Tuolumne County

History

A History of Tuolumne County, California - San Francisco, B.F. Alley, 1882.

        But such resources as the temporary streams, supplied from the clouds, were necessarily of small avail in the business of gold extraction, and so a move was made to speedily introduce an abundant and steady supply of water. The project was no less than turning a branch of the Stanislaus River into the table land in the vicinity of the town.

        With men of that day, to plan was to act, and the great work was commenced by the incorporation of the "Tuolumne County Water Company," and the construction of a suitable ditch, or race, was immediately begun.

        Joseph Dance, Esq., was chosen President of the new company, and General Benard its Engineer. On July 1, 1851, the work was commenced at Summit Pass. Though financially embarrassed, the company persevered, and finally help was given by D. O. Mills & Co., bankers at Sacramento, who afterwards established a branch house at Columbia.

        The company turned the water of Five Mile Creek into Columbia on the 1st day of May, 1852, and in August of that year the ditch was completed to the South Fork of the Stanislaus.

        During the succeeding autumn, the town site was laid out, and building proceeded with great rapidity. Split boards were the favorite material used in the construction of the simple houses of that date, and their consequently easy and ready combustibility proved the ruin of the town on more than one subsequent occasion.

        On the 25th day of October, 1851, the first number of a weekly newspaper, entitled the Columbia Star, was issued from the press. It was published and edited by W. Gore, Esq., and, as before mentioned, was printed on the old Ramage press used by the Sonora Herald in its first few issues, and which was destroyed by a mob when the Star suspended publication after its fifth number had been printed. The first copy struck off was purchased by Mrs. De Noielle for an "ounce." The purchaser, by the way, was the first white woman who came to Columbia, and the second in the county.

        In November, 1852, the Columbia Gazette, a weekly newspaper, was established by Colonel Falconer. This sheet proved more fortunate than its predecessor, it meeting with a large measure of success, and continuing until November 10, 1855, when it was merged into the Columbia Gazette and Southern Mines Advertiser. After the first year of its existence, Colonel Falconer sold his interest to Messrs. John Duchow and T. M. Yancey, Mr. Duchow becoming the editor. Mr. Yancey afterwards disposed of his share to R. J. Steele.

        The Gazette was a four-page publication, a trifle smaller than the Sonora Herald. It always pursued a consistent course, laboring hard for the welfare of Columbia, and apparently receiving the efficient support that its conduct merited.

        In the latter part of 1852, the following business houses and places of entertainment existed:

21 Produce and grocery stores.

30 Saloons, groceries and restaurants.

17 Dry goods and produce stores.

4 Hotels.

7 Boarding-houses.

4 Banking and exchange offices.

3 Express offices.

2 Book and stationery stores.

5 Doctors' offices.

5 Law offices.

3 Tobacconists.

7 Bakeries.

1 Tin shop.

2 Barber shops.

3 Meat markets.

3 Blacksmith shops

8 Carpenter shops.

3 Silver-smith shops.

1 Printing office.

3 Drug stores.

2 Wagon-maker shops.

3 Laundries.

4 Livery stables.

1 Reading room.

1 Brewery.

1 Ground coffee depot.

1 Daguerreotype room.

1 Boot and shoe shop.

1 Wine and liquor store.

1 Fruit and confectionery store.

1 Mexican fandango house.
Total-150.

        In addition to these, there was a large hall (previously spoken of), used for theatrical exhibitions, and similar purposes; an amphitheater, for bull and bear fights; a church, with regular preaching every Sabbath; a Sunday School, which was well attended; a Masonic Lodge; a Division of the Sons of Temperance, and a Vocal Music Society.

        Besides all these, which were immediately in town, the suburbs contained many shops, taverns and trading houses. The Tuolumne County Water Company had an extensive lumber yard in the vicinity, around which a little village grew up. They also had an office in Columbia for the transaction of business.

        In November, '52, a postoffice was established at Columbia, and Mr. A. A. Hunnewell was appointed Postmaster, so from that time on the town has enjoyed equal mail facilities with the most favored camps.

        The town was, with wise forethought, laid out in rectangular blocks, separated by streets of commensurate width. The names of the principal streets, which ran north and south, commencing with the most westerly, were—Silver, Gold, Broadway, Main and Columbia streets Those leading at right angles to those already named, were—Washington (nearest to Main Gulch), Fulton, State, Jackson and Pacific streets.

        From the Gazette, of January 22, 1853, the following scraps of mining news are copied, in order to show the general status of that branch of industry at a time when Columbia and vicinity were at a high pitch of prosperity:

        " Although we have not visited many of the camps this week, yet we are pleased to learn that the mines generally are doing better than at any time since last summer. Columbia Gulch is crowded with " toms," and the men in many of the claims are making wages."

        " The Coyote Diggings, on the hill between Columbia and Gold Springs, are paying, in many places, as high as fifty and one hundred dollars per day to the man. New holes are sunk, and new strikes are made almost daily. Hundreds, however, sink holes and find nothing, as the course of the leads is as hard to find out as it is to discover the true feelings and sentiments of a heartless coquette; still the miners work ahead as if they expected to find thousands of dollars of the precious metal in every hole they sink."

        " In Hatch's garden they are sinking holes in every direction, which in a few cases pay well."

        "At Gold Springs, where thousands of dollars were carted and washed out previous to the rainy season, many of the miners are discovering better pay dirt under the claims that had been previously worked out."

        " On Shaw's Flat, many of the miners are making good wages, and, as at every other place, hundreds are doing little or nothing."

        " At Springfield, Santiago, Brown's Flat, Summit Pass, Yankee Hill, and the various gulches around Columbia, many of the claims are paying astonishingly, and the deeper the miners work down, in many cases, the richer they find the dirt."

        " On Experimental Gulch, although it was supposed to have been worked out last season, many of the miners are making money. On a claim owned by Messrs. Beals & Hussey, one piece was taken out, last week, which weighed four and a half ounces; and another was found the same week weighing over two ounces. This claim pays ten dollars a day to the man."

        " Although many of the miners are doing well, yet there are hundreds who work equally hard and live as frugal and economical as men can well live, that are not clearing expenses."

        The Gazette concludes with the following sage remarks, which, by the way, have proved applicable through all the succeeding years since they were penned, and even now would prove worthy of consideration:

        " If miners would content themselves and remain on a claim, even if it did not pay them more than four or five dollars per day, the chances are in favor of their doing better than by wandering from place to place and spending all they have made, prospecting. How many thousands would now have their piles, and be ready to leave the mines, had they contented themselves to work on the first claims they located. Every miner who came to this country in '49 or '50 can now look back and see hundreds of instances where he could have made a fortune, if he had contented himself to remain where he was, instead of going in search of 'Golden Lakes' and 'Golden Bluffs.' "

        The same paper mentions that although the prices of provisions were suffering a swift decline, still that flour was selling at thirty-five cents per pound, with an ample stock on hand.. Beef, which was scarce, commanded thirty-seven and a half cents. Bacon was sixty cents, and butter and candles one dollar per pound. It is mentioned that a dealer purchased in Stockton twelve hundred dollars' worth of provisions, the transportation of which to Columbia cost him nine hundred, with freight at thirty cents per pound. This, it should be remembered, was in the midst of a very severe winter.

        In February, business was said to be rapidly improving. " The four-horse coach makes three or four trips daily between Columbia and Sonora, and is generally crowded with passengers."

        "Provisions are still declining, flour being plenty at 18 to 20 cents ; pork, 50 ; bacon, 50 ; hams, 45 ; lard, 50 ; sugar, 20 ; coffee, 30 ; butter, 75 ; cheese, 33 ; rice, 30 beans, 20 ; potatoes, 20 ; barley, 14 ; dried apples and peaches, 25; molasses, $2 per gallon; liquors, $1.50 to $5; nails, 25 to 30 cents per lb. "

        " Our town is thronged with miners every night, and we have never seen so much quiet and good order. The gambling houses are doing but little. The fandango houses still gather crowds of the boys who are fond of ' tripping the light fantastic toe.' "

        " The cause of temperance is marching on with giant strides, between forty and fifty of our best citizens have taken the pledge during the week."

        The first railroad ' boom ' that ever affected the people of Tuolumne is thus noted in the Gazette :

        "The building of a railroad from Stockton to the Southern mines has now become a fixed fact. A company of the right character has been formed, a site for a town at the terminus has been purchased, and the initiatory steps will soon be entered into. This is a work of incalculable importance to the people of Tuolumne county, and we wish it from all our heart, good speed.' "

        It is unnecessary to state that this railroad was not completed, but the passage will serve to illustrate the child­like confidence that the inhabitants of this county have ever manifested in the immediate advent of the iron horse.

        The New England Water Company, it seems, from the pages of the Gazette, had conveyed the waters of a spring, distant one mile from town, through wooden pipes underground, to a reservoir containing four thousand gallons. Thence it was taken in water-carts throughout the town, supplying families at the then cheap rate of five cents per bucketful.

        The enterprise was said to pay extremely well, and later, iron pipes were laid down, capable of supplying a town of twenty thousand inhabitants. By the year 1856, hydrants connecting with these pipes had been put in position, from which streams could be thrown eighty feet high, affording a great safeguard against fire.

        An additional lot of mining notes appeared in the issue of February 12, by which it is learned that several good strikes were made on the hill east of Columbia, just before that date, furnishing some of the richest " coyote " diggings yet found. That French Gulch was paying extremely well, George Camp & Co. taking out two ounces per day to the man. In Shaw's Flat many were engaged in working the clay, from which they made good wages. One company of five were " puddling," and taking out one and a half pounds per day.

