Nevada County

History

BEAN'S HISTORY & DIRECTORY OF NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 1867.

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF

GRASS VALLEY

BY WILLIAM S. BYRNE.

        The history of Grass Valley is not unlike that of the very few prosperous mining towns of our Golden State. Early in the days of California's American history, when the gilded story of Marshall's discovery of gold at Coloma startled the New as well as the Old World, a portion of the tide of immigration from the East, which had set in toward these shores, carried to this picturesque portion of the Sierra Nevada, a liberal share of adventurous gold-seekers. A verdant valley, coursed by a beautiful stream then unruffled by the labor of the prospector, presented a truly inviting resting place to the spirit-weary traveler over the plains. Here the stock of the immigrant, wearied from a dull trip of nearly two thousand miles, rested as it had not rested since the passage of the Missouri river; and man, ever keen to observe Nature's advantages, saw here, with prescient eye, a local habitation worthy of him and his.

        Shortly after the discovery of gold in El Dorado county, in 1848—as soon thereafter as American enterprise could reach this part of the world—the search for gold in California became general. The only capital required in placer mining in those days, which, by the way, was the only gold mining then known, was a pair of willing hands. Gulches, canons, creeks and rivers, and hillsides were prospected by the American pioneer; and it is not at all strange that this auriferous region should have been among the first to substantially reward the brave gold hunter. Many there are ready to declare that Grass Valley was settled early in 1849, but none can definitely give the name of, or any particulars concerning, the early "Forty-niner." We have it on undisputed authority that some immigrants who crossed the plains in 1849 located, in the fall of that year, on Badger Hill, about one-half mile east of our present town site. The company consisted of a Dr. Saunders, a Captain Brandon and his two sons, Alexander and Greenbury. The parties erected a cabin on the hill, in which they remained for some time. During the winter, one of the Brandons died of scurvy, and was buried on the hill where now stands the Grass Valley cemetery. John Little, (still a resident of Grass Valley,} John Barry and the Fowler brothers, also lived in the fall of 1849 on Badger Hill, near the Brandon cabin. Dr. Saunders left Grass Valley, for Missouri, early in 1850; the elder Brandon left this place in the winter of the same year, and his other son subsequently died in the upper portion of this county, on Poorman's creek.

        In the fall of 1849, as well as in the spring of 1850, placer mining was carried on with good results at Ohio Flat, Rhode Island, Boston and Woodpecker Ravines, and at other points in this neighborhood.

        Boston Ravine was named by a Boston company, who mined very successfully in this portion of town in 1849, leaving in December, 1850.

        Jules Rosiere opened a sort of trading post in Boston Ravine in December, 1849, selling to B. L. Lamarque in May, 1850; this really being the first store opened in this place. The second store was established by the Fowler Brothers in June, 1850, and was purchased by Thomas Fielding and William Pattingall in the fall of the same year.

        Quartz, which has made Grass Valley world-renowned, was not discovered until June, 1850, seven or eight months after the opening of placer mines here. The earliest discovery of quartz bearing gold was made, as we have already stated, in June, 1850, on Gold Hill, but, owing to a general ignorance of quartz veins, the discovery created little or no excitement among the miners, who were satisfied with their yields from the placer mines. In October,1850, a man named McKnight, who had come from Newtown to Boston Ravine, camped on the summit of Gold Hill, overlooking Boston Ravine, and there discovered the Gold Hill ledge, which has proved one of the richest mineral veins ever opened. He made the discovery at a point known as the "Elbow," where the lode cropped out quite prominently, showing an average width on the surface of two feet. This discovery set the camp in the wildest excitement, and soon hundreds flocked to Gold Hill. Claims, originally thirty by forty feet, were staked off immediately, and prospecting at once commenced. Among those who successfully worked Gold Hill in its incipient days were Thomas Cracklin, William Hugunin, and others, who are still residents of Grass Valley. The first Gold Hill mill was erected in 1851. In 1852, the majority of the Gold Hill Company's stock was purchased by the Agua Frio Company, (an English Company,) for $50,000.

        Following the Gold Hill quartz excitement came the discovery of quartz on Massachusetts Hill, in the same neighborhood, the vein being quite rich but not so wide on the croppings as the Gold Hill ledge.

        The first family located in Grass Valley was a Mr. Scott and wife, who came here in the spring of 1850. The first families in Boston Ravine were John R. Rush and Peter Mason.

        As forming a thrilling feature in the early days of this section's history, we give the following account of an adventure with Indians, written by Mr. Sargent:

        Early in November, 1849, Samuel and George Holt, and James Walsh, came with wagons, tools, machinery, etc., to a place about four miles below Grass Valley, for the purpose of erecting two saw mills—the one by the Messrs. Holt, a water mill; and Judge Walsh's, a steam mill. Zenas Wheeler was of the party. The Holts finished their mill in March, 1850, and were sawing lumber on the 3d of May. While working in the mill they were attacked by Indians, of whom there were a great number in the vicinity. The elder Holt (Samuel) was pierced and at once killed by their arrows. George Holt escaped with life, fighting eight or ten Indians up the hill between the two mills, with only a small pocket knife in his hand, and fell into the arms of Judge Walsh, covered with blood and wounded in thirteen places with arrows. Only three of the company were at home at the time of the attack, Mr. Wheeler having gone below for the engine, and two others to the Yuba. The property was plundered and burnt the night after the attack on the Holts, and the camp of Judge Walsh was threatened. A few friendly Indians gave their assistance during the night, and Captain Day (subsequently County Surveyor of Nevada County) and another man came in on noticing the fires and disorder. Old Chief Wemeh brought the dead body of Holt to the camp. The next morning Captain Day and his friend started for camp "Far West," on Johnson's Ranch, at Bear River; and the morning after, twenty-four United States soldiers arrived, supplied by Major Day, commanding at that station. One hundred miners from Deer Creek also poured in, and in a couple of days they killed and run off all the Indians. Mr. G. Holt was removed to Stocking's store, on Deer Creek, and recovered in ten days.

        In our early times, Judge Lynch presided, and if his rulings were not always dignified or legally correct, his promptness was certainly never brought into question. The miner knew no such thing as the "law's delay." The punishment was generally in ratio to the crime committed. In November, 1859, a man named Napoleon Collins, who had stolen a mule, was taken up, tried by His Honor Judge Lynch, was found guilty of the crime, and was sentenced to receive thirty-six lashes, which he did, and he soon afterward left.

        Following the discovery of quartz in Grass Valley, a demand came for quartz mills. The first erected, an experimental affair, was in 1850, by Dr. Wittenbach, for J. Wright. It stood in the rear of the present Lady Franklin mill. The second, known as the Abby mill, was built by the Boston company in the spring of 1851, of which Abbey was superintendent, and the late Louis R. Sowers was machinist. It occupied the site on which the Sebastopol mill now stands. The third mill, in

Boston Ravine, was built by Wright Hansard, the same spring, the late James Harper being machinist.

        The first saw mill in Grass Valley was constructed by Judge Walsh, in July, 1850, of which G. P. Clark was engineer, and Zenas Wheeler, wheelwright. It was built in Mill street, on the ground now occupied by the City Brewery.

        The first quartz mining, like the same branch of business in later days, resulted not altogether in Midas-like realities. Ledges were touched, aye, roughly handled, but they turned not into gold. Fortunes came speedily to the favored few, but tardily, and in too many instances not at all, to the unlucky many. Prices of crushing were disastrously high; the processes for saving gold were imperfect, and men were financially wrecked in working quartz which would now prove a fortune to its owners.

        In the fall of 1850 the first hotel was erected by Thomas Beatty, on the south side of Main street, the present location of the Senate Saloon, and was named the Beatty House.

        The town was early supplied with ditches, the first, the Centerville, being dug in the fall of 1850, by Ormsby and others, who obtained their water supply from Wolf Creek. The next, known as Murphy, O'Connor & Co's Ditch, was built in the fall of 1851, the principal projectors of this work being Judge Isaac Murphy, late Governor of Arkansas, and Judge M. P. O'Connor, still of Grass Valley. Day, Fouse & Co. brought in a ditch from Wolf Creek the same year; and the Empire Ditch, built by L. L. Whiting, J. P. Stone and others, and the Union Ditch, the latter being supplied from Little Deer Creek, were constructed in 1852.

        Boston Ravine was the pioneer settlement of the valley, having a vigorous existence before even the cloth shanty of the danger-braving gold-seeker had been pitched in Grass Valley.

        In the early part of 1851 Grass Valley contained but two or three cabins, but its growth during this and the subsequent year was almost marvelous.

        In 1851 the first school was opened by Miss Hosanna Farrington, (now Mrs. J. P. Stone, of this place,) in a little building which stood on the lot now owned and occupied by S. D. Bosworth, on Mill street.

        A Postoffice was established in this place in the year 1851, under the administration of Millard Fillmore, and Dr. C. D. Cleveland was appointed Postmaster.

        The first homicide, but, unfortunately, not the last, was committed in Grass Valley in January, 1851. A desperado known as Jack Allen, who came to California with Colonel Stevenson's regiment, intruded at a ball given at the Grass Valley House, he became boisterous and abusive, made several threats, and when about to carry out his wicked designs, he was shot down. His slayer was never positively known. A Dr. Vaughan, who went up and examined the head of Allen after the homicide, remarked: "Why, what a head ! He ought to have been killed years ago." This phrenological opinion, gratuitously given by Vaughan, came very near costing him his own head.

        The reader's patience is taken into consideration in not detailing the common, or even all the uncommon events, connected with the history of our town. Grass Valley has had her mining excitements, her murders, homicides, her eras of profligacy, her days of fortune-making and fortune-losing; in fine, all of that strange commingling of pleasure and pain only realized in California.

        A historical sketch of Grass Valley without a passing word at least for Lola Montez, would be a sort of Hamlet with the demented Dane left out. In 1854 and '55 the erratic Lola lived in this place, occupying the residence now owned by Mr. Bosworth, which building the "Limerick Countess" had erected for herself. Her eccentricities here—that being, perhaps, inconsistently mild—would add none to the encomiums lavished upon her memory by mawkish scribblers. Her most notorious adventure here was her street attack on Henry Shipley—who at that time was editing the Grass Valley Telegraph. Shipley, long connected with the press of California and Oregon, and who fills a suicide's grave, had published something severe on one of Lola's ballet friends. The irate actress provided herself with a whip, found Shipley, made a few belligerent passes at him, but was taken away before doing any serious damage to her surprised victim.

        On June 27th, 1857, a horrible tragedy occurred at Osborn Hill, near this place, in which four men were killed, among others, James McMurtry, an estimable gentleman, whose tragic death threw a mantle of mourning over all who knew him. The battle—for it assumed the proportions more of a pitched battle than an ordinary fight—had its origin over the ownership of what was known as the McMurtry and Larrimer ground. The dispute had been virtually settled. The so-called Griffin party, headed by Alexander Griffin, who plied his congeners with liquor until they were drunk to the quarrelsome degree, were on the "disputed territory," all armed to the teeth. When McMurtry and his friends, who had supposed that their affair had been or was about to be settled civilly, appeared on the ground, the Griffin party in force opened the attack, with guns and. pistols. A large number were engaged in the fight, which is described by participants as a terrible one. McMurtry and a man named Collins were killed almost instantaneously. One Garvey, and a man known as "Coyote Jack," received wounds from which they subsequently died. Richard Kemble and Patrick Casey received frightful injuries, but both recovered. Kemble was insane for some time after the fight, and was sent to the Asylum at Stockton. Five of the Griffin crowd, including Alexander Griffin, John McCabe, Daniel McGee, Casey and Patrick Harrington, were sent to the Penitentiary, where they served out a portion of their time and were pardoned.

        The first brick building in town was erected by Adams & Co., in the fall of 1854, and was used for a banking house and. express office. The first brick store, which has successfully contended against numerous fires, was built the same year by Silvester & Salaman.

