USA > California > Yuba County > History of Yuba County, California, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, residences, public buildings, fine blocks and manufactories > Part 9
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During this year, thero wore a number of settloments made along Bear river. Tho Johnson grant fell into the hands of Henry Robinson and Eugone Gillespie, who laid out n town nt Johnson's Crossing, and gavo it the name of Kvarney, in compliment to General Kearney. It did not prove much of an honor, ns the place nover hecame settled, and nothing is left to show its former greatness except the stakes that mark the corners of the lots. At Johnson's house there lived a man named Hoyt, who was placed there by Gillespie and Robinson to look after their property. late in the year J. L. Burtis settled there and opened un hotel. Mr. Chana bonght two leagues of the Sicard grant, and hid ont a fiehl of nbont five Imndred acres. Baptiste Ronelle soll his place on Feather river to a Frenchman named Monet. Mr. Barham settled on the south side of Bear river at Barham's crossing.
Alexander Van Court, of St. Louis, hrated on some land near what is now known as McDonahl's Mill, or Wire Bridge, about five miles from Johnson's Crossing.
In November, a saw-mill was built on Bear river, about five miles above Johnson's Crossing, by a man named Juhn S. Moore, a Missourian. and was known as Moore's Mill. This energetic individual was a counter. friter, and had in his possession a large quantity of spurious Missouri hank bills. With these he paid for the huikling of his mill, and remu- nerated his employes. He established a broker's otlice, and exchanged his bills for gold dust with the returning miners, who were glad of an opportunity to have their heavy wealth converted into paper money. So well excented were these bills, that thousands of dollars of them were taken by the Missouri banks before their truc character was discovered. When the real nature was found out, many miners who arrived in Missouri on their way home, thinking themselves tu be rich, found that, notwithstanding the toil and dangers they had passed through, they were as poor as when they started. When Moore heard of the discovery he decamped, hat was afterwards apprehended in South America, although he was never brought back to this country for trial.
The year closed with little to fore-shadow the events and startling developments to take place within a few months. The mining was being actively carried on in the mountains, and new discoveries and locations were constantly being made.
CHAPTER XII. YUBA COUNTY IN 1850.
Causes for the Growth-Population-Arrival of the Steamer Lawrence-Advertisement for the Sale of Lols in Marysville-Arrival of Mr. Stephen J. Field-The Tille quieted by a Deed from Captain John A. Sutter to Messrs. Covillaud, Ramirez, Sicard' and Sampsou-Firat Election of Officers in the Town-Mr. Stephen J. Field chosen First Alcalde -The Town named Marysville-Depredations of Callle Thieves-Formation of Yuba County by the First Legislature- Downieville-Origin of the name-Appearance of Marysville in February- Sale of Sicard's Interest to Messrs. R. B. Buchanan and Gabriel N. Swezy-Religious Con- ilition of the People-Condition of Business-Eliza -- Election of the First County Officers- The Gold Lake Excitement-The Benefits Altained-Another Similar Excitement-The Marysville Herald Started-Judge Field Elected to the Legislature-Cessation in Steam Navigation to Marysville-Movements towards Incorporating -- The Town of Linda Started --- Report of L. W. Taylor, County Treasurer, for the Year.
THE era of growth and progress had now come, and the city, which hefore this time had been seen only in dreams, was to become a reality. The possibility of nninterrupted navigation to its landings, gave it superiority over the towns on the lower parts of the river. The distance to the mines was so small that the cargoes of the steamers and sailing vessels conld easly be trans- ferred to the camps on the north and east. The mines were in active operation along the Yuba river and its tributaries, from teu miles above its mouth to the higher ranges of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The growth of the town had just commenced, but it started full fledged. Lots sohl rapidly, for the first object of the merchant on arriving was to purchase or lease a suitable location for erecting his store. This wonderful increase in the number of business houses was simply the outgrowth of necessity, The mines were yielding millions of dollars, and miners umist have some place to dispose of their gokl tlust, and to 'purchase their food, clothes, and supplies. This was the only available point, and it became the business center. It is ost.j. mated, that on the first of January, there were about three hundred inhabitants in the town. The following tabulated statement will show the population of California at the commencement of the years 1849 and 1850, and the inerense during the intervening time:
NATIVITY.