        The Jamestown miners were averaging from four to six dollars per day, of which they paid one dollar for water.

        At Montezuma the daily production was from five to ten dollars per diem.

        " It will be seen from our mining news that immense sums of gold are being taken out in this county daily, and were all doing as well as the lucky few whose claims pay so well, the value of gold would inevitably depreciate ; but the tale is not finished, and we regret to state that here, as in the gold mines of every county in California, as well as Australia and elsewhere, hundreds and thousands are not making one dollar clear."

        Another issue gives as mining intelligence these statements :

        " SANTIAGO.—The claims at and around this camp are still paying well. Connor & Co., a day or two since, took out a lump weighing sixteen ounces. The same day they made five hundred dollars, including the lump. On Wednesday last, Lincoln & Co. found a beautiful specimen of pure gold, which weighed twelve ounces and eight dollars. The same day they took out eight ounces of fine gold from the same claim. This claim, now worked to a depth of forty feet, has paid one ounce per day to the man, for several months past."

        " YANKEE HILL —On Sunday last, three Frenchmen found a lump of gold weighing 249 ounces, and valued at $3,600. This claim is in a small gulch, about one mile from Columbia, and was offered for sale but three days before for one ounce."

        " Experimental Gulch still pays high wages. In an old claim, once thought to be worked out, five or six French­men, after four or five weeks' work, divided $10,500 between them as their net proceeds. So much for perseverance."

        " Between Loring's Garden and Gold Springs several claims are paying well. From one of them ten ounces of gold was taken on Thursday last, and from one to three ounces per man, daily."

        "BIG STRIKE.—Two Mexicans, Gregorio Contrares and his partner, commenced sinking a hole on Wednesday last, below Campo Seco, on the other side of Sullivan's Gulch, near Page's Ranch, and struck a pocket from which they took out, by 12 o'clock on Thursday, $5,700 ; one piece of which weighed eight pounds. In one hour they washed out two hundred ounces in their Mexican bateas. The lucky Mexicans have bought fine suits of clothes, and intend vamosing for home in a few days."

        " Mr. Daniel Boyle has shown us a fine specimen, weighing seventeen ounces, of pure gold, taken from Columbia Gulch."

        " New diggings were discovered yesterday in Matelot Gulch. Several pans, averaging two dollars each, were taken out, and large numbers of miners were staking off claims during the whole of Wednesday night."

        " Mining is yet in its infancy in this vicinity. On Gold Hill they have coyoted to the depth of ninety feet, and find the dirt to be worth from four to sixteen dollars a pan.'

        " Every miner who wishes work can find it at from four to five dollars per day, wages."

Social Matters in Columbia.

        In the summer of 1852, Mrs. Haley established the first school ever opened in Columbia. As to the success of the institution, it is impossible at this day to speak. It is known, however, to have continued for several months.

        Afterwards a school was established by the wife of C. H. Chamberlain, Esq. This talented lady achieved a success in her pursuit, and giving satisfaction, remained in charge of the school until 1855. The lady brought to the difficult task the highest qualities of mind and heart, and her influence on the youth of Columbia was of the greatest good.

        It would seem that there was at that time quite a substratum of refinement and some literary taste rife in the town, even at that early date, for, in addition to schools and churches, there was a Lyceum established, in which many people, including some prominent citizens, took part. This organization met weekly in the Assembly Room, over Harrison's book store.

        An excellent feature of the Gazette was the publication of what was styled a " General Directory." This appeared in the advertising columns, and contained a considerable amount of information relating to churches, societies, etc. Therein were to be found notices like the following :

        "METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Columbia. Divine service will be held every Lord's-day, at 11 o'clock, A. M., and 3 o'clock P. M.  A. S. GIBBONS, Pastor."

        "METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH, Columbia. Divine service will be held every Sabbath at 11  o'clock A. M., and at 7 in the evening.   J. C. PRENDERGRASS, Pastor."

        " METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Springfield. Divine service will be held every Sabbath evening at 7 o'clock.  A. S. GIBBONS, Pastor."

        " METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Sonora. Divine service will be held every Lord's-day at 11 o'clock A. M., and at early candle-light in the evening. Sunday School at half-past 2 P. M.  DANIEL DEAL, Pastor."

        "METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH, Sonora. Divine service will be held every Sabbath, at 11 o'clock A. M., and at 7 o'clock in the evening.  M. EVANS, Pastor."

        " MASONS‑

        " Columbia Lodge, No. 28, A. F. and A. M., Columbia, meets at their Lodge room, on the first and third Thursdays in each month, at 8 o'clock, P. M.

        " Officers of the Lodge—T. J. Oxley, W. M.; J. A. Jackson, S. W.; T. C. Boswell, J. W.; G. A. Field, Secretary ; J. Mills, Treasurer ; F. R. Sponster, S. D. ; F. W. H. Aaron, J. D.; J. Campbell, T. ; A. Campbell, Marshal ; J. C. Prendergrass, Chaplain ; Samuel Arnold and Isaac Levy, Stewards.

        " Tuolumne Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Sonora, meets on the first and third Saturdays of every month, at their Lodge room."

        " ODD FELLOWS‑

        " Sonora Lodge, No. 10, Sonora, meets every Wednesday evening, at their Lodge room, corner of Washington and Dodge streets."

        " SONS OF TEMPERANCE‑

        " Columbia Division, No. -18, Columbia, meets every Wednesday evening in the new M. E. Church."

        "Sonora Division, No. 16, Sonora, meets every Thursday evening in the Methodist Church, South."

        " POST OFFICES‑

        " Columbia Post office, open from 8 o'clock, A. M. to 8 P. M. On the arrival of the Atlantic mails, the office will not be closed until 11 o'clock, P. M. A. A. HUNNEWELL P. M."

        " Sonora Post-office, open from 9 o'clock, A. M. to 7 P. M Sundays, from 10 o'clock A. M. to 3 P. M.  H. W. THEALL, P. M."

                                    "POST-OFFICES IN TUOLUMNE COUNTY."

                Columbia—A. A. Hunnewell, P. M.

                Sonora—H. W. Theall, P. M.

                Jacksonville—George B. Keys, P. M.

                Jamestown—Colonel Donovan, P. M.

                Curtisville—Peter Dean, P. M.

                Big Oak Flat—Joseph W. Brittain, P. M.

                Green Springs—James D. Tabor, P. M.

                Horr's Ranch—G. D. Dickinson, P. M.

                Oak Springs—G. D. Shoemake, P. M."

        Additional matter relating to the progress of Columbia is to be gleaned from the advertising columns of the Gazette. There are to be seen the advertisements of Wells, Fargo & Co., who announce a daily express to and from San Francisco, Stockton, Jamestown, Sonora, Columbia, Murphy's, and Mokelumne Hill, connecting with a daily express from Mount Ophir, Mariposa and all other prominent places south. Also, to all parts of the Atlantic States and Europe, as well as the Northern Mines. Wm. Daegener was the agent at Columbia, and the office of the Company was at the American Hotel.

        Adams & Co. announce at the same time (February, 1854) the removal of their office to the building occupied by C. D. Brown, on Main street, where they had erected a fire and thief proof vault, "one of the best in California," and were prepared to receive gold dust and coin on deposit, paying also the highest rates for the former.

        James Mills & Co., Bankers (Branch of D. O. Mills & Co., of Sacramento) did business on the corner of Main and Fulton streets, where they had " one of Herring's largest fire proof safes, enclosed in a commodious and secure vault." A peculiarity of this firm was that they were closed to business on Sundays, an additional evidence of the improvement in morality, before mentioned.

        W. G. Vanarsdall, of the American Hotel, announces a new opening of his house, he having fitted it up in elegant style, incidentally mentioning that Kelty & Co.'s stages leave his doors four times a day, bound for Sonora.

        The Trustees of the Tuolumne Water Company declared, at that time, a dividend of thirty-two dollars on each of their two hundred and seventy-five shares. This is signed by W. H. Clark, President, and R. A. Robinson, Secretary.

        Others, whose business affairs appear in this and other issues of the Gazette, were T. R. Taylor, Counsellor at Law, office on Broadway, one door below old Court-room; J. T. Fish, Attorney and Notary Public, office corner of Broadway and Washington streets; H. Stone, tin shop; Andrew Hochmouth, meat market; Gischel & Hildenbrand, " Boston Bakery;" Fleming & Hedden, blacksmiths and wagonmakers; John Leary, auctioneer, Broadway, four doors north of Columbia Exchange; Dr. Fields' " Columbia Drug Store;" John A. Cardinell & Co., St. Charles Restaurant, corner of Broadway and Washington streets; John G. Sparks, law office, Broadway, near Court-room; Messrs. Sotrr & Marshall, butchers, Columbia market, corner Main and Fulton streets; Eagle Cottage (boarding house),

William Odenheimer and Captain McLane ; Columbia Brewery and Syrup Manufactory, P. Rocher & Co.

Incorporation of Columbia.

        In May, 1854, the town was incorporated, and town officers elected under the " General Incorporation Act." The first Board of Trustees was composed of Samuel Arnold, Sewell Knapp, F. F. Bartlett, Alden Sears and James McLean. Captain Haley was chosen Marshal, C. Brown, Treasurer, and P. G. Ferguson, Assessor.