        The saddest mining accident hereabout (and such things have been painfully frequent,) occurred on January 28th, 1860, in the mine of the Boston Ravine Company, on New York Hill.  Four men, Frank Lampshire, Alex. Jeffery, Cornelius McGraw, and a man named Peters, who were working in a breast of the mine, were drowned. An immense volume of water, which had been tapped from the old works, burst through on the unfortunate men, filling up the breast in which they were working, and also filling the shaft of the mine to a hight of forty feet. The accident occurred on Saturday, and so great was the amount of water in the mine, that Captain Powning, the superintendent of the works, was unable to recover the bodies until the following Monday.

        Of conflagrations Grass Valley has certainly had its quota. The most disastrous fire occurred on September 13th, 1855, when over three hundred buildings, covering an area of thirty acres, were consumed. This wholesale destruction of property was accomplished in the brief space of one hour and fifteen minutes. Loss estimated at over $350,000. The fire originated in the United States Hotel, kept by Madame Bonhore, and owned by Oakly & Hall, the latter now being Police Judge of Sacramento. The town was quickly rebuilt. A very destructive fire, of which we have failed to obtain particulars, occurred in 1860. On June 11th, 1862, a fire, which originated in a carpenter shop on upper Main street, destroyed the National Office, Engine House, Hodge's Hotel, Aurora House, and other buildings. Loss, $25,000. On August 15th, of the same year, property to the amount of $40,000 was consumed. Fire originated in the old Center Market, on Main street.

        While quartz has been the chief mining interest of Grass Valley, it is well to remember that our placer, cement, gravel and creek diggings have paid as well, taking the labor into consideration, as similar mines in other portions of California. The Slide, Alta Hill, Woodpecker Ravine, Kate Hayes Hill, Pike Flat, and other mining localities in and about this place, have turned out fabulous amounts of free gold. Several of these old mines, as, for instance, the Alta No. 1, owned by John Jeffree, John Roberts and Herman Kruse, are now yielding well.

        The township of Grass Valley embraces Grass Valley proper, Boston Ravine, Allison Ranch, Massachusetts Hill, New York Hill, Forest Springs, Union Hill,

Ophir Hill,  Hueston Hill, Eureka Hill, Buena Vista, Sebastopol Hill, Osborne and countless other hills, as well as a host of prefixed ravines, at all of which localities quartz mining is conducted, and, in most instances, with highly satisfactory results. In the township there are at least thirty dividend-paying quartz mines, and twenty-eight quartz mills, running in the aggregate over three hundred stamps; besides, we have three establishments in which sulphurets are reduced. The number of men engaged in and about the quartz mills and extensive mines of this township, together with those working on a smaller scale, will approximate three thousand; a larger number than any other township in California can show.

        The town of Grass Valley (this we give for those unacquainted with our geographical position,) is located four miles southwest of the county seat of Nevada, thirty-five miles from Marysville, sixty-five miles from Sacramento, and is eleven miles from Colfax—the nearest station on the Central Pacific Railroad. During the past two years Grass Valley has grown wonderfully, proving one of the very few exceptions, in this respect, to California's interior towns. Our chief interest is quartz, and with the development of this very important branch of mining, business of all kinds has rapidly increased, the town has enlarged its dimensions, and it is safe to estimate that during the past eighteen months at least five hundred houses have been erected in Grass Valley and the vicinity.

        Following is a list of the number of business establishments, organizations, professions, etc., in Grass Valley: Dry goods stores, five; clothing, five; grocery stores, ten; hotels, four; bakeries, five; breweries, three; markets, eight; livery stables, three; lumber yards, five; banks, two; boot and shoe stores, three; boot makers, ten; tailor shops, five; hardware and tin stores, five; furniture establishments, three; jewelry stores, three; flour and feed stores, three; blacksmith shops, six; carpenter shops, eight; wagon shops, five; drug stores, four; cigar and tobacco stores, three; foundries, two; variety stores, four; restaurants, five; lapidaries, two; paint shops, five; stationers, two; shaving saloons, seven; auction stores, two; Cheap John, one; gunmaker, one; soda factory, one; laundries, two; saloons, about fifty; photographers, two; churches, seven; benevolent associations, seven; military companies, two; daily papers, two; fire companies, three; schools, eight—three public and five private; brass band, one; physicians, eleven; lawyers, ten; dentists, four; surveyor, one.

        Grass Valley, in its history of sixteen years, has never seen a more prosperous time than the present. Many of its old mines are yielding better than ever before; new mines, full of promise, and opened within the past year, are already paying handsome dividends, while a large number of lodes, located during the year 1866, will be extensively and energetically worked daring the present season. Quartz mining, conducted judiciously, is no longer a dangerous experiment, but a golden reality. Quartz has made Grass Valley the wealthiest of California's inland towns, and this interest alone, leaving out our agricultural wealth, will enable us, for this generation at least, to rank high among the favored places on this coast.

THE HUNGRY CONVENTION AT GRASS VALLEY.

BY OLD BLOCK.

        The winter of 1852-53 was very severe. The roads, being new, were at times impassable on account of mud, the sloughs were full of water and unbridged, and at one time, a period of ten days elapsed when communication between the mines of Nevada county and Sacramento City was totally suspended. In consequence of this forced non-intercourse; provisions and supplies failed to arrive, while the stocks on hand, of the merchants, were dwindling down "to the shortest span," and anxiety was manifested on all hands for future supplies, provisions advanced to nearly starving prices. Flour went up from twenty-five to sixty cents per pound, potatoes could scarcely be had for thirty cents, bacon was scarce at seventy-five cents; and as hungry stomachs increased in number the necessaries of life grew less. The country was in fact mud-bound. Questions were asked, which none could answer―" What are we to do ?" The prospect of open roads was distant, and scarcity was present, which seemed fast relapsing into absolute want.

        In times of great emergencies great men always arise. Circumstances seem to develop greatness, and so in this case, the exigencies of the times brought out bold spirits. A hurried consultation among individuals resulted in a proposition to call a public meeting to consult upon what was best to be done under the circumstances. Among the most active patriots for the occasion was a gentleman who held, by some form of law or courtesy, I do not know which, the title of Judge, who, since the great rebellion, was appointed Military Governor of Alabama and another prominent citizen of Grass Valley who had acquired the soubriquet of "Blue Coat." Both were particularly active in getting up and managing the meeting to devise "ways and means."

        A public meeting was therefore called, to be held at Beatty's Hotel, on Main street, and when the eventful evening came the house was filled to overflowing by our excited and interested miners. Judge Murphy was called to the chair, and if he has discharged the office of Governor with as much zeal and ability as he did that of the presiding officer of the Hungry Convention, he deserves the thanks of unborn millions, and probably will get it.

        After a Secretary was appointed, the meeting was declared duly organized, and remarks in order. Our old friend, Blue Coat, was eloquent in describing the startling condition to which we were reduced by the will of God and the flood-gates of heaven, and declared that desperate diseases required desperate remedies, a truism which none could deny. Others made telling speeches, and even the honorable Chairman waved his authority to free his mind, and say that if it became necessary, rather than starve, we might be forced to help ourselves to the meager supplies still left with merchants; at all events, they must be curtailed in asking the ruinous prices which they were demanding, and should be required to extend a general credit to those who were unable to produce the quid pro quo. While a few dissented from this view of the case, the majority appeared to think that rather than starve they would go in for the "loaves and fishes." Finally,  a committee was appointed to draw up resolutions and report to the meeting—five honorable gentlemen were accordingly named by the Chairman. They withdrew to another room, and in about five minutes returned with a paper having a long preamble and resolutions, which it seemed must require not less than an hour to prepare, leaving the unjust conclusion to be inferred that the resolutions and committee were all cut and dried before the meeting was organized; but we will not be so uncharitable as to think so. Upon signifying that the committee were ready to report, their Chairman, with the dignity which the solemn occasion demanded, slowly opened his document and began—a portion of which we transcribe:

        At a meeting of the miners and citizens of Grass Valley, in Convention assembled, the following Preamble and Resolutions were adopted:

        WHEREAS, When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a people to protect themselves against want and starvation, when they are at the mercy of soulless speculators, who demand all their earnings for the support of life, we deem it right to act in self-defence, and demand provisions for our need, and at prices which we are able to give. A decent respect for the opinions of the world induces us to give a catalogue of our grievances, in order to show the justice of our cause. Therefore, we declare―

        That in consequence of impassable roads we are short of supplies necessary to the support of human life. That the merchants refuse to sell at reasonable prices. That there are abundant supplies of flour and other necessaries in San Francisco which soulless speculators, taking advantage of our condition, are holding for exorbitant prices, and refuse to sell. Therefore, be it

        Resolved, That appealing to High Heaven for the justice of our cause, we will go to San Francisco and obtain the necessary supplies—"peaceably if we can, but forcibly if we must."

        Gracious Heaven ! here was San Francisco, with a population of only forty or fifty thousand souls, threatened with sack and ruin by a hungry band of miners, amounting to the overwhelming force of perhaps, one hundred able-bodied men, armed with picks, shovels and long-toms. Alas! poor San Francisco, what a volcano you was reposing on. The wave of revolution was hanging over you from the mountains. Was there no escape?

        Both preamble and resolutions met with strong opposition, but the eloquence of the Judge, of the sage Blue Coat, of members of the committee, and a few appreciating wretches, who enjoyed the fun, fearless of the consequences, prevailed, and they passed by a decisive vote. A committee was named to proceed forthwith to San Francisco, to see if the flour speculators would come to terms, and send up supplies—mud or no mud; in short, if she would capitulate without shedding blood, and consent to loose her flour and bacon; but it was discovered the next day that the committee had no funds to pay traveling expenses, and then the roads were impassable and they could not get there. So the committee bided their time and San Francisco was saved, for the rains ceased by providential dispensation, and in two or three days thereafter a report reached town that several teams loaded with supplies lay mud-bound at or near Rough and Ready, and would be up as soon as they could move. A few days more brought them in, San Francisco was saved, and at this moment stands, next to GRASS VALLEY, the pride of the Pacific Coast.

GRASS VALLEY TOWN GOVERNMENT.

MUNICIPAL OFFICERS.

                                                Town Trustees.

G. HAMILTON,

JAMES JAMES,

J. J. DORSEY,

REUBEN LEECH,

WILLIAM BETTIS,

G. HAMILTON,                      President of the Board.

E. W. ROBERTS,                    Town Attorney.

MATT H. FUNSTON,            Town Clerk.

HANK J. SNOW,                   Town Marshal.

S. D. LEAVITT,                      Fire Marshal

JOHN E. SALE,                     Watchman.

Board meets in Town Hall on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

ORGANIZATIONS:

RELIGIOUS, SECRET, MILITARY, ETC.

A. M. E. CHURCH.

        The African Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in the summer of 1854, at a cost of $1,400. The Church has been sustained by ten devoted members, with a congregation varying from twenty-five to thirty. The Church was dedicated by Rev. T. M. D. Ward, a colored Presiding Elder, assisted by Rev. J. B. Hill, of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Grass Valley, and also Rev. J. G. Hale, of the Congregational Church of this place. The first clergyman who had the Church in charge was Rev. Emory Waters. The Trustees of the Church are: Isaac Sanks, Joseph Thomas, Isaac Bulmer, John Hicks, Henry Blackburn, Rev. Peter Green, present minister in charge. This society, during the past year, has erected a small but comfortable school house on the Church lot.

CATHOLIC CHURCH.