IAN. 1, 1849. JAN. 1, 1850.
INCREASK.
Californians.
13,000
13,000
Americans ..
8,000
76,069
68,069 13,000
Fareiguers.
5,000
18,000
Total
26,000
107,060
81,069
Illustrative of the nusettled state of opinion regarding the location of the principal town of the region, the following muy be mentioned. About the tenth of February, Messrs. J. H. Jewett and Horuco Bench arrived at Yaba City with a train of puck mnles from Sucramento. The important question of settkanent thon presentod itself to them, Being undecided, thoy remained in Yubn City about a wook, when, fully convinced that tho town across the river was to be tho fortunate one, they crossed in a canoe, swimming their mules. The result showed their opinion and decision to be correct. During the first part of Jamary, the second steamer on the river arrived. This was the " Lawrence," comunauded by E. C. M. Chadwick, and she was quickly followed by others. There were no warehouses in which to store the ahundant supplies of goods and merchandise, that were being lauded from the steamers and sailing vessels, und so they were deposited on the Plaza. The tent stores were tilled to their utmost capacity. The only means of transportation to the mountain camps was by the pack trains. In the valleys the immense freight wagons could be used. Saturday, January 19, 1850, the following advertisement appeared in the Placer Times:
NOTICE.
"The undersigned take this method of informing the public that " the new town of Marysville, at the month of Yuba river, formerly " known as Nye's ranch, is now undergoing survey, and the lots will " be offered for sale as soon as the map can be prepared. Persons " desirons of visiting this place, will find a road passable at all " seasons of the year from Sacramento city, by way of Norris John-
40
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
" HAI's old ranch (now Gillespie's), thence to the town. The steamers ""Inwrence' and 'Linda' are also making regular trips twice a " week. For further information, inquire of Messrs. Covilland, " F'njarl & Co.
" C'HAS. COVILLAND & Co., Proprictors.
" Marysville, January 8, 1850."
On the fifteenth of January, there arrived in the city a young law- yer from New York, who was destined to become a power among the citizens of the new town. This was Mr. Stephen J. Field. On his murival he visited the old adobe house and witnessed the sale of lots which was taking place every evening. While there, the salesman, in his endeavor to dispose of the land in the new town of Yubaville, as the place was called, directed his attention to Mr. Field, und at- tempted to soonre his patronage. That gentloman, upon learning the price and the time allowed for payment, subscribed for a large nin- bor of lots. The impression immediatoly went out that he was a enfeitalist, and the proprietors of the land, especially Mr. Covilland, wore most friendly. This interest was deopoued whon it was found that Mr. Field could speak the French language. Being versed in the law, the services of the young attorney were immediately called into requisition, and within a day or two ho was busily engaged in drawing up the legal papers necessary. in the transfer of the lands. Now that there was n lawyer in their midst capablo of framing cor- rectly tho doomments for a transfer of tho land, and placing a quietus on the title, Captain Suttor was sent for, and signed a deed, written by Mr. Field, which conveyed to Messrs. Covilllaud, Ramirez, Sicard, and Sampson, all his right and title in the tract settlod upon by Cordua, and described as follows :- " Bounded southwardly by a small stream " emptying into Feather river, called Yuba river; westwardly by Feath- " or river, and northwardly by a line forming the northern boundary of " the property of the party of the first part, which lino is in latitude 39 " degrees 33 minutes and 45 seconds, and which line commences at " Frathor river,at the rancharia of Honcut, and extends to the lands "of Thoodore Cordua's ranch; eastwardly by a straight line running " from the lands of said Cordua's ranch, at right angles to the above "mentioned northwardly lino to the Yuba river."
