MINERS & BUSINESS MENS
DIRECTORY
1856
P R E F A C
E.
In the compilation of the “Miners and Business Men’s Directory” we have not confined ourselves to the registry of name alone, (as we have not given over one-eight part of the population,) but have endeavored to collect such other matter concerning the territory embraced as would be of interest not only to our own people, but also those at a distance, many of whom have an idea that the mining community are but half civilized, savage, and dangerous to meet. To this class of our readers we beg to refer them to the “Report of the Superintendent of Public Schools,” our Churches, our Masonic, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, and other praise-worthy organizations, and see if we do not contrast well with any large number of population on the face of the Globe.
In order to get reliable information as to the rise and progress of the different Camps, we have visited most of them in person, and are happy to state that in most instances the citizens have furnished us with the desired information. Those Camps that have manifested little or no interest in the enterprise, cannot attach any blame on our part for not giving them a more conspicuous notice--the fault is theirs, and not ours.
We return our thanks to the following gentlemen, who so kindly volunteered their assistance in procuring matter for the Directory:--Dr. L. C. Gunn, C. L. Dodge, Peter Mehen, Jno. Sedgwick, J. P. Clough, Sonora; Dr. C. M. Clairborne, J. D. Brown, Jamestown; Chas. Belding, Montezuma; N. A. Tolman, Jacksonville; N. Milner, Shaw’s Flat; J. H. Richardson, Lagrange; Palmer & Allen, Judge Dent, Isaac Snodgrass, Knight’s Ferry; G. H. Cohoesy, Garrote; Judge Puntney, J. M. Morrow, Murphey’s; Jubal Harrington, Springfield; N. Brown, J. A. Jackson, J. D. Patterson, G. Hildreth, Columbia; as well a number of others throughout this and the adjoining counties.
If this, our first effort, in the mountains of California, meets with the approbation of the public, we will be more than remunerated, and in all probability present another of like character, but greatly improved on the 1st of January, 1857.
HECKENDORN & WILSON .
T U O L U M N E C O U N T Y .
Tuolumne County is bounded by the Stanislaus River on the North; the Dividing Ridge of the Tuolumne and Merced Rivers on the South; the Summit of the Sierra Nevadas on the East, and Stanislaus county on the West.
The County Seat is at Sonora. The principal places in the County are Sonora, Columbia, Jamestown, Shaw’s Flat, Springfield, Saw Mill Flat, Yankee Hill, Brown’s Flat, Jacksonville, Big Oak Flat, the Garotes, Chinese Camp, Montezuma, Don Pedro’s Bar, Algerine and Gold Springs. The population of the county is about 30,000.
Although the territory of the county at first attracted attention only for its mineral wealth, it has other resources that are beginning to be developed, and promise a large increase of wealth to the county. The upper portion, for twenty or thirty miles above Sonora and Columbia is becoming valuable for its fine timber, while there is scarcely a spot in the county, where the elevation is not too great, that will not produce abundantly, either grain, vegetables or fruit. Peaches and grapes are already beginning to be raised in considerable quantities, and of the finest and most delicious flavor.—Figgs (sic), Cherries and Pears, although not yet raised to any great amount, are found to flourish, and show that the soil and climate are well adapted to their cultivation. The Strawberry is already cultivated to some extent and many of those raised last year measured four inches in circumference.
While the lower and central portions of the county supply the fruits of almost all climates, the upper portions furnish snow and ice, the greatest luxuries, during the heat of summer.
The mineral wealth of the county, notwithstanding the large number of miners that have been laboring here for the past seven years, is, apparently, but just being developed, and now promise greater permanency than was ever dreamed of before—deposits have been discovered that many years cannot exhaust.
Lumber
business of Tuolumne County.
For the following statement we are indebted to Mr. J. W. Brazee, a manufacturer and dealer, and one of the pioneers of the lumber business in this county. He is perfectly conversant with it in all its details, and his statement can be fully relied on as correct, with, perhaps, a slight variation as to distances, locality, and a few other unimportant points.
