miles from Sacramento City. The valley, though small, is one of the most
beautiful in the State, being about three-fourths of a mile in width,
and walled up on either side by lofty mountains. The saw-mill in the
race of which gold was first discovered, is still standing and in
operation. (See Plate.) The location of the town is extremely pleasant,
being near a bend of the river, and commanding an extended view of the
surrounding country. It was once infested by gamblers, but the miners
took the matter in hand and drove them out at the point of the bayonet.
A gigantic enterprise has been undertaken just below the town, by Mr.
Little, of Maine. There is an abrupt bend in the river, the sweep around
being three miles, and but a half-mile across; this half-mile is being
tunneled to draw the water from the natural channel, which is supposed
to be very rich in gold. A large frame was erected here for a
flouring-mill, at the time the saw-mill was erected; but Mr. Sutter
changing his plans, had it removed to the fort, and after the breaking
out of the gold excitement it was taken to Sacramento City and erected,
making the first hotel, in point of size and accommodations, in town,
called the City Hotel. On the right of the accompanying plate will be
seen a remnant of that persecuted and doomed race, the native California
Indians.
Hangtown, now Placerville, is situated three miles from the south fork
of the American River, twelve miles from Coloma and fifty-five from
Sacramento City. It is a dry diggings, or mountain gorge, and one of the
most productive in the State. The surrounding country is extremely
mountainous, with innumerable gorges, from which gold has been obtained
in great abundance.
[Illustration: G. V. COOPER DEL.
ON STONE BY J. CAMERON
LITH. of G. W. LEWIS 111 NASSAU ST. N. Y.
COLOMA.]
Its first name originated in the execution of two men, a Spaniard and a
Frenchman. They were guilty of murder and robbery, tried before Judge
Lynch, and executed, all within twenty-four hours.
Soon after this, a man or lad, who was known as Irish Dick, had a
difficulty with a person at a gaming table, in the Eldorado, after which
he waylaid and murdered him. This was the second murder of which he had
been guilty, and for this, his own life fell a sacrifice. The miners
took him in charge, tied a rope round his neck, then giving him the
other end, compelled him to climb a tree, go out on one of the limbs,
fasten the end of the rope, and at the drop of a handkerchief, jump off.
He complied with apparent cheerfulness, and died without a struggle.
This is now the first stopping-place for the overland emigration, from
which cause, as well as that of the superior richness of the surrounding
mountain gorges, it has become a place of much importance. At the time
of which I am writing there were several rude houses constituting the
town, all under the supervision of males--females, like the visits of
their illustrious prototypes, being few and far between. I think the
first one had not yet made her appearance.
No nation with less genius than the “universal Yankee,” could have
survived the privation, and even of these it required the genuine
“wooden nutmeg” species, a couple of specimens of which are faintly
portrayed in the accompanying plate. Their garments are of a cut not
_generally_ adopted in the Atlantic cities, yet I can assure the reader
they are eminently fashionable in California. The general appearance of
these individuals is a true index to the order and systematic
arrangement that pervade the interior of their habitation. Nothing is
done for show or ornament; everything bearing the impress of
practicality and economy--one frying-pan, two tin-plates, both slightly
touched with “ile,” to prevent rust, their knives in their pockets and
forks in their _hair_. They are just going in, having finished their
day’s work. They are practical miners, both having made fortunes at the
business. Their house is well known by every one who has traveled
through that region of the country, and many will associate with the
“Yankee House” pleasant recollections, it having been a general resort
and nightly scene of a sociable soirée, or something more brilliant.
There are numerous herds of wild cattle in these mountainous regions,
which have never been hunted or molested by man, until since the
discovery of gold, and even now their wildness and impetuosity render
their capture extremely uncertain and perilous. The mountaineers, who
always carry their lives in their hands and court danger in every form,
are extremely loth to attack a wild bullock, even when well armed and
mounted.
The grizzly bear is a universal terror, and is rarely molested by
experienced hunters, yet their capture is thought less perilous than
that of a wild bullock, for these when wounded become frantic, and
nothing can withstand them. Mr. Lewis, a neighbor who had gained a
notoriety by his success in hunting the grizzly bear, having captured
two in one day, and several others at different times, all through the
fleetness and superior training of his mule, resolved to make an attempt
upon a herd of wild cattle that were in the mountains not far distant.