        St. Patrick's Church, the wooden edifice on Chapel street, and now occupied as a school house by the Sisters of Mercy, was built by Father Shenaghan, now of Brooklyn, New York, in the fall of 1853, at an original cost, for the bare building, of  $1,700. The site was selected by David Fitzgerald, now of Allison Ranch; and James Irish, of Irish's Ranch, staked off the ground. Father Dyart, now of Napa City, succeeded Father Shenaghan as Pastor. St. Patrick's Church, the magnificent brick building at the corner of Church and Chapel streets, was built under the management of Father Dalton, in 1858. The building, the finest church edifice above San Francisco, is of the modern Gothic style of architecture, and has cost upward of $35,000. Father Dalton is Pastor, and Father Griffin Assistant Pastor, who supply Nevada, Moore's Flat, Cherokee and other towns in Nevada county. The lots adjoining the church, together with the late residence of Captain James Powning, form a portion of the property belonging to the Orphanage. St. Patrick's Church has been plastered during the past summer, and its interior is now as beautiful as its exterior is imposing.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

        This Church was organized May 9, 1858. The Society's meeting house, on east side Church street, between Neal and Walsh streets, was built in March, 1859, at a cost of $3,000. First Trustees, P. H. Lee, Josiah Royce and Levi Sanford. Last Pastor in charge, Elder L. J. Correll. None at present.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

        This Church was organized October 16, 1853, under the ministry of Rev. J. G. Hale. Its original membership was fifteen, of whom three are still connected with it. It has numbered in all one hundred and ten. The present membership is seventy-six. The Church has been served by the following acting pastors, namely: Rev. J. G. Hale, from October, 1853, to March, 1857; Rev. M. Kellogg, from June, 1857, to September, 1859; Rev. W. Patten, from January, 1860, to November, 1860; Rev. J. Kimball, from November, 1860, to February, 1862; Rev. W. Frear, from February, 1862, to February, 1864; Rev. W. F. Snow, from May, 1864, to August, 1865; Rev. C. Pope, from September, 1865, to March, 1866; Rev. M. J. Savage, from March, 1866, to present time. The house of worship was erected in 1853, and is situated on the corner of Neal and Church streets. The Trustees of the Church and Society for the current year are, Messrs. H. Scott, M. W. Ross, J. C. Coleman, J. P. Stone, and R. Finnie. The Sabbath School has an average attendance of one hundred and eighty, and is superintended by the Pastor.

EMMANUEL CHURCH.

        This Church was organized April 27th, 1855. At that time services were held at Masonic Hall, on Main street. This Hall was destroyed by fire in the disastrous conflagration of the following autumn, and the Hall of the Sons of Temperance, on Church street, was subsequently used as a place of worship. In December, 1856, the Gold Hill Quartz Mining Company donated the Parish a valuable lot of land, bounded by Church, Walsh and Mill streets, on condition that a church edifice should be erected thereon within eighteen months after the acceptance of the gift. The edifice, although not finished, was ready for occupancy in the summer of 1858, and the first service within its walls was held on the 1st of August of that year. The entire cost of the building and furniture is about $6,000, nearly one-half of which has been paid during the last two years. The parish is free from debt, and the enterprising congregation feel well assured of a promising future. The church is of Gothic style, chaste and beautiful in design and finish, and when the ample grounds are adorned with trees and shrubbery and walks, the premises will be an ornament to the town. The first clergyman of this parish was the Rev. Wm. H. Hill, now of Sacramento. He was succeeded by the Rev. E. D. Cooper, who resigned the Rectorship in February, 1858. The Rev. Henry O. G. Smeathman entered upon his labors in the following May, and had charge of the parish until July, 1859. His untimely death at the hands of hostile Indians, at Surprise Valley, Nevada, was deeply lamented by his numerous friends, who cherish his memory in affectionate remembrance. The Rev. John Chittenden, formerly President of San Francisco College, and now residing near London, had charge of the church about nine months. He was succeeded by the Rev. R. F. Putnam, who commenced his  labors here in January, 1863. Mr. Putnam resigned the Rectorship in February, 1866, and was succeeded by the Rev. D. D. Chapin, who is the present Rector. Since Mr. Putnam took charge of the parish services have regularly been held, and at present the church is in a very flourishing condition. The officers of the Parish for the current year are: R. A. Fisher, M. D., Senior Warden; Wm. G. Millar, M. D., Junior Warden; Thomas Findley, Wm. M. McCormick, M. D., Wm. K. Spencer, A. B. Brady, G. O. Tryrell, M. D., S. M. Cole, C. R. Clarke, Vestrymen.

EPISCOPAL METHODIST CHURCH.

        Situated on Neal, between School and Church streets. Paine Chapel was erected in the fall of 1851, and dedicated May 26th, 1852, by Bishop Soule. First minister in charge, Rev. J. F. Blythe, who died in San Joaquin county, April 3d, 1862. This church has been greatly improved during the past year, and is now one of the  neatest church edifices in Grass Valley. Rev. B. F. Burns, Minister in charge.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

        This Church was organized in 1852, under the labors f Rev. J. D. Blain. The house of worship is situated on the south side of Church street, between Walsh and Neal streets, and was erected in 1854, at a cost of $5,000, enlarged in 1866 at an additional cost of $1,000, making it at present the largest Protestant church edifice in the town. In 1866 a vestry was also erected in the rear of the church, at a cost of $1,200. The parsonage on the same lot with the church, and fronting on Church street, was erected in 1856, at a cost of $3,000. The church membership at present is one hundred and eighty-four, and twenty-six probationers. The Sabbath School numbers two hundred members, Sol. Kinsey, Superintendent. Present Pastor, J. N. Martin.

MADISON LODGE, NO. 23, F. AND A. M.

        The first meeting of Free and Accepted Masons, acting under dispensation of Most Worthy Grand Lodge of California, was held in Grass Valley (or "Centreville," as the records read,) on Tuesday, May 25th, 1852. The Lodge worked under dispensation until May 6th, 1853, at which time a charter was obtained from "The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of California," the following brethren being charter members: Zenas Wheeler, W. M.; Jacob M. Fouse, S. W.; George Crandall, J. W.; W. McCormick, Treasurer; G. W. Macrea, Secretary; J. Waidower, S. D.; R. Tibbals, J. D.; J. W. McClure, Tyler; Rev. J. Simmons, Chaplain. Present officers: John C. Coleman, W. M.; Patrick Noonan, S. W.; James A. Farrell, J. W.; Alonzo  Morehouse, Secretary; Thomas Findley, Treasurer; R. Leech, S. D.; Joseph Lawrence, J. D.; D. Binkleman and S. Glass, Stewards. Trustees: Win. McCormick, Philip W. Roberts A. B. Brady. Number of members, one hundred.        .

GRASS VALLEY CHAPTER, No. 18, R. A. M.

        Organized under dispensation of Deputy Grand High Priest, T. H. Caswell, June 6th, 1857. Charter obtained May 7, 1858, the following being charter members: A. B. Dibble, Wm. McCormick, J. Boardman, W. S. Inskip, Zenas Wheeler, James Walsh, Morris Evans, S. M. Gilliam, Joseph Heritage, G. N. Crandal, and Richard Musgrove. The first officers were, A. B. Dibble, H. P.; Wm. McCormick, K.; S. M. Gilham, S. Present officers of Chapter: A. B. Brady, H. P.; E. Coleman, K.; C. W. Smith, S.; John C. Goad, C. H.; Patrick Noonan, P. S.; Wm. Watt, R. A.C.; Wm. H. Rodda, M. 3d V.; Thomas R. Walker, M. 2d. V.; J. Morris, M. 1st V.; B. Nathan, Guard; W. K. Spencer, Treasurer. Number of members, fifty.

GRASS VALLEY LODGE No. 12, I. O. O. F.

        Was instituted by Right Worthy Grand Secretary, T. Rodgers Johnson, on July 28, 1853. Night of Meeting, Thursday. Officers for the first term: J. S. Lambert, N. G.; E. McLaughlin, V. G.;  Chas. R. Edwards, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers for the present term: E. W. Roberts, N. G.; B. F. Harris, V. G.; Jas. S. McCleary, Secretary; C. C. Smith, Treasurer; Phil. W. Roberts, John Webber and C. R. Clarke, Trustees. Number of members in good standing, at this date, eighty-three. Number of Past Grands, twenty-seven. Amount in widow and orphan fund, about $1,200. Cash in general fund, about $2,000.

GOOD TEMPLARS.

        Sylvania Lodge, No. 12, I. O. of G. T., was organized May 6th, 1860, with twenty-seven charter members. Meets every Tuesday evening at the Hall, Salaman's building, Mill street. Following is a list of the officers for the present term:  B. Katzenstein, W. C. T.; Miss Mary Collins, W. V. T.; H. D. Townsend, Secretary ; G. L. Bennett, A. S.; William James, F. S.; C. E. Davis, Treasurer; J. F. Nye, M.; Miss E. Carothers, D. M.; W. D. Hand, C.; Miss Angie Griffin, W. R. H. S.; Miss Kate Campbell, W. L. H. S.; Miss Mary Blundell, I. U.; C. C. Scott, O. G.; W. H. Scott, P. W. C. T. Sylvania Lodge is in a highly prosperous condition, and claims to be the Banner Lodge of the State.

        Home Lodge, No. 193, I. O. of G. T., was instituted December 21st, 1865, by L. V. Coon, D. D. G. W. C. T. Meets every Friday evening at their Hall, in Salaman's building, on Mill street. At this date it has a membership of one hundred and thirty-six. The present officers are John C. Goad, W. C. T.; Miss C. A. DeBolt, W. R. H. S.; Miss Clara Merrow, W. L. H. S.; Miss Joey Barker, W. V. T.; Lorenzo Fellers, Secretary; Miss Mary Bennett, A. S.; J. E. P. Williams, Treasurer ; S. D. Leavitt, F. S.; J. L. Ringo, M.; Miss C. Runnels, A. M.; Miss Francis Gibson, I. G.; J. M. Wolf, O. G.; C. Chester, C.; Samuel H. Dille, P. W. C. T.

BENAI BERITH.

        Garizim Lodge, No. 43, Independent Order of Benai Berith, (Sons of the Covenant,) was organized October 6th, 1860, with twenty charter members. The Order, which meets every Sunday night at the Hall, west side of Mill street, numbers forty-five members, and is working under the jurisdiction of San Francisco Grand Lodge, No. 4, I. O. B. B. The Order is of Jewish origin, its chief aim being benevolence. Officers of the present term: B. Nathan, President; J. Heyman, Vice President; L. Zacharias, Secretary; J. Hirshfield, Treasurer; W. Samuel, Assistant Monitor; A. Samuel, Warden; B. Wood, Guardian; J. Newman, O. W. Samuel and C. Nathan, Trustees.

KNIGHTHOOD.

        Tomochichi Camp, No. 4, (originally No. 27,) I. O. of K., was organized. December 31, 1858, with twenty-one charter members. The Camp, which is in a flourishing condition, now numbers fifty-six members. Order meets every Monday evening at the hall, on Mill street. Present officers: C. R. Williams, C. R.; Thos. Dobbins, D. R.; B. Israel, Sec.; Thos. Burgan, A. S.; Thos. Hodge, F. R.; Thos. Loyd, Treas.; M. McLaughlin, W.; John Perry, H.; J. K. Williams, 1st G.; James Williams, 2d G.; James Davey, P.; John Mills, D. M.

