and comprised about one hundred and fifty persons. On the south brauch of the Honcut and scattered through Brown's valley region, in little villages with one principal village, wero a large number of Indians with no particular tribal name. There were several small tribes of Indians living between the Roar and Yuba rivers, and one large tribe, who occupied the country from the foothills to Nevada. These Indians spoke a different lan- gnage from the Marysville Indians and were more warlike. Their chief stole some of General Sutter's cattle in 1841. Sutter pursued him and retook them after a fight iu which no one was killed. The scene of the bloodless conflict was the bank of the Yuba river, a few miles above Marysville.
Horatio Hale in his " Etlmography and Philology " says: "South " of the Rogue River Indians, the population is very scanty until " we arrive at the valley of the Sacramento, all the tribes of which "are included by the traders under the general name of ' Kinkla,' " which is probably like Klamath, a term of Chinook origin."
The following are noted hy authorities on Iudian history: "The Oleepas lived on Feather river, twenty miles above Marysville."- (Delano's Life on the Plains). " The Yubas or Ynvas lived on Yuva river, a tributary to the Sacramento."-(Fremont's Geographical Memon.). " The Meidoos and Neeshenams were on the Yuba and " Feather rivers. As you travel south from Chico the Indians eall " themselves Meidoo, nntil you reach Bear river; but below that it "is Neeshenam, or sometimes Mana or Maidee, all of which denote "men or Indians." .- (Powers, in the Overland Monthly). " The " Cushnas live near the south fork of the Yuba river."-(Schoolcraft's " Arch.) " Taylor also mentions the Cushnas south of the Yuba."
The physique of these natives did not correspond at all with that of the " noble" warriors east of the mountains. " Strongly, though " not symmetrically built, their height rarely exceeded five feet and " eight inches, a low retreating forehead, black deop-set eyes, thick " bushy eyebrows, salient check-bones, a nose depressed at the roots «and somewhat widespreading at the nostrils. a large mouth, with " thick prominent lips, teeth large and white, but not always regular. " and rather large cars, is the provailing type."
It was only in winter that a dwelling was needed, and this was by no means protentious. The genoral method was to dig a holo in the ground three or four foot in depth, with a dinmeter of from ten to thirty feet. The ends of pliable willow poles wero sunk into the ground around the excavation, and tho tops were brought togother, tho same poles serving for walls and roof. If the polos were sufficiently long, tho two onds wore driven into the ground an opposito sides of the hole, tho curvo of the willow forming tho roof. Mud or sod was then placed ovor tho frame. Tho more protontious residences bad bushes interwoven between the willow poles, and an outside covering of tulo grass. The smoke from the firo in the hut found an outlet through a hole in tho roof; the doorway consistod of a small hole in the side, baroly large enough for a porson to crawl through.
The men generally wore the hair long, taken up all around and tied in a bunch; the ends being loose, floated ont, much resembling a feather duster. To bind the lmir they used a net mado from the milk-weed; in this they frequently placed grasses or flowers forming a wrcatb. The women " banged " their hair in front, as do now their eivilized white sisters. Tho process pursued and the implements used by them were exceedingly crude and simple; a sharpened mussol- shell was drawn across the hair, pressed against a stick. The longer hair was brushed back and allowed to float in its confusion. The men generally wore their beard in tho form of a goatce, plucking out the hairs ou the side of the face. The growth was not luxuriant, but the hair was fine in texture. The men had their heads and necks ornamented, but did not trouble themselves about other covering. A string of beads made from spiral fossil shells was worn around the neck. Through the holes in their ears were placed the leg-bones of vultures, or small ornamented elders, from six inches to one foot in length, the ends hanging down to the shoulders. Sometimes they inserted a quill or small bone through the nose for ornament. In their huts they had coverings made from the feathers of ducks and geese, firmly bound together, and these strips woven into a blanket. They also had coverings made from the skins of the wild hare aud deer. Sometimes they used the coverings for the body, but generally they preferred nature's garb. The women also wore necklaces, but of
26
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
sinall white beads. These strings were drawn around the neck several times. They wore no head dresses. They all wore the donble apron in front and behind, attached to a belt, which was made in the form of a strap, from the inilk-weed. At times the women donned these foather or skin coverings, although their general use was for the bed. Their cars wero pierced, although the holes were not as large as among the men. These holes were made with a sharp pointed bone, and by successively inserting larger bones, the openings were made of sufficient size with but littlo pain. Both the men and women tatooed, the lattor carrying it to the greater extent. Small lines of a dirty blue or black, a quarter of an inch in width, were drawn down from the corners of the month, and from the center of the lowor lip; the men nover painted their faces.