The Fire of 1854,

        On July 10, 1854, Columbia was ravaged by the most serious and extensive conflagration that had ever occurred there, and with the exception of the burning of Sonora, the most serious fire that Tuolumne county had ever witnessed. It broke out near Clark's hotel, on Broadway, and consumed nearly every house on Broadway, Fulton, Washington, State and Main streets, the only notable exception being Donald & Parsons' fireproof building on the corner of Main and Washington streets, which escaped the general destruction.

        The mails at the Post Office were saved, as also was the express matter of Adams & Co. and Wells, Fargo & Co.

        Both printing offices (the Clipper had been established at Columbia, in. May previous, by Heckendorn & Gist) were burned, but the greater part of the material was saved, the Gazette-press being broken.

        The banking and express buildings, the Columbia Exchange, Court House, Columbia House, American House, saloons, etc., were entirely destroyed.

        The principal losses were as follows: N. Brown & Co., $25,000; Jackson & Stone, $18,000; Sauguet, $4,000; I. Shotwell, $5,000; C. J. Brown, $6,000; A. P. Hollister, $7,500; P. G. Ferguson, $8,000; Mrs. Levy, $5,000; H. K. White, $5,000; Storr & Marshall, $5,000; James Mills & Co., $4,000; W. G. Vanarsdall, $5,000; A. Farnsworth, $7,000. The above buildings were on Main street. On Broadway—T. N. Cazneau's Exchange Theater and other buildings, $20,000; McKenty & Co., $9,000; C. Cardwell, $7,000; Clark's Hotel, $10,000; O. Tower, $8,000; French drug store, $6,000; Columbia Brewery, $5,000; Brainard, $15,000; Joel Levy, $5,000. On Washington, State and Fulton streets—Eagle Cottage, $4,500; Boston Bakery, $10,000; O. P. Davis, $4,000; Raskell, $5,000. These, with minor losses, made up a sum total of half a million of dollars.

        Although almost entirely obliterated by the devouring flames, the town did not remain extinct, but with true California enterprise, immediately began the work of rebuilding, while yet the smoke arose from the unconsumed fragments. By noon of the next day, thirty buildings were sufficiently far advanced to admit of occupancy, and many others were well under way. Quite a number of the new structures that were begun were intended to be fireproof, and were of a very substantial character. Among them was a theater building, to be known as " Armory Hall," for use by the " Columbia Fusileers," a military organization which had been formed in the preceding January. The hall contained a stage twelve feet deep, while the auditorium was sixty-two by thirty feet dimensions. John Leary was the projector.

Montezuma and the Hydraulic Ditch.

        Among other camps which had attracted attention previous to 1853, Montezuma was one of the most prominent. Its period of greatest prosperity was during the above-named year. The Montezuma Flats, from which the town received its name, are nine miles from Sonora, and commence at the palisaded rocks of Table Mountain, which bound it on the north and west, and extend some six miles southward and three miles eastward. The ground is gently undulating, variegated with groves and clusters of trees, rendering it one of the pleasantest and most agreeable localities, hardly exceeded by any for family residence.

        Its mining interests were very important, although up to the last of 1852 the ground had hardly been more than prospected, as no streams passed through these flats, so they were only capable of being worked through a few weeks in the heaviest rains; yet during that period. they proved at least ordinarily rich, and, what was of the greatest importance, the gold was found to be uniformly diffused through the gravel, over a very great extent, making the remuneration of the miner certain.   No very rich strikes were made, but during the limited time in which work was prosecuted, the miners averaged ten dollars daily, and, in some cases, twenty—laboring, too, under the disadvantage of an inadequate supply of water.

        As might be expected, the enterprise of the various water companies led to the immediate construction of ditches to convey the valuable fluid to the anxious miner on the Flats. The Tuolumne County Water Company, by the 1st of December, 1852, had their canal completed to the desired spot, and constructed a large reservoir for use in the dry season. The ditch carried a stream three and a half feet in width by two in depth, furnishing an abundant supply.

        The Tuolumne Hydraulic Association, whose canal tapped the Tuolumne River some twenty-five miles east of Sonora, and at an elevation of five thousand feet, inaugurated even more extensive works, of which the main branch carried water to Montezuma.

        This great work, the Tuolumne Hydraulic Association's ditch, merits a more extended description than it would be likely to receive in the terse accounts of camps and mining grounds to which its benefits extended; therefore, the following description of a trip made by Mr. Murray, of the Sonora Herald, to the Company's works, with an interesting and capitally written account of what he saw on the road, is included in this work:

        "Being fairly fagged out with too much work, and having heard a great deal touching the mountain region of Tuolumne, we determined to shake the dust of Sonora from our feet and take to the hills for a day or two. Accordingly, one day last week we procured ourself a good horse and started off up country, with the intention of seeing a little of the far-famed mountain range, as well as inspecting the works of the Tuolumne Hydraulic Association, of whose operations the public have heard so much.

        " In company with Captain Puckett, who kindly volunteered to show us the way, we started up the hill overlooking Sonora to the eastward, and traveled over about five miles of the usual barren-looking, arid, dusty, uphill and down-dale, until we reached the ranch of Mayor Dodge, on Sullivan's Creek, back of Bald Mountain. We should judge that this gentleman here has some five or six hundred acres of land, all highly susceptible to cultivation, level and easily irrigated.  Most of it is fenced in, and there are an excellent house and out-houses, with other improvements, upon it. Timber is more plentiful here than around Sonora, and it is the most extensive piece of level ground that we saw on our journey.

        "We passed along Sullivan's Creek for about five miles, encountering on our way some five or six ranches, very eligibly located, but all inferior to that of Mr. Dodge. All the way along we met a constant succession of wagons, bringing shingles, lumber, etc., into Sonora. The road had more the air of the one running to Stockton than of that to the summit of the Sierra Nevada. About ten miles from Sonora, we ascended the spur which divides the head waters of Sullivan's Creek, and which forms the lower end of the great dividing ridge between the Tuolumne and the Stanislaus. Two or three miles further on we ascended a succession of eminences, finally gaining a footing upon the main ridge. These two main ascents, which are daily traveled by wagons, are the only difficult places which we witnessed for thirty miles out of Sonora. The road, after reaching the summit of the ridge, passes along it all the way, and is as even and easy as the road to Stockton. After attaining this high elevation, we felt the atmosphere to be sensibly cooler, the weather, at two o'clock in the afternoon, being such as to almost justify the use of an overcoat. We found the dwarf oaks of the mining region to be getting scarcer and scarcer, and the pines and cedars to be looming up taller and taller at every step. The ridge expands, after awhile, into a strip of table land, displaying as fine a succession of little valleys as is to be found in the lower region we had left behind us. Ranch after ranch we found taken up, the buildings being found in great plenty and improvements in rapid progress. In several places we found extensive zig-zag fences going up, made of straight young pines, of which there are innumerable quantities. The soil there is of a light color and sandy texture, and, we are told, is very fertile. From the fine growth of the trees, together with the green appearance which the surface of the earth here presents, covered with ferns and other vegetation, we were led to believe we were not misinformed. We passed through a succession of some six or seven of these ranches, of from one to three hundred acres in extent, and all presenting the most eligible farm-sites, whether for pasturage, agriculture or timber privileges.

        " About twenty miles from Sonora we passed the last ranch and entered upon still higher ground, peculiarly fitted for shingle-making and timber cutting. The pines here are magnificent, and attract quite a large colony of shingle-makers, who camp out here in squads, and haul the results of their labor into Sonora for disposal. From time to time we passed blazed trees and notices, intimating that certain individuals had commenced locating their quarter sections of land upon this most valuable vicinity. Mile after mile of dense pine woods did we traverse—not alone the ridge, but the slopes on either side, being thickly covered with straight, tall trees. The hills on the opposite side of the Tuolumne present the same appearance. We were much struck with the peculiar capabilities which this region presents for the cutting of timber, and we are well convinced that from this part of the country will hereafter be drawn the large supplies of that article, which will be needed within the section of country embraced within the rivers Tuolumne and Stanislaus.

        " About twenty-five miles from Sonora we left the main road, called the Ice Trail, which continues on along the main ridge toward the Sierra Nevada, and descended a rather precipitous hillside to the store of Captain Puckett: This is beautifully situated, at the bottom of the ravine formed by Sugar Pine Creek. Although we had passed through many miles of a fine timber country, we were fairly surprised at the scene which here presents itself. Thick-set as are the pines on the summit and slopes of the ridge, below they are far more so. The whole bed of the creek is fairly choked up with vegetation. Pine and cedar trees, from the smallest size up to eight and ten feet in diameter, and of proportionate height, spring up in serried ranks all around. No other shade is needed, for the rays of the sun can with difficulty find their way through the thick tops to the earth's surface. The ground is covered with a dense undergrowth of fern and other plants and bushes, and everything around is of a beautiful green, contrasting delightfully with the arid and dusty appearance of things nearer the plains.

        " We found here some twenty or thirty men, who were at work upon the race of the Tuolumne Hydraulic Company. The race is intended to cross Sugar Pine Creek at this place, with a flume some forty or fifty feet from the ground, supported by ample pillars, which are here to be found ready to hand, in any quantity and of all dimensions. We inspected the race on either side of the creek, and. found it to be of large size, and well and securely constructed.

