Yuba County
History
Chapter XXXI - Foster Bar Township
By the first subdivision of the county, made by the Court of Sessions, August 24, 1850, the territory now included in this township was called the town of Rose; the town of Foster embraced all of Yuba county east of the mouth of Middle Yuba, and a part of the west end of Sierra county. The next division was made August 7, 1851, after Nevada county was cut off. Foster Bar Township was then made to include all the land between the mouth of Deer creek and Middle Yuba, extending to Butte county line. October 7, 1852, Sierra county having been taken away, Yuba county was divided into ten townships. This time the territory was pretty well cut up; the southern portion was in Dobbins' Township, the central in Foster Bar, and the northern in Keystone. Thus it remained until October 10, 1856, when the Board of Supervisors altered the township boundaries, making Foster Bar about the same as it is at present. August 19, 1852, the California House was taken from Foster Bar and added to Parks Bar. May 13, 1857, the strip included between the Yuba river and a line drawn from near the mouth of Oregon creek to near the south of Mill creek was annexed to Foster Bar from Slate Range. At he same time the north line was changed, leaving the Woodville House in North East Township. These various alterations leave the present boundaries as follows: - Commencing where the Yuba river intersects the east line of Township No. 17 North, Range No. 6 East; thence north on said line to the northeast corner of said township; thence north 8 degrees east, two miles (see change in this line below); thence north 5 degrees east, three miles and thirty-six chains; thence north 56 3/4 degrees east, seventy-six chains; thence north 13 1/2 degrees east, two miles and twenty-nine chains; thence north 15 degrees east, to a point directly south of a point on Butte county line, one-half mile west of the Woodville House; thence southeasterly in a direct line to Missouri Bar, on North Yuba river; thence down said stream to the mouth of Mill creek; thence up said creek six hundred feet; thence in a direct line to a point on Yuba river one thousand feet below the mouth of Oregon creek; thence down Yuba river to the place of beginning. The change in the western line required to set the California House off into Parks Bar is as follows: - Commencing where the line crosses California House creek, south of the California House; thence up said stream fifty rods; thence due west to the old line.
The township lies among the foothills of the Sierra, which were formerly well covered with sturdy oaks and pines. The numerous saw-mills have converted all of this timber into lumber, and in its place a young growth of oak, pine, fir, and manzanita have sprung up, which in a few years will again be ready for the saw. The township is bordered on the south and east by Yuba river. Through its fertile valleys, many creeks and streams find their way to the river. The larger of these are Dobbins, Oregon, Indiana, Keystone, California, and Clear creeks. The many little valleys among the hills are well cultivated, and large quantities of grapes, apples, pears, peaches, and plums are annually raised. Large bands of stock graze on the hillsides.
FOSTER BAR
This famous bar is situated on the west bank of North Yuba, between the mouths of Willow and Mill creeks. It was here that mining in this township received its initiation. William Foster, one of the original proprietors of Marysville, Charles Howell and Elijah, a civilized Indian, commenced mining below Rose Bar in June, 1848. Early in 1849, Foster pushed up the stream and located at this point, which afterwards became known as Foster Bar. Here he worked for some time, employing Indians to assist him. When it grew later in the season a few miners wandered up the stream, some of them stopping at the bar. Still later in the season the bar became thickly populated by the many miners who had just arrived from the East. As soon as there was a demand for