Tho womon gathered their food in large conical baskets, placed upon their hacks, the apex being at the bottom and resting on the belts, In order to hold them to the hack, and support their weight, a circular Imunid was placed around the basket, and across the fore- head of the squaw. For their subsistence they relied mainly npon the different kinds of acorns, anglo-worms, green vegetable worms (found on green plants and ahout three inches in length, resembling hairless caterpillars), ants, pine nuts, game, fish, wild clover, wild pea vines, grass seeds, etc. The acorns of the scrub white oak growing on the hills were sweet and could he eaten in their natural state, or when roasted or dried. The substantial food was mado from the long sour-oak acorns found along the banks of the streams. Those were gathered in the fall and put in bins to preserve for winter use, and covered over securely to keep out the rain. These bins wore mado of the tough stalks of a weed growing in the river bottoms, which, when driven into the ground and interlaced with smallor hranches and boughs, formed a very convenient recep- tacle for the winter's food. These hins were circular, with a diameter of three or four feet, and were situated just outside the villages. The Indians seemed to understand the danger incurred hy storing moist acorns in their heated, huts. Each family, or set of families, had its hin. In preparing the acorns for food they were hulled and ground to a fine powder in a mortar. These mortars' were hol- lowed out of small rocks, or iu the surface of rocky formations, the hole being about five or six inches decp, and at the top about one foot in diameter. The pestle was of stone, ahout one foot iu length; wben traveling they carried these implements with them. The acorn in its natural state contains a large amount of tannin, which renders it unpleasant as an article of food. To get rid of this disagreeable feature, the squaws formed a hollow, with a rim, in the dry white sand, much resembling the impression produced hy a milk-pan. In this receptacle they carefully poured the prepared acorn flour to
the even depth of one-half or three-fourths of an inch. Tnfts of grass, or small willow branches, were laid on one side of the sand pan, and water was then poured carefully upon, and allowed to spread over the flour, and soak through without disturbing the mass or mixing it with sand. The flour was kept covered with water for several hours, which seeping through separated and carried off most of the tannin, the sand becoming discolored with the fluid. Finally, in the process, the water was allowed to drain off, leaving the tough dough. By moistening the hand and pressing on the mass, it adhered to the palm and was removed from the bollow in cakes the size of the hand. If any sand adhered, it was washed or brushed off. The dough was thus hy successive applications of the hand taken up and deposited in another receptacle filled with water, in which it was wasbed. Sand sometimes became mixed with the dough, hut cansed no inconvenience to the strong teeth and healthy digestive organs of the aborigines. Finally the water was ponred off and the pure dongb was ready for nse. A hole was then dng in the ground in which the fire was built and several rocks were thrown in. This fire was kept up until the earth and rocks were thoroughly heated, then the rocks, together with the remnants of the fire, were removed and the bole brushed out. A layer of sycamore leaves was put in to form the " hread-pan," and on this was placed the dough with a hot rock in its center. More leaves were placed over it, and the fire replaced and replenished. The next day, when cooled, the baked acorn hread was taken out, ready for nse. In this state it resemhled somewhat a bladder of putty, and perbaps was not more digestible.