He considered his mule equal to any emergency, and having a rifle that
plainly spoke for itself, he started on his perilous adventure. He found
the herd feeding in a ravine, and approached very near before they eyed
his mule with suspicion. They seemed quite unconscious of approaching
danger, until one of them, catching the scent of the foe, threw up his
head, gave the peculiar signal, and all were in motion; at this instant
the rifle was discharged, the ball taking effect in the neck of one of
the bullocks, bringing him upon his knees; he immediately recovered, and
wheeling about, bounded with headlong speed in the direction of the
mule. The moment was a critical one, the mule under the sting of the
spur was doing his utmost, the bullock in hot pursuit, his eyes flashing
fire, his tongue hanging from his mouth, the blood streaming from his
nostrils, and he foaming and bellowing with the most terrific fury,
gaining upon his adversaries at every bound. At length, he was upon
them, the rider seeing no other alternative, caught the limb of a tree
letting the mule pass on. The next bound, however, was his last, for the
bullock overtaking him, struck him in the side bringing him to the
ground, and after goring him several times, bounded away in the
direction taken by the herd, and soon disappeared. Upon visiting the
location of the above-described occurrence a few days thereafter, in
passing through a slight gorge, I came upon
[Illustration: G. V. COOPER DEL.
ON STONE BY J. CAMERON
LITH. OF G. W. LEWIS, 111 NASSAU ST. N. Y.
THE YANKEES HOUSE AT HANG TOWN
_So much lower than their heads they had to crawl in and
double up like jack knives._]
the bodies of three Indians who had been dead apparently about two
weeks, each bearing the marks of the unerring rifle; they had been among
the whites as their dresses indicated, two of them having on jean
shirts, the other a blue flannel. Two of them were shot through the
chest, the other through the head; the sight was a sad one, and gave
rise to melancholy reflections, for here these poor beings are hunted
and shot down like wild beasts, and these no doubt fell by the hand of
the assassin, not for lucre but to satiate a feeling of revenge.
In an adjoining territory the “red man” had a quiet home; their
“wigwams” were always supplied with venison, their corn-fields ripened
in autumn, their rude traps furnished clothing for the winter, and in
the spring they danced in praise of the “Great Spirit” for causing
flowers to bloom upon the graves of their fathers; but the white
stranger came and took possession of their hunting grounds and streams,
and harvested their corn. They held a council and decided that the Great
Spirit had sent the white stranger, and it would be wrong not to give
him all he wished; they collected their traps, bows, and arrows, and
prepared to fall back in search of new streams and hunting grounds; they
paid the last visit to the graves of their fathers. What were their
feelings? The moon threw a pale, dim light through the foliage, the air
breathed a mournful sigh as they reached the lonely mound; the
stout-hearted warrior drew his blanket to hide his tears as he bowed
down to commune for the last time with the spirits that had so often
blessed him in the chase; his heart was too full, and he fell upon his
face and wept bitterly. But, a last adieu; they rise, cross the arrows
over the grave, and walk mournfully away; the Great Spirit gives them a
new hunting ground, and the corn ripens on the plain, but soon the white
stranger comes and tells them to fall back. They are at the base of the
mountain; there are no hunting grounds beyond; if they go into the
mountain their corn will not ripen, and their “papooses” will starve in
the wigwam; they hold a council and decide to defend their homes against
the encroachments of the white stranger. The whites were strong, and
drove the red man into the mountains, and for the crime of having
_tried_ to defend their homes and offspring, they are placed under a
ban, and hunted down like wild beasts. No matter where they are found
the crime of being a red man is a forfeiture, not only of all right to
property but to life itself.
Will not some philanthropist rise above sectional prejudices, and
undertake the regeneration of this truly noble but down-trodden people?
Had I the wealth of an Astor I would not wish a better or nobler field
for immortality.
The first man I met after my arrival in the interior was an Oregonian on
horseback, armed with a revolving rifle in search of Indians. He had had
a horse stolen, and presumed it was taken by an Indian; he swore he
“would shoot the first red-skin he met,” and I had no reason to doubt
his word; still the chances were ninety-nine out of the hundred, that
the horse was stolen by a white man. I have no doubt the three Indians
above spoken of were wantonly shot while walking peaceably along their
trail.