        Grass Valley Camp, No. 8, I. O. of K., was organized December 19, 1866, with thirty charter members, by H. J. Snow, D. D. G. R. The present officers are, Wm. M. Stephenson, C. R.; John C. Goad, D. R.; George B. Katzenstein, Sec.; Charles S. Wells, A. S.; J. E. P. Williams, Treasurer; J. F. Beckett, F. R.; S. D. Leavitt, M.; E. T. Lake, H.; G. H. Soule, 1st G.; R. G. Cardwell, 2d G.; S. H. Dille, P.; C. P. Bush, D. M. Meet on Wednesday night of each week, at their Hall, in Salaman's building, on Mill street.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

        A fire company, imperfect in its organization, and of which we can obtain no accurate history, was organized in Grass Valley in 1853, and soon afterward disbanded. The first perfect fire organization, under Act of May 5th, 1854, was effected June 7th, 1858, the first company being known as the "Grass Valley Fire, Hook and Ladder Company." It organized with forty-one members, the following being the officers for the first year: S. M. Smith, Foreman; J. J. Dorsey, First Assistant; C. R. Edwards, Second Assistant; E. C. Cheek, Secretary; G. A. Montgomery, Treasurer. A. B. Dibble tendered the use of a building of his, at the corner of Main and School streets, for a hose house and place of meeting; which offer, according to the records, was accepted. The company, which rendered excellent service on numerous occasions, was reorganized June 17th, 1861. A short time prior to this, a proposition was made to organize a hook and ladder company, the new organization to take the hook and. ladder apparatus of the old company, while the latter would be exclusively a hose company. The proposition was accepted, a fire department was formed, and "Union Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1," sprung into life for a brief existence. The officers were, N. C. Hammersmith, Foreman; John Blake, Assistant Foreman; Charles Glassen, President; Sol. Crown, Treasurer. Hammersmith stole about two hundred dollars of the Company's money, suddenly departed for quarters unknown save to himself, and the company, unable to stand such financial pressure, burst up. The old company reorganized under the name of "Protection Hose, No. 1," with the following officers: S. D. Leavitt foreman; G. Hamilton, First Assistant; T. J. Cook, Second Assistant; J. M. Days, Secretary; H. Silvester, Treasurer. The first Chief Engineer, C. A. Laton, now of San Francisco, was elected June 19, 1861. The old engine house was destroyed by the great fire of June 11, 1862. Soon after the fire, two lots were purchased of Sam. Hodge and W. S. Byrne, and the present fine and substantial brick engine house—built at the expense of the town—was erected the following year. Two elegant jumpers, which cost two hundred and fifty dollars each in San Francisco, were purchased by Protection Company, for the use of the Department. The first meeting in the new engine house was held March 2d, 1863. S. D. Leavitt, was second Chief of the Department, and was re-elected in March last, "Eureka Hose Company, No. 2," was organized March, 1863, with the following officers: Schenck Glass, Foreman; C. R. Clarke, First Assistant; John Blake, Second Assistant; W. J. O'Dougherty, Secretary; Ed. McSorley, Treasurer. Disbanded same year. The Department at present consists of Protection Hose Company No. 1, Tiger Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1, (originally an independent company,) and Eagle Hose Company No. 2. Officers of Protection Hose Company No. 1, for year ending May 31, 1867, are, John C. Goad, President; A. Hooper, Foreman; C. E. Miller, First Assistant; Daniel Kendig, Second Assistant; John P. Skelton, Secretary; Charles C. Smith, Treasurer; H. D. Brown, Steward. Tiger Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, was organized as an independent company, August 25, 1863. Number of members at present, thirty. Officers for the present year: R. Flanders, President; P. O'Keefe, Foreman; J. G. Carter, First Assistant; W. O. Warnock, Second Assistant; Chas. Chester, Secretary; L. Zacharias, Treasurer; Gale Compton, Steward. Honorary members, John R. Ridge and William S. Byrne. Eagle Hose Company No. 2, was organized July 18, 1866. The company numbers twenty-three members. The following named gentlemen are its officers: C. E. Davis, President ; John H. Crocker, Foreman; E. R. West, First Assistant; John W. Hobby, Second Assistant; George Murphy, Secretary; Peter Brunstetter, Treasurer; R. H. Daley, Steward.

        FIRE DELEGATES.—The following named gentlemen compose the Board of Delegates to Fire Department: From Protection Hose Co. No. 1, John C. Goad, C. R.. Clarke and Zenas Dennan; from Eagle Hose Company No. 2, S. D. Avery, William Judkins and William Montgomery; from Tiger Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, James H. Stebbins, C. S. Wells and A. McKinley. Present officers are J. C. Goad, President; J. H. Stebbins, Secretary; C. R. Clarke, Treasurer.

FENIAN BROTHERHOOD.

        GRASS VALLEY CIRCLE—Organized May 29, 1865, with thirty members, and now numbers three hundred and eleven members in good standing. Meets every Monday evening, at Mazeppa Hall, corner of Mill and Neal streets. Present officers: P. English, Center; E. McSorley, Secretary; M. McDonugh, Treasurer. Committee of Safety—Con. Reilley, Dan. Collins, James A. Bulger, J. W. Smith, and Edmond Dooley.

        ALLISON RANCH CIRCLE—Organized June 1st, 1865, with one hundred and forty-six members, and now numbers one  hundred and sixty in good standing.  Meets on Sunday evenings, in Hennessey's Hall. James Chancey, Center; D. J. Delay, Secretary; Phil. Gallwey, Treasurer. Committee of Safety—Jas. Butler, Chairman, James Casey, Patrick Fields, William Abeam, Martin Ford.

GRASS VALLEY GAS LIGHT COMPANY.

        The works of this Company are situated on the south side of Main street, below the Wisconsin Hotel. For the construction of the Gas Works the people of Grass Valley are mainly indebted to our late townsman, E. McLaughlin, who originated the project and carried it to a successful termination, receiving but little assistance in this stupendous enterprise. The constructing of the works commenced in July, 1862, and our town was illuminated with gas for the first time on the evening of Saturday, September 27th, 1862. Cost of construction, upward of $25,000. The main pipe runs through Main to School street, through Mill to Mill Street Foundry, and through Church to Neal street. The gas is made of pitch pine and stone coal.

MILITARY COMPANIES.

        GRASS VALLEY UNION GUARD, the oldest military organization in the county, was organized February 11, 1863, with the following officers: E. W. Roberts, Captain; James H. Wilcox, First Lieutenant; C. Mosher, Second Lieutenant; J. J. Doty, Junior Second Lieutenant—they numbered sixty-four, officers and men. The Guard is Co. A., Fifth Regiment, Fourth Brigade, N. G. C., and now numbers one hundred and two active members. They are fully uniformed and equipped, armed with one hundred Springfield rifled muskets. The present officers are, E. W. Roberts, Captain; J. M. Days. First Lieutenant; William Rule, Second Lieutenant; E. W. Nash, O. S.; B. F. Welch, Clerk. Armory in second story of Othet's brick building, east side of Mill street.

        HOWELL ZOUAVES.—This company was organized July 27, 1865. The officers for the first year were, Jas. H. Stebbins, Captain; Joseph Hollywood, First Lieut.; Hank J. Snow, Second Lieutenant; Charles S. Wells, Third Lieutenant. The Zouaves are Company E, Fifth Infantry Regiment, Fourth Brigade, N. G. C. The Company is now under the command of the following officers: Jas. H. Stebbins, Captain; Robert Flanders, First Lieutenant; Charles S. Wells, Second Lieutenant. They have eighty stand of rifled muskets, with uniforms and accoutrements complete. Armory on lower Main street.

ORPHAN ASYLUM.

        This Asylum, the first of its kind in the interior of California, has been completed for the last eight months. It is located on Church street, and measures one hundred feet in length and forty in width; it is three stories high, the basement is of stone and the other stories of brick. The building has cost about twenty thousand dollars, and the interior, which is well and conveniently furnished, has cost from five to six thousand dollars. The institution is conducted on the plan of the Catholic Orphan Asylum of Market street, San Francisco, and is under the management of the Sisters of Mercy. Orphans, as well as half-orphans, of all creeds, are received, and the total number admitted since the opening of the Asylum is sixty-nine. The building formerly occupied by Fathers Dalton and. Griffin has been taken by the Sisters, for the reception of orphan boys under the age of seven years, fourteen of whom have been already admitted. There is no charge for tuition in the Orphan Asylum, but, where parents or guardians can afford it, the children boarding at the Orphanage will be charged for board, at a rate not exceeding fifteen dollars per month. The building is from the plan of Peter Kent, an excellent architect, the interior being arranged according to the wishes of the Sisters and under their supervision. On the lower flower are store rooms, kitchen, dining hall, laundry, lavatory, robery, and primary school. On the middle floor are the principal school, class rooms, library, parlors, and a chapel for the use of the Sisters and children. On the third floor are the children's dormitory, or rather dormitories, infirmary and other sleeping apartments, which are thoroughly ventilated. The schools, under the management of the Sisters, have been well attended. The school register shows two hundred and forty, but the daily attendance does not exceed one hundred and fifty.

GRASS VALLEY BRASS BAND.

        This Band was re-organized in 1866, under the leadership of John Coal, an experienced musician. It is composed of ten pieces.

GRASS VALLEY QUADRILLE BAND.

        This Band, consisting of four pieces, was organized in 1866, under the leadership of J. F. Beckett, and furnishes the best music in the mountains for parties and balls. The members are, Messrs. Beckett, Lamarque, Flanders and Dewey.

SCHOOLS OF GRASS VALLEY TOWNSHIP.

        The Trustees of Grass Valley School District are Wm. K. Spencer. C. Conaway and E. W. Roberts. They contemplate the erection of a school building the present season, at a cost of $7,000. It is their purpose to transfer the High School to this building, when completed. The rapidly increasing demand for admission to

the public schools, keeping pace with the increasing facilities offered by the School Trustees, in the construction of buildings and in the employment of efficient and competent teachers, promise to place the public schools of Grass Valley, by another year, second to none in the State.

High School.

        The High School building was erected in 1856, at an expense of $5,000, and is pleasantly located on School street, and the grounds inclosed contain about four acres; B. F. Welch, principal. Number of names on school roll, fifty-five; average daily attendance, forty-five.

Winchester School.

        This is the Intermediate School. The building is pleasantly located on Winchester street; was erected in 1864 at a cost of $1,500, including grounds, which contain about three-fourths of an acre; M. B. Potter, teacher. Has on the school roll one hundred names, with an average daily attendance of eighty.

Primary School.

        This school is kept in the same building as the High School; Miss Marion Marsh, teacher. Whole number of scholars on the roll, ninety; average daily attendance, sixty-five.

Pike's Point School.

        The building is located on Union Hill street, and was erected in 1866, at a cost of $1,800. The grounds inclosed contain about one acre; Augustus Moore, teacher. Eighty-three names on the roll, with an average daily attendance of fifty.

Mrs. Coleman's School.

        This is a successfully conducted private school, located on Church street, where all the principal English branches, and music, are taught; Mrs. Coleman, teacher. Average daily attendance, thirty.

Mrs. Rider's School.

        On the south side of Main street, near Gas Works; Mrs. J. V. Rider, principal, and Mrs. M. A. Thompson in charge of Primary Department. Higher English branches and also music taught. Number of names on roll, sixty-five; average attendance, sixty.

Mrs. Aldersey's School.

        At the family residence, on Mill street, near Gold Hill mill. Number of pupils on school roll, thirty, and average attendance about the same. English branches taught, also the languages and instrumental music.

Mrs. Harvey's Select School.

        This school, on School street, is successfully conducted by Mrs. Harvey, assisted by Miss Florence Edwards. Music and all the principal English branches taught. Average daily attendance, thirty.

Allison Ranch School.

        This School District was organized in 1865, and the building erected the same year at a cost of $2,000. Number of children enrolled, seventy-eight; average daily attendance, sixty-five. All the English branches taught. The school is under the control of Mr. and Mrs. F. K. Startsman, Moses Remington, District Clerk, Postoffice address, Grass Valley.

Forest Springs School.

        This district school, unclassified, is under the management of B. J. Watson. The school house was erected in 1864, at an expense of $1,500. Number on roll, thirty-seven; average daily attendance, thirty-five. District Clerk, W. H. Stephens, Postoffice address, Grass Valley.

THE PRESS OF GRASS VALLEY.

        The first number of the Grass Valley Telegraph, the pioneer journal of the town, and a weekly paper, was issued in 1853, by Oliver & Moore, and was purchased in September, 1854, by W. B. Ewer, now of the San Francisco Mining and Scientific Press. Henry J. Shipley edited the Telegraph about eight months, after which Mr. Ewer had editorial control till the paper merged into the Nevada National; Rufus Shoemaker and George D. Roberts purchasing half the establishment in July, 1858. Shoemaker filled the position of editor until May 7th, 1859, and was editorially succeeded by Roberts, who continued his editorial connection with the paper till September 10th, 1859. J. H. Boardman was editor till November 26th f the same year, when C. S. Wells and C. Farleman purchased Boardman's interest, the style of the firm being C. S. Wells & Co., with G. D. Roberts as editor till August 25th, 1860, C. F. Smith succeeding Roberts editorially, and retaining his position till September 15th, 1860. At the latter time, William Watt purchased the interest of Wells and Farleman, W. B. Ewer again assuming editorial management, which he retained till April 24th, 1862, when W. S. Byrne and John P. Skelton purchased Mr. Watt's interest. The firm was changed from W. B. Ewer & Co. to Byrne & Co., with W. S. Byrne as editor. The National made its appearance as a tri-weekly August 10th, 1861. The office, to which important additions were made under the new management, was totally destroyed by fire June 11th, 1862. No insurance. The generous people of Grass Valley immediately extended to the proprietors of the National a loan of nine hundred dollars; a new and an excellent office was purchased, and the paper reappeared as a tri-weekly on July 19th, 1862. C. S. Wells purchased the interest of W. B. Ewer on August 18th, 1863. John R. Ridge bought a one-fourth interest in the paper on June 17th, 1864, and, in connection with W. S. Byrne, edited the paper. On Monday, August 1st, 1864, the National appeared as a daily evening paper, the first daily published in Grass Valley. On April 8th, 1865, Byrne disposed of his interest to C. S. Wells. The paper, Democratic in politics, is now published by the "National Printing Company," consisting of C. S. Wells, who owns one-half, John P. Skelton and John R. Ridge, the two latter owning one-fourth each of the concern. Ridge is editor and Skelton business manager.