The controversy and discussion relativo to the title of the town being ended, a new impetus was given to the sale of lots. Locators and their touts multiplied, stores became more numerous, and business in every line improved. In this rapid development, it became apparent that some governing power was necessary, and that there should be a legal officer before whom the acknowledgments could be taken, and an office in which documents could be recorded. The steamer, from which Mr. Field had landed at Yubaville, had brought the materials for a frame building belonging to Dr. Ayers aud Mr. Colby. The sections
were uuited, and in a day or two the building was in its place, at the corner of D and First streets, ready for occupancy ; the only other structures in the place being the adobe house and'n frame tent.
An assemblage of the prominent citizens was called to meet in this edifice, and it was decided to lay this matter before the people on the uext day, January 18th, and, if it met with their approval, to hold an election for First and Second Alcaldes and a Sheriff, immediately. The public favored the idea and the voting commenced in the after- noon. There were two candidates in the contest for First Alcalde, oue of which was Mr. Field, the other being Mr. Dobson. The prin- cipal objection to the first was that he had only been three days in the place; his opponent had been a resident for about ono week, and hence was supposed to have become more identitied with the interests of the town. Two hundred and thirty-one votes were cast; Mr. Field receiving a majority of nine votes was declared duly elected. Mr. J. B. Wad- leigh was elected Second Alcalde, and Mr. T. M. Twitchel, Sheriff. The first found no duties to perform, and appears never to have accepted the office. The Sheriff-elect declined serving. and his position was filled by Judge Field, who appointed Mr. Robert B. Buchanan. An Ayunta- miento, or Town Council, was also selected, but had no work to per- form, the achministration of all affairs being left in the hands of the First Alcalde. At that day the office sought the man, and it was ditli- cult to find those who would accept the public positions, for the pros- pective emoluments were small, and the time occupied large. The duties devolving upon them would interfere greatly with other business and no equivalent in salary could be furnished. The position secured, Mr. Field at his first opportunity gained from the State authorities a recognition of his election as Alcalde of Yubaville. Soon afterwards he opened his office and Court in a frauie building owned by himself, at the corner of E and First streets.
In the evening, after the result of the election had been declared, the people assembled in the frame house to congratulate the success- ful candidates and to participate in the usual festivities attending such occasions, but more particularly to celebrate the quieting of the title to the tract of land. In the midst of the hilarity the subject of naming the town was broached, the name Yubaville being thought too similar to Yuba city. Various were the suggestions, includ- ing the words Norwich, Sicardora, Yubafield, and Sircumdoro, but none seemed to meet the popular desire. Finally a gentleman, prob- ably Rev. Mr. Wadsworth, arose, and in a neat little speech, proposed that the town be called Marysville, in honor of " the most beautiful lady in the place," Mrs. Mary Covilland. At that time she was the only lady in the place, and her husband being one of the owners and the principal projector of the town, the name seemed peculiarly appro-
priate. The proposition was favorably recoived by the people, and the permanent application of the name was made. The turbulent ele- ment finding that a tribunal had been ostablished which could legally punish any criminal or lawless acts, used great discretion, and the better class of citizens felt tho protection afforded. This served as another pillar to hold up the city in its rapid march to pre-cminence. Gambling was an evil with which the law was incapablo of donling ; it had become a mania, and policy roquirod that the eyes of justice should be turned away from its scene. Hotels wero established to accommodate tho citizens and travolers. The rates charged were large, yet courmensurate with the price of provisions and labor. The free and easy morals at this time frequently tended to the commission of criminal acts, the favorite being the stealing of tho horses and cattle roaming on the wide unfenced tracts. The following is an account of the proceedings to force the discontinuance of this custom, published in the Placer Times of Saturday, February 2, 1850.
" CRIMINAL COURT OF SACRAMENTO DISTRICT.