        " We slept at Captain Puckett's one night, and early in the morning proceeded one fourth of a mile up the creek, to the house of Judge Ketchum, the contractor and engineer of the Company. Upon making ourselves known to this gentleman, he very kindly offered to show us over the works, and soon mounted his mule and accompanied us on the way. We traveled on a few hundred yards along the left bank of the creek, until we struck a beautiful bottom, which the Judge has taken up for a ranch. We were perfectly delighted with this piece of ground, which is a very favorable specimen of the little valleys and creek bottoms that are scattered about in this region. It contains about one hundred acres of the very best agricultural land, perfectly level, and capable of irrigation in every part, and at all seasons of the year. This, however, is not necessary, as several springs rise in various parts, affording naturally all the irrigation that is needed, and preserving in the valley perpetual greenness of verdure. The valley is bounded by steep and lofty hills, which inclose it on all sides. It is nearly free from timber, but is fringed all the way round with thick ranks of bristling pines, which cover all the hillsides and encroach somewhat upon the level land. We have never seen a more beautiful spot in any part of the world. It is just such a one as a lover of nature might well long to live and die in, and is quite unsuited to the coarse, matter-of-fact life, inseparable from a sojourn in California. The Judge has cut, this year, quite a good quantity of hay on it, and intends to pay more attention to its capabilities next year. He assures us that higher up the creek, and on the Tuolumne, there are many other spots of similar and even of greater natural advantages, most of which, however, have been taken up for ranches.

        " Leaving Sugar Pine, we ascended the ridge between the Stanislaus and Tuolumne, and proceeded along it some four or five miles, all the way observing the same natural features which we have above described. We then descended a gradual declivity and arrived at the headquarters of the Judge's working party, a few rods below the dam. Judge Ketchum very politely showed us over the works at this end of the race, and described to us all the arrangements he had made and intended making for the security and due completion of the great work upon which he is engaged. We will endeavor to give a fair and just description of what we saw, so that the public may form some idea of what the company is doing.

        " The dam at the head of the race is, at the highest calculation, about thirty miles from Sonora. It is built of strong, stout logs, set into the bed of the river in a slanting position, the upper ends resting upon a structure composed of logs, laid horizontally, one upon another, after the fashion of a log house. Other logs are planted so as to support the dam, being firmly braced upon the solid rock. The superincumbent water thus lies upon the dam, pressing it down and keeping it in its place. The winter freshets will pass over, leaving it undamaged.

        " The race commences on the left bank of the river, consisting, for several hundred feet, of a strong flume, constructed of six-inch timbers. This connects with a ditch dug in the side-hill, which conveys the water for several hundred yards further, when the side of the river becomes more precipitous and rocky, requiring to be flumed. Here commences the main fluming, and great care has been taken to construct a firm and solid grade upon which to support it. Much skill has been displayed by the engineer, in this department. Huge trees have been felled, and firmly propped in their places to support the sleepers; rocks have been partially blasted so as to convert them from obstructions into firm supports for the fluming. Gulches have been bridged, thirty or forty feet in light, in order to avoid the curve which would be occasioned by following the side-hill round to cross them. We were gratified to see that upon this part of the race, extending for several miles, the principal part of the work has been done. Other companies have commenced at the easiest part of their labor ditching and grading wherever practicable. Most of the route of the Hydraulic Company will only need ditching ; but Judge Ketchum has wisely left this part of the work untouched, taking the bull by the horns and attacking the hardest part of the work first. What work has been expended has been of a most substantial character, and has been aimed at those very portions of the route which persons skeptical as to the success of the Company would be likely to point out as most insurmountable.

        " The distinguishing feature of the Hydraulic Company's route appears to be that most of it is of an extremely easy character, only a few miles presenting any serious difficulty. This portion of it is now nearly half overcome, and a corps of forty or fifty men are in full activity, providing for its completion. Furthermore, the whole of the route is now under contract to practical men, who will immediately proceed to the construction of the ditching, by far the longest, but the easiest portion of the work. Judge Ketchum assures us that there are now, in all, about eighty men employed on the race, and. that the whole of the work will be completed by three months from date. We give this upon the Judge's authority. We were much pleased with the undertaking, and believe that it will prove of immense benefit to the country. We have heard the Tuolumne Hydraulic Company's race often sneered at as being altogether too large for the purpose aimed at, but we are well convinced that the mining resources of this county are of sufficient extent to exhaust more water than all the races yet projected will be able to supply.

        " It has been supposed by some that the volume of water found in the North Fork of the Tuolumne will be insufficient to supply this race all the year round. This is the only adverse circumstance that we have yet noticed ; but it is only of a partial, and we trust not irremediable character. There is, at this moment, an eight or ten tom stream running through the Company's dam, which, if the race were completed, could now be used. Furthermore, we learn that an expedition has been sent up, within the last fortnight, to survey the ground, and inquire into the practicability of turning the water of the Middle Fork into the North Fork, so as to increase the supply in that branch We learn that the exploring party have made a very favorable report, and that an expense of only thirty thousand dollars will be incurred in the undertaking. Be this as it may, nothing is more certain than the fact that the race, as originally projected, will be capable of affording a large and abundant stream of water during at least NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, and all who have had experience in these undertakings will need no assurance from us to convince them of the immense advantage which it will confer upon the mining population of the county, or the large profits which must accrue to the projectors.

        " We were particularly pleased with the lasting, substantial character of the work which has been done upon this race. The timbers are all heavy—the supports, of whatever kind, ample and secure. Great care has been taken to avoid unnecessary curvature, and the Judge contemplates being enabled to use the race as a medium of floating timber to Sonora. If this be done, the race will become doubly valuable.

        " The dimensions of the race are three feet in width at bottom ; three feet in depth, with a slope at the sides of one foot to each foot in depth. The fluming is to be eight feet wide, and two and a half feet in depth.

        " Leaving the Tuolumne behind us, we again ascended the hill, and traveled on our road home until we reached the Judge's ranch. Here we ascended the ridge between Sugar Pine Creek and the Stanislaus, and undertook to descend the other side, with the intention of striking the Stanislaus race. We had no trail to guide us, but erroneously concluded that we should be sure to find a trail running parallel with the race. The descent soon became so precipitous that we were compelled to dismount and lead our horse, and even then proceeded with great difficulty.  At length, after half an hour's painful descent, we struck the flume of the Stanislaus race, but found no facility of any kind for traveling up or down it. Accordingly we hitched our horse, and attempted by scrambling, climbing, and other gymnastic evolutions to follow along the course of the race to the dam. We struggled along in this manner for over a mile, hoping every minute to arrive at our destination, until at length, reaching a wide bend of the river, we saw more than half a mile of fluming still stretching before us, and no sign of a termination. It was getting late in the afternoon, so we judged it best to return.

        " We cannot convey to the reader any idea of the depth of solitude which reigns in this region, or of the extreme difficulty which exists in the way of progression. We were unable to divine how men could even have traveled along this route, much less construct the extent of grading and woodwork which has been accomplished. We admired very much the ingenuity with which the flume has been directed along a side-hill which is almost impassable to the foot of man.     Sometimes it rests upon the top of a huge rock ; at another time it runs beneath an overhanging mass of the same material, and again leads along the side hill, inside of some projecting, rocky promontory. All sorts of angles and curves have been made; rocks of all kinds, and stumps of trees, have been taken advantage of, and all sorts of manoeuvres have been made to carry on and complete the work. The general aspect of this part of the route is unpromising in the extreme, the bed of the stream being choked up, and the side-hill being impeded on all sides with jutting and loose rocks, of all sorts and sizes. A scrubby chapparal is the only vegetation, which adds to the desolation of the scene. We were glad to get out of the gully, and could not but admire the energy and perseverance of the men who had completed such an unpromising and apparently impracticable work.

        We regained our horse and spent some two hours in clambering out of the unpleasant position in which we had placed ourselves. It was then about four o'clock, and we were some twenty miles from Sonora. So we put spurs to our Bucephalus, managing to get in not long after night­fall; receiving solace for our wanderings in the shape of a long and pleasant night's sleep."

        From the chatty writer's entertaining sketch, much information can be gained as to the country lying east of Sonora, for which purpose in fact it was included.

The Water Supply.

        At the date at which Mr. Murray wrote, mining operations had assumed a complexion to which they had before been strangers. More water was required in consequence of the greater and more permanent character of the works necessary to be undertaken to extract the gold. Formerly working only in the very rich surface deposits, and separating the gold from the gravel by means of the pan and the rocker, the supply of water furnished by accidental pools and trinkling rills had sufficed. Now, with the exhaustion of the superficial deposits, and the intrusion upon larger masses of poorer gravel, came the necessity for a copious and constant supply of the aqueous fluid; and to meet this demand came the construction of those immense and costly pieces of engineering science that pervade these foothills. The two aqueducts mentioned by Mr. Murray —the hydraulic race and the Stanislaus race (the Tuolumne Water Company's ditch)—were not the only ones of their kind; although they merit the distinction of being among the most extensive that have ever been undertaken in the county down to the present time.

        At the commencement of the previous Winter there had been two ditches fetching water into the dry diggings of the county. Both of these were small—not having a capacity greater than an eight or ten tom stream each. Both took their supply from creeks subject to the effects of drouth, and consequently conveyed their full streams during but a very short period of time. One of these was the Seco Company's race, bringing water from Wood's Creek into Campo Seco; the other the Jackson's Flat race, from Mormon Creek to Jackson's Flat.