In procuring the grasshoppers, the squaws first sought a snitahle locality abounding in this native luxury. Having found the favored spot, they dng holes in the form of an inverted cone, and of sufficient ` size to admit their haskets. These excavations were about fonr feet deep, and two feet in diameter at the top, the sides sloping to meet at the bottom. A hole was dag for each basket, and when every- thing was ready, the men and children were called ont to make a " surround." With bushes and boughs they heat the grass, driving the insects toward the center where the baskets were located. Thus they gradually approached the luckless grasshoppers, finally enclosing them in their baskets, which were quickly covered. This was done at a time of year when they were heavy on the wing. They were then dried, hoiled or broiled and eaten like shrimps. The other process of capturing them was by fire. The locality was chosen as hefore, but at a time of year when there was dry grass. This patch was fired on the outer parts, and as the circle of fire diminished, the insects were driven before it until they met the flame on the other side,. when their wings becoming singed, they dropped
and were roasted, ready for the dainty palate of the savage epicure. Gathered and crushed in the mortar, the result greatly resembled " blue mass." This was considered by the savages a great delicacy, and served as dessert. Even when raised among civilized people, many kept their packages of grasshopper preserves, and frequently resorted to them. The squaws packed this article away in baskets, and it was only hrought ont on special occasions. Americans who have partaken of this food declare that the taste is quite pleasant. Eating tbe grasshopper alive was a common custom, and seemed to please the savage appetite. The angle-worms were found in hoggy and swampy localities, around springs, ponds, etc. The squaws, taking their sticks of chapparel, which formed their nsual instruments of excavation, pushed them down into the mire. By shaking 'these from side to side, the surrounding earth was compressed. The worms feeling the pressure, came to the surface, and were quickly siezed and thrown into the haskets. When washed and hoiled they made an excellent and nutritious soup-for the Indians. The green plant- worms were picked from the vegetation, stripped by the fingers, and dried or hoiled. The ants were sometimes disposed of by simply carrying them from the tree or bush to the mouth upon the tongue-primitive, indeed, in its simplicity. Pine cones were gathered before the nuts had fallen ont, and much labor was there- fore saved. The nuts, which are of a pleasant, oily taste, and exceedingly nutritions, were extracted hy beating the cones, and eaten raw.
Clover was eaten raw in the spring time, and had a beneficial effect. The wild pea vines were gathered in immeuse quantities when young and tender. By placing elder sticks against the sides of the hasket and extending beyond the opening, the squaw was enabled to carry nearly a cart-load of the light growth. In the spring and summer they make lengtby trips into the mountains in search of food, and some- times prepared their winter stock in these encampments, carrying it afterwards to their rancheras. To prepare the pea vine for eating, the hole in the ground was resorted to. In this, heated rocks were placed, and covered with a layer of the vine; water was thoroughly sprinkled on; then two or three heated rocks; another layer of pea-vine, sprinkled as before; and so in that order by successive layers, until the mass was formed in the shape of a cone. When completed, one of the baskets was placed over it, forming a secure covering, aud the mass left until the next day. It was then thoroughly steamed and cooked. The squaw, with the stone pestle, crushed the steamed mass on an inclined hoard. With the sole of her foot placed at the hottour of the incline. she kept the vines on the board. The process was continued until all became plastic. The squaw thon with her hands shaped it into the form of a cake, and after putting a hole through the center, luuung it
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4
GROCERIES
C.A.STRATTON &CO SUCCESSORS TO
D.A.ELWELL&C.
C.A.STRATTON & CO GROCERIES & PROVISIONS
GROCERIES &PROVISIONS
CA. STRATTON! ! CO
de
C.A.S.& co MARYSVILLE
CA
C. A. STRATTON.
STORE OF C.A. STRATTON & Cº, MARYSVILLE, YUBA CO,, CAL.
LITH. BY C. L. SMITH & CO. OAKLAND, CAL. T. MC CARTHY.
27
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
out to dry. The heated rocks were handled by the squaws with two sticks, as easily and gracefully as a civilized woman can wield the tongs.
Grays seeds were gathered by the squaws at the time when ready to drop from the stalks. Each squaw took her swath, and a small basket arranged with a suitable handle was passed over and among the standing grass with a swinging metion, thus catching the seeds which wore emptied hy the same continuous motion into a larger hasket, fastoned behind the squaw and to her left. The chaff or dried grass was winnowed out by the breath or wind, and tho seeds were prepared by grinding in the stone mortar or by boiling. The boiling was performed by throwing heated rocks into tho baskets containing the water and articles to be cooked, taking them out when cooled, aud replacing with heated ones until the water was brought to the boiling point. The seeds when bofled wero enten by ull from the same pan, tho implements used being the fingers.
In the securing of game they used the bow and arrow for the largor animals, and suaros for the smaller ones. They generally cropt npon the door or elk, or lay in wait for them to pass. Sometimes they surrounded the rabbits, and driving them to the center, captured thom in large numbers. Ducks were caught during dark nights in nets made of the bark of the milk-weed and wild nottle, woven together, and spread across a strenmu; tho ducks were then slyly driven into them by the Indians on both banks of the river. Foxes, coons and hadgers woro among the ments of the Digger. Tho game was cooked generally without any dressing or cleaning, being thrown into the fire. When the outside seemed sufficiently cooked, tho hird or animal was taken out and the flesh eaten from the outside until the inner part was found too rare, when the liro was again brought into roquisition, until the catable portion was at last consumed. Young birds, even crews, were taken from the mosts as also the eggs. The principal game was antelope, which roamed in large bands ovor the plains, two hundred and three hundred heing often seen in a single hand. Upon these animals the carly settlers also drew largely for their supply of meat.