" At a term of this Court held for the District of Stcramento, at " Marysville, npon the Yuba, this twenty-eighth day of January, 1855, " present R. A. Wilson, Judge of tho Criminal Court of said District. " It having been made to appear to this Court that there was a com- " bination of cattle thieves, with extensive ramifications through this " District; and it farther appearing to this Court that certain evil dis- " posed persons have industriously circulated the report that it is law- " ful to kill unmarked cattle npon the ranches, as well as upon the " public lands, and that thereby many misguided persons have been led " to the commission of felony; and the Grand Jury of said District " living upon their oaths found true bills for grand larceny against " Samuel Hicks, Michael Watson, Nelson Gill, and James Nicholson " for cattle stealing: It is ordered by the Court, that the Clerk give " public notice warning all persons that may have been misled by " such misrepresentations, of the the consequence of the farther com- " mission of such crime-that the stealing of beef cattle, whether " branded or unbranded, is an infamous offense, within the meaning of " the Constitution, and any person convicted of said offense is deprived "of all the rights of citizenship in California, and liable to a sentence " to two years' confinement in the chain-gang; and that in conducting "the administration of justice, when necessary, the Court is authorized " to call upon the Commandant of the United States troops stationed "at Johnson's ranch.
" STEPHEN J. FIELD.
" Clerk of said Court, and Alcalde of Marysville."
In the Placer Times of Saturday, February 16, 1850, first appears a notice by Nicolaus Allgeier, dated January 17, 1850, appointing
ACTORY
UNION LUMBER COMPANY.
-
UNION LUMBER CO.
UNION LUMBER COMPANY, CORNER C & 4TH STS, MARYSVILLE, YUBA CO. CAL.
LITH. BY C. L. SMITH & CO OAKLAND. CAL.
A.PWILLEY, PRESIDENT.
N.G. DOW, SECETARY.
41
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
Charles Berghoff his agent. Then a notice oppointing Joseph Grant ageut to soll lots in Nicolaus, sigued " Nicolaus Allgeier-by Carl " Borghoff, his agent." Then the following appeared :-
" SACRAMENTO Crry, 9th Feb., 1850.
" The subscriber having a few lots mudisposed of in the new town "of 'Nicoluns,' will offer them to this community for a few days " longer, when those remaining will be offered to the citizens of Sau " Francisco. The terms are ensy aud the burden light.' Strike " while the iron is hot.
" JOSEPH GRANT,
" Cor. I und Fraut sts., over Stevens & Co."
The first Legislature met iu San Jose on the fifteenth of December, 1849, und February 8, 1850, passed an act segregating the Territory inte twenty-seven counties, among which were Yuba und Butter, General Vallejo, as Chairman of a Committe ou Derivation and Mining of the Names of the Counties, made a lengthy and elaborate roport, in which he stated that Yuba was a mispelling of Uva, a name given to the stromm by an exploring party in 1824, on necount of the large quantities of wild grupo vines found growing on the banks. General Bidwoll disagrees with General Vallojo in regard to the derivation of tho word Yuba. It is moro probable that the nine was of ludiau origin, and that tho similarity between it and the Spanish word was a mero ceincidence. Sutter county, of course, was minod after Captain Sutter, why at that time owned a flourishing munch und stock farm within its limits. The name of the Feather river my have been of French origin, Rivero alo la Plume, which, translated into Spnuish becomes Rio de los Plumas.