Mills.
CLAPP & BRAZEE, Steam--8 miles east of Sonora, Sierra Nevadas. Runs four Saws, Mulay, Circular, Edger and Cross Cut.
HESLEP & TRAYLOR, Steam and Water--seven miles east of Sonora. Runs four Saws, Sash, Circular, Edger and Cross Cut.
WHITING & VANVECHTEN, Steam--three miles east of Columbia. Runs Mulay and Circular.
SMITH, MORSE & CO., Steam--6 miles east of Columbia; runs Sash & Edger. In this mill they have a Planeing Machine and the only one in the county.
NYE, Steam--11 miles east of Sonora; runs Sash and Edger.
MAJOR PREVOST, Steam--11 miles south east of Sonora, runs 1 saw, Sash.
DAVIS & CO., Steam--15 miles east of Sonora; runs 2 saws, Sash and Edger, also a Shingle machine.
SEVERANCE & CO., Steam--4 miles south-east of Sonora; runs Sash and Edger;
LATIMER, Steam--near Jacksonville, runs one saw, Sash.
MOUNTAIN PINE MILL, Steam--10 miles east of Sonora; runs a Sash Saw.
REED & CO., Steam--near Garote, runs a Sash and Edger.
SMITH, HUNT & CO., Steam--between Coultersville and Garote; runs a Sash and Edger.
BAILEY & MORGAN, Steam--12 miles east of Sonora; runs a Sash Saw. This mill was consumed by fire in 1855, but is now rebuilt.
SUGAR PINE, Water--18 miles east of Sonora; runs two Sash saws.
ENTERPRISE, Water--11 miles east of Sonora, runs a Sash and Edger.
CHARBONIELL, Water--6 miles east of Sonora; runs a Sash saw. This is the pioneer mill east of Sonora.
LEWIS & ENGLE, Water--2 miles east of Columbia; runs a Sash Saw. It is propelled by water from the Tuolumne Co. Co.’s Ditch.
WOODHAM & CO., Water--6 miles east of Columbia; runs a Sash Saw.
Street, Water--Tuolumne river, above Jacksonville; runs a Sash Saw.
Vine Springs, Water--near Columbia; runs a Sash Saw.
Mountain Brow, Water--Mormon creek, near Springfield; runs a Sash.
Zootman, Water--Mormon Creek, runs a Sash Saw.
Talbot, Water--mouth of Wood’s Creek, runs a Sash Saw.
Twenty-four mills, running thirty-four saws, fourteen steam mills, and ten by water power.
In addition to the above, there will soon be several others in the county, as the machinery for one is now lying in Sonora, and several other parties are now preparing to put up mills.
The amount of lumber manufactured during the year 1855, was about fifteen millions of feet. For the year 1856, the mills will cut, at a low estimate, twenty millions of feet. The three mills first mentioned on the list, will cut (with common success) over five millions of feet.--The lumber is worth at the mills, $30 per thousand, on an average.
The cost of the mills will average $15,000 each, or a total amount of $375,000. Two hundred and fifty men find active employment in the lumber business, at prices ranging from fifty to one hundred dollars per month, besides the men and teams engaged in hauling the lumber to market.
About two-thirds of the lumber is used for mining purposes. The balance is used on the ranches, and for building.
The timber is principally Sugar, Yellow and Nut pine, Red Cedar and Spruce, with some oak. The Pines, however predominate, and the proportion of lumber sawed is as nineteen to twenty of the former.
Mr. Charboniell, of Sonora, built the first mill in the county, it was located in Sonora. Heslep and Manning soon after erected one on Wood’s Creek, on the site now occupied by Heslep & Bell, as a Flouring mill. Caleb Dorsey, our present District Attorney, built a mill below Springfield. It was designed both as a Saw mill and to hoist water from Mormon creek to supply the miners on Shaw’s Flat. The enterprise failed, and Mr. Dorsey removed his machinery to Saw Mill Flat, where he done (sic) a fair business in manufacturing lumber. Stacey, Bennett, and Turner soon after put up another mill on the Flat, and then sold it to J. W. Brazee, who run (sic) it two years, and then sold to Whiting & Vanvechten, who, removed it to their present site, and now have one of the best mills in the county.