        The Grass Valley Daily Union was started on the 28th of October, 1864, by Blumenthal & Townsend. The latter got out of the establishment after a brief and inglorious career, and the firm was changed to Blumenthal & Bennett. Bennett soon left, and a short time afterward the paper went into the hands of Shane & Shearer. Shane & Miller became proprietors April 1st, 1865. Miller conducted the paper for a time, and took in B. F. Gwynn as a partner, the latter purchasing Miller's interest in the fall of 1866. Gwynn sold the Union to C. H. Mitchell and Wm. S. Byrne in October, 1866, since which time to the present it has been conducted under the firm name of Byrne & Mitchell. The Union is the largest daily in Nevada county, has one of the best job offices in the interior, and, the paper is independent in politics and devoted to local interests.

MINES AND MILLS OF GRASS VALLEY.

SKETCH OF THE MILLS

Allison Ranch.

        Situated on the Allison Ranch mine, was erected in 1856 and commenced running in October of that year, with eight stamps, to which four more were added in 1863. The mill now runs twelve stamps, is run by a 35-horse power engine, and when employed crushes for its owners, the Allison Ranch Mining Company. Blanket process. This is an excellent mill.

Byers.

        Owned by John Byers, and erected on South Wolf Creek, three miles and one-half southeast of Grass Valley, this year. Has eight wooden-stem stamps, which are run by water power.

Cambridge.

        Located on Howard Hill, at the Cambridge mine. Erected in 1860, at an expense of about $12,060. Runs ten revolving, 900-pound stamps, the motive power of the engine being 35-horse. Capable of crushing nineteen tons of quartz in twenty-four hours. Blanket process. Owned by W. E. Dean, D. W. C. Rice, W. H. V. Cronise, A. C. Peachy, Con. Reilly, and. others, who also own the Cambridge mine. The Cambridge mill crushes exclusively for the company.

Coe Company's.

        This mill was completed on the Coe mine in 1865. The crushing is on a new plan—new at least for this place, being on the centrifugal principle. The amalgamating process is the Ryerson. The mill, owned by Messrs. Coe & Davis, of San Francisco, has not been tested to any great extent, and we are consequently unprepared to speak of its merits.

Empire Company's

        This magnificent mill, which is unquestionably the finest quartz mill in Northern California, was erected in 1863, on Ophir Hill, at a cost of $100,000. Runs thirty stamps, is propelled by an engine of eighteen inch cylinder and forty-two inch stroke, and the capacity of the mill is sixty tons per day. The main building is one hundred feet in length and ninety feet in width, with a boiler house eighteen by thirty feet. All the improvements in gold-saving, such as the newest styles of pans, settlers, etc., are here used. The Empire mill is owned by the Empire Mining Company, consisting of Captain S. W. Lee, of Grass Valley, J. P. Pierce, A. L. Morrison and A. H. Houston, of San Francisco.

Eureka.

        This mill, situated on the Eureka mine, and owned by the Eureka Company, was put up in 1865 at a cost of about $20,000. It runs twenty revolving stamps, is capable of crushing fifty tons per day, and crushes exclusively for the Eureka' mine This is an excellent mill.

Gold Hill

        This mill, situated on the west bank of Wolf Creek, Grass Valley, was erected in 1852, by the Gold Hill Company. It has twenty revolving stamps, (substituted in 1863 and 1864 for old square stamps,) being propelled by a one hundred-horse power engine, and is capable of crushing from forty to fifty tons of rock in twenty‑four hours. Under the new management, important improvements have been made in the mill, such as adding new boilers, introducing rotary stamps, etc. This mill, which bears a first-rate reputation, is now owned by Hooper, Cronise, and others, and crushes rock from the owners' ledge, on Gold and Massachusetts Hills, and also does an extensive business in crushing custom rock.

Hartery.

        Located on the Hartery ledge, about two miles south of Grass Valley. Erected in 1866 at an expense of about $10,000. Runs eight stamps, by steam power, and can crush ten tons of rock in twenty-four hours. Amalgamating done in the batteries. Built for the purpose of crushing the rock of the Hartery Company. Mill owned by E. McLaughlin, Joseph O'Keefe and William Loutzenheiser, who also own the Hartery mine.

Ione.

        Erected in 1866, at an expense of $10,000. Runs ten revolving stamps, is run by a 40-horse power engine, and is capable of crushing eighteen tons of rock in twenty-four hours. Blanket process, and copper plates and pans used. Situated on the lone Company's mine, about two miles in a southeasterly direction from the town of Grass Valley, and is employed in crushing rock for the Ione Company.

Lady Franklin.

        Located in Boston Ravine; was erected in 1856 by Rush & Laton, and is now owned by John R. Rush. Runs eight wooden stamps, is propelled by a 35-horse power engine, and can crush twenty tons of rock in twenty-four hours. Does custom work.

Larimer's.

        Situated on Wolf Creek, a short distance below Grass Valley. Erected in 1851. Runs nine square-stem stamps, is propelled by water power, and is capable of crushing fourteen tons of quartz every twenty-four hours. Amalgamating principally done in the batteries. This mill does custom work, and is owned by John W. Larimer.

Laton & Son's.

        On Union Hill, north bank of Middle Wolf Creek, about two miles in an easterly direction from Grass Valley, was built in 1865, and cost about $10,000. Runs eight stamps, propelled by a 20-horse power engine. Capacity, fifteen tons of rock every twenty-four hours. Blanket process in use, though the principal part of the gold is saved on copper plates. This mill, which is owned by B. B. Laton of Grass Valley, and C. A. Laton of San Francisco, is a custom mill.

Lucky.

        On Howard Hill, on the Lucky mine, about two miles east of Grass Valley. Erected in October, 1866, at an expense of $13,000. Runs fifteen revolving stamps, of about nine hundred pounds each, and can crush thirty tons of quartz in twenty-four hours. Amalgamating done in the batteries, and blankets also used. Run by a 50-horse power engine. Crushes for the company. Owners, Hamilton McCormick, E. A. Tompkins, W. D. Goldsmith, D. E. Osborn, G. W. Topliffe, Michael Williams, Edward Nuttall, and W. R. Taylor, who also own the Lucky mine.

Merrimac.

        Located on Merrimac Hill, about two miles and a quarter from Grass Valley, on the Merrimac mine. The mill was erected in 1864, and the first crushing was done in January, 1865. It has ten revolving stamps, weighing about eight hundred pounds each; is propelled by a 30-horse power engine, and is capable of crushing fifteen tons of rock in twenty-four hours. The amalgamating is done in the batteries. The mill crushes for its owners, Thomas Findley, Henry Scadden, Joseph Woodworth, George D. Roberts, and A. E. Head. Cost of mill, about $15,000.

Norambagua.

        Situated on Wolf Creek, near the Norambagua mine, four miles south of Grass Valley. This mill, which is moved by water power, running ten stamps, and capable of crushing fifteen tons of quartz in twenty-four hours, was built in 1851. Crushes rock from the Company's ledges—the Norambagua and Lone Jack.  The amalgamating is done principally in the batteries, copper plates and riffles also being used. The sulphurets here have paid as high as two hundred dollars a ton. Norton's pans are used for grinding tailings. It is owned by A. C. Peachy, Judge Hoffman, W. H. V. Cronise, Campbell, Alexander Stoddard, and others, who purchased the Norambagua mill and mine, last summer, for $100,000.

North Star.

        At the French Lead, about two miles south of Grass Valley. Erected in 1866, on the mine of the North Star Company, at a cost of $30,000. Runs sixteen stamps, with a 50-horse power engine, and is capable of crushing twenty-four tons of quartz every twenty-four hours. Crushes for the North Star Company. Owners, John C. Coleman, Edward Coleman, William Hoskin, W. H. Rodda, John Rodda, Josiah Rodda, James Dodds, Richard Kitto, William Dunstan, and Thomas Harper, who are owners of the North Star mine

Osborn.           

        This mill, on Osborn Hill, about two miles southeast of Grass Valley, was erected in 1864, at an expense of about $22,000. It has three batteries of five stamps each, and is run by a 50-horse power engine, which is capable of running double the present number of stamps. The mill can be used either for dry or wet crushing. Capacity, twenty tons of quartz (wet crushing) in twenty-four hours, and ten tons by the dry crushing process. Owned by the Osborn Hill Company, who purchased this mill and the Osborn Hill mine, from Joseph Woodward and George Voges, last winter.

Perrin's.

        Owned by Joseph Perrin, and situated near Wolf Creek Station, about five miles south of Grass Valley, is a saw and quartz mill combined, and is propelled by water power. Was built in 1864; the stamps, five in number, being added in 1865. First crushing in January, 1865. This mill, capable of crushing twelve tons of rock in twenty-four hours, is engaged on quartz from the Slate ledge, owned by Perrin & Colvin, and located near Forest Springs.

Rocky Bar.

        Erected in 1856, on Massachusetts Hill, by the Mount Hope Company, of which Michael Brennan was agent at the time. Is a sixteen-stamp mill, being run by two engines, each 35-horse power. The mill, which is now crushing rock for the New York Hill Company, is capable of crushing forty tons of rock in twenty-four hours. Blanket process used. The Rocky Bar mill cost upward of $20,000. Owned by the Rocky Bar Mining Company.

Sebastopol.

        This mill, originally located at Sebastopol Hill, was removed to the present locality, Boston Ravine, in October, 1863. It runs twelve revolving stamps, is propelled by a 30-horse power engine, and can crush twenty-five tons of rock in twenty-four hours. The Sebastopol mill—one of the best custom mills in the township—cost about $25,000. It is owned by Benjamin McCauley, the Watt Brothers, and Mrs. John Connolly. Blanket process used in this mill.

Smith & Northey's.

        On Little Wolf Creek, about one mile and one-half from Grass Valley. Erected in 1864. Runs eight square-stem stamps, each weighing nine hundred and fifty pounds, the motive power being a thirty-horse power horizontal engine. Blanket process adopted, the interior arrangements being similar to those of the Sebastopol

mill, with the exception that arastras are used for grinding sulphurets and amalgamating rusty gold instead of pans. The mill is capable of crushing sixteen tons of rock in twenty-four hours. Principally engaged on custom work. Owned by Robert Smith, John Smith, Edward Northey, and Henry Morgan.

Stockton's.

        On South Wolf Creek, about twelve miles from Grass Valley, is the ledge of Stockton & Co., who crush their own rock with an arastra, the machinery being propelled by water power.

Union Hill.

        On Union Hill, about two miles from Grass Valley, erected in July, 1860. Runs twenty stamps, having a fourteen inch engine with two boilers. Capacity, forty tons of quartz in twenty-four hours. This mill one of the best in Nevada county, cost $21,000. Crushes rock for the owners of the Union Hill mine and mill, consisting of G. D. Roberts, William McCormick, J. H. Gashwilder, and T. Findley.

SKETCH OF THE MINES.

Eureka Hill.