        Some time in February the Sonora Water Company went into operation, conveying water from Sullivan's Creek to Sonora. Their ditch was somewhat larger than the foregoing, carrying a twenty tom stream, which diminished about one half before June. The next completed was the Sullivan's Creek race, bringing water from that Creek to Shaw's Flat. This race was about equal in capacity to that of the Sonora Company, but it was enabled to fetch water for a few weeks only. In that time, however, the lucrative character of the undertaking was fully demonstrated, for the expense of digging the ditch was speedily paid, and a handsome dividend remained for the stockholders. Miners flocked in by the hundred to the vicinity of the water, and for a short time it infused life and activity into a section of country which was afterwards nearly deserted. This company extended its ditch to the Tuolumne, and by that means was enabled to hold out much longer in the ensuing year. Next came the Tuolumne Water Company, which had by that time brought a small stream of water from Five Mile Creek. It never exceeded a twenty tom stream, and yet for a time, in June and July, it was the only support and maintenance of a brisk industry in Columbia—so much so that there was talk, and a well-founded belief that the town would prove a rival to Sonora.

        Following the first rains came an immediate revival in mining. All of the races mentioned began to pour floods upon the grounds in which, at that time, there was an ample deposit of the precious metal, needing only an application of energy and intelligence to get it out. All were active at one and the same time, and these little races each set in operation a great number of toms, each stream being used over and over again until the water had arrived at too low a level to be of utility.

        But in addition to those already named, the ditch of the Tuolumne Water Company, then completed to the Stanislaus, sent down, for the first time, the waters of that river upon the auriferous belt, bringing a hundred and fifty tom stream into Columbia, and carrying a portion of it quite to the Montezuma Flats, as before mentioned. A tremendous impetus was given to operations in the whole section of country round Columbia, Springfield and Shaw's Flat, the community, constantly augmented by accessions from abroad, becoming actively engaged in the search for the glittering metal. Probably not less than three thousand miners were actively engaged within a circle of one mile radius.

        During the Winter, the use of sluice-boxes forming a continuous flume, often several hundred feet in length, first came into vogue. At Campo Seco, where an abundant supply of water from the ditches of the Hydraulic Water Company, the Campo Seco Ditch Company and that of Messrs. Johnson & Carey was available, the first extended use of the new contrivance was made. The work proved comparatively easy considering the immense amount of dirt which could be washed by the exertions of lines of men on either side of the sluice. In consequence, the diggings at that place were more extensively worked than ever before.

        One of the places particularly indebted for its growth to the Hydraulic Ditch was Algerine Camp, which diggings, located two miles from Curtisville, were first opened in May, 1853. The first discoveries were made in the previous Winter by some Mexicans, immediately on which Mr. C. F. Dodge, of Sonora, and several other gentlemen, became interested in and took up claims in the more favored spots. Very large amounts of gold were soon taken out, and the reports being circulated, a large population was soon attracted to the very important discovery. Merchants and business men generally located, a wide street was laid out, and tents erected to supply the wants of the camp. Fifteen or twenty frame houses were than immediately begun, among them a hotel. Almost the entire population residing on Curtis' Creek removed at once to the new diggings, leaving this once immensely rich watercourse deserted, after having worked its entire bed several times.

Social Progress.

        Under date of March 25th, 1854, the editor of the Sonora Herald wrote as follows: " We are gratified to see the marked improvement that has taken place in the society of our little city in the past year. As an evidence of this, witness how differently Sabbath is observed. In past years, on this sacred day, might be seen a fantastically dressed Mexican clown, preceded by a band of shockingly bad music, parading the streets and notifying the citizens of a bull and bear fight about to come off. Now, instead, at the same hour of the day, troops of rosy-faced, quiet, orderly children are seen returning from Sunday-school, and well-dressed men and women on their way to the house of worship. We can boast now of five churches of different denominations, and all of them well attended —good evidence of an advanced state of civilization.

        " Then, on the same day, the city was crowded with the inhabitants of surrounding camps, quarreling, fighting, drinking, swearing, squandering the hard-earned means of the past week at the gambling table, or at some low brothel. Now, although not such as could be wished, things are changed. The day is regarded by the public generally, more as one of rest from labor, and not as one of debauchery and dissipation.

        " And what has caused this great change in public sentiment ? To what else can it be attributed but to the presence of woman; virtuous, pure, sympathizing woman; whose influence is as effective in the formation of public character, as it is felt in the domestic circle; the great controller of public opinion, without whom society is dull and existence a blank.

        " The very considerable accession to our population in the last year of some of the fairer portion of God's creation is a source of intense gratification to all, and we indulge in the pleasurable anticipation that the coming will year furnish a still larger number."

        At this time there was in progress a private school, taught by Mrs. Harmon, wife of Rev. S. S. Harmon, then a prominent clergyman of Sonora, but now Principal of Washington College, in Alameda county. The good lady's pupils numbered some twenty. Her terms were eight dollars per month for the older ones, while those under twelve years of age were charged five dollars.

        Another of the permanent institutions was a military company, the "Sonora Greys," which was organized in the Spring of '54. It numbered about fifty members, and was commanded by Captain H. W. Theall, who was regarded as an accomplished officer and drill-master, and whose name has before appeared in these pages as a prominent merchant of Tuolumne, and who was at that time Postmaster of Sonora. Making a requisition upon the United States Quartermaster General, the "Greys," were provided with arms and accoutrements. Their uniform was very neat and tasteful, being of gray cloth with black trim ;Wings. For a long time the "Greys " remained an important and much noticed organization, taking a prominent part in military and civic displays, and occasionally responding to calls to assist on graver occasions. Their valor was never tried in war, but had the occasion arisen it would doubtless have been the historian's pleasant task to chronicle behavior of which the community might well be proud.

        During two years the meetings of the company were held in rented buildings; but inspired by the example of their sister corps, the " Fusileers " of Columbia, they resolved to erect an armory for their own special uses. To this purpose, Major Ball's building was raised an additional story, and in this upper part the " Greys," now under Captain Stewart, had their quarters. The hall, sixty by twenty-nine feet in size, was fitted up in good style, the expense being borne partly by the corps and partly by the public-spirited residents of Sonora.

        Besides the " Fusileers," already mentioned as occupying John Leary's Armory Hall, and who first organized in January, 1854, Columbia possessed another military company, the " Columbia Light Artillery." This, however, was not of so old a date as the other, it meeting first in June, 1857. This corps became quite a feature in the county, far outshining the more common-place infantry.

        The Artillery was commanded by Major J. B. Urmy, associate editor of the Tuolumne Courier, his subordinates being Lieutenant Hooker and Sergeants McDonald and. Leavitt.

The Banks of Tuolumne.

        The earlier banks established in Tuolumne were located at Sonora, and have already been noticed in these pages.  Their number has been a matter of remark, but their capital and connections, and the amount of their business, cannot now be accurately told. Their affairs went on prosperously in almost every instance, their chief business being the buying and transmission of gold dust from the mines to the Eastern States.

        The year 1855, however, marked an era of misfortune and peril to the banking houses of that date. As before mentioned, the house of Wells, Fargo & Co. had established themselves in the mines, having several offices in. Tuolumne county. Besides this firm, there were Adams & Co., Page, Bacon & Co., D. O. Mills & Co., all of whom had the confidence of the public to a remarkable degree. That this confidence was abused by some of them, time has made evident, for in February, 1855, rumors of the forth­coming ruin of some of the firms began to be heard throughout all California, into nearly every mining camp of which State their branches had extended. A universal panic was created, which led shortly to the suspension of some of these houses and the total failure of Page, Bacon & Co., thereby rendering penniless hundreds of those whom the hard won accumulations of years had made comfortable. Still there remained some firms who came forth from the wreck honestly and well, more flourishing and prosperous than ever, passing safely through the ordeal, and coming to possess the esteem of the communities wherein they transacted business.

        In Columbia, D. O. Mills & Co. stood the fight bravely, paying their claims as fast as presented, and going on without embarrassment. Their stability was hardly doubted from first to last, although a considerable " run" was inaugurated upon their house, which compelled them to pay out largely.

        Wells, Fargo & Co. remained in working order throughout the State, with the exception of a few of their offices, which suspended for a short time.

        Adams & Co. had remained for several years the most prominent express company in the gold region. Their enterprise had been remarkable, even for the time in which it was displayed. Their offices in Tuolumne county were on a par with the amount of business they transacted. Taking the lead in all matters of enterprise as they did, their house was regarded as one of the least likely to be affected. But the storm which had burst upon them was not to be resisted. Their doors in Columbia and Sonora closed February 23, their agents stating that the suspension was only temporary, and that business would immediately be resumed, they having ample funds to satisfy depositors. The firm, however, was insolvent, and by the next mail came advices that they had applied for a discharge from their liabilities, by assigning their property to their creditors, their express business remaining intact throughout.

        Upon receipt of this news in Columbia, a high degree of excitement was occasioned, and the office of Adams & Co. was besieged by a crowd of men clamoring for their deposits. But Charles J. Brown, the agent, had removed the available funds, depositing them in the safe of the Tuolumne Water Company, where they remained until handed over to the proper receiver, A. A. Cohen, of San Francisco. R. A. Robinson, the Secretary of the Water Company, who had assumed the responsibility of secreting the money in the said safe, incurred great odium therefore, he being looked upon as particeps criminis, by the miners, who were disposed to hold every one guilty who had anything to do with the banking companies, who had so suddenly become objects of detestation. The funds that thus escaped the search of these unauthorized creditors amounted to seven thousand dollars, including two thousand held for Mr. Bullock, the Springfield agent. At Sonora a large number of persons who had money deposited with Adams & Co. met on the 4th of March and took possession of the express office, broke open the vault, and removed the funds therein contained. A committee of four respectable citizens was appointed to disburse the money to those who held certificates of deposit. This the committee proceeded to do, until all the funds, amounting to about forty thousand dollars, had been paid out to the depositors present.