merchandise Foster opened a store. Early in 1850, Blake & Taylor opened a meat market, and soon other stores were established. The bar rapidly became populous, and was the most thriving one in this vicinity. In 1850, a post-office was established here, and the bar was made the voting precinct for all the people in this region. In 1850, the population is set at various figures, ranging from five to twelve hundred. Both extremes may be correct, for in the winter season the population was largely increased by those who had been working in the surrounding country during the summer. The number of votes cast that year in the precinct was about fifteen hundred. There were several hotels, five stores, a number of saloons, gambling houses, butcher shops, blacksmith shops, etc. The leading hotel was the El Dorado, kept by the Atchison Brothers, who are well remembered as the most enterprising gentlemen of the town. Some of the prominent business men were, Whitcomb & Brothers; Hawley, Simmons & Company; Hart & Hall; a gentleman, now President of the German Savings Bank of San Francisco; Dixon Brothers, butchers, one of whom, John Dixon, is still living here; Jas. Stewart, the original in the celebrated Tanner case, and who was hanged by the Vigilance Committee in San Francisco, kept a trading post here. D.O. Adkison, a prominent man in the county, was also a resident of the bar. In March, 1850, the miners elected officers for a local government. Dr. Pike was elected First Alcalde, William Hawley, Second Alcalde, and Henry Spaight, Sheriff. These officers held until the first of June, when James Parker and O.P. Stidger were elected Justices of the Peace, and Alfred Goyer, Constable. Mr. Stidger was afterwards editor of the Marysville Herald and Justice of the Court of Sessions. He now resides at North San Juan, Nevada county. William Hawley, Second Alcalde, was married in 1850, the first wedding on the bar. Mrs. J.H. Atchison was one of the pioneer ladies of 1850, and is highly spoken of for her many estimable qualities. The Atchison Brothers had a ranch in Slate Range Township, and D.O. Adkison occupied the place, peddling milk in the mines. The prices for the necessities of life ruled very high in 1850; beef was from thirty to forty cents per pound, milk fifty cents per quart, when it could be obtained at all, pork was one hundred dollars per barrel, flour thirty dollars per hundred, butter one dollar per pound, etc. In March, 1850, the miners regulated the size of claims, allowing each man thirty feet front on the river, and extending as far back as he chose. Dirt was at first carried in buckets and washed out in a cradle. Later, wheelbarrows were introduced and the long-tom rocker. Still later, the sluice box came into general use. In 1854, they commenced mining the hills by the hydraulic process. A toll bridge was constructed across the river in the fall of 1850, by E.S. Gifford & Company. Gifford was a Quaker, and was killed by Indians in 1852. The bridge was carried away in the winter of 1850-1 by high water. It was rebuilt the next summer and again carried away that winter. James Stewart had an iron boat at this point that he used for ferrying purposes. Atchison & Rice constructed the bridge called Foster Bar bridge in 1854. The flood of 1862 raised the river fifteen feet, carried off Batchelder's store, and did other damage. The river bed was filled up from fifteen to eighteen feet with tailings from the mines. In 1851, the town began to decline. The population was reduced to two hundred and fifty, and the number of stores to three, William Hawley, Hart & Brown, and O.P. Stidger. the two former sold that summer to Mr. Stidger, leaving him alone in the business; others, however, were soon started. In the spring of 1850, the Foster Bar Mining Ditch Company and Star Mining Ditch Company undertook to turn the river, but failed. Afterwards the bed of the stream was worked by means of coffer-dams. The hydraulic mining kept the town on its feet for a number of years, but it became gradually deserted.
