Tuolumne County, CA History

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A History of Tuolumne County, California - San Francisco, B.F. Alley, 1882.
 
PREFACE.
        This work, undertaken in the desire to preserve from oblivion the deeply 
interesting records of the short but eventful period of Tuolumne's occupancy by 
civilized man, has been carried out in the fullest form compatible with absolute 
accuracy. Whatever has been here set down has been subjected first to careful 
scrutiny, in the hope that the printed book might, in the matter of exactness at 
least, be worthy of those by whom its perusal is intended. The limits of the 
story are necessarily circumscribed ; but considering the merely ephemeral 
interest which pertains to ordinary anecdote, and considering the comparatively 
few points on which the attention of future generations may center, it has been 
thought best to imitate in brevity and accuracy the more pretentious work of 
celebrated historians, and not allow the intense interest which at present 
pertains to the affairs of the Golden Age of California, to warp the historical 
spirit that should discriminate between that which is worthy of perpetuation and 
that which, although interesting in the vicinity of its happening, cannot lend 
value to a book which should be of permanent worth.
        It was with the idea of presenting a variety of subjects relating to 
Tuolumne, that several persons were engaged to assist in the compilation of 
special articles upon topics of industrial or scientific interest. Of these, the 
publishers have to thank Mr. Louis R. Tulloch, of Sonora, for a suggestive and 
timely article upon Pocket Mining, which will be found in its appropriate place. 
Unfortunately, the able and carefully written review by Miss Tulloch, of the 
Botany of Tuolumne has been crowded out of the volume. To both of the above, the 
thanks of the publishers are extended, as also to Messrs. Randall and Roberts, 
of the Democrat, and the Messrs. Duchow, of the Independent, who have kindly 
loaned files of their papers to assist in the work. The venerable Dr. L. C. Gunn 
and D. O. McCarthy, Esq., both of San Diego, also unhesitatingly forwarded the 
valuable files of their respective papers, when called upon, and their kindness 
is most gratefully remembered.
        In conclusion it may be said that the thanks of the com­pilers are due 
to many other present or former inhabitants of Tuolumne county who have 
generously lent their assistance.           H. O. L.
 