In Decomber, 1849, Mr. W. H. Parks sold his store at Rose Bar, with the intoution of going to the North Fork of the North Fork of Yubn rivor, as the loentiou of the prosent town of Downieville was called, which was then within the limits of Yum county. From a per- son who had returned from that locality, he had heard of its wonderful diggings, and inunedintely saw the benefits to be derived from a loca- tion in this comparatively new mining region. Quite a large party was urganized to undertake the trip. Provided with a small pack train of nine mules, they set out for tho Fork. The journey was continued till Slate Range was reached, but at this place tho snow was so deep as to make it impossible for them to proceed. Mr. Parks left the party there, expecting to return in a short time when the snow had melted. lle increased the mumber of mmles, and " packed" between Marysville and Foster Bar until abont February, when the snow having frozen sufficiently to be traveled over, he proceeded to Sleighville and disposed of his mules to Messrs. Daniels and Whiteomb. The party then started forward, carrying the provisions on their Imeks to Goodyear's
Bar, several trips being required to complete the removal of the goal. From the Bar they journeyed to their destination, arriving in the latter part of February. At that time it was thought an impossibility to take a mule as far as the Fork, and that all provisions must be brought by men. Upon arriving, they found there Mr. Marey with his company of eight men, and Mr. John Downie with a party of three The discovery of gold at this locality had been made in 1849. Mr. Parks and party had been induced to go to the place by the marra- tive and solicitation of a Mr. Anderson, but when they arrived, the latter, owing to the snow, could not find the spot about which he had talked so much. While the most of the members were idly awaiting the clearaure of the snow, Mr. Parks went out and made from two linudred to two hundred and fifty dollars a day with a pau, knife and spoon, by searching in the crevices. From the last of February to the middle of March, the suow fell and covered up all this kind of diggings. As the party had no bank claims opened, they were compelled to cease work altogether. Not knowing the length of time they would be obliged to wait for a fresh supply of provisions, the men were put on mations. Before the food was entirely consumed, they were relieved by the arrival of a large number of miners fully supplied. The news of the rich diggings in that vicinity spread rapidly, and miners came in promptly. In the first part of April, James Hawkins, the first person having goods to dispose of, arrived. The prices were enormous, whisky being sold for sixteen dollars a bottle. Enough locators having arrived it was proposed that the place be named. Considerable rivalry existed relative to the selection of the title. Some favored Mareyville, in honor of one of the first inhabitants. It was left for Mr. Parks to propose the name which was finally accepted-Downieville. John Downie was a Scotchmmn who bad gone to Ohio, and was afterwards employed as a captain of a steamer ou Lake Erie. During the gold excitement he left his vessel and came around the Horn to California. Following the naming of the place, Downieville became very nmch crowded, and it was with difficulty that the hundreds of miners could secure their board. Of course, all the lazy, worthless fellows, who by a little labor conld have made fifty dollars a day, protested that all the paying claims were taken and that the dimensions were too large. Too indolent to perform the Inbor that others had done, and discover new mines, these mal- contents demanded a division of the claims already found and located. But it was not long until the state of affairs was changed by the " Goll Lake" excitement, when bundreds left diggings which were juying fifty dollars per day, to join in the trong in the vain search for the wonderful sheet of water.
In the middle of February, the appearance of Marysville was that of a buge camp. The United States Hotel, a canvas structure on the east side of D street, between First and Second streets, where
Selby's okl store is located, was kept by John G. Smith, lu the lat ter part of this month and the first of the following, it was replaced by a board house. The City Hotel, another canvas editice, was on the north east corner of First and D streets. Facing the Plaza. on E street and south of First street were four canvas houses, one of which had a board front. They were all ocenpied as wholesale aud retail establishments. On the north side of First. botweou F' und E streets, there were abont four canvas houses. John C. Full's establishment was on F street. Residenco tents were scattered around between Second street and the river. most of the people board- ing in the two hotels. Old dry-goods or grocery boxes were sold for two or three dollars. When torn apart and placed on the ground in the tents they formed excellent floors. At this time it is estimated that the population was as follows: Number of prrinuent iuhalu tants, five hundred; floating population, including travelers, teamsters, packers, etc., one thousand; total, Que thousand five hundred. On the nineteenth of February, Theodore Sicard sold to R. B. Buchanan nud Gabriel N. Swezy, for twelve thousand five hundred dollars, : large unmber of lots in Marysville, also the undivided oue fourth of the land deeded by Captain Sutter, January 18, 1850, to Mossrs. Covillaud, Ramirez, Sicard and Sampson, and the same interest in the Cordua Grant. Two days afterwards, February 21, Captain Sutter conveyed by deed to Messrs. Covillaad, Ramirez, Sampson und Sicard the tract on the south side of tho Yuba described as follows: " All " that piece or parcel ef land included in the territory grauted to Cap- " tain John Sntter, of Hock Farm, California, by the Government of " California and situated on the senth side of river Yuba or Juba, " bounded as follows: Northwardly by the river Juba or Yuba, cost- " wardly by a line commencing at said Vuba river and running oue mik: " and a half in length, whose course is south of the magnetic pole and " serves as the boundary of the Memal Ranch, westwardly by Feather " river and sonthiwardly by a straight line our mile and a half in length, " commencing at Feather river and running cast of the magnetic pole " until it joins the eastern boundary at right angles, and measuring in "all one thousand and two hundred square acres." This quieted the title to this tract and Sicard completed the transfer of his property to Messrs. Bucbanan and Swezy by deeding this tract to them on the following day, February 22nd, the consideration being two thousand dollars.
As yet, religious services had not been held in the town. No missionaries had visited this portion of the county. The American river was the line beyond which they did not dare to extend their op- rations. The foreigners in the north were mostly Americans, and the Indians were of a more savage and independent nature. They wanted no missionaries. In the spring, Rev. Mr. Washburn inaugurated the
42
HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY. CALIFORNIA.
religions movement by assembling a meeting ou a flat boat near the Plaza, Mr. Washburn went from Maine to New Bedford, and came to this count on the May flower, one of thres vessels starting at about the wine time from that port, the other two being the American, and the Obod Mitchell. Soon after his arrival in Marysville he opened a store, adjoining which was a saloon, kept by his son. The old gentleman was very inneh opposed to the basiness carried on by his offspring. From this circumstance has been heralded the statement tlust the pionner minister in Marysville was a saloon keeper, a charge evidently without foundation. There was a person, however, who had serveil in the ministry in the Eastern states, and who upon arriving here in the midst of the mixed stutr of morals, entered into business in the eujeity of a monte-deuler. When called to account by his friends from the Kast, he replied that he had " struck a better thing," and in truth he was quite lucky at gaming. The scene in the little town was one of unusual activity ; every person was busy building tents, solling goods, unloading freight, or in one of the hundred other oc- eupations incident to pioneer life. No regard was paid to the Sabbath either us n day of rest or devotion, The following is illustrative of the respect shown to the day. One Sunday a ferry-boat was being constructed noar the rivor bank and the men were busily ealking the sonms. A steamer lay at the wharf near by, the deek hands in- dustriously transferring the freight to the landing. It was a scene of bustle und noise, yet in the midst of all this confusion, a chaplain eounceted with one of the mining companies, desiring to preach, selec- ted us his stand and pulpit the ferry boat. A few men quit their veenpations, and with the idle persons gathered around the minister. The romainler continued their pursuits. Amid all this noise and con- fusion, and with frequent interruptions from a dranken sailor, the minister delivered his discourse. By March over three hundred and tifty lots had been soll and most of them had been located upon. Lamber was selling at from two hundred and twenty-five to three hundred dollars per thousand foet, a price too high for the ordinary purehasor. Among tho principal business honses were: Jolin C. Fall & Co .; Babb & Eaton; Cook, Baker & Co .; A. T. Farish; Ford & Goodwin; Eaton & Green; S. Sartwell; Packard & Woodrati; Low & Brothers; Charles Lambert; J. H. Adams; Treadwell & Co .; John H. Jowett; M. Cheeseman: Wm. B. Thornburg; George H. Beach; Harrington & Hazeltine, and others.
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