BULLARD'S BAR
This was another large mining bar three-fourths of a mile below Foster Bar. Work was commenced here in 1849, and the bar soon became a populous one. It was named after Dr. Bullard of Brooklyn, New York, who was one of the pioneer miners. Dr. Bullard was afterwards lost in a shipwreck while on his way to the Sandwich Islands. Among the early settlers were: - Charles E. DeLong, afterwards Minister to Japan; C.E. Lippincott, editor of the Sierra Citizen in 1855, and recently Auditor of the State of Illinois; William Sharkey, now editor of the Butte Register; Mix Smith, John Sullivan, Hugh Shirkland, James P. Godfrey, Daniel Gettins, and Rogers McMenomy. C.E. Lippincott was engaged in a duel with Robert Tevis, in which the latter fell. The first lady to make an appearance at the bar was Mrs. Colonel Ewing. She came in 1850, and assisted her husband in mining. He carried the dirt in buckets to water and she rocked the cradle, an occupation usually considered the portion of the better half, at least in its domestic sense. A company of sixteen shareholders was formed in January, 1850, for the purpose of turning the river so as to mine the river bed. They worked until September and made a failure of the project, after having expended forty-seven thousand dollars. The river was afterwards turned by a flume, and the bed found to be worthless. The first bridge in the township was erected here in 1850, by E.S. Gifford. It was the custom to erect a light structure in the summer, so that if the high water of the winter season should carry it away, the loss would be comparatively light. After passing through several hands it came into the possession of George Mix, who, in 1858, erected the first permanent structure, at a cost of seven thousand dollars. He also constructed wagon roads to the bar. The great flood of 1862 carried the bridge away, and Smith constructed another further up the stream, which he afterwards sold to John Ramm. In the flood of 1875, this bridge was also destroyed. Mr. Ramm then built the present fine bridge, at an expense of fifteen thousand dollars. Catholic services were held here in 1852, by Rev. Father Acker. While on his way to Downieville his mule was accidentally killed, and he stopped at the bar. The services were held in a canvas store belonging to James Lawrence. From the collection taken the reverend gentleman was enabled to replenish his wardrobe that had been seriously damaged by the accident. In 1852, a military company called the "Bullard's Guards," was organized. The officers were: - John Sullivan, Captain; Daniel Gettins, First Lieutenant; John Norris, Second Lieutenant; Peter McQueen, First Sergeant. The uniform consisted of blue shirts with a sash around the waist. Bullard's Bar declined in importance with the depreciation of mining, but has still an existence. There is one hotel, kept by A.B. Clark, two stores, kept by A.J. Grove and Wm. R. Griffin, and a population of about fifteen whites and the same number of Chinese.
STONEY BAR
At this point about five hundred men were at work in the early days. Walter Burns was Justice of the Peace. Albert Northup, now residing at North San Juan, Nevada county, kept a large hotel. At one time he accommodated two hundred and fifty men. John Flattery kept a store. At present four Frenchmen are located here.
POVERTY BAR
At one time seventy-five men were mining on this bar. A store was kept by Dr. Groves. At present the bar is nearly deserted, only one family residing here.
HORSE BAR
This was quite a lively mining point in 1851, but was soon worked out and abandoned.
RICE'S CROSSING
About one mile above the mouth of the South Yuba was a mining bar worked by a hundred men. It was called variously "Lousy Level," then "Liar's Flat," afterwards Liases Flat, and finally, Rice's crossing. A bridge was built here by Mr. Rice. There are at present two white men and several Chinese at the crossing.
CONDEMN BAR
There were seventy-five men at work here, at the mouth of Dobbins' creek. A store was kept by Henry Warner. At present three white men and a number of Chinamen form the total population.
FRENCHMAN'S BAR
This bar is on the opposite side of the river, between Rice's Crossing and Condemn bar. It was occupied by about one hundred and fifty men, and received its name from the great number of Frenchmen at work here. Chinamen are now its only occupants.
MISSOURI BAR
This place was named by a company of Missouri men, who were at work here. At present a company of white men and some Chinamen are at work.
NEGRO BAR
This was once a lively mining camp, occupied first by negroes. A company of white men and some Chinamen are working here now.
CLINGMAN'S POINT
A sharp bend in the river, between Dobbins' creek and the Middle Yuba, was the scene of considerable mining. It was named after a man named Clingman, who settled here.
MOUTH OF MIDDLE YUBA
Quite a large number of miners commenced work here, and at one time there were fifty or sixty men. At present it is worked by a company of white men.
ENGLISH BAR
This was a small bar, said to have received its name from two Englishmen, who worked here with poor success in 1851. They gave their claim to a man named Wilkins, who formed a company, and in the summer of 1852, took out ninety thousand dollars.
VANCE WING-DAM
At this point a man named Vance constructed a wing-dam in 1850. In 1852, B.P. Hugg purchased it and worked out several thousand dollars.