 
        The history of Tuolumne County properly commences with the date of its 
discovery by civilized men; a date which a careful comparison of accounts would 
show to have been in the early part of the summer of 1848, at which time a party 
of miners—Philadelphians, as is recorded—came to Woods' Creek. This very 
significant fact may, then, be regarded as the starting point of these records. 
It was at this time that the western slope had begun to resound with the blows 
of the hardy gold-seekers, whom the unprecedented wave of immigration had moved 
to California, bringing the throngs of adventurers from many lands to people the 
heretofore silent cañons and gorges of the auriferous belt, and to do their 
wonderful works, for which the world stands indebted.
        It has been poetically said, that, at the time of the first discovery by 
Americans, the country was one of the most picturesque in the world. Noble 
forests existed, through which roamed the Indian and the deer. Streams of 
crystal clearness flowed, fish playing therein in all the freedom of security. 
The vast Sierra, bearing a diadem of snow, added grandeur to beauty. Pines and 
sequoias, the like of which can hardly elsewhere be found, tower heavenward. The 
oaks grew orchard-like in their regularity. Deer, antelope, wild fowl, in short, 
everything that was useful to man in his wild or unsophisticated state, here 
grew in profusion, to his hand. This picture, though perhaps somewhat 
exaggerated, was not unfitted to the time and place.
        Even now, after the lapse of a third of a century, and the desecration 
of land, the defilement of water-courses, and the annihilation of forests, the 
truth of those pictured lineaments may be seen, and one may lament the work of 
the pioneers that has destroyed so much of beauty while building up a great and 
glorious State—the brightest gem in Columbia's diadem.
        The party of Philadelphians may, then, be regarded as the pioneers of 
Tuolumne County, for aught we know to the contrary. As mentioned above, they 
discovered Woods' Creek, naming it after their leader, the Rev. James Woods. 
Those other members of the party whose names have been perpetuated, were James 
Savage, J. H. Rider, and Charles Bassett. The prime object of their search, 
gold, being found in quantity on the banks of the newly discovered stream, it 
proved a sufficient incentive to stay their progress, and at Woods' Crossing, 
the first mining settlement within the present bounds of the county was formed. 
Their work in extracting the precious metal proved extremely successful ; so 
much so that, the news spreading, an increasing number of immigrants turned 
their steps towards this as to a promising field.
        The next settlement was that of a party of Mexican miners, who, pushing 
up Woods' Creek beyond the Crossing, located Sonorian Camp—a name afterwards 
changed to Sonora—all the inhabitants of which were of Spanish extraction, until 
the arrival of the first Americans, who came most probably in the spring of 
1849. As to the exact time of their arrival, that is, and must ever remain, in 
doubt. However, the weight of evidence inclines to the time above given. Again, 
there is doubt as to the names of the first American settlers of Sonora, but to 
― Keeler and R. S. Ham may provisionally be given that honor. The former, it is 
said, was the first to enter upon agricultural pursuits, he occupying land which 
was later included in the ranches of Messrs. Turner, Clark, Johnson, Harrison 
and others.
        In August, 1848, Colonel James, a lawyer of San Francisco, located on 
Woods' Creek, and entered into mining speculations, in the course of which 
Jamestown was founded; but as this perhaps too enterprising gentleman assumed 
liabilities which he could not meet, thereby distinguishing himself as the very 
first of the long line of unsuccessful speculators in mines, he incurred the 
ill-will of his neighbors to such an extent that, on his departure, the name of 
the town was changed, out of revenge; but, after a period of existence as 
American Camp, the old name was revived, probably never to be again dropped.
        At nearly the time of Colonel James' advent, Judge Tuttle, arriving on 
Mormon Gulch, built the first log cabin in the county, the previous structures 
having been cloth tents or Mexican remadas or brush houses. This cabin became 
the nucleus of a village, which, in compliance with the custom of the times, was 
named Tuttletown.
        Exceedingly rich placers were now discovered at Peppermint Gulch, and 
Mountain Brow boasted quite a settlement of men dwelling in tents.
        Among the more notable discoveries made during the latter part of the 
summer of 1848, was that of Jackass Gulch, for which name the accidental loss of 
a long-eared animal contributed, but which posterity will doubtless agree to 
have been quite as characteristic of a man who could give such a designation.
        Jackass Gulch, despite its name, immediately took rank as among the very 
richest of the diggings yet struck. Its gold was of a very coarse description, 
lumps of several ounces weight being of common occurrence; and it is stated that 
two of the earlier prospectors, Major Means and his brother Julius, took out 
from a claim of 100 square feet $10,000 worth of gold ! Nor was the gulch 
limited to placer diggings. The same gentlemen discovered upon their claim a 
quartz vein which yielded two-thirds of its weight in gold ! Mr. Carrington's 
vein paid from $100 to $300 per day for years, by simply pounding the rock in a 
mortar. Numerous discoveries of rich placers took place during the latter part 
of 1848, and the country rapidly filled up with seekers of hidden treasure, most 
of them, unfortunately, illy provided with means for comfortably existing 
through the ensuing winter. Exorbitant prices and much suffering were the 
consequence. From the annexed quotation of prices, it may be learned how scarce 
the comforts and necessities of life were. Flour during that time was $3 per 
pound. Hard bread, beans, coffee, sugar, saleratus, and indeed all the 
indispensable articles of culinary consumption, sold for the uniform price of $3 
per pound. Salt pork, however, is quoted at the higher figure of $8. If so, it 
would seem that it was regarded in the light of a luxury. Merchants, it is said, 
no doubt truthfully, made speedy fortunes, both by reason of the high prices of 
their goods and the low price of gold dust, which was paid for at the rate of $8 
per ounce, in coin, or $16 in trade. Merchandising, liquor-selling, and gambling 
stood nearly upon the same plane, if what has been written may be believed, and 
all three callings were undoubtedly immensely remunerative. Gambling was freely 
practiced by all classes; and the miner, after his day's work, betook himself to 
the monte or faro table, there to be relieved of his easily gotten ounces.     
Spirituous liquors found an abundant sale at the price of $1 per drink, and the 
consumption, then as now, seemed one of the great objects of human existence.
        It has been often stated that the first women who arrived in Sonora were 
two sisters, Mariana and Jesus Ramirez; but the latter of the two, who is now 
the wife of J. M. Cabesut, Esq. of Sonora, disclaims the truth of the story, and 
says that the distinction belongs to other Mexican women, of the family of Leon, 
who arrived several months previous. Less unassuming was Ah Chi, a Chinese 
immigrant, who was the forerunner of the great and disastrous wave of his 
fellow-countrymen.     This Celestial kept an eating house in Sonora, near the 
spot now occupied by O'Brien's store, and which was well patronized by the 
miners, being looked upon as the best kept restaurant of the town.
        Within the short space of half a year from the discovery of gold in 
California, extensive prospecting had been done, and the gold-bearing territory 
had been examined for hundreds of miles along the Sierras, and many extremely 
rich finds had been reported. Notably this was the case in Tuolumne County. News 
of this sort traveled fast, and this region, then called the Southern Mines, 
became the cynosure of all eyes looking for the fabled El Dorado. The reports 
sent by the earlier prospectors were probably not in excess of the truth; but 
there came an era of exaggeration, of wild misrepresentation, whose effects 
recoiled injuriously upon the new communities. One of the earlier writers said : 
" The main bulk of the immigration centered here. * * But so many gold seekers 
brought along with them some great drawbacks to the prosperity of the country. 
Hordes of gamblers kept in the wake of the industrious miners, accompanied by 
rum-sellers and abandoned females; and no sooner was a camp laid out by the 
miners, than a large rough tent was erected by the out­casts; a plank, resting 
on two empty barrels, served for a counter; and in lieu of the " fixins " of a 
regular bar, a barrel of whisky, with a tin cup or two, and we had a first‑class 
hotel and gambling saloon, from which issued the din of cracked fiddles and the 
chink of money, from early morn until late at night; and not infrequently would 
the sun find the gambling tables crowded and the game and the dance as lively as 
ever. * * We are even yet reaping the fruit of these drones of society. It was 
the result, in a great measure, of the vast influx of Spanish population, and 
has been one of the chief hindrances to a better understanding between the 
American and Spanish peoples."
        The latter part of this writer's words are included to show the 
prevailing feeling which existed even as late as 1860 (date of his writing) 
among Americans, against the Mexicans. Time has partly removed these injurious 
and unjust feelings, but they are not yet fully eradicated from the American 
breast. The author continues: " Hostility to everything American was originally 
engendered against us by the Mexicans during the war of 1846, and had not died 
out in 1849. Nor is it to be wondered that the Chilians, Peruvians, and other 
Spanish immigrants who spoke the same language, had habits and religion 
identical, and who were daily regaled with stories of the brutality and 
injustice they had received at the hands of the American people. * * From the 
Spanish, the disaffection spread first to the French, then to the German and 
Italian portion, and lastly to the Australian immigrants, extensively known by 
the euphonious cognomen of " Sydney Ducks," a name very soon to become 
synonymous with all kinds of fraud and rascality. Accordingly, collisions became 
of daily occurrence. * * Murders soon followed, and became so frequent that at 
one time it was seriously mooted whether foreigners should not be expelled from 
the mines. It eventuated in bringing down upon them the heavy mining tax * * 
tantamount to expulsion from California."
        Thus far the venerable writer has been quoted, in order that his words 
might assist to a proper understanding of some of the events which took place at 
a somewhat later period in the county's history; events which, it would seem, 
had their starting point in that most unjust and reprehensible war against 
Mexico, which had ended but shortly before this history commences.
        Among the earlier of the arrivals in Tuolumne County are enumerated the 
names of Col. B. F. Moore, Florida; Emanuel Linoberg, Poland; James Lane and 
Peter Mehen, Ireland; Josh. Holden, Texas; James Frazier, Scotland; R. C. Barry, 
Texas; Alonzo Green and Terence Clark, New York; Dr. Bell and A. Elkins, Texas; 
N. F. Murphey, M. D., Ireland; H. W. Theall, Pennsylvania; W. Luckett, Texas; C. 
F. and Theophilus Dodge, New York; Dr. Wm. Shepherd, Ohio; Dr. W. Norlinn, 
Germany; Casimir Labetoure, France; B. F. Butterfield, New York; Dr. Clarke, 
Louisiana; C. M. Radcliffe, Scotland; W. H. Ford and Wm. Pusick, New York; 
Theodore Saunders; Charles Heffernan, Thomas Hill, Theodore Lopez, Lieut. Wm. 
Smith and George R. Searle, New York (the eight preceding were soldiers in 
Stevenson's Regiment); Jacob Green, Texas, one of the Yucatan Volunteers; 
William Bowman, Texas, one of the Mier prisoners, who escaped death by drawing a 
white bean at the famous drawing of lots; Dr. Lewis C. Gunn, Philadelphia.
        Among the more prominent individuals of the foreign element were: Miguel 
Lesqui, France; L. Rondina and Francisco Pavia, Italy; Luis G. Elordi, Francisco 
Escobar, Baltazeo Estaben, P. Rojas, J. M. Vallenzuela, Remijo Riveras, Jose M. 
Bosa, M. Neguro, G. Aguazo, Ramon Enriquez, Luis Ordas and V. Davilla, all of 
Mexican or South American nationality, and of whom the last named is said to 
have been the first jeweler of Sonora. The above named are known to have come 
before January 1, 1850.
        The following named came in either during the last part of 1849 or very 
early in 1850: T. M. Van Benschoten, Louisiana; J. D. Patterson, Texas; R. M. 
Heath, Charles M. Creaner, J. S. Ogier, James C. Morehead, Isaac A. Stevens, 
and. James W. Coffroth, Ohio; Leander Quint, Maine; A. W. Richardson and. H. P. 
Barber, England; L. A. Besancon, Louisiana; R. F. Sullivan, Texas; George Work, 
New York (last from Mexico); Major A. Elkins, Texas; Major Henry Charbonelle, 
France; John Bannister, Texas; David S. McDowell, Mississippi; Jose Maria 
Cabesut, Mexico; John E. Stokes, Ohio.
        The foregoing list comprises but a small portion of the whole number who 
had arrived in what is now Tuolumne County previous to the beginning of the year 
1850; but they were representative men, the most of whom took a prominent part 
in the affairs of their time, and some of whom yet live to remember the exciting 
times and great achievements of the pioneer days.
        Much has been written concerning the habits, mode of life and pursuits 
of the golden age of the State. Volumes of most interesting matter could be 
compiled on these and kindred subjects, but the themes have so often been 
touched upon by writers that every one, at this later time, may be considered to 
have accurate ideas thereon.
        The designation " Golden Age" is not inapplicable to a time in which the 
search for the metal was attended with such abundant success. The records of the 
time prove the truth of the oft-repeated assertions of the " Old '49-ers," that 
gold could be gathered almost in any required quantity by the exercise of their 
primitive means of extraction. The pick, the pan and the shovel constituted the 
sole apparatus by which fortunes were made. Finds, amounting to hundreds and 
even thousands of dollars, were too common to excite comment, and the labor of a 
single week often produced enough to carry the fortunate miner to his home in 
the East, there to live his remaining years in comfort. Not all, however, who 
were favored by the sight of the goddess Fortune, were minded to return. Some 
there were from whom her face was averted, and after many years of painful 
seeking, they have found their rest, or, perchance, they still live among the 
hills that once echoed a livelier strain, and are awaiting that round of Time's 
cycle that shall lay their bones beside those of others gone before. The old 
Californian is a being whose present life is but a retrospection of the early 
days. He lives but as one awakened from an entrancing dream, to tell the glories 
of the days of '49; to describe the opportunities of accumulating wealth, when 
gold was so plenty that any man could sally out with his pan and shovel and make 
enough in a day to set at rest all thought of present need. These things, and 
many more, have for years formed the great staple of conversation throughout the 
Western Slope, and the statements conned and repeated have taken on, like the 
tales of the other Argonauts, a tinge of exaggeration, however unrefined and 
unpoetical. The oft repeated accounts of the phenomenal honesty of men in those 
days excite wonder and admiration in the later generation, who can not 
understand how a miscellaneous aggregation of men of all nationalities could 
have escaped contamination by a few to whom such noble traits were strangers. 
The state of society which admitted of miners leaving in their cabins, with 
unlocked doors, large amounts of gold dust and other valuables could not have 
been of long continuance; hence the papers of an early date in 1850 teem with 
accounts of robberies, murders, and all descriptions of outrages, which have not 
suffered any cessation thus far. It is, notwithstanding this fact, not proper to 
doubt the truth of the assertions of such highminded. morality, but to ascribe 
it to the agency of fear.
        At this date the observing student of history is struck most forcibly 
with the apparent air of prodigality that pervaded all classes and all doings of 
the time of which this section treats, and indeed of the subsequent years of 
rich strikes. He sees the spectacle of myriads of hardy, adventurous men daring 
every danger and hardship in the frantic pursuit of gold, which, after 
attaining, they flung recklessly away! It needs no further exemplification of 
this than the further spectacle which he sees to-day of the remnants of those 
myriads dragging out their days, mostly in penury and want, many of whom, once 
possessors of unbounded wealth, which could have purchased every comfort which 
desire could dictate, but now living in squalor, and dying, to be buried by the 
hands of charity! With some, the fierce fight for wealth past, and the prize 
ungained, ambition loses her sway, and the once energetic miner settles into the 
narrow groove of a hanger-on of a whisky saloon, to clean the spittoons for a 
drink, to await the generous patron at whose expense the liquid stimulant passes 
his appreciative lips. For such ends as these does he wear out his days and 
belie the promise of his earlier years. But not all are thus. Some of that 
immortal band still carry hearts as brave as those that first dared the perils 
of the "Horn" to dig the sands of the Stanislaus and the Tuolumne. The weight of 
years has not diminished their courage nor abated their energy, which still 
directs them in their toil for the perhaps delusive goddess. Ever in the van 
when new regions are explored and new fields give up their treasure, the rigors 
of an Alaskan winter can not daunt them, nor the soft sweetness of a tropic 
climate lull them into forgetfulness of the spirit of the early Californian. By 
the mountain top his campfire burns, and the crags of the Andes and the 
Cordilleras echo back the still forceful blows of his pick. Never until the 
kindly earth against which his own stirring blows have fallen shall inclose him 
in his windowless palace of rest, shall his efforts cease. His little cabin is 
perched far up the rugged side of the mountains that bound the State he helped 
to found. The railroad train passes far beneath, bearing back those of happier 
fortune to the old home and friends in the East; but the old prospector's work 
is not—never will be finished until he lies down in his blankets for the last 
time. There is heroism in his work; there is heroism in every day's existence of 
every old Californian whose spirit is not quenched nor his soul debased by 
misfortune's slights. All honor to the men who advanced civilization's bounds 
over the Western shore! Kindness and honor to the living; honor and peace to the 
dead!
        Travel to the Southern mines was very constant during the year 1849, the 
immigrants coming by way of Stockton, the road from which to Sonora becoming a 
celebrated route. The garrulous recorder of those times informed his readers 
that the campfires on that highway were near enough together to show the 
traveler his way. He also says that the dealers in mining tools, provisions and 
general merchandise, who, by the way, wisely combined the retailing of liquors 
with the above, also supplied the hungry miners with pork and beans at the 
moderate rate of one dollar per plate! A similar charge was also made for 
house-room for sleeping, the applicant finding his own bedding. It is mentioned 
that board was at the rate of three dollars per day. The same veracious 
chronicler says that gold-dust, serving as a medium of exchange, was often 
guessed at as to its value. Gold scales, he explains, were unknown at that date, 
and such an amount of gold as could be held between the thumb and finger was 
called a dollar's worth, while a teaspoonful passed for an ounce; a 
wine-glassful was one hundred dollars, and a tumblerful was called a thousand 
dollars. Much gold was dropped in handling, and to obviate this loss, blankets 
were stretched upon the counters and gambling tables, which received the falling 
particles.
        All unite to pronounce the miners of that day men of the most reckless 
prodigality; but, as might be expected where such habits prevailed, the virtue 
of charity was much practiced. Towards the sick or destitute, the miners, 
gamblers, traders and all, were most ready in their demonstrations of good will. 
Nor did these demonstrations take the sole form of kind words and speeches: 
these were left to the utterance of a later generation, whose purse-strings do 
not so readily loosen to the cry of misfortune. The readiness of the gamblers to 
respond in cases of distress has been supposed to have been a bond between them 
and the honest class, which led to their being tolerated as they were. Charity 
to the unfortunate took the other hazardous, though hardly less praiseworthy, 
form of reliance upon the word and honor of strangers, so that, as is well 
known, an entire stranger could buy on credit, without introduction or 
reference, hundreds of dollars' worth of the necessaries of life, and this 
without exciting remark. Again, if a stranger became sick, it was not uncommon 
that the trader of the nearest camp assumed charge of the case, paid the bills, 
medical fees, etc., and in case of death, buried the unfortunate. Such cases are 
attested to, and are, beyond doubt, true. Such reports go far to remove any 
unpleasant reflections which the reported avarice may occasion.
        Early in the year 1849, two events occurred of which the narration will 
throw much light upon the primitive ways of administering what was thought to be 
justice. These events were two trials, for theft and murder, respectively. As is 
well known, neither written law, properly constituted officers, nor courts of 
law, existed. In lieu of the present machinery of the law, an officer, called by 
the Mexican term Alcalde, was selected from the inhabitants of a district, and 
to him were delegated the necessary powers for preserving the peace, settling 
disputes and trying offenders. The mode of choosing an Alcalde was as 
unsystematic as the powers that he assumed. Instances are on record of an 
Alcalde's assumption of his position without the form of a vote, or even a 
request from the surrounding inhabitants, as did R. S. Ham, the first Alcalde of 
Sonora, who was recognized in that capacity until a case which demanded more 
talent than he was supposed to possess, when he was summarily deposed and James 
Frazier, a store-keeper on Sonorita Gulch, was raised to the dignity.
        The circumstances of the case of theft, to which allusion has been made, 
were as follows: Shortly after the diggings along Sonora Creek had been first 
discovered, Charles Bassett, a sailor, from the P. S. S. Oregon, had settled 
there with a number of others. The cook of the steamer, one of the party, had 
been accused of robbing an American, whose cabin was at the present location of 
the Washington street bridge. This he denied, but was taken before Alcalde Ham, 
who ordered him into confinement until the morrow, when he would doubtless hang 
him.  Bassett, however, anxious to save a shipmate, collected the neighboring 
miners and elected Frazier to the now important post of Alcalde, ignoring Ham, 
who is described as a rough, illiterate man, while the new officer was regarded 
as the most influential and cultivated person in the vicinity. The trial came 
off the next day, the first act of Alcalde Frazier being to name the new place 
Sonora Camp, or in the uncouth habit of the Americans, "Sonorian Camp." The 
trial did not plainly show the guilt of the prisoner, so that the sentence was 
not death, which would doubtless have been inflicted if the accusation had been 
proved, but as there was a serious doubt, the verdict was guilty, with a 
recommendation to mercy. Frazier accordingly sentenced the man to be flogged, 
but it is thought that this sentence was never executed.
        The circumstances of the murder case alluded to were these: a quarrel 
had arisen between one Atkins, an American gambler, and some Irishmen, at Big 
Bar, on Sullivan's Creek. Atkins, being roughly used, retired to his cabin, and, 
loading his rifle, fired at and killed a man whose name has been given as Boyd 
or Bogdan, and who had been actively engaged in freeing Atkins from the assaults 
of the others. Then was seen the spectacle of a mob, clamoring for condign 
punishment upon the guilty man—a spectacle that has been witnessed many times 
since in Tuolumne, with all the added horrors of executions unauthorized and 
undeserved. In this case, however, the party of order triumphed. Atkins was 
taken away under guard and subjected to trial before Alcalde Frazier, when a 
verdict and sentence in the case were arrived at, " That Mr. Atkins be found 
guilty of murder and that he be fined five hundred dollars, and be ordered to 
leave the settlement, forthwith, under pain of death."
        This verdict was not received with favor by the friends of the murdered 
man, one of whom armed himself with the fixed purpose of killing the Alcalde, 
for which luxury he offered to forfeit five hundred dollars also. Atkins left as 
commanded, and went north and became the Sheriff of Siskiyou some years later. 
Thus ended the first murder trial in Tuolumne county—a trial that affords a fair 
example of the administration of so-called justice by lynch law.
        On June 3, 1849, a proclamation was issued by General Riley, the 
Military Governor of California, ordering a general election, the first ever 
held by Americans on the Western slope. The following is a copy of the original 
tally-list made on the occasion of the election:
        " At an election held at the office of the Alcalde of the Sonora Camp, 
in the San Joaquin District, on Wednesday, the 1st day of August, 1849, in 
accordance with the proclamation of B. Riley, Brevet-Brigadier General, U. S. 
A., and Governor of California, dated 3d day of June, 1849, for the purpose of 
choosing delegates to a General Convention, and for filling the offices of one 
Judge of the Superior Court, for the District of Sonora, Sacramento and San 
Joaquin, one Prefect, two sub-Prefects, and one 1st Alcalde for Judge of the 
First Instance, for the District of San Joaquin, the following persons voted:
                William Walker, J. A. Talbot, Thomas Smith, Edward P. Kennedy, 
Thomas Williams, Moses B. Carson, Henry J. Wilson, Nathaniel McCullock, Charles 
C. Sweet, Daniel Okeson, Francisco Duarte, Juan Sanchez, John Riley, Manuel 
Valencia, Domingo Curiega, Edward Blair, R. B. Wilbur, George Weeks, W. Warren, 
I. M. R. Clements, J. R. Barton, Vicente Duarte, Dorotea Sabileto, Wm. Ford, Pio 
Moreno, Nathaniel Delano, Orson Murray, William Bowers, W. R. Banks, Wm. Long, 
James M. Key, Benjamin F. Ross, John D. Winters, H. G. Brown, William Howard, 
John Mason, James R. Lewis, Richard H. Clarke, H. W. Theall, D. A. Enyart, 
Francisco Pavia, Antonio Palma y Mesa, Juan Machado, Jesus Jeda, E. R. Clay, 
James Demican, John Finch, G. C. Armstrong, Casimir Labetoure, John Campbell, 
Robert Keating, James Dove, Thomas Hudson, Charles McIntyre, Henry Ryan, Fred. 
Bohringer, Elanah Galasha, Robt. Hill, Jno. Phillips, Alex. M. Coe, J. M. 
Bradshaw, Pat. Halpin, William Belt, William K. Smith, H. Fairchild, K. G. 
Ackley, Alba Maurison, S. Haley, Louis Pollock, George Kerr, A. W. Luckett, 
James M. Duncan, James B. Lyons, Joshua Holden, John E. Stothers, Ignacio Bayez, 
David Carson, William Wilson, John Campbell, Jr., Rosario Marin, Louis Crane, 
Isaac Thomas, M. G. Patterson, Exaltacion Canscio, Louis Van Reed, Antonio 
Labori, Alonzo Green, Eli Dobson, John Hart, James Cahn, William Callahan, Jens 
Schon, H. C. Nesbitt, Charles Van Winkle, John Satterlee, Andrew Lublette, W. 
Yaker, James Fraser. James Fraser, Charles C. Sweet, Daniel Okeson, Inspectors. 
Total vote 98."
        That Mr. James Fraser, or Frazier, as the name is indifferently spelled, 
was a popular officer is shown by the fact that the residents of Sonoran Camp 
held a meeting to express their sentiments of respect and gratitude, at which 
complimentary resolutions were passed, speeches were made and the following 
document signed by thirty-nine of the prominent men:
                                                                                 