Beur, Yuba and Feather rivers were full of salmon, and the Indians speared thom by the hundred in the clear water. When the river began to be muddy, the fish hecume scarce. The Indians even then speared thow, and although unahlo to see the fish, they could tell their position with unerring precision hy the ripples made in their passage through the water. The Feather river was partially closed hy piles extending nearly to the middle of the stream. These piles were interwoven with hrush so as to prevent the passage of the fish. They were thus compelled to pass through the opening, where the Indians on platforms, captured them with their spears iu their asceut of the stream. Smaller fishes were caught in dip nets, or larger
nets bell by four men, quietly slipped under a " school," and raised to the surface. The fish were cooked hy heing thrown on the coals or hot rocks. Salmon were generally opened and dried.
Jolinson, in his report previously referred to, describes the feeding of the natives in Sutter's Fort, as follows: " Long troughs inside " the walls were filled with a kind of boiled mush made of the " wheat-bran; and now the Indians, huddled in rows upou their "knees before these troughs, quickly conveyed the contents by the "hand to the month." Powers, in the Overland Monthly, states: " But it is a well-established fact that California Indians, cvon when " reared by Americans from infancy, if they have been permitted to " associate in the meantime with others of their race, will, in the " season of lush, blossoming clover, go out and eat it in prefer- " enco to all other food."
For navigation on the streams they bound two logs together and propelled these crafts (balsas) by means of a pole which also could serve as a paddle. Thoy also constructed tule rafts, generally ten feet long and four feet wide, lashed firmly together in rolls and pointed at both ends. Their weapons for the chase and war were bows and arrows, spears, a species of javelin and rarely clubs. Their hattles were never very sanguinary or long-continued, the plan generally being to frighteu the opposing forces hy yells and outland- ish anties and gestures. With all these peculiarities thoy were hrave when hrought directly in the face of death, although they preferred the ambush to the more open method of warfare. The bows were models of strength and utility and great care was taken in the selec- tion of material and the subsequent manufacture. The arrows were of complicated structure and were made mostly by the old Indians who were unable to take part in the chase or battle. During their feasts aud dauces the participants adorned their heads with feathers and elahorately painted their hodies. The performance was given with the accompaniment of chanting, clapping of hands, playing on reed pipes with the uose or mouth, pounding on skin drums, and the clatter of pehhles in tortoise shells. Johnson says, in his report: " They have an indefinite idea of their rights to the soil, and they " complain that the ' pale faces' are over-running their country and " destroying their means of subsistence. The emigrants are tramp- " ling down and feeding their grass, and miners are destroying their " fish-dams. For this they claim remuneration, not in money (for " they know nothing of its value), hut in the shape of clothing and "food."
The race is a thing of the past; the villages which dotted the banks of the rivers are razed to the ground, and nearly all traces of their existence are obliterated. Most of the ahorigines have gone to the happy hunting grounds, those remaining being scattered among the
hills and settlements, possessing no tribal relations or village organi- zations.
CHAPTER 1V. TRAPPERS.
California Valleys Occupied by Trappers In 1820 Mir. Wm. I. AAshiny Expeditions of dode. dah S. Smith A Curtous Document Captain B. 1 .. K. Bonneville Tho Ewing Young Party The Story of Indian Peter Hudson Bay Company's Operallons in Callforula Death of Win. G. Ray and Withdrawal of the Company from the Territory.
Tus valleys of California were, during the carly part of this con- tury, ocenpiod and traversed by hands of trappers in the omplay of the many American and foreign fur companies. The stories of their wanderings and experiences are mostly related in the form of sensi- tional novels, whose authenticity and accuracy must bo taken with n great degreo of allowance. Few records concerning theso fur-hunters remain which are within the reach of tho historian, and the informa- tion given has heen gleaned in part from personal interviews with those whose knowledge of the subject was gained by actual experi- enco or by a personal acquaintance with those who belonged to the parties. In many cases their stories ditl'or widely in regard to facts and names.
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