WINSLOW BAR
Some of the early settlers on this bar were John B. Trask, General James Allen, afterwards editor of the Marysville Herald, General Rowe, and Captain Williams. The bar was named after Captain Winslow, of the Sandwich Islands. Captain Winslow was in China at the time of the gold excitement, and brought over the first load of Chinamen and worked them at this bar. A number of hotels, stores, saloons, etc., were kept here in the palmy days of mining. Charles More, who kept a store here, was murdered at Chilians' camp, near Dobbins' Ranch, in 1851, while on his way to Marysville for goods. At present a company of Chinamen are working here.
KANAKA BAR
This bar, which is now deserted, was located by a party of Kanakas from the Sandwich Islands. It was a small place, and was soon worked out.
LONG BAR NO. 2
This was quite a long bar, two miles from Foster Bar. It derived its name from its length, being named subsequent to the one near Marysville. There are fifteen Chinamen at work here now.
OREGON BAR
This place, once the scene of thriving mining operations, is now deserted except by a few Chinamen. Bliss Brothers kept a store here in the early days. Hugh Murphy, now of Oregon Hill, Tom Jones, and Captain Lewis were residents of this place.
PITTSBURG BAR
This place, situated just above Oregon Bar, was successfully worked by about forty men. John Peacock accumulated here considerable money, and afterwards became crazy. He was sent to the Stockton Asylum, and apparently recovered. He went to England, where he shot a man, while laboring under a fit of insanity, and was recommitted to an asylum.
ROCK ISLAND BAR
A company from Rock Island, Illinois, located just above the mouth of Scott's Bar creek in the spring of 1850, and named the place Rock Island Bar. One of them was named Thomas Bell. The place was soon worked out and abandoned.
ELBOW BAR
In May, 1850, Holton Kilbourn, Wallace Kilbourn, Robert Patent, Joseph Vaughn, and T.G.H. Jones, now of Nicolaus, Sutter county, located this place. The Kilbourns were from Michigan, Patent from Oregon, and Vaughn and Jones from Fort Madison, Iowa. The bar was named from its peculiar shape. It was worked out and abandoned.
MISSOURI BAR NO. 2
This bar, the second of this name, is just above Elbow Bar, and forms the northwest corner of this township. It was located in March, 1850, by a company chiefly from Missouri. There were Wesley Mock, Wm. Mock, John Perkin, Moses Allen, Sampson Allen, David Garvin, Johnson, and Garnet. There was once a large camp here, with hotels, stores, and saloons. It is still worked in the summer session by white men.
In addition to these bars, there were a great many small mining points whose names and locations have passed into oblivion, many localities, also, that received no name whatever. Eagle Canyon, once a successful point, is now worked by Chinamen. Quartz Canyon, also an old mining camp, is now unoccupied. Rolland's Point, another old camp, is now occupied by Chinamen.
INDIANA RANCH
The Indiana Ranch, in the Keystone Valley, was first settled in 1851, by Page Brothers and A.P. Labadie, who opened a hotel. John Tolles also kept a hotel about the same time. Gold was discovered along the ravine and creek in 1851, and the diggings were called "Indiana Creek," or "Tolles New Diggings." One hundred feet square was a mining claim, and an ounce per day the average yield. In 1851 and 1852, there were between four and five hundred miners at work along Indiana and Keystone creeks, making a very lively camp. The place received the name from Page Brothers, who came from the State of Indiana. In 1854, Page Brothers and Labadie sold their store and hotel to M.G. Morey, who still owns the Indiana Ranch Hotel. John Tolles also kept a store and bowling alley. Among the other early settlers were L.S. Camper, Reuben Reed, A. J. Reed, Reuben Reed, Jr., Owen Owens, and Edward Medlock; A. Weaver was the first Justice of the Peace. The first religious services were held by people of the Methodist Episcopal denomination in a private house, in 1855. After the school house was built services were held there. A Mr. Satterfield officiated at these meetings, working in the mines through the week. Services are now held every third Sabbath at the new school house, Rev. Mr. Carvin, of Brownsville, officiating. A private school was kept in 1855 by Miss Phillips, a daughter of Captain Phillips of the Peoria House. It was held in a private dwelling until 1856, when a subscription was raised for the construction of a new school house. It was 20x30 feet, cost about five hundred dollars, and was located near the road from Indiana Ranch to Keystone Ranch. The school district was formed in 1857. In 1860, the house was moved three-fourths of a mile further south. In 1865, the district was divided, and a new school house was built on the old site, costing four hundred dollars. The old school house was used for meetings for some time, but has now fallen into decay. In 1857, the creek and ravine having been worked out, there was a great decrease in the population, consequent upon the departure of the miners for other localities. There are now about one hundred people living in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.