From the above statement it will be seen that the manufactory of lumber is a heavy item in our home productions, and gives employment to quite a number of operatives.
The timber is abundant, and the business must increase very rapidly from the fact that the farmers are requiring more every year for fencing and building purposes.
The last season the mills were not able to supply the demand, many of the fluming companies had to suspend their works on account of not being able to procure lumber. The coming season there will be immense amounts consumed for fluming and other purposes.
REPORT
Of County Supt. Of Common Schools.
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Tuolumne County:
The whole number of public schools in this county from which I have received reports, is 8; whole number of teachers from whom I have received regular public school reports, is 10; whole number of pupils connected with the public schools of this county, is 286--boys, 174, girls, 112. Of the above schools two are in the town of Columbia, one in Sonora, one in Jamestown, one in Jacksonville, one in Springfield, one in Shaw’s Flat, and one in Don Pedro’s.--In addition to the foregoing, there has been a school taught at Chinese Camp, and one at Montezuma; but according to the best information I have they did not comply with the requirements of the law, consequently can not come under the head of public schools. By the census returns to me from the five districts of the county, (each township being regarded a school district,) the total number of children in the county, between the age of 4 and 18 years, is, 809. Of the above number 21 are orphans.
While I think the School Marshals in the various districts attempted to enroll all the children, I have reason to believe that a great many were overlooked, that instead of 809, I feel confident that 1,000 might have been enrolled.
The amount of State funds received from State Treasurer by the County Treasurer of Tuolumne during the past school year, ending 31st October, 1855, was $2,053.87. The amount of County Tax collected during the same period, 0----. Owing to negligence or some other cause best known to themselves, the previous Board of Supervisors, did not levy a school tax for last year, (1854.)
The amount of money paid or ordered paid by the former Board of Supervisors, for School Marshals fees is not known to me exactly, but it must be two or three hundred dollars.
Total amount of school money on hand 31st October, 1855, $1,111,87.
Amount still due on Teachers’ salaries for last years’ services, is $819,00, which sum is subject to the order of the County Superintendent, so soon as the same may be in the hands of the County Treasurer. Making in all for the expense of last year, payable out of the public funds, $1,902,00.
In the above named towns, as well as many others, private schools have been supported, at very great expense to the patrons, during a great part of the past year.
Whole amount of property assessed for school purposes the present year in this county is, $2,423,510,00. The assessment is ten cents on one hundred dollars: from which source about $2,250 will be raised for school purposes. Add to this $3,000, probable amount that will be received from State funds by this county, and we have a sum of $5,250 for State and county fund.
Previous to 1854 no census was taken of the children of this county; prior to 1855 no public funds were distributed to this county, only as Marshals’ and County Superintendents’ fees,--With the exception of Jamestown, there have been no moneys expended in the erection or repair of town school houses in this county.
During the present year it is hoped that six or seven new schools may be established in the county, for which, as well as in the before mentioned towns, school houses are to be erected. In view of the fact that no funds have been raised from the county for school purposes, I would beg leave most respectfully to suggest that your honorable body, by small appropriations, assist the various districts of the county in sustaining the necessary heavy outlay of the present year. After houses shall have been erected in the various districts, I feel confident the school fund, and the liberality of the patrons of schools, will be sufficient to keep them in constant session hereafter.
All of which is respectfully submitted to your honorable body.
ROBERT PORTERFIELD, C. S, P, S. Tuolumne County.