        This hill, through which the Eureka vein runs, is about one mile and one-fourth from the town of Grass Valley. It was originally known as Eureka Mountain, the

first location being made February 7th, 1851. The Eureka, which, as far as developed, has proved itself the richest gold mine in the world, is among the earliest quartz locations of this township, but its richness, notwithstanding it had been worked by various parties for a number of years, was not fully developed until the winter of 1863. The mine was owned at various times by B. L. Lamarque, Geo. D. Roberts and William Chollar, who failed to find it profitable; Lamarque, who had purchased the interests of the other partners, finally selling the mine in 1857 to Fricot, Ripert and Pralus, for a comparatively small sum. During the years from 1857 to 1863, the ledge was worked to a perpendicular depth of forty-eight feet, and during this period large quantities of quartz were taken out, none of which paid largely, while the greater portion of the rock failed to pay crushing expenses. Becoming satisfied at last that the ledge was really a good one, Fricot & Co. commenced sinking a vertical shaft  in 1863, completing it to a depth of one hundred feet in 1864. The vein at this depth was large and well defined, showing an excellent quality of quartz. The company in sinking this shaft took out sufficient money to pay the expenses of erecting hoisting and pumping works, building the present magnificent mill, all at an expense of over $60,000, besides giving numerous handsome dividends to the three partners. From 1863 up to the sale of the mine, in the fall of 1865, the Eureka continued to pay largely, but the figures we have not been able to obtain. The vein runs in a southeasterly and northwesterly direction, pitching west of south at an angle of about seventy-eight degrees, the upper wall being syenite, the lower wall greenstone. The lowest level reached, which is now being worked, is at a perpendicular depth of four hundred and twenty feet, on which drifts have been rim from the foot of the shaft about three hundred feet, one hundred and fifty feet each way, showing a vein averaging three feet in width and yielding rock which averages $48 per ton. The Eureka sulphurets, which are among the richest in Nevada county, are saved by the company, and are worked by Mr. Deetken, for the owners, who uses the Plattner, or as it is more generally called, the chlorination process. The sulphurets are divided into three grades or classes, being numbered 1, 2 and 3; No. 1 paying at the rate of $400 per ton, No. 2, $300, and No. 3, $214. The sulphurets are worked to within five per cent of fire assay. Since the present owners purchased the Eureka, in the fall of 1865, as already stated, when they paid. $400,000 in gold coin of the United States for it, to Fricot & Co., new machinery has been added, the working greatly increased, and an immense amount of first-class ore has been taken out. The gross yield of the mine for 1860 amounted to $596,053, the dividends during the same period being at the rate of $30,000 per month, or $360,000 for the year. With sulphurets on hand unworked and with expenditures for machinery and improvements about the mine, the figures show actual dividends paid by the Eureka in 1866 amounting to $432,000, or $32,000 over the purchase money. A one-fortieth interest sold in 1866 for $17,500. The mill has crushed on an average one thousand tons of quartz per month during the present year, and the monthly dividends have averaged $30,000. The monthly expenses of running the Eureka, not including repairs of machinery, etc., are $18,000. Working at the present time about one hundred and. sixty men. A new incline shaft was recently commenced, which will be completed during the present season, and which will greatly facilitate the working of this extraordinary mine. The shaft is being raised from the three hundred foot level, and is being sunk from the surface at the same time. There are eighteen hundred feet in the claims. The owners of the Eureka, the best gold mine we have heard of in modern times, are J. B. Dickinson, Thomas Hope and. Benjamin Silliman, of New York, Edwin Hull, W. H. V. Cronise, John C. Winans, Hilton Bulkley, James Freeborn, A. J. Pope, Robert F. Morrow,  N. J. Hall, George W. Beaver, L. S. Adams, and Francis Berton, of San Francisco, William Watt, Robert Watt, J. Fricot, A. Pralus and S. Ripert, of Grass Valley.

        The Idaho Company's claims, consisting of thirty-one hundred feet on the vein, begin at the east line of the Eureka, on the left bank of Wolf creek. At the west line of the Idaho the lode crosses the creek and runs into a spur of the ridge dividing Little and Middle Wolf creeks, and thence into the main ridge. The lode has been distinctly traced for about one thousand feet, and can afterward only be traced by the country formation. Located in 1863. A law suit prevented the development of the mine for more than a year. Late in the fall of 1864 the company commenced sinking a shaft on the creek, near the line of the Eureka, and developed a large vein of quartz, twenty inches in thickness, which increased as depth was attained. This was merely a prospect shaft. Under the superintendency of Edward Coleman the plant for the permanent shaft and machinery were made on the south side of the creek thirty feet above vertically south from the croppings. This shaft was  sunk to a perpendicular depth of almost one hundred and thirty feet, and a level was run almost twenty feet toward the lode, which has not yet been struck. The company stopped work when winter set in, but will resume operations this season. They will undoubtedly find a large vein, as the croppings immediately opposite the shaft are two feet in width, showing free gold. The Idaho is owned by Thomas Findley, M. P. O'Conner, Edward Coleman, Wm. Young, Capt. L. W. Coe, and others.

        The Maryland claims begin at the east line of the Idaho, running two thousand feet on the lode. A chimney of the Eureka appears on these claims, at which point the company have sunk a shaft forty-five feet deep, and have also made surface excavations. The lode in the Maryland claims only crops out for about two hundred feet, and then disappears. Owned by R. A. Fisher, E. W. Maslin and. S. P. Dorsey.

        Beyond the Maryland, on the line of the Eureka, is the Grass Valley Consolidated Company's mine, more generally known as the O'Connor, a history of which be found under the head of "Union Hill."

        One feature of the Eureka vein is the directness of its course, never varying, so that aside from the formation of the country indicating its course, it may be traced by compass.

        On the west of the Eureka are the Roannaise claims, embracing two thousand feet on the lode, commencing at a large out-crop on the flat west of the Eureka Hill, at the west line of the Eureka claim. The lode maintains its size. An eighty foot shaft sunk, but no rock crushed. Quartz highly charged with sulphurets. Sold by Fricot, Ripert and the Pralus brothers to a New York company, about one year ago, for $25,000. No machinery erected yet. The conformation of the country

is such, after the Roannaise croppings disappear, as to prevent the lode from being traced distinctly.

        The Coe Company, the Pendleton and the Moss companies, each having a large ledge on their claims, are supposed to be on the line of the Eureka lode.

North of the Eureka lie the Hayward or Richardson lode, the Golden Rule, Golden Gate, Alabama, Baltimore, Last Chance, Mobile, and other quartz veins.

Massachusetts Hill

        That the distant reader, unfamiliar with the magnitude of our early mining enterprises may understand, if possible, the amount of labor expended, the weary years consumed in opening, developing and carrying out to a successful termination the working of a large quartz mine, we reproduce, with a few alterations, the history of the Massachusetts Hill, or as it is commonly known, the Watt mine, which appeared in the Directory of Grass Valley Township for 1865. The Massachusetts Hill having been a representative mine, and having yielded, up to the time Watt, O'Keefe & Co. worked out the vein to their square boundary lines, a little more than one year ago, three million dollars, and its general history being the history, save in minor details, of other first-class quartz mines in this township, we give it without further excuse or explanation:

        The hill lies about three-fourths of a mile southwest of Grass Valley. The first quartz discovery on Massachusetts Hill was made early in January, 1850, a short time after the first quart discovery on Gold Hill. Massachusetts Hill was named by William Chollar, who figured extensively in its early history. M. E. Baxter was the first Recorder, and the name of Wm. Chollar is the first on the records of Massachusetts Hill.  The first records of the hill bear the date of January 13th, 1851, from which we quote:

        The lot shall be staked off with one stake at each corner, and the fifth one in or near the center, with the number and name of owner, and said lot shall be recorded when taken up; and if sold, shall be transferred to the purchaser, and if any lot or lots are not worked by May 1st, 1851, they shall be considered forfeited.

        These formed all the laws of Massachusetts Hill which existed up to April 23d, 1851, when at another miners' meeting the laws were revised and these amendments added:

        Voted—That all new claims located may be one hundred square feet, not to interfere with present claims.

        Voted—That all old claims be recorded by the 10th of May, or be forfeited.

        At another meeting the laws were more fully elaborated, and in the revised code the claims were laid out thirty by forty feet; and till April 13th, 1851, no alteration was made. The laws enacted on April 13th, 1851, allowing each claimant or claimants one hundred square feet to the claim, remained unchanged till the general district laws were passed in 1852, at which latter period claims were authorized to be one hundred feet on the ledge, with all the dips and angles.

        In the winter of 1850 the first quartz mill was erected by two Germans. It was a small, rude affair, run by water power, and stood near the site now occupied by the Lady Franklin mill, in Boston Ravine. It scarcely saved gold from specimens, and was, of course, soon abandoned. The next mill, a decided improvement on its predecessor, was built by Bacon and others, and stood where the Sebastopol mill now stands. Considerable gold was saved, but not enough to satisfy the too sanguine hopes of the quartz miners. Bacon's mill crushed custom rock, charging at the rate of twenty dollars per ton.

        Massachusetts Hill was worked at an early day to the water level, by several parties. Delano & Co., who were extensively interested on the hill, sold out in 1851 to Dr. J. C. Delavan, an agent of a New York company, known as the Rocky Bar, this company supplanting the Sierra Nevada Company. Delavan, as agent of the new company, erected a small mill on Wolf Creek, at the base of Massachusetts Hill. This mill was a system of wheels running in a circular box, crushing the rock on the principle of an old-fashioned bark mill. It proved a failure. Dr. Delavan was succeeded as superintendent by a Mr. Whitney, totally inexperienced in milling and mining matters. He was soon succeeded by Mr. Seyton, who opened the mine and took out a large quantity of gold. Michael Brennan, whose tragic history we give below, succeeded Seyton as superintendent in 1856. In June, 1855, the Company took out a large quantity of ore which averaged seventy dollars to the ton. The name was changed to Mount Hope Company, an incorporated concern, Brennan, a member of the original company, having been sent out from New York as superintendent. In sinking on a stringer he took out enough gold to pay the stockholders a dividend of one per cent on a million dollars. Elated with his success, he built the Rocky Bar mill, put on expensive mining machinery, and sunk the celebrated Brennan shaft, which last piece of work cost over thirty thousand dollars. Brennan worked the stringer down to a depth of about two hundred and sixty feet, finding it, on the whole, a very unprofitable job. In addition to the investments made on Massachusetts Hill, he had erected machinery on New York and Cincinnati Hills, both of which enterprises proved failures. He had borrowed large sums of money from Andre Chavanne, giving Mr. C. a mortgage on the property. At last, driven to desperation by a combination of business reverses, and in a morbidly insane mood, he committed the crime of murder and suicide. On Sunday, February 21, 1858, Brennan, his wife and three children—embracing the entire family—were found dead at the family residence. The corpse of the murderer and suicide, Brennan, lay on the floor of his parlor, that of his wife on a sofa in the same room, while the three lifeless children were in adjacent rooms. Prussic acid, which Brennan had procured in San Francisco and Sacramento, had been the agency in this wholsale life destruction. By Brennan's side was found a loaded pistol, cocked, with which, it is reasonable to suppose, he either intended to take his life in case he failed with the poison, or designed using should any parties detect him in his fiendish act and attempt the frustration of his horrible scheme. He left a letter explaining the cause of his terrible act, complaining of his bad luck, asserting that he could not bear the thought of leaving his wife and children to buffet disgrace and poverty, also expressing regret that he was unable to take his mother and a sister in Europe, who were dependent upon him for a maintenance, with him on his long journey. Brennan, who was an Irishman by birth, was a man of extensive erudition, and for several years was connected editorially with the press of New York City, officiating at one time as phonographic reporter for the New York Herald.

        In December, 1857, Chavanne, who had purchased a judgment against the Rocky Bar Company, came in possession of the property—about two months before Brennan's death. After Brennan's demise, Chavanne worked the mine unprofitably until April, 1858, when the Massachusetts Hill Company leased the pumping and hoisting machinery which had been used by Brennan on the Pratt shaft. This company, consisting of William  and Robert Watt, Joseph O'Keefe and the late John Judd, commenced work in the latter part of 1855, under a lease from Joseph Woodworth. In November, 1856, the company purchased Mr. Woodworth's interest on Massachusetts Hill for $20,000. They had struck the ledge in April, 1856, and had had their mine drained by the Mount Hope Company, under contract from Brennan, paying for drainage at the rate of one dollar and one-half per ton of quartz from the time of striking the ledge to leasing the machinery from Chavanne. Their levels being worked out, and the machinery proving incompetent to do the required work at a greater depth, operations were suspended in this portion of the mine in September, 1858. The company then commenced operations in the northern portion of their ground, on Boston Ravine Flat, sinking a shaft, and pumping the mine by horse power. Worked successfully here till May, 1859. This year the company leased the Brennan shaft from Chavanne, and commenced the expensive work of connecting their mine with the shaft, consuming nine months in running tunnels, opening up new levels, and putting on machinery—completing this extensive job in February, 1860. During the remainder of this year, and up to January, 1862, when the mine became flooded, an average force of one hundred and sixty men was daily employed. While negotiations were pending for a renewal of the Chavanne lease, and while preparations were being made to erect large pumping machinery, the Mount Hope Company, of New York, brought suit against Chavanne for possession of the Rocky Bar mine and mill. This proved for a time a severe blow to the interests of Grass Valley, as work was suspended by the Massachusetts Hill Company, and a large force of laborers was thus thrown out of employment. Owing to the tardiness of litigation, the Massachusetts Hill Company remained comparatively idle till June, 1863, when (Chavanne having beaten the Mount Hope Company) the lease was renewed, and preparations were at once made for erecting machinery at a cost of $30,000. In November, 1863, the Massachusetts Hill Company commenced taking out ore, and worked almost constantly up to 1865.