DOBBINS' RANCH
William M. Dobbins and his brother, Mark D. Dobbins, settled on the creek that bears their name in 1849. William Dobbins when quite young participated in Commodore Perry's memorable engagement on Lake Erie, and at the time of his death in 1876, was the last surviving witness of that historic contest. He was elected Justice of this region in 1849, and was later County Clerk. In 1856, he went East as a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Buchanan for the Presidency, and never returned to this coast. After passing through the hands of several parties the ranch came into the possession of Joseph Merriam, its present owner, in 1862. A store was started by Charles Craft and some others on the Yuba Ranch one mile above this place. In 1867, Slingsby & Gettins opened a store here, and now supply the surrounding country, keeping a pack train upon the road continually. William Slingsby, the senior partner, is Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. A blacksmith shop is kept by L.S. Camper. Dobbins' Ranch is beautifully situated in a lovely valley more than one mile in width, lying in the foothills of the Sierras. Fruit is raised in large quantities. The school district was formed by a division of the Indiana district in 1855 and a school house was built one mile from the ranch. Religious services are held by the Catholic Father from Marysville every few weeks at the residence of James McMenomy.
GREENVILLE
This little town is situated in a small basin on Oregon creek and was once called "Oregon Hill." It is thirty-five miles from Marysville, on the Foster Bar Turnpike. This place was first worked in 1850, but did not become well developed until the construction of the Nine Horse Ditch. The company that constructed this ditch was composed of nine members, and in order to let it be known that it was no "one horse" affair, they named it the "Nine Horse Ditch." A hotel was kept by T.C. Prewett; a store owned by Murphy & Jones was kept by J. Lawrence. The first school was opened in 1861, and taught by Miss Henley. In 1868, a school house was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars, and the Greenville district was formed. The town has now about eighty inhabitants.
MOUNTAIN COTTAGE
Colonel Prentice settled Five Mile Ranch and built a hotel which was called the Mountain Cottage Hotel. He was appointed Indian Agent of the Yuba River Indians, then numbering four or five thousand. He died at the hotel in 1853. In 1854, Grove & Reed took the house and afterwards sold it to Frank Collins, its present owner. It is located on the Marysville and Camptonville road.
KEYSTONE HOTEL
The Janes Brothers settled in the lower part of the Keystone valley and built the Keystone Hotel. This name came from the old "Keystone State." In 1853, it was sold to Lockwood & Dodge, and in 1856 to Woods & Atchinson, who discontinued it as a hotel. After passing through several hands, it was purchased in 1876 by Reed & Sons, who now own the property.
MAPLE SPRINGS HOUSE
This house, one and one-half miles northeast of Indiana Ranch, was built by a man who sold it in 1852 to Peter Labadie. He kept a hotel here until 1860, when the Atchinson & Rice Turnpike was built. This took away all the travel and the house was closed.
EAGLE BIRD HOTEL
Black & Greer located in 1852, about one mile above Indiana Ranch and built this hotel. Bailey Brothers bought it in 1854, and it has since been used as a private residence.