County Liabilities.
|
Amount of County Warrants outstanding, payable out of the General Fund of the County, Amount of Warrants outstanding, payable out of the Hospital Fund, Amount of Warrants outstanding, payable out of the Contingent Fund, Tuolumne County Bonds Outstanding, Amount of Cash in Treasury, Amount of Indebtedness, |
$52,450.41 $5,783.75 $ 67.50 $29,250.00 $87,551.76 $12,276.82 $74,274.84 |
County Officers.
County Judge.--Thomas S. Jones. Associates.--Wm. H. Ford, F. B. Lattimer.
Sheriff.--James M. Stuart. Deputie’s.--John Sedgwick, J. A. Cogswell.
Clerk.--R. A. Robinson. Dept.--E. E. White.
Recorder.--Mark Walrath. Dept.--A. F. Platt.
District Attorney.--Caleb Dorsey. Acting Attorney.--Hugh G. Platt.
Treasurer.--W. W. Traylor.
Assessor.--J. P. Clough.
Public Administrator.--Wm. T. Pinney.
Coroner.--J. A. Davis.
Supt. Of Public Schools.--R. Porterfield
Supervisors.--Wm. Wetherill, O. H. Bradbury, H. A. Nelson, Jonathan Brown.
District Court meets on the first Monday of March, July and November.
Court of Sessions and County Court, first Monday of February, April, June, August, October and December.
Justices of the Peace and Constables.
Township No. 1.
Justices of the Peace.--Wm. H. Ford, T. S. Hall, L. C. Gunn, G. W. Patrick.
Constables.--S. G. Phillips, A. F. Noles, D. S. McDowell, J. W. Leadbetter.
Township No. 2.
Justices of the Peace.--C. H. Chamberlain, N. Milner.
Constables.--John A. Palmer, J. B. Stetson.
Township No 3.
Justices of the Peace.--Elton Baker, F. B. Lattimore.
Constables.--James Lunt, Wm. A. Morrison.
Township No. 4.
Justices of the Peace.--John N. Stone, N. A. Tolman.
Constable.--C. H. Ruffin.
Township No. 5.
Justices of the Peace.--W. C. Sanders, W. M. Raymond.
Constables.--C. F. Woodford, N. G. Bates.
County Hospital established by Kendel and Brown. The County entered into a contract with them on the 6th of April, 1854, for taking care of the Indigent sick for two years from that date, at the rate of $25 per week for each patient.
No. of Acres of Land in Tuolumne Co. 41,507
No. City or Town Lots. 924
Value of Real Estate. 232,070
Value of Improvements 815,735
Value of Personal Property 1,227,755
Total Value of Property 2,275,560
The Barry Papers.
We give below verbatim et literatim several papers belonging to the records of Judge Barry’s Court. They will prove interesting to old residents, especially those who were acquainted with the old Judge and his manner of doing business. The first we give are indorsements on the papers in Coroner’s Inquests.
[No. 1.]
Wm. Doff who was murdered with Buck, October 20, 1850, (one mile from office.) There were $13 found on the body of the deceased, which I handed over to J. M. Huntington, Public Administrator, nothing more found to be his. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace, Coroner Protem. (No clue to the murderers.)
[No. 2.]
Michal Burk, October 20, 1850, murdered one mile from town, no effects found upon deceased. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace, Acting Coroner. (No clue to the murderers.)
[No. 3.]
George Williams, October 22, 1850, cut his throat with a Razor, no property whatever. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace. Acting Coroner.
[No. 4.]
Dr. James Say, October 28, 1850, it was rumored that deceased was poisoned, but upon a port-mortom examination, Dr. Bradshaw found that he died of disease of the heart, no property except about $50, which was appropriated to burynig the body. R. C. BARRY, Jutice Peace. Acting Coroner.
[No. 5.]
Wm. Bowen, June, 26, 1851, Bowen was hung at Curtises, Creek by the mob, for killing A. Boggs, no property found whatever belonging to deceased. The law has never discovered the hangmen, warrants issued for Hogg and others, no evidence to bind over after much examination. Justices fees $10. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace. Acting Coroner.