        In April, 1864, the Massachusetts Hill Company struck the ledge in the bottom of the Brennan shaft, at a point but a few feet from where Brennan had hopelessly abandoned work.

        The lowest perpendicular depth attained in the Massachusetts Hill Company's mine has been about three hundred feet. An idea of the immensity of the work performed in this wonderful mine may be found in the fact that the company have run over two miles of tunnels. Since November, 1863, about one thousand tons of ore on an average were extracted monthly from this mine, three hoisting engines being employed a portion of the time, while two were constantly at work. The ledge, like all master mineral veins, varied in size, pitch, and quality of quartz, yielding enormously at times, and again not paying the expense of extracting the ore. Taken as an entirety, however, the ledge proved itself one of the best in this State. The expenses of this mine, since November, 1863, averaged one thousand dollars per day. The ground was taken up in square claims, and not, as now, with the dips, angles and variations of the ledge.

        After the ledge was struck in the Brennan shaft, which we have already mentioned, the Rocky Bar Company commenced to work their mine thoroughly, continuing the work until a few months since. During the past two years between 5,000 and 6,000 tons of rock have been taken from this mine, a large quantity of which was first-class ore. The Rocky Bar Company own six hundred by three hundred feet on the lode, the mine being under the management of A. B. Brady. The Rocky Bar, which is not being worked at the present writing, is owned by the Chavanne Brothers, of Paris, Hentch & Berton. Abel Guy, John B. Felton, and others, of San Francisco.

        The Stockbridge claims are on the east extension of the Massachusetts Hill lode, embracing six hundred and sixty-three feet on the vein, including dips, angles and variations. Located in August, 1860. The work of sinking a perpendicular shaft commenced in November, 1864, is now down 242 feet, and will have to be sunk about forty-five feet further before the ledge is struck. This shaft, when completed, will cost upward of $25,000. The sinking of this shaft was suspended when the company purchased the ground and hoisting works of the Massachusetts Hill Company, about one year ago. Shortly after this, work was commenced on an incline shaft, through which Watt & Co. worked, and the shaft was continued to the lowest level of the Rocky Bar claims. After having made arrangements with the last mentioned company for drainage, the incline shaft was completed and a level was run in about fifty feet, when the stoppage of the Rocky Bar Company's pump brought the labors of the Stockbridge Company to a premature conclusion. The ore taken out in sinking the perpendicular shaft paid at the rate of twenty-two dollars per ton. Owners of the Stockbridge are, Henry Silvester, John Trenberth, M. Langstaff, W. H. Rodda, Henry Fuchs, L. B. Clark, George Gephard, Robert Patterson, James James, and. W. H. Mitchell.

        The Boston Ravine Company's claims, which are also on the Massachusetts Hill ledge, were located in March, 1864, by Dan. Collins and others. These claims, which are in an excellent locality, embrace two thousand feet, taking in dips, angles and variations. Not yet opened.

        The Discovery claims, recently located by Con. Reilly, are also on Massachusetts Hill, and consist of ten square claims of one hundred feet each. Bounded on the east by the Boston Ravine Company, on the west by the Massachusetts Hill Company, and on the south by the Donald Davidson ground.

        The Ford and Reilly Company's claims, on the Massachusetts Hill ledge, bound the Massachusetts Hill Company on the north, Scadden, Northey & Co. on the west, and the Stockbridge on the south. On April 1st, 1864, the owners, having determined to work their mine in a complete manner, commenced sinking a perpendicular shaft, which was continued to a depth of one hundred and fifty feet, where the vein was struck. It was worked on the Massachusetts Hill Company's line for a distance of about one hundred and ninety feet, from which six hundred tons of good quartz were extracted. The company have worked to a point below Watt & Co.'s level. This mine is owned by Con. Reilly and Martin Ford, of Grass Valley, and Patrick Riley, of San Francisco.

        The Shanghae claims, on this hill, are in high favor, and during the past year have paid several handsome dividends.

Boston Ravine Flat.

        This section lies between Massachusetts and Gold Hills, north of the former and south of the latter, and about one-half mile south of Grass Valley proper. The principal mine in this flat, which is a continuation of the Massachusetts Hill lode, is generally known as the Scadden, being owned by Thomas and Henry Scadden, John Trenberth, W. H. Clift, and Edward Northey. Located, in square claims, in 1852, by Conaway, Woodworth and others. The mine has been worked extensively since 1857, during which time it has turned out immense sums of money.

        East of the Scadden mine are the Pratt claims, consisting originally of thirteen claims of one hundred feet each, the owners subsequently purchasing five hundred feet from the Dubuque Company. This mine has not been worked extensively, as compared with other quartz mines in the vicinity, yet it has paid well for the labor performed, showing a vein of excellent quartz wherever it has been stripped. The Pratt ground is owned by Medcalf Pratt, William Edmonds, and others.

The Reilly claims adjoin the Pratt ground, and consist of six hundred feet on the ledge. Not opened yet. Owners, Con. Reilly, Dr. G. G. Tyrrell and David Murray.

        West of the Reilly ground are the claims of Joseph Williams & Co.

New York Hill.

        This hill, two miles south of Grass Valley, is on the west side of Wolf Creek, on the Massachusetts Hill range, and is one of the earliest quartz locations in this district. The New York Hill Mining Company, whose claims embrace nearly the entire hill, is the result of a consolidation of the Larimer, Wilde, Fricot and Chrysopolis claims, giving to the company between three and four thousand feet on the New York Hill ledge, including dips and angles. From the claims, since 1852, not less than $500,000 have been taken. The present company purchased the ground about twenty months ago, and have been engaged ever since in pumping out the mine, erecting hoisting and pumping works, sinking a new incline shaft, and opening levels for future work. This shaft is now down to a depth of five hundred and seventy-five feet, the average grade being thirty-three degrees, the vertical depth being three hundred and ten feet. Dimensions of shaft, six by twelve feet in the clear, giving a double track. The company have a twelve inch pumping engine, a ten inch hoisting engine, a ten inch plunger-pump, and two bucket pumps, one an eight and the other a six inch. The company are now opening their third level, giving three sets of "backs" on each side of the shaft, and will soon be in condition to take out five hundred loads of rock monthly. Over thirteen hundred loads of quartz have already been taken out, yielding on an average $45 per load. The New York Hill rock is rich in sulphurets, giving at least three per cent., and the sulphurets range in value from $100 to $220 per ton. The mine is now pretty well opened, is paying handsomely, and from the extent of ground in the claims, together with the excellent facilities for working, it is justly ranked among the first quartz mines of Grass Valley township. Working at present about forty-five men. The owners are J. I. Sykes, John Anderson, A. B. Brady, George Johnston, P. H. Ford, R. Leech, Donald Fraser, H. Vignon, J. Vignon, L. MolRoguier, A. B. Dibble, and James K. Byrne, of Grass Valley, and E. G. Waite, of Nevada. John Anderson, superintendent.

        Between New York Hill and Massachusetts Hill is South Massachusetts, through which runs the Black ledge, the property of David Watt and others. On this mine is extensive machinery, but the mine is not being worked at present. In sinking an incline shaft on the Black ledge, excellent quartz was found, and from this mine were taken some of the richest quartz specimens ever exhibited in this district.

        Running in a southerly direction, a half or three-fourths of a mile from New York Hill, and on the west side of Wolf creek, are a number of quartz veins, none of which have been thoroughly developed, but the conformation of the country is such that there can be little or no doubt that some of these ledges will one day be extensively and profitably worked.

Wisconsin Flat.

        About three-fourths of a mile south of New York Hill, and lying between the latter and Wisconsin Hill, west side of Wolf creek, is Wisconsin Flat, in which is the celebrated Wisconsin ledge, located in 1854 by Joseph Davison, who gave it its name. Soon after the location the Wisconsin mine was purchased by Con. Reilly. In 1856, Mr. Reilly, Joseph Woodworth and three others erected a nine-stamp quartz mill, a pump and hoisting machinery on the ground, which cost $11,000. The same year a perpendicular shaft was sunk to the depth of sixty feet, and a drift was run for the ledge, from which seven hundred tons of quartz were taken out, yielding the splendid average of sixty-eight dollars per ton. In 1857, the shaft was continued to a depth of one hundred and ten feet, the expense of sinking a portion of it being as high as one hundred dollars per foot. The ledge was again found in the bottom of this shaft, and three hundred tons of quartz were extracted at this point. The following year work was temporarily abandoned on the Wisconsin. The mine became entangled in the meshes of litigation, and E. McLaughlin, George A. Montgomery and William Loutzenheiser, who had bought a judgment against it from one Woodville came in possession of the Wisconsin in 1856. It was leased the same year to T. W. Campbell, of the Lone Jack, who owing to the vast quantities of quicksand and water with which he had to contend, gave up the contract. For several years the Wisconsin, like other good quartz mines in this vicinity, was left comparatively unworked, the owners performing only sufficient labor on it to hold the mine under the quartz laws of Nevada county. Last year (1866) it was sold to Charles Leech, Nathan & Hoffman, Wm. Launder, George B. McKee, and Robert Smith, of Grass Valley, Col. Geo. A. Montgomery, now of Canada retaining an interest in it. A one-eighth interest was sold in the Wisconsin, about eight months ago, for $10,000 cash. The owners have erected hoisting and pumping machinery in the present year, at an expense of about $9,000. The mine was recently leased to a party of twelve experienced miners, for a term of three years, the lessees doing all the work, defraying all the expenses of mining and reducing the quartz, and giving the owners forty per cent of the nett proceeds of the mine. The contractors have sunk an inclined shaft to a depth of two hundred and twenty-five feet to the lowest level, drifting three hundred feet on the lode, from which they are now taking out rock which averages $100 per ton. The vein in this level is eighteen inches in width on an average, and the ore is first-class. The ledge has given an average yield of $45 per ton since the mine was first opened. The company own thirty-four hundred feet on the lode. In the last twelve months, the books of the company show that 1400 tons of ore have been taken from the mine and worked, the different crushings ranging from $18.50 to $76.25 a ton, the average being $51. The sulphurets were sold at the mill, where the rock was crushed, at $90 a ton.

Missouri Hill.

        A short distance above Allison Ranch is Missouri Hill, the principal mine of which is the Hartery, consisting of nine hundred feet on the lode. Located in 1853 by Thomas Hartery and others. The mine was worked to a perpendicular depth of one hundred feet along the entire length of the ledge, paying well and regularly. Hartery purchased the interests of his partners, erected a mill, at an expense of $20,000, in 1857, put on extensive hoisting and pumping machinery, and by thus involving himself, and through general mismanagement of the business, he failed in 1858. William Loutzenheiser and Edward McLaughlin of Grass Valley, who were among Hartery's creditors, attached the property soon after the failure. The mine was subsequently leased to George Lord & Co. who found the pump insufficient to drain the mine, upon which discovery the pumping project was abandoned. The contractors next commenced running a drain tunnel, which they abandoned and which was completed by Messrs. Loutzenheiser & McLaughlin to a length of seventeen hundred feet. The Hartery mill was destroyed by incendiaries in August, 1860. Over $200,000 was taken from the mine previous to Hartery's failure. In 1865 McLaughlin and Loutzenheiser commenced working the Hartery on an extensive scale, and in that and the following year they erected a quartz mill and pumping and hoisting works, at an expense of about $15,000. In November, 1865, Loutzenheiser sold a one-fourth interest in the Hartery to Joseph O'Keefe, for $15,000, the former retaining a one-fourth interest. During the years 1863-6 the company reached a perpendicular depth on the lode of one hundred and forty-seven feet, drifting from their incline about four hundred feet. The rock was found to be unusually hard, very heavy expenses attending the taking out of quartz, and the company suspended operations last fall. The Hartery is now owned by Edward McLaughlin, William Loutzenheiser and Joseph O'Keefe.