        This high-spirited way of administering upon the bankrupt estate was mentioned by the press of that day in terms of admiration, as being the correct thing to do under the circumstances. Probably the trifling fact that but few comparatively, of all the depositors were there, did not present itself at the time. Be the moral status of such an act as it may, no one was prosecuted, nor even severely blamed, except the members of the firm, against whom many judgments were secured in the Justices' Courts, which, for the time, were alive with business. The members of the firm of Adams & Co. were I. C. Woods, D. H. Haskell and Alvin Adams.

        An incident of the career of Messrs. Adams & Co. may be worth mentioning here. It is the robbery of the Sonora and Stockton stage, of the box containing the shipment of the above firm, amounting, this time, to more than twenty-five thousand dollars. The robbery took place at a point one mile out of Sonora, and was effected by cutting the straps which held the box on the rear of the stage when it slipped off by its own weight. The weight was such as to require two men to lift it. With characteristic decision the agent, Mr. Bancroft, offered a reward of two thousand five hundred dollars for the arrest of the parties who committed the robbery, and five thousand dollars to any one through whose agency the money should be recovered, and a proportion of that sum for any part of the lost bullion. The result was that about one-half of the stealings were recovered, being found in Wood's Creek, about two hundred yards from the scene of the robbery. The company immediately fulfilled its promise, paying to the finders the sum agreed.

        The remaining banking firm, Messrs. Page, Bacon & Co., were even less fortunate than Adams & Co., and deservedly so, since their actions, as every old Californian knows, indicated the basest spirit of fraud. Suspending operations wholly, they yet had the audacity to resume business with only the motive of still further victimizing the public. After their suspension in February, their vault at Jamestown was broken into by their creditors, but with less good fortune than had their predecessors at Sonora stormed the vaults of Adams & Co. The vault was empty, the contents having previously been removed to San Francisco, indicating that the resolve to suspend had been made many days before.

Fires in Sonora.

        During the year 1853, Sonora was twice visited by the devouring element, each time suffering severely, but lightly in comparison with her already narrated experience. On the first of these two occasions, which was the early morning of October 4th, Labetoure's building, midway between the two branches of Sonora Creek, took fire, and was speedily destroyed. The flames spread rapidly in every direction, but through the organized exertions of the Hook and Ladder and Hose Companies, aided by the citizens generally, the fire was prevented from spreading, as on a former occasion. The new and valuable City Hotel building was saved by means of a large and powerful force-pump located within. On the north the fire was stopped by the fire companies, the last remaining building upon that side of the street being Cooper & McCarthy's livery stable. The hose from the Water Works being now brought into use, the fire was stayed to the northward.

        The bank buildings of Wm. Hammond & Co., Adams & Co. and Wells, Fargo & Co. were destroyed.

        A single life was lost on this occasion, the unfortunate person being E. B. Lundy, a Canadian, who was asleep in the rear of Holden's saloon.

        The losses aggregated three hundred thousand dollars, made up in part of the following named losses, which were the most considerable:  Wertheimer, Greenhood & Co., $7,500; E. Lyons & Co., $10,000; Murphy & Wood's " Long Tom Saloon,' $28,000; Aspinall & Williamson's " El Dorado," $6,000; A. Cohen & Co., $18,000; M. Hanna, $6,000; T. Robinson, Bours & Co., $5,000; M. A. Zeill, $5,000; " El Dorado Saloon building, $8,000; Estate of Joshua Holden., $15,000; Leipziger & Co., $8,000; Barbier & Co., $5,000; Collins & Co., $8,000; " Palace " (saloon), $14,000; Lyons, $6,000; Caro Bros., $5,000; Peter Mehen, $4,000.

        The fire lasted one hour.

        The art of putting out fires, it appears, was afterwards studied in Sonora to considerable advantage, for the next conflagration of any moment entailed but the comparatively small damage of fifty thousand dollars. It took place in the November following the fire above chronicled.

        This later blaze broke out in a building occupied by Chinese—whether accidentally or not was not known. It burned up Batchelder's Daguerrean Gallery, a tin and stove store, Messick & McCullough's carpenter shop, Neil's saddlery, the " Shades " saloon, a barber shop, the law office of Hall & Greenwood, Wood & Purdy's paint store, and a few other structures.

        Certainly, Sonora had had by this time an exceedingly thorough experience by fires, having within a year or so been burned completely over, with the exception of a few outlying buildings. The last fire had demolished the buildings left standing by the previous ones.

        The City Hotel, mentioned in the preceding accounts as escaping the flames, was a very prominent building in those days. It was erected by Messrs. Green & Lane (Alonzo Green and Judge James Lane) to take the place of the hotel of Captain Green, mentioned previously as having been destroyed in the great fire in 1852. The old pioneers spoke of this structure as " a little the finest building to be found in the mountains of California." Its dimensions were fifty by one hundred feet. It was built with thick adobe walls, and consisted of two lofty and spacious stories. It was fitted up as a family hotel, and was furnished throughout in what was then regarded as fine style. The lower story was taken up by the saloon, billiard and dining rooms. The saloon, being very capacious, was frequently used for the purpose of holding political meetings, etc. A spacious staircase, opening on the street, leads to the upper story, which contains twenty private rooms, parlors, etc., all carpeted and furnished. From the roof a most delightful view of the city and its environs could be obtained, the hotel being situated at an angle of the main street, from whence nearly the whole of the town, not less than a mile in length, could be seen.

        The eating arrangements were on a par with the excellence of the hotel and its other appointments. The first proprietors were said to have been men who understood the business perfectly; and their enterprise and good judgment met its reward in the successful career of this house, which was for a long time regarded as one of the best hotels in California.

        After this considerably detailed description, the reader will have but little difficulty in identifying the structure spoken of with the present City Hotel of O. L. Bemis, Esq., and which, under that gentleman's management, still maintains its ancient prestige.

The Miners' Convention.

        Public opinion had by the year 1852 been aroused to such an extent upon the subject of the disposition of the mineral lands of California, that definite action was taken in many localities towards influencing Congress to pass acts relating thereto. The causes that led to this were many. But direct or indirect, they may be stated thus: As boldly and prominently as stands the then infant State of California among the other members of the Union—peculiar in her vast mineral resources, and in the wonderful advantages which she offered to the enterprising settler, of whatever calling—so stood the mineral portion of the lands of this State, peculiar and remarkable from the general whole. Great as are her agricultural capabilities; happy as is her geographical position, there has ever been one distinguishing peculiarity that California has possessed beyond all other advantages, viz: the extent and productiveness of her mineral lands. This great feature, far from being of ephemeral character, is yet destined long to maintain its preponderating influence, and will for many years yet absorb the industry, capital and enterprise of a great mass of those who make these hills and valleys their home.

        But as this interest occupied, at the time concerning which these pages are written, a vastly greater preponderance of attention, hence it was that the vast extent of rich farming lands, stretching away for hundreds of miles throughout the center of the State, then, and for many succeeding years, remained in an unimproved condition, devoted only to the rearing of the vast herds of cattle which served as a tribute to the mining regions. And hence it was, also, that nine-tenths of the population of the State was then either centered in or directly dependent upon the product of the mines, capital, enterprise and labor all concentrating themselves around the diggings as a focus, while the larger cities, San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton, all owed their activity, and even their existence, to the great industry of gold extraction.

        The questions which were of the highest interest to Californians were those, of course, which bore particular reference to this leading pursuit. In addition, it may be said that no other State in the American Union, nor, indeed, any country in the whole world, presented a parallel to the wonderful singularity which characterized California. Other States were populated mainly by emigrants from some particular section of our common country. The Pacific shore was settled indiscriminately from all. The main dependence of other new States had been their agricultural resources; these formed no part of the former greatness of California. In other newly settled States common labor was considered advantageously remunerated when receiving ten to twenty dollars per month; in California, it commanded from seventy to one hundred dollars. The foreign immigration into the older States had been solely composed of the European races; in California, the Asiatic element has always threatened to preponderate. Other States were mostly resorted to by people who came to live and die in their new homes; it was reserved for California to be looked upon as a temporary abiding place and a convenient scrambling ground for the human family.

        These considerations, as well as others which suggest themselves to the thoughtful student of political economy, gave rise to broad and comprehensive questions hinted at in the beginning of this article, regarding the proper management and disposal of the mineral lands. It was asked, Shall these lands, the treasure house of the universe, and the direct and immediate cause of the unexampled prosperity of the country, pass from the hands of the General Government ? If so, how? By preemption ? By sale ? By donation? In large or small lots? And again, Who should be allowed to work and hold them—American citizens only, or both them and foreigners ?

        A thought may now be given to the situation of affairs in Tuolumne county, as concerned in the above questions.

        All the laws and regulations concerning the mineral lands of the various sections were the result of the miners' own action. Untouched by State or national laws, the gold seekers were left to their own devices as regarded the disposal of the ground in which they worked. But early in the history of this county it has been seen that leagues of miners existed. The want of systematic rules giving to each one his proper rights was felt immediately upon the first experience in mining; and with the true manly instincts of the pioneers to uphold the weak and helpless, they made such regulations within their own " districts " as served to restrain the strong and aggressive, while giving to each his right to profit by the riches so plentifully diffused.

        These mining laws, which at a later period were of course rendered null and void through the passage of legislative enactments covering the points at issue, have now become only a matter of history, which it may be well to more fully particularize. The following extracts from the mining laws of Springfield may serve as an example to show the scope embraced, as well as giving hints as to the necessity which induced their adoption.