[No. 6.]
T. Newly, January 30, 1851, killed by Fuller, who shot him with a gun, no property. Fuller was committed by me and sentenced by the court, to two years confinement. He broke jail and run (sic.) off. Justices fees $10. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace. Acting Coroner.
[No. 8.]
James Haden, Feb. 25, 1851, was found murdered in Washington Street, by some sharp instrument late at night; no property. No clue to the purpertrator (sic.). R.C. BARRY, Justice Peace, Acting Coroner.
[No. 9.]
Leven Davis, March 13, 1851, was killed by a rifle shot fired from Holden’s Garden in a Jumping Claim Row. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace, Acting Coroner.
[No. 10.]
Wm. A. Bowen, April 2, 1851, was found murdered back of Washington Street, ner (sic.) Holdens, was cut to death with a knife. No clue to the perpetrator. R.C. BARRY, Justice Peace. Acting Coroner.
[No. 12.]
Capt. David Mora, June 3, 1851, was struck by Sexton with his fist, and knocked out of doors and killed, at his and McGloklin’s Garden 2 miles from office; no property. Sexton was justified, I arrested and examined him with all the others. Justices fees $10. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace. Acting Coroner.
[No. 16.]
Inquest upon body of William Clark, July 16, 1850, was found dead in his bead (sic.) about a mile north of this office in a tent, under supposed suspicious surcomstances(sic), but was found upon examination to of died suddenly a natural death by disease of the heart and lungs; no property but an old Tent, and a few little cooking and keeping fixtures, appropriated them burying his body. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace. Acting Coroner.
[No. 19.]
Wm. Ford, July 28, 1851, was shot and killed by a young man called Stud Horse Bob.--Was considered justifiable, no property found with him, but had some means in the hands of Maj. Holden who administered. Arrested him and examined the case, no falt (sic)found. Justices fees $10.
[No. 997.]
Civil case No. 997 was for an action of restitution of property and damages, and that it can be better and more fully understood, we copy the original summons.
State of California. } To the Sheriff or
County of Tuolumne.} any Constable of
The aifresaid (sic) County. Greeting.
You are hereby commanded to summons Mayberry and Street, to appear before me at my office on the eight day of November A. D. 1851, at the hour of 9 o’clock, to answer to complaint filed in this Court by D. T. Donnalld where in he charges them with a nucense (sic) by putting a privy on a lot which they have jumped belonging to Pltff. as a possessor right, he now comes to claim his rights as an American Cittizen (sic), by claiming a writ to disposess (sic) them and to have restitution according to law, with appropriate damages, for the imposission (sic) now about to be carried out against him. By such high handed and mercenary arrowgance (sic) on the part of the afore said accused. R.C. BARRY. Sonora City, Nov. 5th 1851.
[No.998.]
Is a case wherein the State was the prosecutor and a Mexican by the name of ----. Barretta defendant. The trial lasted for near two days, and most of the legal profession (sic) were engaged to prosecute and defend. At the conclusion of the trial Justice Barry took the case under consideration and after several hours of invesitga- (sic) and reflection, returned the following written document.
State of California.
County of Tuolumne.
Having investigated the case wherein--. Barretta has bean charged by an old Mexican woman names Maria Toja, with having abstracted a box of money which was buried in the ground, jointly belonging to her self and daughter, and carrying it, or the contents away from her dwelling, and appropriating the same to his own use and benifet (sic), the supposed amount being over too (sic) hundred dollars; but failing to prove positively that it contained more than twenty, and that proven by testimony of his owne (sic) witness and by his owne (sic) acknowledgment, the case being so at variance with the common dictates of humanity and having bean done under very painful surcumstaces (sic), at the time when the young woman was about to close her existence, the day before she died, and her aged mother, at the same time lying upon a bead (sic) of sickness unable to rise or to get a morsel of food for her self, and he at the time, presenting him self, as an angel of releaf (sic) to the poor and destitute sick, when twenty poor dollars might have releaved the emediate necessitys (sic) of the poor, infeabled, sick, and destitute old woman, far from home and friends. Calls imperititvely (sic) for a severe rebuke and reprimand for sutch inhuman and almost unpresedented conduct, as also the necessity of binding him over to the Court of Sessions in the sum of $500,00. R. C. BARRY, Justice Peace November, 10th 1851.
SENATORS OF
In the first organization of the State, Tuolumne County was a portion of the San Joaquin Senatorial District, which embraced San Joaquin and the entire Southern mines. This district elected four Senators, to wit: David S. Douglass, Benjamin S. Lippincott, Nelson Taylor, and T. A. Vermule, none of them hailing from Tuolumne County. Alfred W. Luckett, of Sonora, was chosen Enrolling clerk of the Senate. The legislature of 1851 constituted Tuolumne county a distinct Senatorial district, entitled to two Senators; and Gen. Alex. Anderson, and Col. Paul K. Hubbs were elected. Stanislaus county was then a portion of Tuolumne. Gen Anderson’s was the short term, expiring that year; and Jas. W. Coffroth was elected successor to Col. Hubbs, and J. W. Mandeville, in 1854, as successor to Mr. Coffroth. In 1855, Mr. Coffroth was again chosen successor to Dr. Kendall. The Senatorial district was not changed when Stanislaus county was cut off from Tuolumne in 1854, embracing still the two counties as heretofore.
ASSEMBLYMEN.
There being no division into counties in 1849, the first Assemblymen were elected by districts, and the San Joaquin Senatorial district, as above described, elected nine members, to-wit: Benjamin F. Moore, Drury P. Baldwin, Malcolm M. Stewart, R. M. Heath, Charles M. Creaner, J. S. Ogier, James C. Morehead, J. F. Stephens, and J. W. Van Benschoten. Of these Messrs. Moore and Stewart were from Sonora, Baldwin, from Sullivan’s creek, and Van Benschoten, from Jamestown. The last did not take his seat till February 14th, 1850, and he resigned on the 18th, occupied his seat only four days. R. M. Heath resigned on the same day. Dr. Wm. M. Shepherd, of Sonora, and John Cave, of Jamestown, were chosen to fill the vacancies, and took their seats on the 26th of March. Mr. Cave’s circumstances were such at that time, that he could not go to the Seat of Government, until a few friends had furnished a suit of clothes, and made up a small purse to pay traveling expenses. After the adjournment of the Legislature Mr. Cave engaged in the practice of law at Sonora.
The Assemblymen elected by Tuolumne county in the Fall of 1850, were B. F. Moore, D. P. Baldwin, and William Wilkins. In 1851, D. L. Blanchard, Wm. B. Dameron, Jesse Brush, Jas. W. Coffroth, and Dr. Thos, Jeff. Ingersoll. In 1852, James W. Mandeville, Jesse Brush, John J. Hoff, William M. Meredith, and James M. Wilson. In 1853, T. J. Hoyt, H. B. Godard, J. J. Hoff, B. D. Horr, and J. W. Mandeville. In 1854, Fleming Amyx, Samuel McCurdy, Dr. T. J. Oxley, and J. M. Quinn. In 1855, Dr. T. J. Van Dusen, Thos. C. Brunton, M. McGhee, and Dr. T. J. Oxley. The Apportionment Bill of 1851 gave us five members; but, when Stanislaus county was cut off, our number was reduced to four.
Of the above named gentlemen, B. F. Moore was a member of the Convention which framed the Constitution. He was also a candidate of the Whig party for United States Representative in 1851; and D. P. Baldwin, was the candidate of the same party, the same year for Lieutenant Governor.
Transcribed by Sue
Wood.
Proofread by Betty
Vickroy.
© 2008 Sue Wood.
MINERS & BUSINESS MEN'S DIRECTORY
GOLDEN NUGGET LIBRARY'S SAN JOAQUIN DATABASES