        In the neighborhood of the Hartery are the Wigwam, Potosi, Omaha, Homeward Bound, and John Doran & Co.'s claims.

Lafayette Hill.

        About two miles below Grass Valley, in a southerly direction, lies Lafayette Hill, through which runs the lode of the North Star Company, on which are erected very extensive mining and milling works. A history of this wonderful mine, which is certainly a first-class one, deserving to rank at least as the second quartz mine in this district, will prove interesting to the readers of this work, for which reason we reproduce a few facts concerning its earlier history, which have already appeared in print, as well as giving a few new particulars kindly furnished us by the superintendent of the works. The lode was discovered in 1851 by a party of Frenchmen, H. Pellatier, now of Grass Valley, being of the number, and was early known as the French Lead. The vein was remuneratively worked by these parties until the fall of 1852, when six-elevenths of it were purchased by Messrs. Conaway & Preston, who at that time owned a twenty-four stamp mill on Boston Ravine Flat, which had been erected in the fall of 1851. In the fall of 1852, immediately after the purchase, Conaway & Preston formed a joint stock company of the concern, under the name of the "Helvetia and Lafayette Mining Company." Into this company all of the shares in said mine, as well as the mill of Conaway & Preston, together with several of their claims on Gold and Massachusetts Hill passed. The mine was worked by this Company from 1852 to September, 1857, in which latter year, owing to heavy expenditures, the company became deeply involved, their property passing out of their hands by Sheriff 's sale, E. McLaughlin, of this place, being the purchaser. From 1852 to 1857, as we have been informed by one of the early owners of the mine, the yield was about $250,000. In February, 1860, the mine was purchased from Mr. McLaughlin by J. C. and Edward Coleman, J. C. Pascoe, and others, representing twenty shares, for $15,000. At the same time the name was changed to the North Star Company. Since 1860 up to the present time, embracing a period of nearly seven years, the North Star mine has been extensively worked, has had large sums of money expended in developing it, and has paid its owners large dividends. An inclined shaft, through which the greater part of the work has been done, has been sunk to a depth of seven hundred and fifty feet, giving a vertical depth on the lode of about three hundred feet; a drain tunnel, commenced in 1862 and finished in 1864, running a distance of twenty-five hundred feet, was completed at a cost of $15,000; and to increase the working facilities of the mine a perpendicular shaft is now being sunk at a distance of five hundred feet from the incline, to strike the ledge, which will reach the vein at a distance of about one hundred and forty feet from the surface. This shaft will be completed in a very short time, and will enable the company to increase their force of miners about twenty. On the mine is a magnificent sixteen-stamp mill, now running twelve stamps, but which will run to its full capacity on the completion of the vertical shaft; besides which there are several engines, one sixty-horse power, for pumping, one ten-horse power for hoisting, one twelve-horse power for hoisting and pumping, and a twenty-five horse power engine, erected recently, for hoisting at the new shaft. [To the credit of the owners of this mine be it said that all their machinery was furnished by Grass Valley foundries.] The machinery and works erected during last and the present year cost about $25,000. The lode runs in what our miners call greenstone, pitching at an angle of about twenty-seven degrees, the vein varying in width from one foot to six feet, showing an average width of about two feet. The North Star Company, for over six years, crushed at the rate of one hundred tons of quartz per week, using their old mill, but since the completion of the new mill, in August last, the average weekly crushings have been one hundred and fifty tons, or six hundred tons per month. The company own twenty-one hundred feet on the lode, with the angles and variations, besides one hundred claims on Weimar south of and adjoining Lafayette Hill; and they have sixteen hundred feet east of the new shaft, on the lode, nearly all of which is new ground. Now working five levels, and in the fifth or present lowest level, which, as already stated, is down three hundred feet perpendicularly, a drift has been run one hundred and fifty feet in an easterly direction from the inclined shaft. It is estimated that fully 30,000 tons of ore remain untouched in the reserves or backs, opened by means of drifts from the main shaft. For the five years preceeding January last the nett profit of the mine was over $500,000. The gross product for the last five months of 1866 exceeded $100,000, the yield for December of the same year being $26,000. The mine is now yielding a monthly average of $24,000, the expenses being $12,000 a month, showing a monthly profit of $12,000. About one hundred and fifty men are employed about the mill and mine. The sulphurets are saved by rockers and sold by the North Star Company to sulphuret workers at from $80 to $120 per ton. Following is a list of the owners of this most excellent mine: J. C. and Edward Coleman, Wm. H. Rodda, Josiah Rodda, John Rodda, Richard Kitto, William Hoskin, James Hoskin, and Thomas Harper.  Edward Coleman is general superintendent of the North Star Company, and Wm. Hoskin has charge of the underground department of the mine.

        —Other mines in this vicinity will be found mentioned elsewhere.

Allison Ranch.

        About two miles and one-half south of Grass Valley, on Wolf creek, is the village of Allison Ranch, noted the world over for having one of the richest quartz mines yet discovered. The village itself, for which we now have room only for a passing notice, contains two stores, one meat market, two boot and shoe making establishments, three or four saloons, the works of the Allison Ranch Mining Company, and an excellent public school. The business of the village is supported, or rather has been supported in the past, by the laboring force of the mine. The mine itself is at present under a cloud, and owing to questionable management, as well as a lack of harmony among the owners, work was suspended early last fall, leaving the Ranch in a languishing condition. What policy the present owners of the mine may pursue, we have no means of knowing, but it is more than probable that under some management Allison Ranch will again resume its place among the representative mines of this district; for a ledge from which millions of dollars have been extracted, which has been worked for years with great profit, and which has never been lost even in the lowest depth attained, must again prove rich and extensive unless every theory of geology is incorrect, every practical principle of quartz mining at fault. We will give an epitome of the history of the Allison Ranch mine from its discovery up to 1865, together with a few later items of interest furnished us by Philip Gallwey, late superintendent of the works:

        As early as 1852, John and William Daniel, and four others, who subsequently returned to Missouri, worked in the creek adjoining the present town. In 1853, in digging a tail-race, which was done by several of the present company, the ledge was found, but no particular attention was paid to the discovery. In July, 1854, Michael Colbert and James Stanton bought into the creek claims. The ground at this time was worked with "long toms" and paid well. During the same year, while working toward the upper end of the claims, the ledge was again struck. At this point, the ground was found exceedingly rich, but the owners, somewhat inexperienced in quartz mining, failed to attribute this to its true cause, the immediate vicinity of an extensive quartz ledge. One day in the fall of 1854, two of the partners traced the ledge a short distance down, but on losing it became discouraged, and all the company, excepting Colbert and Stanton, ceased work for the day. These two, having again found the ledge, took out during the day, from the opening their partners had left, about a ton of quartz. An extensive "cave" occurred during the night, covering the ledge as well as a portion of the mass of rock thrown out. Work was now resumed on the creek, the exhumed quartz remaining untouched, until exposed by the action of the fall and winter rains, when, on examination, the rock was found studded with free gold. This pile of quartz, together with fragments forked from the toms, amounting to about one and one-half tons, was crushed at Lee & Simpson's mill, about a mile below Allison Ranch, and yielded about three hundred and seventy-five dollars. Con. Reilly was employed to open the ledge, and at once erected a water-wheel and sunk an inclined shaft, following the ledge, to a depth of eighteen feet, in doing which, he demonstrated the correctness of his own views by taking out enough gold to erect the present Allison Ranch quartz mill. In October, 1855, a lot of rock, about eighteen tons, which was crushed at the Gold Hill mill, yielded about $6,000; and in December of the same year, sixty-two tons produced $23,000.

        From 1855 up to last year the mine proved wonderfully rich, during which time  large sums were expended in erecting machinery, sinking shafts, etc., the owners, the meanwhile, receiving liberal dividends. The gross yield of Allison Ranch from its opening to the close of 1866, as the books of the company demonstrate, was between $2,300,000 and $2,400,000. The product for the three years ending December 30, 1865, was $1,000,000, and in 1866 about $200,000. [It should be borne in mind that only eight months work was performed in 1866, the company virtually suspending operations in September last, and entirely abandoning work early last winter.] The lowest depth reached on the incline is four hundred and seventy-five feet, giving a vertical depth on the lode of three hundred and forty feet. In this level the vein was drifted on a distance of four hundred and thirty-four feet, northerly and southerly, two hundred and twenty feet in a northerly direction, and two hundred and fourteen feet southerly. In the south drift the vein showed an average width of fourteen inches, and in the north drift eighteen inches. The ledge, which had been considerably broken up in this level, in fact showing for a time what appeared to be two veins, came together in the bottom of the level. A portion of the quartz in this level proved very rich, but the greater part was found barren, running the company in debt. Assessments were required to defray the expenses of sinking for another level, but such assessments came not, and a majority of the owners concluded to suspend work, carrying their conclusion to an unfortunate end. The mine, as already intimated, must at no distant day be reopened. The owners f the Allison Ranch property are Michael Colbert, William Daniel and John Fahey, of Grass Valley, James Stanton, of San Francisco, and James O'Donahue and Chas. Field, of Bangor, Maine.

        The first extension north of the Allison Ranch ledge (recorded as the Stanton ledge) was located on February 23d, 1855, by the Franklin Company, consisting of twelve hundred feet. The mine was leased in 1860, by Orlando Jennings, who soon afterward erected hoisting works and two pumps on it. An inclined shaft was sunk to a depth of two hundred and thirty-four feet on what was then supposed to be the ledge, but which, according to the opinion of experienced miners, was in reality only a stringer. Work was continued until June 1st, 1862, from which time to the present, the mine has been idle. The sum of $24,000 was taken from the ledge, which amount fell greatly short of the expense of working the mine.

        The south extension of Allison Ranch (Stanton ledge) was located in 1858, by George Wallace and others, who took up eight hundred feet. Several prospecting shafts have been sunk, the lowest perpendicular depth of any being about seventy-five feet. The croppings of the ledge were struck in the bottom of the deepest shaft, and about the same time, water was found, which caused a temporary abandonment of work. A drain tunnel, commenced in 1861, from the west bank of Wolf creek, has been run a distance of three hundred feet, and will be continued during the present season two hundred and fifty or three hundred feet further. The present proprietors are, George D. Roberts, Con. Reilly, David Watt, Wm. Daniel, and Samuel Wittengenstein, the latter being an owner by purchase. Not being worked.

        In Vail's Ranch is the Phoenix ledge, which runs parallel with the Allison Ranch ledge, at a distance of about fifty rods. The Phoenix was located in 1861, by P.

Hennessy and others, claiming one thousand feet. Several crushings of the Phoenix rock have been made, the lowest perpendicular depth from which ore has been extracted being thirty-five feet, and the average yield has been twenty-five dollars per ton. The owners of the Phoenix are, P. Hennessy, P. Gallwey, John Colbert, Richard Barry, John Fahey, and Thomas O'Rourke.

Norambagua Mine.

        This mine is situated at Forest Springs, one mile south from the celebrated Allison Ranch mine, and three and a quarter miles from the town of Grass Valley. The vein runs nearly north and south, and dips to the east at a very low angle—from twelve to seventeen degrees. It is incorporated as the "Forest Springs Quartz Mining and Lumber Company." This company now own 4,300 feet on the Norambagua vein, and 2,000 feet on the Bourbon, a parallel lode, which lies a little west of the Norambagua.

        The inclosing rock is a very large-jointed variety of green stone syenite, which drills and breaks readily in mining—a very fortunate circumstance in the economy of working. This rock is considerably decomposed at surface, but assumes its true character below water level.