                                                                                 
  SONORANIAN CAMP, 2d August, 1849.
To MR. JAMES FRASER : If there had been a vacancy in the office of local Alcalde 
for this camp, and we had consequently voted for a person to fill that office, 
we would have voted yesterday for you in preference to any other candidate.
                We remain, your obedient servants,
                                                                                 
                                       (Here follow the signatures.)
 
― ― ―
 
        Prospecting was now rife, and new placers were almost daily discovered. 
The diggings at Yankee Hill were found, and on the 17th of May the place was 
given the above name by Thomas Hill, a discharged drummer of Stevenson's 
regiment, who formed one of a party of nineteen prospectors who came from 
Mokelumne Hill, and who won the toss which conferred the honor of naming the 
locality. The names of " Frenchy," Rochette, (later of Lee and Marshall's 
Circus), Thomas Hill, P. Cutrell and L. G. Alexander, only, are preserved of all 
the company. It seems that this company, or a part of it, left these new 
discoveries to go to still newer diggings at Yorktown, of which extravagant 
reports were in circulation. At an informal election at the latter place, P. 
Cutrell was elected Alcalde, and Rochette Sheriff. The latter did not hold his 
office long, preferring to follow mining as an occupation. Accordingly, L. G. 
Alexander was selected to succeed him. Diggings were discovered on Sullivan's 
creek which proved remunerative. The finder's name is given as Savage, but there 
is at present no means of identifying him, with certainty. In the month of June 
Jacksonville was founded, Colonel Jackson having discovered gold-bearing gravel 
at the junction of Wood's creek and the Tuolumne river. These diggings are said 
to have sustained for many years their reputation of moderate richness, other 
more pretentious camps having died in the interim.
        The delegates to the convention which framed the constitution met on 
September 1st, 1849. Those chosen from this district were four in number, viz: 
Colonel B. F. Moore, of Texas, J. M. Jones, a celebrated lawyer of New Orleans, 
O. M. Wozencraft and B. S. Lippincott. James Fraser, who has been frequently 
mentioned in these pages as the first regular Alcalde, gave place to Hiram S. 
Theall, who became prominently identified with the affairs of Sonora, as a 
judicial officer, as military commander of a local body of militia and as a 
business man. Subsequently, Chas. F. Dodge, another prominent business man of 
Sonora, was
chosen to the office, in which position he remained until the legislative 
enactment organizing the town of Sonora went into effect. Previously a town 
organization had existed, for it is on record that on the 7th of November, 1849, 
the citizens of Sonora met and organized a town government, mainly with the view 
of providing a hospital for the sick, for the scurvy had raged during the 
preceding winter from the unsuitable diet, consisting almost entirely of salted 
provisions. The mortality was great, especially among the Mexican population; 
and it was with an idea of abating such sufferings that the hospital was built 
and maintained throughout the ensuing rainy season, partially by the 
contributions of the benevolent and partly by the sale of town lots. A steward 
was hired at a daily pay of eight dollars, lime juice was bought for five 
dollars per bottle, potatoes at one dollar to one dollar and a half per pound, 
and other supplies at a corresponding rate. These prices, it must be observed, 
were not considered high at that time.
        The first Town Council of Sonora consisted of C. F. Dodge, Joshua 
Holden, Peter Mehen, C. Labetoure, E. Linoberg, J. B. Litton, William Perkins 
and another whose name cannot be ascertained. One of their acts was to order a 
survey of the town into lots. This was done by Cooper and Galledge, whose map 
became the official chart. On the arrival of the news from San Jose, the seat of 
the State government, that Sonora was to be the county seat, the Council passed 
a resolution that all vacant lots should be regarded as the property of the town 
and that the money derived from their sale should be applied to paying for the 
survey and to the hospital expenses. Apropos of the latter subject it may be 
appropriate to reproduce certain bills of goods furnished to that institution, 
as at this day they have a historical interest never before possessed:
 
Town of Sonora to Holden and Greene, Dr.
 
      For 38 yards wide matting, $2.50 per yard                   $ 9500
      For 16 yards narrow matting, $1.50 per yard                2400
      For tacks and labor, in putting down matting                  2000
      For 15 lbs. nails, from Theall & Perkins                                   
       3000
      For 2 lbs. sperm candles, from Theall & Perkins            1200
      For William Williams, for building          30000
      For berths                    5000
      For nails 800
      For clearing of lot for building                                           
              1500
      Total$554.00

            Received Payment.                                        Green & 
Holden.
 
Dickinson, Dr. to Elkins.
 
      January 15, 2 lbs. bacon, $3; 1 lb. chalk, $15.0$450
            "      18, 6 lbs. bacon, $100; flour $2 1200
            "      18, 2 lbs. coffee, $2, cash, $3500
      February 9, 1 bottle brandy400
            "       9, 6 lbs. bacon750
            "       6, 4 lbs. rice300
            "       8, 11 lbs. flour825
      Paid cash to Bell, for medicine700
      Total $5125

            Received Payment.                                        A. Elkins   
     
    Sonora, February 13, 1850.
 
Town of Sonora to Green and Holden, Dr.
 
      To one bottle lime juice, by Dr. Shepherd$500
      To bread100
      To one pair blankets1200
      To 66 feet of plank, at 50c3300
      Total$5100

                                                                                
Green & Holden.
 
        It required the utmost exertions to keep the hospital open, the most 
striking instances of liberality being shown in its aid. Messrs. C. S. Dodge & 
Co., who kept a meat shop, the first in Sonora, were prominent, and it is said 
that a very large bill for meat furnished by them was left unpaid by the town of 
Sonora. The same Charles F. Dodge, when Alcalde paid, from his own private 
funds, the deficiency in burial charges, amounting to very considerable sums.
        On the morning of Nov. 14, 1849, the first serious fire broke out in a 
gambling tent situated where the Shaw's Flat road crosses Wood's Creek. Very 
soon it had extended the whole length of town, causing a loss variously 
estimated at from thirty to forty thousand dollars which is not large, 
considering that the population of the town was not less than five thousand.
        It was on the occasion of this fire that Charles Bassett organized a 
guard of four ex-soldiers of Stevenson's regiment, who were camping in the gulch 
then called by his name, but which now is Sonora Creek. These men being in 
uniform and armed with their muskets, were stationed on the outskirts of the 
fire, taking charge of whatever property was saved, and not suffering anything 
to be removed from their supervision. By this means thefts were prevented. 
Alcalde Frazier gave his sanction to Bassett's disposition of these affairs, so 
that Bassett may be said to have held the first military command in this place.
        Dr. Strother opened, in the Fall of 1849, the first drug store in 
Sonora. It was situated in the vicinity of Bassett's camp, or near the present 
location of the City Hotel. Just below his place were a few remadas (brush 
houses), which together were called "Scott-town," from the name of the most 
prominent of the occupants, a gambler "of gentle­manly deportment."
        Thus early in her history, Sonora had arrived at the maximum of her 
importance and population, she not having less than 5000 at this date—a number 
she has never exceeded. As is the custom in all mining camps, the favorite day 
for trade and barter was Sunday ; when her streets were thronged with miners 
from the surrounding claims, in town for their mail and for the purpose of 
purchasing supplies, and to seek the excitement of the gaming table. Still in 
the memories of present inhabitants are recollections of the streets so densely 
thronged that locomotion was impeded ; stores filled to overflowing with men 
seeking to spend their accumulations of the week; on such days the number of 
people in town could not have been less than ten thousand ! And these vast, 
crowds consisted almost wholly of men;—men in the prime of life and of uncommon 
mental and physical vigor, as if they had been the picked men of their 
respective distant communities. And they were so in some sense, possessing the 
best qualities of daring, strength and determination that have left their 
impress that shall exist through all time.
        Religious matters, as is usually the case with all new settlements, and 
more especially mining towns, had not at first received much attentive 
consideration; other than those of money, had not disturbed the current of 
existence in any appreciable degree, until at a much later period. A slight 
sprinkling only, of God fearing men, began in a quiet way to make their 
influence felt as early as the fall of '49, when Padre Arnault settled in 
Sonora. This gentleman came from Mexico, and was the reported possessor of great 
wealth, of which he gave freely to endow the first Roman Catholic organization, 
which was formed under his auspices, giving the ground on which a church was 
built to succeed the small adobe building which was first erected for 
celebrating the Catholic service, and which was completed in the summer of 1850. 
The efforts of the projectors of this concern were said to have had a good 
effect upon the remainder of society. At first scoffing and jeering at the 
proposed new order of things was heard, but insensibly a change was affected 
which has continued beneficially down to the present time, when, despite the 
complaining of clergymen and other professional religionists who never see aught 
but the dark side of things, Sonora, and Tuolumne in general, contains as moral, 
decent and upright a community as grace any portion of God's footstool.
Discoveries at Columbia.
        In March, 1850, the diggings at Columbia were found. This location, 
which has ever since been celebrated for the remarkable extent and richness of 
its gold deposits, is said by some to have been first discovered by a party of 
Mexicans from Santiago Hill, about a mile northwest of the new discovery. 
According to this account, these men were seen by a party of Americans, among 
whom were Dr. Thaddeus Hildreth, George, his brother, John Walker, William Jones 
and Alexander Carson. These, being informed that the place was rich, stayed to 
try their luck, and finding the result beyond expectations, they returned home 
for supplies and afterwards located permanently at the new discovery. Another 
account, being a slight modification of this, is to be found in Heckendorn and 
Wilson's Business Directory. This ascribes the discovery to the same party 
having encamped under an oak tree that stood at what is now Main street, near 
the bridge. Rain falling during the night, they were obliged to remain some time 
in the morning to dry their blankets, and while thus detained Walker prospected 
the ground in a small gulch leading from Kennebeck Hill, so named at a later 
day. His prospect being encouraging, the party decided to remain for the day, 
which they occupied in examining the immediate neighborhood ; their work for the 
day giving a result of one ounce of gold. They then decided to locate at this 
point; but water being scarce, they were obliged to carry their dirt in sacks to 
it, and wash in rockers. It is said that even by this laborious process, they 
were able to make six or eight ounces per day to the man.
        Such are the two stories in reference to this very important discovery. 
Which one is true it is impossible at this time to say, nor does it matter much, 
the essential point being the time of the discovery, which both accounts place 
in March, 1850. The first account bears the most likely appearance of truth, as 
there is a well-known tendency on the part of mankind in general, to ascribe to 
trivial causes the most important and far-reaching effects; and this story of 
the wet blankets, and the consequent detention, is on a par with others that 
have been invented to account for other similar discoveries.
        Whether or not the Mexicans were already on the ground when the Hildreth 
party arrived, there were, at all events, men of that nationality at work 
alongside of the Americans when the latter commenced systematic work. Their 
location is stated to have been four hundred feet above where a wooden 
suspension bridge was constructed about 1860. The proximity of the hated 
foreigners had the usual effect of causing the Mexicans to remove themselves 
from their unwelcome neighbors, to seek other fields. It is related that the 
newcomers took out fifteen pounds of gold dust daily for the first three days, 
the most of which was from ground that the Mexicans had once worked. The 
accounts of their success in the commencement disagree somewhat, but there is no 
occasion to doubt that it was immense, since the "rush" that immediately set in 
for "Hildreth's Diggings," the name by which the placers were first known, was 
almost unprecedented at that day. The immigration poured in from Sonora, 
Jamestown, Wood's Crossing, Jacksonville and other mining camps, as well as from 
Calaveras and Mokelumne Hill, all centering at Columbia. Wonderful stories were 
circulated, which spread into the remotest mining regions, causing a new impetus 
to be given to prospecting, with the result of abundant new discoveries. The 
trails were now crowded with men, in numbers before unknown, all traveling to 
the great centers of attraction, with their blankets on their backs, and if any 
diverged into side gulches or streams, they encountered the smoke of the pioneer 
or heard the rattle of the worker; or, below on the stream, they were surprised 
to behold the water muddied from the operations of some one who was before them, 
in a place where they thought no white man's foot had ever trod.
        First of all who came to Columbia stands the name of Captain Avent. This 
gentleman had the good fortune to take out two and a half pounds of gold in his 
first day's work, and the second day secured to him one and a half pounds more. 
After this his average was twelve or fifteen ounces daily, until the failure of 
the water in July.
        In the course of a few days, some thirty or forty remadas and cloth 
tents were erected in the immediate vicinity of the spot where the first strike 
was made, and lying along the south side of the creek. Among these occupants 
were Rochette, previously mentioned as having been at Yankee Hill, and then at 
Yorktown; James Letford, afterwards a resident of Sonora, and for many years 
Justice of the Peace; Major Farnsworth; Bonillos, a Peruvian butcher. Charles 
Bassett came from Sonora and located on the north side of the creek, building 
there corrals for cows and sheep. He also opened a store, combining with it a 
restaurant, butcher shop and dairy. A part of his multifarious business was to 
peddle milk through the camp, it meeting a ready sale at one dollar per whisky 
bottle full. At such a price, he doubtless could afford to give the unwatered 
article.
        By the middle of April following the discovery, not less than six 
thousand persons had located in the vicinity of Kennebec Hill—not all of whom 
were engaged in mining, but many in the dependent callings, as providers for 
those so engaged. A vast influx of gamblers had also arrived, and in a short 
time the number of faro banks in operation was reckoned at one hundred and 
forty-three, with capitals aggregating from one million to one and a half 
million of dollars! Gambling was the only amusement of the day, and was 
patronized accordingly. It was common to see sums reaching into the thousands 
staked on the turn of a card. As might be expected, with this sudden and great 
accession of population, with its great attendant twin evils of gambling and 
prostitution, much lawlessness was rife, and a state of society existed which it 
was found necessary in some way to mitigate. Accordingly, as the most reasonable 
means of doing so, a public election was called for April 29th, or thereabouts, 
resulting in the election of Major Sullivan, of Sonora, as Alcalde, and one 
Gresby as Constable, in the same informal way as the previous Alcaldes of Sonora 
had been chosen—without governmental authority, and solely to meet an immediate 
exigency.
        The first case to come before Alcalde Sullivan was that of of a Mexican, 
Juan Santa Anna, who was arrested on the complaint of William Smith, who charged 
the former with the theft of a pair of leggings. The testimony sufficed to 
convict the defendant, who was fined three ounces for stealing, while Smith was 
mulcted one ounce for having complained of him!
        George Hildreth brought suit for the recovery of a pick which had been 
stolen from him, and which was found in the store of a Frenchman. The Court's 
decision was that the storekeeper pay one ounce fine and three ounces costs.
        The next case was for the recovery of a mule. The property was proved 
beyond dispute, and the accused party ordered to restore the animal to its 
owner, and to pay a fine of one ounce, and three ounces costs. The accused not 
having the wherewith, the Court decreed that the accuser, who was known to be in 
good circumstances, should pay the fine and costs, as the Court could not be 
expected to sit without remuneration.
        Much has been written to the detriment of Major Sullivan's character—as 
that he had a regularly organized system of bullying and swindling all those 
with whom he had dealings—but as it cannot be ascertained that there was any 
foundation for these charges except private malice, it would be manifestly 
unjust to give place to what has been said. The irregularities in the cases 
cited above only show an amount of eccentricity which can be excused on the 
consideration of the prevailing habits and manners.
        The honor of bestowing upon the new camp its present name, Columbia, is 
due to Majors Farnsworth and Sullivan and Mr. D. G. Alexander, who formally 
named the place on the 29th of April. The first tent put up on the present site 
of the town was occupied as a drinking and gambling saloon.
        On the 1st of June the Foreign Miners' Tax of twenty dollars per month, 
went into effect, and its results upon the growth and prosperity surpassed even 
the most unfavorable predictions. Multitudes of foreigners—who, by the way, 
formed the majority of the settlers at Columbia―left immediately, and the tax, 
coupled with the scarcity of water for mining purposes, acted to almost 
extinguish the new place. Rapid as had been her rise, her decadence was more 
sudden. The only water in the camp was two "tom-heads," running from Matelot, or 
Sailor Gulch, so that few of the miners could prosecute their labors, and the 
yield of gold was very much curtailed. Gambling and saloon-keeping still held 
their own, and traveling musicians, a newly-found source of amusement, prospered 
beyond belief.
        In the meantime, other camps, in various parts of the district, had been 
settled. In the latter part of April, Mr. Hatch, with several others, discovered 
Gold Springs, in the sands of which gold was found. Charles M. Radcliffe was the 
first trader at the camp which sprang up, and he was the sponsor of the place, 
naming it Gold Spring, it having since acquired another letter. Radcliffe, who 
was a very prominent man in the early days, at that time was a partner with 
Major Farnsworth in merchandising, they having stores at Gold Spring, Pine Log 
and at Columbia. Mrs. Maley was the first white woman to settle at Gold Spring, 
and Mrs. Williams, on the 17th of July, 1852, gave birth to the first child born 
there. The first butcher was Mr. Wilson, who also dealt with the inhabitants of 
Columbia, Pine Log and other camps in the neighborhood.
        In the same month that witnessed the finding of Columbia, Springfield 
also took its rise. Its history is interesting, as evincing the energy and 
business talent that a woman displayed. In the latter part of March, Donna 
Josefa Valmaseda arrived from San Francisco. Previously she had been an 
influential resident of Guaymas, and in the war against the United States she 
had been a strong partisan of the latter country, giving aid and countenance to 
her country's enemies. Acting upon information furnished by her, the town of 
Guaymas was taken by the United States ships "Cyane" and "Warren." This course 
brought down upon her the vengeance of the Mexican Government, and she was 
compelled to fly to the protection of the American men-of-war, abandoning her 
property, which, according to usage, was confiscated. After the breaking out of 
the mining excitement she came to the mines, where she collected a number of her 
country­men, whom she hired to mine at the place now known as Springfield—so 
called because of the remarkable spring which breaks out of the limestone at 
this place.
        In a like manner, Donna Martinez settled at the camp which bore her 
name. Her location was in the midst of very rich deposits, and the camp 
increased rapidly, soon containing over a thousand miners. Its downfall soon 
commenced, however, owing, in great part, to the Foreign Miners' Tax. This place 
was settled in May or June, 1850.
Effect of the Miners' Tax.
        The Foreign Miners' Tax of twenty dollars per month went into operation 
on the 1st of June, 1850, by formal act of the Legislature. Its principal result 
was the almost immediate depopulation of certain camps, and the great injury of 
all. Sonora and Columbia suffered enormous losses, estimated, in the case of the 
former town, at four-fifths of the entire population; while the latter, whose 
growth had been so rapid, was reduced, through the Tax Law and the scarcity of 
water, to a community of only nine or ten persons. So it is credibly told. Of 
the seceding miners, some went to their homes in foreign lands, while others 
sought diggings in secluded places, where the obnoxious law would probably not 
be enforced. Others there were who resisted the collection of the tax by the 
officers appointed to collect it. The impression got about in Columbia that the 
foreigners meditated forcible reprisals on the Americans of that camp, resulting 
in a stampede from that town to Sonora of the whole American population; with 
the exception of Charles Bassett and a few others. A rumor having reached Sonora 
that Bassett was murdered, a band of armed men marched upon Columbia, headed by 
"Frenchy" Rochette, carrying the American flag. This statement is given upon the 
authority of Captain Stoddart, who further adds that the only destruction 
effected by this warlike band was upon the liquors and eatables of the said 
Bassett, who was nearly eaten out of house and home by his zealous friends.
        Walter Murray, who subsequently became editor of the Sonora Herald, 
related graphically his impressions of the scenes consequent upon the first 
attempt to enforce the tax, and as a vivid picture of affairs at that time, it 
may be well to give it place in this work. He says:
            "It was a hot summer's day in June, when a man on horseback came 
tearing into the little encampment at Mormon. Gulch, at full speed, evidently 
big with exciting intelligence. The miners, who happened to be scattered in 
groups, talking over the events of the past week, eagerly rushed forward and 
gathered around the messenger, from whose broken exclamations they at length 
learned that there was something very like war approaching. It appeared that the 
Collector appointed by the State Government to receive the Foreign Miners' Tax 
had arrived at the county seat and issued his notice, calling upon all 
foreigners to come forward and pay their first month's assessment of twenty 
dollars. The attempt to collect this exorbitant impost put the immense foreign 
population, with whom the country was literally overrun, into a state of intense 
ferment. Meetings had been held upon the subject, inflammatory speeches had been 
made by Spanish and French orators, and at length it appeared that some great 
demonstration had been made against the odious tax. The messenger averred that 
the county seat was in the hands of the excited foreign mob, numbering two or 
three thousand, all armed; that the safety of the place was menaced, and that 
the American citizens were fleeing from it. Furthermore, that the principal 
citizens had sent couriers to the surrounding camps asking for assistance.
            "There had previously been so many rumors afloat of the expected 
insurrection of the Spanish-American population against the 'proprietors' of the 
country, and the 'boys' had in this way been kept in such a continual state of 
excitement, that the arrival of this intelligence operated at once like dropping 
a spark of fire in a tinder-box. Messengers were immediately dispatched hither 
and thither, calling upon the miners to assemble within an hour, at a given 
spot, on the way to the county seat, and the 'Gulch' was in a moment alive with 
busy, bustling men, getting out their rifles and pistols and preparing for the 
expected conflict.
            "Being unarmed, and therefore forming no part of the expedition, I 
started, with a few others, ahead of the main body, which consisted of about one 
hundred and fifty men; but all were so eager to get on, that it was with the 
utmost difficulty we could keep the smallest distance in advance. We met several 
persons on the way with later intelligence from the seat of war, but their 
accounts were all contradictory, some saying that the excitement was all over; 
others, that there was immediate need of our services. However, we pressed on, 
determined not to stop short of the place for which we set out. On arriving at a 
camp of Mexicans, one mile short of our destination, we were surprised to see 
its motley inhabitants very quietly seated in front of their brush hovels, 
playing monte and other games, as if nothing unusual had transpired. They, too, 
were none the less surprised to see the column of armed men advancing on them in 
close order—especially as they heard the general yell that was joined in by the 
American party as they advanced toward Sonora. Reassured by this apparent calm, 
I hurried on to the town, reaching it five or ten minutes in advance of the 
party. All appeared quiet and peaceful as ever. * * * * I waited to see the 
little procession enter town. Soon it came along, headed by fife and drum—which, 
by this time, had been scared up—and, first and foremost, by the glorious stars 
and stripes, borne aloft and waved very gracefully to and fro by an inhabitant 
of the big city. Thus, with music sounding and banners waving,- the little band 
marched through the whole length of town, vociferously cheered all the way by 
the American inhabitants, who turned out en masse to see them. On arriving at 
the other end of town, the word, `Forward, by file left; march,' was given, when 
the foremost man found himself headed off by a well-stocked bar, whereat each 
one, as he arrived, was 'liquored up.' They were then countermarched through 
town again, the same hospitality being extended at several places on the route, 
and were at length halted in front of the principal hotel, where the Collector 
of Foreign Miners' Taxes made them a speech. After speaking for about ten 
minutes, he informed them they might rest that night and the morrow 'to 
business.' Accordingly, all was soon bustle and scurry at the big hotel; waiters 
went hurrying to and fro, and all was busy preparation for a general meal. After 
an hour or so, which seemed an age to the hungry miners, the long tables were 
loaded down with eatables, and the word given to fall to; and fall to they did, 
in a manner only to be paralleled in California and in the mines.
            "After supper, the arms were all stored away in a building 
temporarily devoted to the purpose of a guard-house. A watch was set during the 
night, with regular reliefs; patrols were organized, and the city speedily 
assumed the appearance of being under martial law.
            "Many and various were the reports circulated on that eventful 
night. According to some, the town was to be attacked and set fire to at 
different points. Rumors of assassination and massacre were fearfully rife; but 
at length morning dawned, and the country was discovered to be safe. Breakfast 
was spread out for us at the same hospitable board, and then all were assembled 
on the main street, and divided into companies, headed each by its own captain 
and lieutenant. A column of some three hundred armed men, in all, was thus 
formed, which, headed by the Collector and Sheriff of the county, commenced its 
march through the disaffected camps.
            "Alas, as we marched along, what a scene of confusion and terror 
marked our way! Mexicans, Chileños, et id genus omne—men, women and 
children—were all packed up and moving, bag and baggage. Tents were being pulled 
down, houses and hovels gutted of their contents; mules, horses and burros were 
being hastily packed, while crowds upon crowds were already in full retreat. 
What could have been the object of our assembly, except as a demonstration of 
power and determination, I know not; but if intended as an engine of terror, it 
certainly had its desired effect, for it could be seen painted upon every 
countenance and impelling every movement of the affrighted population. However, 
on we marched, through this dire confusion, peacefully pursuing our way, until 
we reached what was deemed to be the headquarters of malcontent—a camp 
containing some thousand Spanish Americans—about four miles from the county 
seat. Here we halted for the last time (liquored up, of course, for it was the 
month of June, and the roads were dry and dusty), and, after being paraded 
through the main street, and held for an hour or more in readiness, awaiting the 
report of certain officials dispatched to inquire into the truth of a rumor that 
a foreign flag had been hoisted somewhere in the vicinity, were finally 
discharged. Every man then fired his rifle in the air, reloaded his piece, and 
started homeward, each on his own particular way. I, too, started for the Gulch, 
and until I reached there never lost sight of the train of fugitives scattered 
along the roads in every direction. Some were going north, some south. The great 
body were probably bound for home; some by way of the sea, others by way of Los 
Angeles and the Great Desert. Others, again, were scattering themselves over the 
country, to commence the career of bloodshed and cold-blooded atrocity which for 
months afterward stained the pages of California history. Even those who were 
bound for home often left behind them, along the way, bloody traces of their 
deep-set hatred to Americans, or, perhaps, their natural thirst for massacre and 
pillage."
        Even at this late day, it is not difficult to form accurate conclusions 
as to the causes and effects of the movements above portrayed. Undoubtedly, at 
that time much pardonable excitement was occasioned, much bad feeling was 
engendered, and many causes for hostility and strife were given on either side. 
The weight of evidence does not exonerate the Americans in any particular from 
the charge of violent and premeditated wrong. On the other hand, the ignorant, 
priest–ridden foreign classes betrayed their naturally revengeful dispositions, 
in many instances committing robbery and murder on innocent individuals in 
revenge for the acts of a whole community or State. When, however, the evil 
effects of the tax were clearly seen, even the most pronounced of its former 
advocates became dubious about the wisdom of the measure; and those who only 
tolerated it as a measure of political wisdom, finding it the precursor of 
serious evils, withdrew their tacit support. Efforts were finally made for a 
repeal of the obnoxious law; but sentiment being divided, no great headway was 
made, until, the foreigners of the several mining counties uniting, the 
obnoxious measure was repealed. Previous to this, however, public sentiment 
suffered such a change in their behalf that a fund for testing the legality of 
the Act was created in Sonora, many merchants and others contributing to it. On 
the list we find the names of Joshua Holden, Theall, Perkins & Co., Charles F. 
Dodge & Co., G. S. Evans, and Charles Bruce, who donated for counsel fees, etc., 
on behalf of the foreigners, sums ranging from ten to one hundred and 
twenty-five dollars. This, it has been observed, makes it clear that only those 
traders of Sonora who transacted business with the foreign element, and so 
profited by their presence, were in favor of a repeal; while the American 
miners, generally, were, for selfish reasons, in favor of the law as it stood.
        Affairs are represented as remaining in a state of comparative inaction 
until the foreign element began to return to and work in the mines; and by the 
next spring a large number of those who left had come back and resumed 
operations. But neither of the two principal camps ever recovered the entire 
bulk of their population.
Martinez, lying a short distance east of Columbia, was a distinctively Spanish 
camp, named, as has been already said, in honor of Doña Martinez. It had been 
discovered previously, and up to the time of her arrival had been known as the 
"New" or "Spanish" camp. The lady seems to have been influential and wealthy, as 
she brought with her a large number of "peons" (Mexican servitors) and 
considerable money and jewelry. Apropos of the latter, the Mexicans attach great 
importance to the possession of jewelry. Indeed, the predominant characteristics 
of Mexican families are children, jewelry and dirt. Doña Martinez had very good 
success in her mining operations, having taken up a considerable tract of 
ground, on which her bondmen were set to work.
        The population of the town from being at first exclusively Spanish 
speaking, began to contain a sprinkling of Americans, who crowded in, while the 
invariable result of the crowding out of the less energetic Mexicans and 
Chileños followed. These tactics prevailed, as they always have where the 
grasping, combative Anglo-Saxon comes in contact with the more decent and mild 
men of Spanish descent. Doña Martinez, however, was left in peace, the 
infringing outsiders, with a rude, though not ineffective idea of gallantry, 
regarding her sex as entitled to the fullest protection.
        On the morning of July 4, 1850, appeared the first issue of the Sonora 
Herald, the first newspaper published in the California mines. The only files of 
this very interesting paper now known to be in existence cover the first three 
years of its life, and are the property of Dr. L. C. Gunn, in former times a 
well known and highly respected member of this community, who has kindly loaned 
the papers to assist in the compilation of this work. The first seven numbers of 
this periodical were printed on paper nine by thirteen inches in size. With the 
eighth number the sheet was enlarged to twelve by seventeen inches. It is 
interesting to observe the straits to which the publishers were put by reason of 
the scarcity of material. Wrapping paper was used in at least one ease of 
necessity, and many issues were printed on paper much larger than necessary.
        To be " out of sorts," was, with these pioneer printers an every day 
occurrence. These drawbacks, however, are not alluded to in a spirit of 
criticism. On the contrary, these very facts show as plainly as the most 
detailed descriptions what must have been the state of affairs at that time, and 
even arouse our admiration that so interesting and ably conducted a sheet could 
have been issued. Great difficulties, such as the present country newspaper 
editors have in some measure to meet, must have blocked its way. Nevertheless, 
the Sonora Herald existed until the year 1859, pursuing its course successfully, 
In the prospectus, the editors announce that the Sonora Herald is published 
every Saturday morning in the town of Sonora. The price of a year's subscription 
is the rather startling figure of twenty dollars, and single copies were fifty 
cents each. Advertisements were inserted at the rate of four dollars for six 
lines or less.
        In the following table will be found the names of the various editors 
and proprietors, and also the length of time during which each presided over the 
paper's destinies: 
    John White, from No. 1, Vol. 1, until No. 11, Vol. 1. 
    J. G. Marvin, from No. 1, Vol. 1, until No. 18, Vol. 1. 
    J. R. Reynolds, from No. 12, Vol. 1, until No. 14, Vol. 1. 
    Dr. L. C. Gunn, from No. 14, Vol 1, until No. 47, Vol. 3. 
    E. L. Chrisman, from No. 18, Vol. 1,until No. 40, Vol. 1. 
    Walter Murray, from No. 46, Vol. 3, until No. 4, Vol. 4. 
    J. O'Sullivan, from No, 46, Vol. 3, until No. 37, Vol. 5. 
    L. C. Gunn, from. No. 4, Vol. 4, until No. 36, Vol. 5. 
    J. O'Sullivan, from No. 36, Vol 5, until No. 18, Vol. 6. 
    Alexander Murray, from No. 36, Vol. 5, until No. 8, Vol. 6. 
    E. A. Rockwell, from No. 18, Vol 6, until No. 9, Vol. 8. 
    J. O'Sullivan, from No. 9, Vol. 8, until its decease.
        The Herald's politics varied as widely as its editorial management. It 
became in succession Independent, Democratic, American (Know-Nothing), Whig and 
finally Republican. The press first used by the printers of this paper was the 
same on which the manifestoes of the Mexican authorities in California had been 
printed many years before. First being carried from New York to Mexico, it had 
next found its way to Monterey, the seat of government of California under 
Mexican rule. Upon it, at a later date, the California Star, the pioneer 
newspaper of the Pacific Coast, was worked off. Stockton became its next 
stopping place. Then, as remarked above, the Sonora Herald was at first printed 
on it. When that paper was enlarged its necessities demanded a different press, 
and the old contrivance was sold by its owner, Dr. Gunn, to George W. Gore, who 
started the Star, the first paper published in Columbia. An unsatisfied claim 
for materials furnished to the new enterprise, however, compelled the latter 
paper to suspend after a few issues. Execution was levied upon the materials, 
but before the press could be removed, it was set fire to by someone, and the 
woodwork consumed. The gentleman who had in his possession the metallic portion 
of the machine announced his intention of bestowing it upon some museum ; but 
whether this was done or not is not at present known.
        During a portion of its existence, the Herald indulged in 
polyglottism—running two or more columns in Spanish and occasionally indulging 
in French. Its course throughout evinced great enterprise and ability. In the 
first number of the Herald is to be seen an advertisement of the first stage 
line from Sonora to Stockton. The coaches were to leave the latter town on 
Monday and Thursday of each week. The fare was twenty dollars. Judge J G. Marvin 
advertises his express line, which has started, connecting San Francisco with 
the southern mines. People who wish their letters collected and delivered once a 
week, are advised where to leave orders, and the following price is appended: $2 
00 for each letter, when we pay postage; $1 50 when postage is prepaid; $1 00 
for a drop letter; 25 cents for newspapers; 50 cents for mailing each letter in 
San Francisco; 30 cents for mailing each newspaper in San Francisco.
        In a later number, there is a proclamation by County Judge A. A. H. 
Tuttle, that the Court of Sessions offers a reward of five hundred dollars for 
such information as will lead to the detection of the murderers of Chase, 
Hathaway, Ford and others, whose murders had recently occurred. All Mexicans 
were particularly commanded to give whatever valuable information they were 
possessed of to the proper officers. From No. 5, the following is extracted: " 
The gulch at Jamestown has been worked over several times; yet it appears to be 
as productive as ever. Three Chileños, in a fortnight, have taken out $15,000, 
and three Frenchmen twelve pounds of gold on last Thursday afternoon."
        " Mr. G. P. Fowler, of Massachusetts, has shown us a mass of the 
precious metal weighing 4 lbs., 4 ozs. and $8, and most beautiful it is. The 
lump was found at Shaw's.
        " Up to this date we have not had any U. S. postal arrangements between 
San Francisco and Sonora, although the citizens, through our columns, frequently 
ask the question, 'why?' Our only answer is, 'quien sabe ?' "
        E. B. & D. H. Hendee advertise the first photographic establishment in 
Sonora, with rooms nearly opposite the Court House. This location is opposite 
where the City Hotel now stands. The entire building was then called the El 
Dorado, Le Coq & Valleau, proprietors.
        Dr. Gunn's residence is described as being a handsome two-story adobe 
building. Peter Mehen owned a row of four or five wooden stores, and John H. 
Valleau's large frame building, which stood on the site of the theater, 
afterwards kept by John Sedgwick as a livery stable, is also mentioned.
        The Herald, of August 17, informed its readers that a party of three 
Frenchmen took out of a hole they had sunk in Sonora, the enormous sum of three 
and a half pounds troy in gold dust, and much more was left until the cleaning 
up.
        Mr. Oliver Twist, of Mormon Camp, is mentioned as having a garden, in 
which melons were ripening. This is the first mention of gardening; though 
ranching—particularly hay raising—had been entered upon before. L. Shelby 
advertised "a quantity of hay" for sale, on reasonable terms, ten miles below 
the Indian Ranch Ferry, as early as the summer of 1850.
A Riot in Sonora.
        The deep feeling of jealousy and distrust that had, through one cause 
and another, been daily increasing, with its attendant ills of threats and 
violence, culminated in July of this year in a series of extraordinary outrages, 
and the lynching of certain parties, and the attempted execution of others. 
Nothing could exceed the state of excitement into which Sonora, and the Southern 
Mines in general, were thrown by certain events which took place near the county 
seat during the fortnight ending July 20. The circumstances which gave rise to 
such a condition of affairs were these: On the morning of Wednesday, July 10, 
four Americans arrived in Sonora, having in custody three Mexican Indians and a 
Mexican, named Pablo Martinez, Dionisio Ochoa, Gabino Jesus, and Ruiz Molina; 
and the report immediately became circulated that a horrible murder, the third 
or fourth within a week, had been committed at Green Flat Diggings, about eight 
miles from town. Immediately the entire population of Sonora crowded in front of 
the house of Justice Barry, and demanded the particulars of the affair; and as 
some who possessed, or thought they possessed, the desired information, related 
the horrible details, the angry exclamations and flashing eyes of the mob told 
plainly of a deep determination to avenge the crime that their countrymen had 
suffered. The prisoners were arraigned before Justice Barry, and then commenced 
a scene of tumult and confusion then unparalleled. In the tumult the predominant 
cries were, "string them up!" "hang 'em!" "we'll have no mistake this time!" and 
a rope was produced and a knot tied in it, that there be no delay. The utmost 
efforts of the officers of the Court produced no impression on the crowd. George 
Work, the redoubtable Sheriff, a man of the steadiest courage and iron nerve, 
who never quailed in the discharge of his duty, was as one without influence on 
the reckless mob. Judge Marvin, Associate Justice of the Court of Sessions, 
addressed the people, but ineffectually. While these things were transpiring in 
front of the house, Justice Barry was engaged in taking the deposition of the 
four Americans who brought in the prisoners. They testified that on the previous 
evening a Mexican boy had informed them that two Americans had been murdered at 
the Green Flat Diggings, but they took no notice of the report. In the morning, 
however, another Mexican called and corroborated the boy's statement. Witnesses 
immediately proceeded to the spot indicated, and found there the four prisoners, 
in the act of burning the tent and the bodies of two men. They were immediately 
taken into custody, and brought to Sonora. There also appeared in evidence the 
shovel and pickax belonging to the prisoners. The defense set up by the 
prisoners was to the effect that it was a custom of their countrymen to burn the 
dead; that the bodies, having been dead several days, had become offensive 
through decomposition, and in order to remove the nuisance, they attempted to 
burn them. The prisoners, of whom the three Indians were described as uncouth, 
and the Mexican, on the contrary, of gentle and pleasing appearance, maintained 
a calm and becoming demeanor that aroused the sympathies of some in the 
audience. By this time it was resolved by the authorities, as the best that 
could be done, to immediately impanel a jury and proceed with the trial. But Mr. 
McAlpin and others who were drawn upon the jury, refused to serve, and the case 
became still more perplexing. While in consultation the officers had withdrawn, 
and the opportunity was taken by the people to elect a Judge from among 
themselves; and Peter Mehen was chosen for the office. A rope was then put 
around the neck of each of the supposed culprits, and they were led to a hill in 
the vicinity of the town, where the trial was commenced anew. A jury was 
impaneled, the trial concluded, and the prisoners sentenced to be hanged. The 
rope was passed over the limb of a tree, and the Mexican, chosen as the first 
victim, was given a few moments in which to pray. He knelt down, prayed 
affectingly, kissed the cross he had in his bosom, and with the gentlest 
resignation gave himself into the hands of his executioners. Another moment, and 
Judges Marvin, Tuttle and Radcliffe, together with William Ford, County Clerk, 
and others arrived, and by flinging themselves boldly into the crowd, succeeded 
in effecting a diversion that enabled the proper officers to regain possession 
of the prisoners, and contrary to expectation they succeeded in lodging them in 
jail.
        The affairs above described occurred on Wednesday.  The prisoners 
remained in the jail, without any indication of an attempt at mob law, until the 
following Monday, which was the day on which it had been understood their trial 
was to come off. On the morning of this day a mob of eighty men, armed with 
rifles and shotguns, and marching in military style, and presenting a most 
imposing appearance, arrived from Green Flat, intent on seeing justice done on 
the murderers of their neighbors. Besides this band, there poured in from 
Jamestown, Shaw's Flat, Columbia, Woods' Creek, from mountain, gulch and ravine, 
hundreds of miners, armed with rifles, shotguns, revolvers, knives, lances, etc. 
All were highly excited, and would not submit to delay. They halted opposite the 
Court House, when Judge Tuttle appeared and addressed the throng, urging them to 
be moderate, and assuring them that justice would be done; if the men were found 
guilty they would surely meet their deserts, and if they were innocent they 
would surely be acquitted. He further urged them to respect the law and 
acquiesce in the verdict of the jury, whatever it might be. At the conclusion of 
this sound advice, some one proposed three cheers for the speaker, but the crowd 
silently marched away to their encampment, first posting a guard over the jail.
        Judge Creaner, of the District Court, was waited upon by a delegation 
who informed him in unmistakable terms that the trial must go on that day. The 
Judge, not in the least intimidated, warned them calmly that they were in 
conflict with the law, and announced that no departure from the regular order of 
business would be suffered in his court.
        In consequence of a rumor that the Mexican prisoners had colleagues in a 
camp several miles distant, Sheriff Work proceeded there with a posse of twenty 
men and arrested nearly the whole adult portion of the inhabitants, numbering 
one hundred and ten men ; whom he brought to town and confined in a corral, 
under a strong guard.
        During Monday evening several hundred men arrived in town, swelling the 
ranks of the mob to nearly or quite two thousand armed men. To oppose this 
force, of whom the greater part were bent on summarily executing the presumed 
offenders, the county officers stood alone. But these were men who had the heart 
and nerve to do their duty in any situation. Judge Creaner's firmness has passed 
into a proverb; and than George Work no man was ever better qualified to act in 
times that try men's souls. The remainder of the officers, notably William Ford, 
the Clerk, and Mr. S. A. Booker, the District Attorney, acted bravely.
        When, in the order of business, the case of the four Mexicans was called 
and they were arraigned, a most exciting scene took place. When the plea of "not 
guilty" was heard, one of the guards, standing on a bench, dropped his gun, and 
the hammer, striking some object, exploded the weapon. Instantly numberless 
revolvers were drawn, bowie knives flashed forth and the tumult became 
indescribable. One man, in his haste to get out, accidentally fired his own gun 
and the terrific melee became tenfold fiercer. The struggle to quit the 
court-room became indescribably violent. Doors, windows, all means of egress 
were put in requisition. An alarm of fire added to the clamor and even the 
street was cleared instantly.
        Some Mexicans, who were in the crowd, were deliberately fired at by 
different individuals. One announced that he fired "on general principles;" 
another said he thought they were trying to rescue the prisoners, so he fired 
promiscuously among them.
        It is recorded that the examination was postponed. During the following 
evening the army went on a spree of such magnitude that it was seriously feared 
that grave disturbances would result; but such was not the case, however, and in 
the morning many of them left for their own camps, leaving Sonora in comparative 
quiet. The examination of the accused men was resumed, when, there being no 
evidence against them, they were acquitted. So ended this curious case, which is 
given mostly to illustrate the peculiar feeling shared by most Americans against 
the Spanish-speaking population. It seems as if the whole proceedings were 
merely an outgrowth from the jealousy and distrust which the one race bore the 
other.
        Although the law had been vindicated and the men, unjustly charged with 
murder, freed from confinement, there was still no abatement of the popular 
feeling of insecurity, and still fresh reports (mostly fabricated by interested 
parties) of murders said to have been committed, continued to pour in, and a 
public meeting was held to devise ways and means for a better protection of life 
and property. At this meeting, at which A. Elkins presided, Judge Tattle and 
Joshua Holden, of Sonora; J. W. Van Benschoten, of Wood's; D. S. Dikeman, of 
Jacksonville; Capt. Runnells, of Sullivan's Diggings; W. C. Wade, of Mormon 
Gulch, and Capt. Stewart, of McLane's Ferry, were appointed a committee to make 
arrangements for holding a mass meeting of citizens for a consideration of the 
grave state of affairs. This meeting was called for Sunday, July 21, 1850, and 
was held in the plaza. The following resolutions were adopted:
 
            " WHEREAS, The lives and property of the American citizens are now 
in danger from the hands of lawless marauders of every clime, class and creed 
under the canopy of heaven, and scarce a day passes but we hear of the 
commission of the most horrible murders and robberies ; and as we have now in 
our midst the peons of Mexico, the renegades of South America, and the convicts 
of the British Empire; therefore:
            Resolved, first, That all foreigners in Tuolumne county (except 
those engaged in permanent business, and of respectable characters) be required 
to leave the limits of this county within fifteen days from date, unless they 
obtain a permit to remain from the authorities hereinafter named.
            Resolved, second, That the authorities referred to be a committee of 
three, to be chosen or selected by the American citizens of each camp or 
diggings.
            Resolved, third, That all the good citizens of this county shall 
resolve themselves into a committee of the whole, to carry out the objects of 
this meeting.
            Resolved, fourth, That the foreigners in this county be, and are 
hereby notified to turn over their firearms and deadly weapons to the select-men 
of each camp or diggings forthwith, (except such as may have a permit to hold 
the same;) such select-men shall give a receipt to such foreigners for the same, 
and each and every good citizen shall have power to disarm all foreigners.
            Resolved, fifth, That the select-men of each camp or diggings shall 
promptly carry out the duties assigned to them.
            Resolved, sixth, That five hundred copies of these resolutions in 
English and Spanish, be published and forth­with distributed throughout the 
county.
            Resolved, seventh, That the select-men from each camp, or diggings, 
take up subscriptions to defray the necessary expense of such publication, and 
remit the money thus collected to the proprietors and publishers of the Sonora 
Herald."
 