        After premising that " California is, and shall be, governed by American principles, and as Congress has made no rules and regulations for the government of the mining districts of the same, and as the State Legislature has provided by statute and accorded to miners the right of making needful laws, rules and regulations that do not conflict with the constitution and laws of California,

        " Resolved, therefore, That we, the miners of Springfield Mining District, do ordain and establish the following

        " RULES AND REGULATIONS.

        " ARTICLE 1. A claim for mining purposes within this district shall not exceed one hundred feet square to each man, nor be more than one hundred feet in length.

        " ART. 2. That no man within the boundaries of this district shall hold more than one workable claim.

        " ART. 3. That each and every man within the bounds of this district shall perform actual labor upon said claim one day out of every three, or employ a substitute; otherwise such claim shall be forfeited.  Provided that claims on dry gulches, or other places, that can be worked advantageously only by water companies, etc., shall be good until water is brought in: Provided also, that wet claims and carting claims not workable in the rainy season shall be good also without working from the 15th of November till the 15th of May.

        "ART. 4. The bounds of claims shall be established and defined by putting up good and substantial stakes at each corner, and recording the description of the lot in the precinct registry; and by putting up one notice at each end of the claim, signed by each person or individual of the company; and the names of the several persons holding such claim shall be signed in their own handwriting, in the book of registry.

        " ART. 5. When two or more claims join together, and are worked by companies, such companies can work any portion of such claims as they deem expedient, complying with Article 3.

        " ART. 6. Disputes concerning claims shall be settled by referring them to a standing committee of five, or by arbitration, or by jury. Each member of the standing committee, who may arbitrate on any case, shall be paid two dollars for such service.

        *          *          *          *          *

        " ART. 12. In case of sickness, no miner shall forfeit his claim.

        *          *          *          *          *   

        " ART. 14. All companies going to great expense in running tunnels, in order to prospect the hills, shall be entitled to two claims, each person of a company.

        " ART. 15. A Recorder of this District shall be chosen, and shall be paid fifty cents for recording the title of each mining claim. The Recorder shall have the custody of the books, laws and proceedings of this mining district.

        " ART. 16. All foreigners subject to pay a foreign miners' tax, when called upon to show their license, and cannot or will not do the same, shall not be permitted to hold a claim in this mining district; and any such claim, purporting to be held by him, or them, shall be forfeited.

                                                                                                                                        " JUBAL HARRINGTON, President.

                                                                                                                                        " J. W. GLASS, Secretary."

        These simple laws, with a few of less importance which it is deemed unnecessary to reproduce, were found amply sufficient for the maintenance of order in the important district of Springfield; and equally simple and concise were the rules and regulations of other districts. Of course they were but a makeshift, serving to bridge over the time until the legislative bodies of the State or Nation should make such enactments as should serve in their stead. It is to be observed that these primitive regulations did not in any case look towards a final settlement of the important questions which agitated the mining communities. It was, as already observed, with a view of influencing the authorities to make such a settlement of these questions, that conventions, so called, of miners, were held; and it is of the celebrated convention at Jamestown, that met on. the 8th of September, 1852, that the following facts are preserved.

        The body of delegates, one hundred and ninety in number, organized by choosing J. M. Mandeville president, and L. L. Alexander secretary. Then proceeding to business, they adopted a series of resolutions, directed to the consideration of the people and of the legislative bodies, deploring the past inaction of the miners, and recommending such legislation as in their opinion would remedy the then existing state of insecurity; adding, that the naturalization laws should not be so construed as to embrace within its scope the motley races from Asia, Polynesia and South America. They declared it the plain duty of the Legislature of the State to pass laws to impede and obstruct the immigration of the last named classes; recommending that, in order to effect that purpose, a hospital tax of five hundred dollars should be levied upon each such objectionable immigrant.

        These resolutions, with others, proclaiming among other things that the legislation of the State had previously been only for the benefit of the capitalist, and not for that of the miner, and that the miners of Tuolumne would look thereafter upon those only as true friends who used their endeavors to procure legislation in correspondence with the ideas advanced, were unanimously adopted; as also were another series of this tenor:

        " WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary to take immediate action to drive the coolies from some of our mining districts; therefore,

        "Resolved, that we recommend to the miners of the various mining districts to take such steps as will rid us of the same.

        "Resolved, that this Convention pledges the aid and support of those whom they represent, if needed, to remove said coolies and other foreigners."

        The Convention, after adopting an "Address to the Miners of California," adjourned.

        Only in part have the suggestions then laid before the governing bodies been adopted. Congress, after years of delay, provided suitable laws for the disposition of the United States' mineral domain, but, with the most utter disregard for the moral interests of California, it has dallied and hesitated over the crying evil of Chinese immigration until almost too great to be borne, while legislation of the kind calculated to settle the question forever seems further off than in 1852.

        It is an interesting subject to trace the moral effects of such meetings as these; interesting though difficult, for many causes may have combined to induce the legislation and the views that now prevail, though that fact does not detract from the importance of these waves of popular feeling, which, emanating from minds the ablest and most vigorous of the century, remain attractive reminiscences of history, attesting to the growth of thought and intelligence rife among a people wrought upon by the most unique surroundings, which surroundings themselves have something of the sternness and even of the poetry that alone have been able to inspire the action and thought characteristic of the strong-minded people who make history, and lay the foundation of States as the enduring remains of their greatness.

Inner Life of the Miners.

        Thus far in this work but little mention has been made of the inner life of the miner. That subject, now of engrossing interest, has furnished the inspiration of many an article by Californian and other poets and prose writers, who have in this found a treasure-house from whence may be drawn an unceasing store of incident suited for elaboration by the graceful pen of a Harte, a Clemens or a Miller. But it is not the heroic or the poetical aspects of life that the sober requirements of history must affect. A more fitting subject fur the moment is the narrative of how the miners passed their time in the winter.

        The inhabitants of the Atlantic States and of the cities of California, and even the earlier immigrants to the mines, first imagined that the rainy season, corresponding as it did to the cold, dreary winter of the East, was of necessity the most disagreeable and unremunerative portion of the year to those engaged in mining. In the earlier years in which this industry was prosecuted, a succession of severe winters, coupled to the added disadvantage of the total want of roads, rendered the mines at times totally inaccessible. Famine, in consequence, was seriously feared, and the fashion then became common of retiring to the towns near San Francisco Bay, in order to pass that portion of the year.

        This erroneous custom became abandoned in the succeeding years, when the fact was demonstrated that a far greater portion of the mining ground was workable during the wet season than at any other time. During the dry season most of the land surface was above the influence of the running streams, around which were gathered the majority of the population. On the hillsides and elevated table-lands water was rarely to be found, the ground was baked to its hardest, and the labor of prospecting was found burdensome and disagreeable. When winter came, a new direction was given to the exertions of every miner. They then forsook the river beds and the coyote diggings, and spreading themselves over the surface of the country, took advantage of every little pool of water and every running streamlet, to minister to the desired end. The most provident, not wandering aimlessly, had before prospected and found a deposit of " pay dirt," near which they had erected a cabin and provided themselves with a store of food sufficient to last through their winter labors. The situation of those whose wise foresight had dictated such a course was not only tolerable, but was far superior to that of the laboring class in the cities.

        Winter and spring were, and are, preeminently the most favorable seasons for placer mining, and they were, in addition, the most pleasant in the life of the gold-digger. It was never too cold for outdoor work. There were doubtless days when the intensity of the rain, or the presence at rare intervals of snow, made it disagreeable; but doubtless the heat of summer was a far more unpleasant circumstance. And when, after the hours of exhausting, though often profitable and pleasant toil were over, the miner repaired to his stout log hut, where, with plentiful though rough fare spread before him, and a cheerful fire blazing on his hearth, he was moved to pity the less favored inhabitants of those localities where daily toil was insufficient to procure comfort and abundance. Then it was that, amid the companionship only of bearded men, often the chance acquaintances of a week or month, he sighed for the society which was his at a former day, and longed to see around him the well remembered faces which he might never look upon again. Then was it that the husband resolved to devote his earnings to the darling object of removing hither the natural and affectionate partner of his toils; and then did the victim of single-blessedness make up his mind to return home for a while, that he might bring back some loved one towards whom his heart yearned in former days.

        During the long winter evenings the miner enjoyed, better than at other times, the opportunities for rational delights. If he has had the forethought and the good taste to have provided himself with books, papers, pens and ink, he then had the opportunities of passing the time with good and lasting effects, besides making himself comfortable through their agency. He then indited long letters home, or read such volumes as by accident found their way to this secluded region; or, if his lot happened to be cast among congenial spirits, he sat and whiled the time away with conversation and song, diversified, perhaps, with a friendly game of cards or similar amusement. Happy they who spent their leisure time in their own log cabin after this fashion, rather than at the drinking-house, the gambling table, or the dancing saloon!

        It is repugnant to man's nature to live a life of solitariness. So those pioneers found, although they endured it for a time, that their bright hopes for the future might have fruition. Thus it was with most in California. They toiled and suffered many privations, that their bright dreams of future happiness might become true; but as the years went on and the advantages of the new land became more apparent, many were brought to think that all desirable happiness could be created here ; that they could rebuild the homes that had perished with the scattering of their families, or transplant those whom a kinder fate still preserved on the old homesteads. So believing, some began to gather around them the ties for which they yearned; the family altar and the household goods began to be reared in the land, and the good old times began before many a cottage hearth to be raised from among the buried years.