[Illustration: G. V. COOPER DEL.
ON STONE BY J. CAMERON
LITH. OF G. W. LEWIS, 111 NASSAU ST. N. Y.
PLACER VILLE,
(_HANG TOWN_).]
Chapter Nineteenth.
CANALLING OPERATIONS--UNSUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTS--COFFEE MILLS AND
GOLD WASHERS--FORMATION OF BARS--GOLD REMOVED FROM THE MOUNTAINS
DURING THE RAINY SEASON--SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS, AND ITS
DISSOLUTION--RISE AND FALL OF THE RIVER--STOCK
SPECULATIONS--QUICKSILVER MACHINES--SEPARATION OF GOLD AND
QUICKSILVER--INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISE--INCENTIVES TO
EXERTION--EXPENSES.
To give the reader a more definite idea of the success attending mining,
I will detail the result of the different operations in the vicinity of
my place of business, commencing one mile above and extending four
below; this is said to be as rich as the same extent on any river in the
country. The Manhattan Bar was canalled and dammed by the Manhattan Co.,
being a party of New Yorkers, including Gen. Winchester and brother.
After expending a large amount in turning the water from the bed of the
river, they purchased several quicksilver machines at one thousand
dollars each, and immediately put them in motion. It required but few
days to convince them of the failure that must attend the enterprise;
the machines did not collect enough to pay the men who worked them, and
they were immediately abandoned for the common rocker, which, in their
turn, were abandoned together with the entire work.
The next in order was the Vigilance Bar; here a large amount of money
was expended, and almost the entire summer devoted to the construction
of a dam and canal, all of which, proved an entire loss to the parties
concerned; they did not get enough to pay for the provisions consumed
during the construction of the work. In the immediate vicinity of this
was the Union Bar; a still greater amount in money and labor was
expended here, but, as in the case of the Vigilance Co., it proved a
total failure. In these two cases, sixty men had spent the entire summer
in hard labor, and now were obliged to encounter the rainy season, many
of them in debt, and but few with sufficient means to buy a month’s
provisions. In the latter company were several young Philadelphians,
sons of the first men of that city; an adventurous spirit had induced
them to leave their homes, and they were now encountering the
_realities_ of active life. Lacy’s Bar was next in order; there were
many rich private leads in the vicinity of this bar, and it contained
within its bounds many rich deposits. Soon after the completion of the
canal the bar was offered for sale--a _fire_ or _flood_ at St. Louis
making the proprietors’ return to the States imperative. I was unable to
learn whether said fire or flood above-mentioned had actually transpired
or was merely in anticipation, nor am I prepared to name the _precise_
amount of _net profits_ made by the purchasers of the above bar. Next is
the Mormon Bar; the details as well as the result of this enterprise
have been heretofore given. The next is Kentucky Bar; this undertaking
paid to each stockholder seven hundred dollars, which was good wages.
Next was Neptune’s, commonly known as “dead man’s bar,” the body of a
miner having been found upon it; this bar was worked by sailors, and was
the most productive in the country. It was said by those concerned, that
they generally took out one pound ($200) per day to the man. The rainy
season, however, destroyed their works before they had accumulated
fortunes. The next bar was small, and without a name; operations here
were unsuccessful, and soon abandoned.
The next bar I will name Woodworth’s Bar; when I visited it three men
were working a machine made by a Mr. Woodworth, of New York city; its
construction was somewhat on the plan of, and much resembled, a large
sized coffee-mill. For mining purposes the coffee-mill would have been
decidedly preferable. Fortunately for miners but few of the machines
made in the States ever found their way into the mineral regions; this
being the only one I saw during my stay in the country. Immense numbers
were shipped, and arrived in the bay of San Francisco; but, being
pronounced entirely worthless, they were thrown overboard, not worth
even the lighterage. This bar also proved a failure. The next below was
Lehigh Bar; this was canalled, and immediately abandoned as worthless.
Then came Little and Great Horse-Shoe Bars, neither of which paid for
the labor bestowed upon them. Not to mention the small intervening
bars, I will pass on and mention, lastly, Smith’s Bar; this was one of
the most gigantic works undertaken on the river. During its progress the
feelings of those concerned were of the most sanguine character; in
digging the canal they frequently came upon rich deposits, which would
throw all into a phrensy of excitement, and some realized small fortunes
by selling out during the progress of the work: after the completion of
the work machines were put in operation, and all were expecting to reap
golden harvests; some of the machines produced most bountifully, and
others almost nothing. A few days convinced them that, as a party, they
could not make wages, and the result was similar to those mentioned
above.
In all the bars mentioned there were points of extreme richness. The
calculations of those engaged in canalling were based upon a false,
though somewhat plausible theory; the margin being rich, they very
naturally came to the conclusion that the bed of the river must be much
more so. It appears, however, that gold _does not_ settle in the
channel, but is borne along until some abrupt bend in the river checks
the current, when it settles, together with the stone and earth, forming
bars, which have been described in a former chapter. It is understood
that these bars are formed during the rainy season. Torrents rush down
the mountains, and on reaching the stream unite in bearing along the
precious freight. It may seem strange that the current can convey gold
to any considerable distance; it is nevertheless true, and it may seem
less strange to one who has known the river to rise from twenty to
thirty feet in as many hours. In such freshets the _natural_ channel has
no influence, the torrents claiming for their boundaries the mountains
that tower up on either side. What is rain in the moderately elevated
regions, is snow as you advance higher up into the mountains. This
causes a long season of high water. The snow does not dissolve during
the rainy season, the sun being obscured--but at its cessation torrents
rush down the side of the mountains, and, not infrequently, huge masses
of snow, as if impatient of their slow dissolution, will break loose
from their fastenings, and with a terrific sweep dash into the chasm
below. At this season of the year the rise and fall of the rivers are as
uniform as the tides.
As the sun approaches the meridian, streams become swollen, frequently
rising several feet, and fall as it disappears behind the mountains. It
ceases to rain about the first of March, but in consequence of the
immense quantities of snow on the mountains, streams do not resume their
natural channels until the first of July, at which time, deposits made
during the flood are found, as a general thing, above water-mark. One
cause and perhaps the main one, of the almost universal failure of
canalling operations is, that the facilities attained do not
counterbalance the enormous expenditures requisite. Another difficulty
is that a company of thirty men cannot, in the mines, operate with the
same economy of time that they can when working in pairs. As I had lost
on my stock in the Mormon Bar I determined to make it up by buying in
the balance, which I did at from ten to fifteen dollars per share, and
eventually sold it at several hundred per cent. advance to a company
designing to operate upon it with quicksilver machines. Gen. Winchester
& Co. became joint owners, and soon several of the machines were in
successful operation, propelled by water drawn from the canal. The
success of the experiment was placed beyond a doubt. The machines used
were called the “Burk rocker.” They were placed on an inclined plane,
and in the upper riffles, which were of iron, was placed a quantity of
quicksilver. Dirt was thrown in at the upper end of the machines, and as
it was washed through, the rocking motion would bring it in contact with
the quicksilver, which having a strong affinity for the gold, carefully
collects it without including any other substance. After the quicksilver
has taken up, or freighted itself to its utmost capacity, and become a
solid mass, or amalgam, it is taken out and its place supplied.
In separating the gold and quicksilver the amalgam is put into a retort,
to the top of which is screwed a crooked iron tube, the end passing into
a vessel of water. A heat is raised under the retort of six hundred
degrees, which causes the quicksilver to evaporate and pass up into the
tube, when it condenses and passes down into the water. This operation
is performed at a loss of only two and a half per cent. of the
quicksilver. These machines were purchased at a cost of one thousand
dollars each, although in the States they are worth less than forty.
Their
[Illustration: G. V. COOPER DEL.
ON STONE BY J. CAMERON
LITH. OF G. W. LEWIS 111 NASSAU ST. N. Y.
WHITE OAK SPRING.]
operation was very successful, and had it not been for the early deluge
would have made fortunes for their owners.
The result attending individual enterprise was similar to that of
canalling, with the exception that in the former case heavy debts were
not contracted, and the individual, if he had not a fortune in his
pocket, felt that what he earned was his own. I had a good opportunity
to learn the daily proceeds of each man’s labor, my scale being at their
service and almost universally used. I could name one hundred
individuals, take them in order as they were operating along the river,
and not more than ten of the number had, at the commencement of the
rainy season, sufficient means to purchase provisions for the winter.
They had labored hard; to-day, opening a lead; to-morrow, getting out an
ounce; and the day after prospecting. They had been all summer just on
the eve of making a rich discovery and a fortune, the prospect was
always bright and cheering, the prize just, almost, within the
grasp--to-morrow--never more distant than to-morrow. The lead is open
to-day, to-morrow the reward, that to-morrow dawned to comparatively
few. It is _still_ about to dawn, and sought with the same enthusiasm.
Could the miners have pocketed all they took from the earth, few,
perhaps, would have had reason to complain, but the attending expenses
were so great that it was almost impossible to live and keep anything in
the purse. They would eat up at night what they had earned during the
day, consequently the proceeds of labor passed immediately into the
hands of those in trade.
Chapter Twentieth.
COMMOTION IN THE POLITICAL ELEMENTS--CALIFORNIA A STATE--SLAVERY
PROHIBITED--POLITICAL CAMPAIGN, AND THE RAINY SEASON--SPEECH OF A
WOULD-BE-GOVERNOR--ENTHUSIASM AND BRANDY--ELECTION
DISTRICTS--BALLOT-BOXES AND UMBRELLAS--MINERS IN A TRANSITION
STATE--PREPARATIONS FOR THE RAINY SEASON--PRIMITIVE
HABITATIONS--TRADE IMPROVING--ADVENT OF THE RAINY SEASON--ITS
TERRIFIC EFFECTS--RAPID RISE OF THE RIVER--MACHINES
DESTROYED--ARRIVALS--MY STORE AND BED--A BUSINESS SUIT--DISTRESSING
GROANS--THE BOTTLE A CONSOLATION--SEVERAL STRANGE SPECIMENS OF
HUMANITY COOKING BREAKFAST--THE SCURVY--A DEATH.
We now, for the first time, had a commotion in the political elements,
which resulted in erecting California into a State and placing her, the
“bright particular star,” in this glorious constellation. An election
was ordered, and delegates selected to draft a Constitution for the
State. They met at Monterey, and after a few days’ deliberation passed
upon the Constitution which is hereunto annexed, and which was
eventually ratified by an almost unanimous vote of the people. The
greatest unanimity prevailed at the Convention, the deliberations
conducted with the utmost dignity, each seeming desirous to act for the
best interests of the country. The clause prohibiting slavery, or
involuntary servitude, passed by a unanimous vote, although many of the
delegates were interested in slave property in the States. The
nominations were made for State officers, and, although party lines were
not strictly drawn, every preparation was made for a vigorous campaign.
The election was to take place on the 15th day of November, and by the
time the nominees were ready to take the “stump,” the rainy season was
upon us. Just picture to your imagination a would-be-governor, in a
slouched India rubber hat, a _poncho_, and high boots, standing near a
tent on the side of the mountain holding forth to a highly patriotic
audience of six, the rain pouring down in torrents. Nothing could dampen
the ardor of the speaker; he had enlisted in the cause of the dear
people, and nothing could induce him to swerve from the performance of
his duty. The gist of his remarks was as follows:--“Fellow citizens, you
_have rights to protect_. [Hurrah! Three cheers and two drinks of
brandy.] _I’ll spend my last breath in the vindication of those rights._
[Three more!!] The mineral lands ought to be given to the people. [Three
times three!!! Three cheers and six drinks.] _Have not the sovereign
people made this country what it is?_ [Yes! Yes!! and great cheering.]
If I am elected I will use my influence to have this immense tract of
country, now claimed by Sutter, divided among the people.” [Immense
sensation and cheering.] After order was again restored, the speaker was
invited to step out of the puddle of water that had dripped from his
_poncho_, and take something to drink. The meeting was conducted with
_much spirit_, and resulted in securing the votes of a majority present
for the would-be-Governor.
At this time, this district of country, called the Minerva district, had
become so populous that municipal officers had been elected, and now it
was regularly divided into election districts, and arrangements made to
open polls wherever it was deemed necessary. The qualification for an
elector was to be an American citizen. The most prominent candidates for
Governor were Judge Burnett, H. S. Sherwood and Rodman M. Price, of whom
the former was elected. On the day of election the ballots were
deposited in a hat, over which one of the inspectors held an umbrella.