        The publication of these resolutions, together with the decided action 
taken by the people of other camps, had a good effect. There was at once a 
perceptible lull in the social atmosphere ; and the Herald, the mouth piece of 
the American faction, was moved to say:
            " The prompt action of the people in the late emergency has had the 
effect of teaching certain hombres a lesson that they will not soon forget. * * 
* It by no means has been proven that the late guerilla acts were committed by 
Mexicans or South Americans alone. The outcasts of every nation under Heaven 
have combined to disturb us; and we think that now they have been effectually 
silenced. We pray the mining population to assist us in restoring public 
confidence, to return to the old regime, to silence the tongues of Sydney 
convicts and boisterous inebriates, who delight in tumult and " braggadocio," 
who palm themselves off as American citizens, and stain a privilege whose honor 
every American citizen should guard with jealous care.
            " Real estate is rising in value, and everything is looking up. The 
commercial interests of the country have been suffering at the rate of $10,000 
per day, and our merchants' time lies idly on their hands. * * * Action, action! 
gentlemen. Fold not your hands, but quiet the alarm among the men on whose labor 
your future depends. The jealousies of sects and the rivalries of men of 
different countries are small matters at times like this. Let us beg the people 
to use their power mildly. To protect the good of what country soever, while 
they punish the evil disposed Americans! greet kindly the stranger who asks your 
hospitality and protection. You may entertain angels unawares. The burden of the 
tax on foreign miners has been rendered less obnoxious. The following notice has 
been distributed throughout the county:
                NOTICE.—The Collector of Taxes for foreign miners announces that 
he is now authorized by the government to receive $20 for the privilege of 
laboring in the mines until the last day of December next, and to issue a 
license for that period. He is instructed to protect all who comply with this 
requisition, and punish all others as violators of the law. The Collector's 
office is at the head of Washington street, Sonora.    L. A. BESANCON.
 
            " Aug. 3, 1850.
            " The effect that we long ago prognosticated has taken place. The 
miners are rejoiced, and in one or two instances there have been public 
manifestations of joy. Hundreds who had made preparations to leave the country 
have resolved to make California their homes."
 
        The improved state of affairs indicated in the above editorial, may be 
regarded as the beginning of a more healthy and settled condition, which took 
its rise from the energetic measures of the American population at the time when 
it seemed as if the foreign element were about to usurp the functions of 
government even, and by terrorism rule or ruin the country.
Business Affairs in Sonora.
        The people of Tuolumne, and of Sonora in particular, felicitated 
themselves upon the improved prospect of business affairs, and argued from the 
look of things a permanent prosperity that future years has shown to be well 
founded. At the time of which these facts are noted, Sonora contained, according 
to trustworthy estimates, two thousand permanent inhabitants with which to begin 
the new era of things. There was invested in merchandising the sum of three 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, with at least one hundred business houses of 
a substantial character, and a large and constantly increasing number of 
comfortable dwellings. Large stocks of goods were carried by the business 
houses, and even from the earliest times it has always been possible to purchase 
nearly every article of comfort or luxury that the fancy could dictate. In this 
connection it may be appropriate to introduce the prices current of the common 
articles of trade, which will be seen to have suffered a very material decrease 
since the preceding year.
 
Prices current, prepared expressly for Sonora, by Peter Mehen, merchant:
Flour, per cwt                              $17 to $18
Barley, per cwt                              16 to 18
Mess Pork, per cwt.                     45 to 50
Prime Pork, per cwt                     35 to 38
Bacon and Hams, per lb               55 to 60c.
Lard, per lb                                  60 to 75c.
Rice, per lb                                  18 to 20c.
Brown Sugar, per lb                     36 to 40c.
Coffee, green, per lb                     60 to 75c.
Coffee, brown, per lb                   80 to 90c.
Sperm Candles, per lb                  95 to $ 1
Brandy, per gallon                        $ 2 to $ 4
Gin, per case                                10 to 11
Whisky, per gallon                        2 to 4
Claret, per box                             10 to 12
 
        Among the more prominent business houses that existed at that time were 
E. Linoberg & Co., who kept a store commonly known as the " Tienda Mexicana," 
situated on the corner of Washington and Linoberg streets, of which Mr. Morris 
officiated as head salesman. Their line was provisions and clothing. The firm 
employed a pack train which made constant and regular trips to and from 
Stockton, laden only with their own purchases. Dodge & Co. dealt in beef, but 
added a stock of provisions, clothing, liquors and groceries, at their store in 
Washington street, fronting the plaza. Apothecaries' Hall, of which John E. 
Stothers was proprietor, was situated on Washington street, opposite the Court 
House. Theall, Perkins & Co. did an extensive business in general merchandising. 
Reynolds & Co.'s express, as a portion of the legitimate business, engaged in 
the transmission of letters on a very considerable scale, if their 
advertisements of unclaimed missives are to be taken as a criterion. On some 
occasions the number thus advertised was not less than two hundred and fifty. 
Sullivan & Mehen, auctioneers and commission merchants, also wholesale and 
retail dealers in provisions and miners' tools, kept a store on Washington 
street, fronting the plaza. Green & Holden, another prominent firm, occupied 
quarters opposite E. Linoberg's store, on Washington street. Peter Mehen's 
original store, being vacated by him, was occupied next by Major Stewart, who 
carried on a similar business. Next, south of the Major's place, was the Sonora 
Restaurant, situated nearly opposite the town well. The establishment was kept 
by Louis Maris, Labetoure & Walsingham were auctioneers and commission 
merchants. At a somewhat later date, Bennett & Phillips opened a store in the 
northern end of town, which had been occupied by Street & Co., with an 
assortment of provisions, clothing and miscellaneous goods. The Eagle 
Restaurant, founded in 1851 by Sanderson & Co., upon the dissolution of their 
co-partnership, was afterwards carried on by Sylvester & Harlow: Messrs. Street 
& Co. instituted the manufacture of syrups in Sonora, in the Spring or Summer of 
1851. Yaney & Barabino kept a large stock of mixed goods and were the most 
prominent dealers in cigars, tobacco, etc. Other merchants doing business in 
Sonora were A. Elkins, P. McD. Collins, M. M. Steward, Terrence Clark, Louis 
Elordi, G. G. Belt, besides others, many Mexicans. W. O. Tripp was the first 
shoemaker to establish himself in town.
        Messrs. Moore & Edmundson did an express business, running a passenger 
or saddle train to and from Stockton tri-weekly.
        Coytier & Daney, whose place of business was in Miranda's house, on 
Washington street, beside the Sonora drug­store, kept an assortment of guns and 
pistols, ammunition and other articles.
        The above notes are taken partly from the old Sonora Herald and partly 
from personal recollections of living men and will bear the test of the 
liveliest memories. It is very difficult at this time to procure accurate 
details of the condition of things at the time now under consideration, and so, 
in order to avoid any possibility of error, many points of interest, but of 
doubtful authority, have been omitted. Subsequently, however, owing to the more 
settled state of society, to the multiplication of newspapers and to the less 
remote date, historical facts became more easy of access and of verification, 
and the historian's task easier in proportion.