        Not for all was this happy fate reserved; many a one had left all the endearments of home, and, with a heart buoyant with expectations, sought the far-off land of gold. The clank of his pick had been heard in its rugged ravines, his merry laugh had rung upon the hills, and life went prosperously on until Death's unfeeling hand beckoned him from the busy ranks of life. Disease prostrated his manly form; upon a rude couch, within a narrow tent, without the gentle, pain-dispelling hand of woman about his sleepless couch, he wasted away. When the icy arms of Death were thrown around him, chilling life's warm current, no father or mother was there to smooth his rough passage with their prayers; no wife, sister nor brother stood by him as he contended with the fell monster. No sobbing mourners followed in his funeral train, no church bell tolled for his departure, or gray-haired pastor chanted the prayer for the departed; a few comrades bore him to the lonely spot where he now rests.

        His blanket was his winding-sheet, the cold, harsh clods his coffin lid; his little tent stood empty and alone; the pickax and shovel lay idly by; his merry voice was heard no more among the hills; the old hearth at home had one less around it, for his place in the family circle was forever vacant. Where he sleeps, no sculptured marble marks the place, no tombstone rears its head; the hands of love have planted no flowers at his grave that the tears of affection might water. Yet the lone grave of the miner has its watchers, and the sun shines on it bright and warm.

The Execution of Bruce.

        On Friday, December 8, 1854, Robert Bruce was hanged at Sonora, for the murder of a Mexican Indian boy, of sixteen. The murder took place in Sonora the previous year, and was committed during a brawl in a fandango-house. Bruce was immediately arrested, tried and convicted, but owing to the law's delays, more than a year passed before his execution. In the meanwhile the criminal, in company with another convicted felon, named Hayes, broke jail, and, aided by the darkness, got as far as the vicinity of Burns' Ferry, where they were discovered by the pursuing party. In the attempt to arrest them, Bruce was severely wounded. Being returned to the county jail, a day was set for the execution, on which Bruce was to suffer, together with his brother convict, Thomas Crooks, also under sentence for committing a murder. Four days before the appointed time, the sentence of the latter was commuted by Governor Bigler to ten years' imprisonment, the ameliorating cause being that Crooks was suffering from an attack of delirium tremens at the time of the murder.

        On Friday, the people from the surrounding camps began at an early hour to make their way to the place of execution, and by noon the largest assemblage thus far seen in Tuolumne County had gathered. Just at noon Bruce was taken from the jail, placed in a carriage, in which the Sheriff and other officers were seated, and escorted to the place of execution, by the two military companies of Tuolumne, the Sonora Grays and the Columbia Fusiliers. Arriving at the gallows, the doomed man alighted from the carriage and ascended the steps to the platform, with a firm and determined tread, exhibiting a stoical indifference to life, which he maintained throughout the whole proceedings. The Sheriff read the death warrant, and intimated to him that he could then speak if he wished. Bruce arose composedly and made a short speech, declaring his innocence, and stating that some witnesses for the people had sworn his life away. At the close of his few remarks, the Rev. Mr. Evans, pastor of the M. E. Church South, at Sonora, performed religious services and pronounced an appropriate address. Bruce then took leave of his friends and of the officers of the law and the bystanders. His hands and feet were tied, the rope adjusted around his neck, and at fifteen minutes before one o'clock the trap­door fell, and all that remained of Robert Bruce was a corpse suspended from the gallows.

        Although this was, as before remarked, the largest assemblage ever yet held in Tuolumne County, yet the utmost decorum and good order prevailed throughout, and no untoward scenes occurred to mar the solemnity of the occasion.

        So died the second person who suffered death at the hands of the law in the fair city of Sonora. Two previous executions there had been, but of these, one—that of Jim Hill—was by mob law, as has already been described.

        The first man who died in obedience to the outraged laws of the land was Jose Corrales, who was hanged in Sonora January 7, 1852, for the crime of horse-stealing, the law of that time providing the death penalty for that offense. This man's execution was witnessed by a great crowd, but which was a most orderly assemblage. Previous to his death, the convict confessed his guilt, and seemed resigned to the fate which awaited him. This execution would seem to have created a less impression upon the public than such scenes usually do, for the newspaper accounts of the affair were exceedingly meager.

Murder of Parrot by Peter Nicholas.

        The particulars of this murder, and the subsequent attempts to lynch the aggressor, have remained in the memory of the old Tuolumneites until now, when they are gathered from the narratives of various persons—now appearing as follows:

        On Sunday, November 13, 1853, an Austrian named Peter Nicholas, from Sawmill Flat, visited Columbia, and becoming intoxicated and quarrelsome, sought a difficulty with Captain John Parrot, from Pine Log, but formerly from Gloucester, Massachusetts. Parrot strove to avoid his assailant, replying to him calmly and endeavoring to remove his hands from his (Parrot's) throat. Stepping backward, he fell; upon which the Austrian sprang upon him and thrust his bowie knife into the neck of the prostrate man, making a wound which penetrated into the cavity of the chest, and from which recovery was impossible. Medical treatment only served to prolong his life until the Friday following, when he died. The parties had been perfect strangers to each other up to the time of the murder, and no palliating circumstances whatever attended the killing.

        Immediately upon the conclusion of the bloody deed, Nicholas, still drunk, and with the bloody knife still in his grasp, was arrested by citizens and handed over to the authorities, and by them removed to the jail (a permanent institution in Columbia), and there confined until the following morning, when he was examined before Justice Carley and committed to await the result of his victim's wound. Before his removal from the Justice's office could be effected a large crowd had assembled, among whom were many miners from Pine Log, neighbors of the wounded man, all of whom had evidently resolved upon rescuing the prisoner from the officer and summarily stringing him up. The prisoner was loudly demanded by the ever-growing mob, and active measures began to be taken to defeat their intentions. Constable Connor swore in a posse of special Constables, and the prisoner was chained to staples driven into the Court-room floor. But these precautions were absolutely of no avail, for, at a signal, the officers were secured, the staples drawn out by means of a pick, and the prisoner was thrown or dragged out of the house and passed along over the heads of the dense crowd, now thoroughly infuriated; thence he was borne along Broadway, by the efforts of men, some of whom held to him by the hair, by the arms, legs, or any available grip, until a convenient pine tree was reached in the rear of Van Gulpen's store. A rope was speedily procured, thrown over a limb, and the prisoner would have immediately met his deserts had it not been for the timely interference of Mr. James Coffroth and others, who made appeals to the multitude to grant a fair trial, which, after much parley, was acceded to, and the multitude, now increased from hundreds to thousands, moved toward Gold Hill as a convenient spot for the proceedings.

        On arriving at Gold Hill, Dan Patterson was appointed Sheriff with several deputies, a jury was impaneled, consisting of four men from Pine Log and eight from Columbia, and including some of the most respected citizens. At this juncture Major Solomon, the Sheriff of Tuolumne county, and a most efficient officer, arrived, and addressing the people, urged them to obey the laws, and demanded that the prisoner should be given up to him. Mr. Coffroth followed in his support, but in spite of all the efforts of the law and order portion of the crowd, it was resolved to retain possession of the man and try him, and if found guilty, to hang him without delay. Acting under this determination, the assemblage directed the jurors to be sworn, and appointed Thomas N. Cazneau as prosecuting attorney, while Mr. Coffroth and Col. Gillespie were to defend the prisoner. Meanwhile Deputy Sheriff Randall (now of the Union Democrat) had arrived, and acting upon his suggestion, a force of men who had just got in from Sonora in aid of the Sheriff were posted near the prisoner, and a signal agreed upon at which he might be seized,

placed upon a horse stationed within reach, and hurried away from the scene. To do this required many minutes of preparation, during which Mr. Coffroth, who had been made acquainted with the plot, filled in the time by making an extended harangue to the multitude while acting in his capacity of defendant's counsel. He spoke for half an hour upon the evil effects of mob law, and eloquently exhorted the assemblage to stand by the officers of their own choice, the dignity of the town and county, etc. At the close of his remarks the jury retired, returning in a quarter of an hour with the following verdict:

        " We the jury find the prisoner guilty of assault and battery with intent to kill Captain John Parrot; but as Parrot is not yet dead, they agree that the prisoner shall be given up to the civil authorities."

        The wildest excitement followed. " Hang him!" " String him up!" " Give him to the Sheriff!" was heard issuing from hundreds of mouths. A vote was being taken to ratify the decision of the jury, when, deeming it a propitious moment, Messrs. Solomon, Randall and their backers charged upon the crowd, broke their way to the prisoner, hustled him out, mounted him upon a horse, all manacled as he was, and mounting their own animals rode rapidly toward Sonora. The multitude, surprised at this unlooked for proceeding, pursued the retreating horsemen but a short distance and returned, muttering, to their claims. Thus ended the second chapter in this notorious murder.

        Incarcerated in the jail at Sonora, the murderer awaited his trial; which coming, he was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced by the redoubtable Judge Creaner to death. Before the day set for execution, however, his sentence was commuted, by an overindulgent Governor, to seven years' imprisonment.

        In connection with this commutation of sentence a curious story is told, viz: that Horace Bull, Nicholas' Attorney, and a lawyer prominent for his shrewdness, eccentricities and peculiar moral tendencies, finding all efforts to secure a new trial useless, hit upon a device for securing the Governor's clemency. This was, in short, to cut off all the names signed to an address thanking Judge Creaner for his upright protecting influence, or something of that sort, which had been circulated extensively, and appending these autograph signatures, many of them of very prominent and influential gentlemen, to a prayer for executive clemency to the Governor, in the case of Nicholas.

        The scheme, as now told, succeeded, and Nicholas escaped his merited doom.

        This story, often told, has become one of the traditions, but like many another, it is apocryphal, and must be taken with a grain of salt.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler