Nevada County, CA History

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BEAN'S HISTORY & DIRECTORY OF NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 1867.
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
BRIDGEPORT TOWNSHIP.
BY GEORGE D. DORNIN.
 
        Bridgeport Township is embraced in that portion of the county lying 
between the Middle and South Yuba, being all that portion of the "Ridge" 
extending from a short distance above Cherokee, southeast to the junction of 
these rivers, and is the third township in the county in point of population and 
wealth. Mining is the leading industrial pursuit, but attention is being paid to 
the horticultural and agricultural resources of the township. The soil is 
admirably adapted, and favorably located for the successful culture of vines and 
fruits. Figs, grapes, apples, peaches, and all the smaller fruits are grown here 
of superior size and flavor, and being below the snow, come to maturity, and are 
seldom injured by frosts. The village residences are generally surrounded by 
tasty gardens and thrifty orchards, while in every direction land is being 
brought under cultivation, entirely supplying the home demand for hay, grain, 
fruits and vegetables,
        A large quantity of wine has been made during the past few years, and 
special attention is being directed to this branch of industry. In addition to 
the amateurs in North San Juan, there are a number of Frenchmen from the wine 
countries of Europe, located near Empire and Kate Hays' Flat, who are making 
this a specialty and with excellent success. The soil abounds in the elements 
necessary for a wine grape, and we may well anticipate the time when this 
portion of our county will be noted for its vine-clad hills, and when its wines 
shall excel the famous vintages of the Rhine.
        North San Juan is the principal town of the series of villages and 
mining camps, situated at intervals of two or three miles along the north side 
of the ridge, and from its central position has enjoyed a great degree of 
prosperity. In the spring of 1853, Jeremiah Tucker and � Kentz developed rich 
diggings on the west end of what is now known as "San Juan Hill." The news of 
their success caused a great influx of adventurers, and the entire surface of 
the hill was soon covered by the eager locators.
        The origin of the name of the embryo town, suggestive as it is of the 
early Spanish missions, has several traditions, of which the following is 
perhaps the most reliable: Kentz, the pioneer miner, had been a member of the 
Mexican expedition under General Scott, which landed at Vera Cruz. At the time 
of his mining operations on San Juan Hill, he resided in Sweetland. On one 
occasion, while approaching the scene of his labors, he was impressed with the 
fancied resemblance of the bluff hill to the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, which 
guards the entrance to the port of Vera Cruz, and expressed his opinions 
accordingly, and gave the name of "San Juan" to a hotel afterward erected by 
him, about half a mile east of the present town. Another version is, that being 
forcibly struck with the beauty of the grassy fields and sunny slopes of that 
portion lying between the "Hill" and Sweetland, and being a fervent Catholic, he 
ejaculated "San Juan !" (The latter version is susceptible of a great degree of 
doubt, as the ejaculation would more probably have been "Howly Moses !") The 
name was adopted for the Hill, and extended to the village which soon after 
sprang up. Several years afterward, in 1857, when application was made for a 
post office to be established, in view of the fact that the name had already 
been claimed by the mission settlement in Monterey county, and in order to avoid 
the miscarriage of letters, and the confusion incident to a similarity of names, 
the Post Office Department required a new name. A public meeting was called, at 
which A. T. Search presided. Several names were suggested, more or less 
appropriate, but all were discarded, and the old one retained, with the prefix 
"North."
        Tucker & Kentz, whose claim was known as the "Gold Cut," were followed 
by Nat Harrison and associates on the east end of the Hill, known as the 
"Harrison Diggings," and the "Deadman Cut," on the west end; the latter taking 
its name from the fact that two men, Chadburn and Western, were caved on and 
killed in the narrow cut or ground sluice.
        In 1853 a few straggling cabins and stores gave birth to the future 
metropolis of the Ridge, several points struggling for the position of business 
center. Kentz, who owned and occupied a ranch and boarding house below the east 
end of the Hill, had the most favorable position for a town site. John A. J. 
Ray, a baker and storekeeper at French Corral, had opened a canvass store on the 
corner of Main and Flume streets, while Israel Crawford and John S. Stidger 
dispensed "miners' supplies " on the hill at the north end of Flume street. The 
three localities had their adherents; but the interest chiefly centered around 
the two last named�the Main street store gradually gaining upon its rival, and 
gathering around it accessory building establishments. The land upon which the 
town was built was claimed by H. P. Sweetland as a ranch, by purchase from John  
B. Stafford. A portion of the claim adjoining the town site, containing the 
cabin of the proprietor, was under fence. Several of the settlers recognized the 
claim, and purchased Sweetland's title. Others demurred, and in 1855 suit was 
brought by Sweetland against Thomas L. Frew for trespass. Meanwhile, to give the 
growing town elbow�room, a street was opened by the proprietor through the 
enclosed ranch, lots being sold at one dollar per foot front; having a depth of 
100 feet. The District Court decided adversely to the plaintiff, upon which all 
the land yet unoccupied was immediately "squatted upon." An appeal was taken to 
the Supreme Court, whose decision sustained that of the lower Court so far as 
related to land outside the inclosure, but avowed the claim of the original 
proprietor to all land under fence. Many of the "jumpers" thereupon purchased 
titles; the more contumacious being made parties to a suit by Sweetland, which 
resulted in his favor, and settled the question of title.
        The difficulty of procuring water in sufficient quantities prevented 
much immediate progress, and the attention of miners was directed to efforts to 
obtain a supply. In July, 1853, Moses T. Hoit located the Middle Yuba Ditch, and 
surveyed the route from San Juan Hill and Grizzly Canyon. The Grizzly Ditch 
Company, at that time supplying the Cherokee miners with water, extended their 
works to San Juan Hill, their reservoir occupying the south side of the present 
town site. Of these, and kindred enterprises, we shall refer to at length.
        The new town grew rapidly, and at the Presidential election, in 1856, 
polled 530 votes. In 1857, Messrs. J. P. Olmstead & Co. removed the stock and 
materials of the "Iowa Hill News" to this place, and commenced the publication 
of the San Juan Star. The proprietors were succeeded by Messrs. B. P. Avery (at 
present the able editor-in-chief of the San Francisco Bulletin) and Thos. 
Waters, who re-christened the paper the "Hydraulic Press." Mr. Avery having 
taken charge of the Marysville Appeal, was succeeded by Mr. William Bausman, who 
in turn gave way to Judge O. P. Stidger, who, while managing the paper, was the 
first to hoist the name of Andy Johnson for Vice President. In the spring of 
1865 the establishment was removed to Nevada, and "re-constructed" as the Nevada 
Gazette. From the foundation of the village, its people bestowed much attention 
upon the horticultural and floral development of their homes; the admirable 
facilities for irrigation presented by the cordon of ditches, reaching to the 
tops of the highest hills, gave them excellent opportunities of which they 
availed themselves. The result is seen in the neat gardens, thrifty orchards and 
vineyards, and pleasant, home-like features of the town, which first arrests the 
attention of the visitor, and have created an attachment for the place which has 
not only deterred many from following the headlong rash to new localities, but 
has caused the return of many to the cosy little village, to which their 
thoughts so often reverted in their travels through sage brush flats and alkali 
deserts.
        North San Juan has been noted for the staunch loyalty and patriotism of 
its people. The few who formed the "Rocky Mountain Republican Club" in 1856, and 
whose vote for Fremont in the Presidential election of that year made but a 
meager showing, gained steadily in their efforts to spread the true political 
faith until they became the controlling element, exceeding in 1860 the aggregate 
vote of all other parties. Always firm and consistent in their determination to 
uphold the government, the people of North San Juan have manifested their zeal 
by word and act; and when our suffering soldiers, through the sanitary 
commission, cried for help, were among the first to respond. The secretary of 
the California branch of the sanitary commission, in his report, says "The 
interior has already been excited to admiration at the spontaneous liberalities 
of this city (San Francisco), and soon caught this wonderful fever of charitable 
giving. Money, in all sums, soon came pouring into the treasury from every 
portion of the State. Pacheco, in Contra Costa county, sent $100 on the 20th of 
September; San Andreas $404, on the 22d; Georgetown, $200, and North San Juan, 
Nevada county, $242 on the 23d, before the circular was issued." This sum was 
swelled to $3,390 56 during the existence of the commission. The other towns in 
the township responded not less liberally. Bridgeport township stands credited 
on the books of the sanitary commission with $6,144 43. A library association 
was established in 1857. The society has since been dissolved, and the books 
donated to the district school.
 
Fire Department.
        North San Juan possesses a well organized Fire Department, with 
excellent facilities for the extinguishment of fires. In the summer of 1862 a 
fund was created by the voluntary contributions of citizens for the erection of 
waterworks for this purpose, and on August 18th, of that year, Messrs. Charles 
Schardin, W. H. Sears, and L T. Saxby were elected as trustees to carry out the 
work; George D. Dornin being clerk to the Board. A reservoir, supplied from the 
Eureka Lake Ditch, was built at a sufficient elevation, with pipes of large 
capacity, supplying hydrants at convenient points. On October 13th, 1862, 
Hydraulic Hose Co. No. 1 was organized; C. Schardin, Foreman; H. H. Pearson, 
Assistant; George D. Dornin, Secretary; D. Furth, Treasurer, followed by Union 
Hose Company No. 2, on the 29th day of October, 1862, with the following 
officers: C. H. Hays, Foreman; O. Tufts, Assistant; H. Pratt, Sec'y, and R 
Reamer, Treasurer. The department has had several opportunities to prove its 
effectiveness. The most extensive fires which have visited the town, occurred 
Oct. 6th, 1864, and September 19, 1865, each originating in the Chinese quarter, 
and by the energy of the fire boys were confined to the combustible buildings of 
the vicinity. The present officers of the companies are:
        Hydraulic Hose No. 1; Foreman, Peter Brust; Ass't, Jacob Gilbert; Sec'y, 
J. B. Cooke. Union Hose No. 2; Foreman, J. C. Tribelhorn; Ass't, E. V. Hatfield; 
Sec'y, A. Toennis; Treasurer, P. S. Murphy.
 
Benevolent Orders.
        Manzanita Lodge No. 129, F. A. M., organized May 8, 1856; the first 
officers were A. T. Search, W. M.; W. P. L. Winham, S. W.; W. H. Sears, J. W.; 
Jas. H. Moore, Treasurer; H. Collins, S. D.; J. H. Effinger, J. D.; P. 
Zacharias, Tyler. In 1858 this Lodge was the recipient of a donation of real and 
personal property, for a specific, charitable purpose, from P. Zacharias, the 
fund for which has reached the sum of $1,500, and is known as the Zacharias 
Fund. The Order has recently purchased a two-story brick building, on Main 
street, which they design fitting and furnishing for the purposes of the Order. 
The present membership is 55. The officers are John B. Hunter, W. M.; O. N. 
Wagar, S. W.; M. V. Chapman, J. W.; Jas. H. Moore, Treasurer ; L. Buhring, Sec'y 
; J. B. Cooke, S. D.; P. H. Butler, J. D.; W. Dunning, A. W. Ovitt, Stewards; W. 
B. Noblett, Tyler.
        Manzanita, R. A., Chapter No. 29, F. and. A. M., organized May 10, 1861, 
with the following officers: W. Wilmot, H. P.; John. A. Seely, K.; Francis 
Smith, S.; J. H. Effinger, C. of H.; Chas. J. Houghtailing, P. S.; Lewis N. 
Cole, R. A. C.; W. J. Westerfield, M. 3d V.; J. B. Henry, M. 2d. V.; V. G. Bell, 
M. 1st V.; G. W. Guthrie, Treasurer; W. H. Sears, Sec'y; D. Raymond, Guard. The 
present membership is 40; the officers, J. A. Seely, H. P.; J. H. Effinger, K.; 
E. M. Preston, S.; E. Franchere, P. S.; O. N. Wagar, R. A. C.; J. B. Cooke, M. 
3d V.; A. Denneston, M. 2d V.; Jas Treanor, M. 1st V.
        San Juan Lodge No. 67, I. O. O. F., organized January 22, 1857, with the 
following officers: M. Craddock, N. G.; Geo. D. Dornin, V. G.; D. W. Clegg, 
Sec'y ; J. L. Gaskill, Treasurer. The present membership is 105; revenue for 
1866, $2,350. The value of the Lodge property is over $6,000; the officers are 
John Stotlar, N. G.; T. Tweedale, V. G.; J. B. Johnson, Sec'y; T. R. Powell, 
Treasurer; James Chisholm and J. A. Ross, R. and L. S. to N. G.; P. Brunt, and 
�Johnson, R. and L. S. to V. G.; F. M. Keny and O. Tufts, R. and L. S. S.; J. 
Gilbert, I. G.; C.M. Davis, Cond.; John Pryor, Warden. This Lodge erected a fine 
two-story brick hall, which was dedicated to the purposes of the Order April 
29th, 1860.
        Montana Lodge No. � I. O. of Good Templars, organized Sept. 2, 1865, 
numbers 45 members; H. O. Hiscox, W. C. T.; Miss Mary Melbourne, W. V. T.; R. W. 
Sterling, Sec'y; David Bowen, Treasurer; Jas. E. Beard, Marshal. 
        North San Juan supports two excellent graded schools, with an average 
daily attendance of 112 scholars. The High school is under the charge of E. M. 
Preston, B. A., a graduate of the Michigan State Agricultural College. The 
Primary branch is in charge of Mrs. Mary Watkins. The last school census shows 
the number of children, between 5 and 15 years of age, to be 149.
 
Stage Lines.
        Telegraph Line, Wm. Hamilton, proprietor, leaves North San Juan every 
morning at 2 o'clock, for Nevada, Grass Valley and Colfax, connecting with the 
Central Pacific Railroad.
        Wheatland Line, Montgomery & Cunningham proprietors, leave North San 
Juan for Wheatland, via Empire Ranch, connecting with the California Central 
Railroad.
        Dornin's Express Line, Geo. D. Dornin, proprietor, leaves North San Juan 
daily at 8 A. M., for Cherokee, Columbia Hill, Lake City and North Bloomfield; 
also at 8 A. M., and 2 P. M., for Sweetland, Birchville and French Corral.
        Green & Palmer's Line leaves San Juan daily for Camptonville and 
Downieville. 
        Clark & Kibbe's Line�tri-weekly for Forest City.
 
Eureka Lake and Yuba Canal Company.
        The Eureka Lake and Yuba Canal Company is a consolidation of the various 
water ditches and canals, supplying the mining region of Bridgeport, Bloomfield 
and Eureka townships, and being interwoven with the history of these townships, 
and upon which the successful prosecution of their mining enterprises depend, 
deserves a minute description at our hands. Through the courtesy of Richard 
Abbey, Esq., the superintendent of the company, we are enabled to use the report 
of Prof. B. Silliman, of New Haven, and Chas. Black, civil engineer, who visited 
these townships in the fall of 1864, professionally, and whose views and 
suggestions relative to the geological formation and capacity to support a large 
working population of the tract under consideration, will be found to be of deep 
interest:
        "The ridge of land embraced between the South and Middle forks of the 
Yuba is from six to eight miles in width, and to the limits of auriferous 
gravel, as thus far explored, about 30 miles, forming an area of about 200 
square miles. The ele�vation of this "Ridge" above the sea is, at its western 
extremity, near French Corral, about 1,500 feet, from whence it gradually rises 
into the high Sierras, the Yuba Gap Pass being 4,570 feet above the sea. This 
Mesopotamia is cut up by ravines descending from a central axis both ways into 
the valleys of the two rivers, forming gulches, with steep sides, often 
beautifully wooded. The more elevated portions of the land are covered by a 
heavy bed of volcanic ashes and breccia, which evidently at an earlier day 
formed a continuous sheet over, not only the tongue of land under consideration, 
but over the adjacent region, as is conspicuously seen in the sections afforded 
by the various rivers.
        This mass of volcanic ashes contains numerous angular fragments of 
cellular lava, thraclyte, basalt, porphyry, and volcanic mineral aggregates, 
quite foreign to the general geology of the country. Its thickness varies with 
the topography and drainage of the surface, but it forms the summits of all the 
hills above a certain horizon, and in places reaches an elevation of from 2,000 
to 3,000 feet above the level of the rivers. Below Columbia Hill the denudation 
of the surface has removed the volcanic matter, leaving the auriferous gravel 
exposed as the upper surface. The volcanic deposit receives from the miners the 
general name of "Cement," a term it well deserves, from its compact and 
tenacious character, much resembling pozzolane or Roman cement. * * * * * The 
auriferous gravel varies in thickness from 80 to 100 feet, where it has been 
exposed to denudation, to 250 feet or more, where it is protected against such 
action. Probably 120 feet is not an overstatement for its average thickness in 
the marginal portions, where it has been exposed by working the deep diggings or 
hydraulic claims. This vast gravel bed is composed of rounded masses of quartz, 
greenstone, and all the metamorphic rocks which are found in the high Sierras.
        It is often locally stratified, but I could find no evidence of 
continuity in its beddings. The lower portions are composed of larger boulders 
than the upper, as a general rule, but this does not exclude the occasional 
presence of huge boulders in the central and upper portions. In a fresh fracture 
of the whole thickness of these
deposits, such as may be seen daily in the "claims" which are being actively 
worked, a striking contrast of color is seen between the lower and upper 
portions of the gravel mass, consequent on the percolation of atmospheric waters 
and air, oxydizing the iron resulting from the decomposition of pyrites, and 
staining the gravel of a lively red and yellow color in waving lines and bands, 
contrasting boldly with the blue color of the unoxydized portions. A close 
examination of the blue colored portion of the gravel shows it to be highly 
impregnated with sulphuret of iron (iron pyrites), forming, in fact, the chief 
cementing material which holds the pebbles in a mass as firm as conglomerate, 
requiring the force of gunpowder to break it up. * * * * * The gold is 
disseminated throughout the entire mass of this great gravel deposit, not 
uniformly in value, but always in greater quantity near its base, or on the bed 
rock. The upper half of the deposit is found to be always less in value than the 
lower part, sometimes so poor that it would be unprofitable working by itself 
but inasmuch as there is no practicable mode of working the under stratum 
without first moving the upper portion, in practice the whole is worked. * * * *
        The course of the ancient current, where I had an opportunity of 
measuring it, appears to have been about 20�-25� west of north (magnetic), which 
it will be observed is nearly at right angles to the mean course of the Middle 
and South forks of the Yuba; but it is not far from parallelism with the axis of 
the Sacramento River Valley, or of the great valley between the Coast Range and 
the Sierra Nevada. I have noted the same general direction of the scratches 
elsewhere in the great gold region, but additional observations are required to 
justify any comprehensive generalization. This much appears to be clearly shown, 
however, by the present state of our knowledge on this subject, viz.: that the 
spread of the ancient gold-bearing gravel was produced by a cause greatly more 
elevated than the existing river system, or, which is more probable, at a time 
when the continent was less elevated than at present, and moving in a direction 
conformable to the course of the valleys of the Sacramento and San Joaquin. We 
find it impossible to admit the existing river system as a cause adequate to the 
spreading of such vast masses of round materials. The facts point to a much 
greater volume of water than any now flowing in the valley. *   *   *   *  The 
phenomena here described are on a grand and comprehensive scale, and referable 
to a general cause long anterior in date to the existing river system; a cause 
which has been sufficient to break down and transport the gold-bearing veins of 
the Sierras, with their associated metamorphic rocks, thus laying up in store 
for human use deposits of the precious metals in amount, and on a scale far 
beyond the notions generally prevailing of the nature of placer deposits.        
  *          *          *          "
        The extensive mining operations which, since 1852, have been carried on 
upon the ridge of land between the South and Middle Yuba rivers, have supplied 
the data requisite for a pretty accurate estimate of the average value of gold 
actually saved in mining and washing a given quantity of auriferous gravel. The 
mining ground in this area stretches along both margins of the delta from French 
Corral, near its western extremity, in a line closely parallel to the Middle 
Yuba, skirts by the claims known as Birchville, Sweetland, Sebastopol, North San 
Juan, Badger Hill, through Grizzly Gulch to Wolsey's, Moore's and Orleans' Flats 
and Snow Point to Eureka; thence crossing to the South Yuba slopes, it includes 
Mount Zion, Relief Will, Bloomfield, Lake City, Columbia Hill and Montezuma the 
entire circuit being over sixty miles.
        The various canals and water ditches which supply this region, and which 
became consolidated under the title of the "Eureka Lake & Yuba Canal Company," 
on the 5th of December, 1865, are the Eureka Lake Canal, 65 miles long; Miner's 
Ditch, 25 miles; Grizzly Ditch, 14 miles; the two Spring Creek Ditches, each 12
miles long, and the Middle Yuba Canal, 40 miles long. In addition to these 
canals, there are numerous lateral and distributing branches, which in the 
aggregate will exceed 60 miles in length, making a grand total of about 228 
miles, the actual cost of constructing which exceeds $1,500,000.
        The great advantages of this consolidation of interests, and increased 
economy of expenditures, are such that under the present prudent and efficient 
management, the property is yielding a handsome revenue to its proprietors 
without increased cost to customers.
        The Grizzly Ditch, commencing at a point on a creek called "Bloody Run," 
was constructed in 1851-52, and supplied the mining district of Cherokee, and 
being emptied into Shady Creek, was again taken up and conveyed to French 
Corral; the latter portion was sold to Pollard & Co., since which time it has 
fallen into disuse. In 1853 the ditch was extended to San Juan Hill, and was 
purchased by the Middle Yuba Canal & Water Co. in 1856. Its proprietors were 
Messrs. E. Turney, F. Wilder, W. B. Churchill and others.
        The Middle Yuba Canal was located by Moses F. Hoit, on the 7th of July, 
1853; work was commenced on the 10th of December, and completed to Grizzly 
Canyon in 1854. During the year 1855, an acquisition of capital enabled the 
company to extend their works to the Middle Yuba, about three miles below 
Mooney's Flat.  The waters of the Yuba, were introduced into the mines at San 
Juan in 1856, crossing the town in a substantially built flume, or aqueduct, 
1200 feet long, at a hight of 48 feet, and supplying the diggings at North San 
Juan, Manzanita, Sweetland and Birchville.
        The principal office of the company is in New York city, and the 
officers are, John Parrott, esq. of San Francisco, President; L. A. Von Hoffman, 
Vice President; Messrs. W. Butler Duncan, Henry Cohen, H. Stursbery and M. 
Zellerbach, trustees. The local office of the company is at North San Juan; 
.general superintendent, Richard Abbey, esq.; secretary, John B. Hunter. The 
average number of officers and permanent employees (water agents, ditch tenders, 
&c), is 40 men.
 
Mines and Mining.
        Throughout the entire mining district the work is prosecuted on a scale 
of great magnitude. A careful estimate would indicate that the yield of gold has 
approached two million dollars annually, during the past ten years. The present 
monthly yield from Bridgeport township, as obtained from the offices of the 
express companies and bankers, will average $80,000. The reticence of owners of 
claims at present being worked, renders it difficult to approximate the present 
results of individual claims. A page from the history of claims which have been 
worked out, may not prove uninteresting.
        The Eureka Tunnel Company, on San Juan Hill, commenced its tunnel to 
reach the inner basin in August, 1855, and got in in October, 1860, at a cost of 
$84,000 in actual assessments. The expenses incurred before a dividend was 
declared, were $142,000. The entire yield of gold from these claims was 
$530,000. During the existence of the company, the average number of men 
employed daily, was 25.
        The Deadman Cut Claims, having a superficial area of 94,623 square feet, 
was entirely worked out in February, 1859, having yielded. $156,307 73, at a 
cost of $71,433 29.
        On Manzanita Hill, the McKeeley & Co's claims, containing 28,240 square 
yards, yielded $368,932.78, from 1855 to 1864, paying its owners in dividends 
$126,660.00. 
        The mines in operation at present, in Bridgeport township, are as 
follows: Paulsen & Co., on Badger Rill, employ three men; Nesleny & Co., three 
men;
Driscoll & Co., three men. The English Company have recently acquired the entire 
mining ground, and employ thirteen men; this company are the owners of a small 
ditch of 800 inches, supplying the necessary hydraulic power.
        In Cherokee district, the Pioneer Company, consisting of eight men, have 
been engaged during three years past in sinking a shaft, designed to reach the 
bed rock and test the value of the deposit. They have reached a depth of 155 
feet, passing 60 feet of blue, auriferous gravel. The company are without 
capital, other than that saved by their daily labor, but feeling confident of 
future success, are disinclined to dispose of their property at a sacrifice. The 
successful completion of this work will give a great impetus to operations in 
the vicinity, and restore the old mining town of Cherokee to its former 
standing.
        On Chimney Hill, Hunter & McCarty employ ten men, using 700 inches of 
water.
        The Star mine, on San Juan Hill, employ six men; tunnel 1,400 long, 
which was completed in 1860, using 400 inches of water; has ground enough for 
five years to come. Geo. Yates, foreman.
        Golden Gate Company's tunnel, 800 feet; employs six men, under the 
superintendence of F. Banks. This company uses 350 inches of water, and has 
ground enough for three years.
        D. Borren & Co , running through the Winham tunnel, employ eight men, 
using 300 inches of water.
        New England Company, runs through the Eureka tunnel, 1,000 feet in 
length; uses 300 inches of water; has ground for six years, and employs five 
men, under the foremanship of J. H. Effinger
        Wyoming Company, employing, six men, uses 300 inches of water, through a 
thirty inch flume in a tunnel 1,000 feet long. H. Dencke, foreman.
        The Knickerbocker Company has a tunnel 2,000 feet long. The company had 
suspended work at present writing.
        The Dutch Cut Company, using the above tunnel, has ground for four years 
washing with 200 inches of water; employs four men. John McBrown, foreman.
        The American Company, under the superintendence of John H. Brown, 
employs twenty-four men; uses 475 inches of water, and has a tunnel 1,800 feet 
long, with ground enough for four years working. This company has adopted all 
the improvements in hydraulic mining; has a sand mill for grinding the black 
sand and saving the free gold therein. Also, a cement mill with eight stamps, on 
the bed rock. These claims yield from seven to ten thousand dollars to each 
three weeks
run.
        The Badger Company's tunnel is 700 feet in length; uses 250 inches of 
water, through a thirty inch flume, and employs four men. John Perry, 
superintendent.
        Geo. C. Spooner's tail flume and sand mill, collecting the tailings from 
the American, Badger and Dutch Cut mines, employs four men, yielding a handsome 
revenue.
        George Bluff Company has 1,800 feet of tunnel; run 450 inches of water 
through a forty inch flume, and has ground sufficient for twenty years work. 
This company are engaged in running a new tunnel, at a lesser grade. Has five 
men employed.
        The Yuba Tunnel Company have just completed their tunnel, 1,500 feet in 
length, after eleven years' labor, and are now preparing for washing; will use 
400 inches of water, and have ground enough for ten years. J. Chisholm, 
superintendent.
 
SEBASTOPOL.
        The little village of Sebastopol, lying one mile east of North San Juan, 
is composed entirely of the residences of the owners of the American and Gold 
Bluff mines, on Junction Bluff and Manzanita   It contains one store, McBride & 
Frew, proprietors.
 
SWEETLAND.
        Sweetland is one of the oldest settlements on the Ridge, and derives its 
name from one of the earliest residents, H. P. Sweetland, who still resides 
there. It has an excellent public school, under the management of Mrs. H. Lyon.
 
BIRCHVILLE.
        The cosy village of Birchville, manifesting the excellent tastes of its 
people in the construction of their dwellings and cultivation of pleasant 
gardens, lies four miles east of North San Juan. The mines were discovered by � 
Johnson, in 1851, and were known as Johnson's Diggings till 1853, when, by 
common consent, the name of Birchville was substituted. In 1851 the "Miners' and 
Mechanics' Steam Saw Mill" was built, and continued in operation till 1853, when 
it was destroyed by fire and never rebuilt.
        The Irish claims were worked by means of drifting, and paid largely for 
a number of years. Water was furnished by the Shady Creek and Grizzly ditches, 
but in such limited quantities that but little progress was made in hydraulic 
mining until in 1857 the Middle Yuba Canal and Water Company extended their 
ditch, furnishing water in abundance, which gave a degree of prosperity unknown 
before.
        In 1859 four bed rock tunnels were commenced, and completed in 1864, at 
an aggregate cost of $120,000. These tunnels drain the channel in the upper 
portion of the district; the lower portion will be reached by another tunnel, 
now in course of construction, a distance of twenty-four hundred feet, through 
which about four hundred claims will be worked.
        The following claims are now in successful operation, and their yield 
for 1865-6 was about as follows:
Granite Tunnel Company.                                $ 82,000 net proceeds $ 
24,000
Don Jose Company.                                         100,000   "           
"         72,000    
Irish American and Woodpecker Ravine Co.    180,000   "           "        
133,000
San Joaquin Company                                      134,000   "           " 
         68,500
Kennebec and American Company.                    85,000   "           "         
 30,000
        Though the best portion of the mines are exhausted, not more than 
one-half of the mining ground is washed, and the amount of water required will 
be equal to all that has ever been used here.
        Birchville precinct polled eighty-seven votes in 1865. Its contributions 
to the Sanitary Fund amounted to $1,089.
 
French Corral.
        French Corral lies at the lower terminus of the gold-bearing gravel 
range that is found between the South and Middle Yuba rivers. Its altitude is 
about 2000 feet-above the sea. Its temperature ranges from 25 degrees in winter 
to 105 in summer. Snow seldom falls, and never to the depth of more than a few 
inches. Many fruits of the tropical, and all of those of the temperate zone, 
flourish.
        In 1849, a Frenchman, living at Frenchman's Bar, on the Yuba river, 
built an inclosure for his mules on the present site of the village. This 
inclosure was known as the French Corral, and the circumstance gave the village 
its name. Once upon a time, the citizens, moved no doubt by a laudable spirit, 
called a meeting and resolved that from that time the place should be called 
Carrolton, a name suggestive of better memories than French Corral; but like 
many other commendable resolves, this one came to naught, and the village is 
likely to live in history (Bean's Directory) by its original name.
        Some little ravine mining was commenced here in 1849, and a trading post 
(in a tent) was established in the same year by a man named Galloway, afterward 
well known as the proprietor of "Galloway's ranch," near Downieville. Galloway 
was succeeded by an English sailor called Jack, who in September, 1850, sold his 
tent and trade to Robert and John Bussenias. They erected the first house (of 
logs) near the present site of the "Corral House." In 1851, surface diggings 
were discovered, and in the spring of 1852, Messrs. I. P. Twist, J. Wadsworth, 
J. Williams, J. Spurry and A. H. and W. M. Eddy, brought in a ditch from Shady 
Creek.
        The rich surface mines, when there was water to work them, brought 
together a goodly number of miners and traders, and the village soon had a 
population of three or four hundred. In 1853, hill diggings were discovered, and 
another ditch was brought from Shady Creek by the Grizzly Water Company. Messrs. 
Charles Marsh and W. M. Stewart were the projectors and principal owners. In 
June, 1853, about one half of the village was destroyed by fire, and again in 
September 1854, another disastrous fire occurred. By this time the hill diggings 
were considerably developed and proven to be extensive. Tunnels and cuts were 
run into the hills wherever fall could be found; ditches were enlarged, and 
every preparation made for extensive work. Profitable mining soon followed. In 
1855 another ditch was brought in by Simpson & Co. Subsequently deeper tunnels 
were run in order to reach the bottom of the lead, which was found to be from 
one to 200 feet in depth. The total cost of the various cuts and tunnels of this 
locality, cannot be less than a quarter of a million of dollars, and the amount 
of gold taken out must be among the millions.
        A large extent of valuable mining ground remains to be worked. In 
addition to the hydraulic mines, there is a broad, deep stratum of "blue 
cement," so called, underlying the red gravel, which is rich in gold. This will 
have to be worked by the mill process, as is already being successfully done in 
other parts of the county. This, undoubtedly, will give remunerative work to 
several mills for years.
        There are good indications of valuable quartz lodes in the vicinity, but 
very little, however, has been done to develop them. The principal placer mines 
are now owned by the Empire Flat Co., Messrs. Bird & Smith, Messrs Black & 
Alger, H. French, W. Glaislee, G. Ryan and the Nevada Water Co. The two ditches 
brought in in 1852 and 1853, are now owned by the Nevada Water Co:, and the 
Simpson & Co. ditch by the Empire Flat Co. Valuable tail sluices are owned by 
the Caledonia Co., T. P. Otis & Co., Keenedy & Neville, Dr. Farrelly, Alexander 
& Smith and C. P. McClelland. The present population is between three and four 
hundred.
 
CHEROKEE.
        The first prospecting done here was in 1850, by some Cherokee Indians, 
on what is called, at present, the Cherokee ranch. The earliest mining with 
rockers was done by the Sack brothers, on Shady Creek, just below the village of 
Cherokee. The first sluice mining was done by Dr. Wm. Patterson, our former 
County Clerk, and John McGraw, in 1851, and the same year the Grizzly ditch was 
surveyed, by Charles Marsh and others, and a company formed to bring water to 
this flat from Grizzly Canon, and was finished in the fall of 1852, proving a 
very profitable investment, furnishing water about five months of the year, and 
causing a rapid growth of the present village of Cherokee. The whole flat was 
staked off, and yielded large returns, some companies making as high as fifty 
dollars a day to the hand.
        The vote of this precinct in 1854 was three hundred and ten. The 
citizens of this place built a comfortable school house, by subscription; the 
first teacher was J. B. Johnson, now of North San Juan. The present number of 
scholars is about fifty-five; the whole number of children enumerated in the 
School Marshal's report was sixty-eight.
        The present mining companies are John Ryan & Co., Hunter & McCarthy, 
Gill, Quick & Co., on Badger Hill, R. Nelson & Co., Wm.. Kilevy & Co., John 
Poulson & Co., Martin, Yauch & Co., and others.
        There is one church edifice here, Catholic, with a large congregation. 
The other denominations have free access to the school house for religious 
worship. There are three stores, two hotels, one shoe shop, one blacksmith shop, 
and one saw mill, with a capacity of 10,000 feet of lumber per day. The first 
post office established here was in 1855, and was called Patterson, after Dr. 
Patterson, as he was one of the first miners in the place. As there was a town 
in Butte county called Cherokee the name of the post office was called 
Patterson, as the rules of the Department would not establish two offices of the 
same name in the State.
        There is a company engaged in sinking a shaft six by twelve feet. They 
have a steam engine for hoisting purposes, and are down now one hundred and 
seventy feet, and it prospects from the top to the bottom. The company, as soon 
as they reach the bed rock, contemplate running a tunnel to the Middle Yuba, for 
fall. When completed, the best and richest diggings in California will be 
opened.