FOUNTAIN HOUSE
When the Atchinson & Rice Turnpike was completed in 1860, Robert Johnston built the Fountain House, one and one-half miles southeast of Indiana Ranch. From 1866 to 1878, it was owned by Richard Bliss, who rented it to several parties for hotel purposes. In 1878, he sold it and it ceased to be a public house.
RIVERSIDE HOTEL
A.J. Groves built this place on the Marysville and Downieville road in 1862 for a trading post. It now belongs to A.B. Clark, who is keeping hotel.
MCRUTH PLACE
This place was built by J.M. Ramirez in 1853, who erected a saw-mill here. It was bought by Dr. Groves and in 1865, by Michael McRuth, who is keeping hotel here. It is three miles from Dobbins' Ranch on Camptonville road.
BENNINGER'S RANCH
In 1865, A.J. Groves built a trading post five and one-half miles from Dobbins' Ranch, on the road to Bullard's Bar. It was called "Stage Barn." William Benninger bought it in 1875, and is now keeping hotel here.
SAW MILLS
The Indiana mill was built on Indiana creek in 1855, by Page & Labadie. It was run by steam power. When Mr. Page died the machinery was sold and the mill abandoned. Mammoth Steam mill was built on Oregon creek in 1859, by R.S. Jenkins & Co. It was sold to the Union Lumber Company who abandoned it in 1871. The machinery was sold to Bruns & Co., in 1874. A tannery was built here by Chris. W. Weekel in 1859, and operated for a time. Clark's mill was built by Asa B. Clark, near Oregon Hill, in 1858. It was operated by steam, about 1863, it was destroyed by fire.
The Dashaway mill was built by Cannon, Mantague<sic> & Robinson, in 1858, about one and one-half miles from Oregon Hill. It was owned afterwards by the Union Lumber Company and J.F. Smith, who finally abandoned it. The Oregon Creek mill was built by W.H. and G.B. Pepper, in 1852, on Oregon creek. It was burned in 1857.
Payne's or Excelsior mill, was built in 1857, between Indiana Ranch and Oregon Hill, by G.W. Payne. The machinery was removed, in 1859, to a new mill on Oregon creek. It was sold to the Union Lumber Company, in 1864, who afterwards abandoned it. The Brooks' mill was built by Brooks & Lattes, in 1857. The Union Lumber Company bought it, and later, moved the machinery to the Cottage mill, which they built in 1865, on the Downieville road. A.M. Leach is now the proprietor, and employs thirty-five men from six to eight months. J.M. Ramirez built a saw-mill on Dobbins' Ranch, in 1851, which he operated until 1853, when he built another on the McRuth place, which was run three years. Labadie's mill was built by Muntz & Labadie, in 1872, on the Maple Springs ranch. Labadie Brothers are the present proprietors, and when running they employ twelve or fifteen men.
TEMPLAR QUARTZ MILL
Ramirez & Baker built a ten-stamp mill, in 1857, for the purpose of working ore from the Templar ledge. In 1858, the machinery was removed to Oroville. In 1864, the Templar No. 2, Gold Quartz Mining Company was formed, and the mill refitted with machinery for ten stamps. The project was abandoned in 1868. The company lost forty thousand dollars. In 1879, the ledge was re-located by Baker & Drugin, who have a two-stamp mill.
MOREY, FENTON AND MC GEE QUARTZ MILL
Was built by Morey, Fenton & McGee in 1863. The machinery was for two stamps, and was afterwards sold to parties in Butte county. In 1867, Bateman, Ward, Allen & Clark built a two-stamp mill on Dobbins' creek, just below the ranch. The machinery was sold in 1876. The Indians, under their chief Francisco, were very troublesome in 1851. Five of them were shot near the Indiana Ranch, which act had a beneficial effect. In 1852, Francisco went to Foster Bar, when Justice A.D. Weaver ordered his arrest. The chief endeavored to escape, but was pursued, and was shot by Frank Reed, while picking up some arrows that he had dropped. Captain Borleck then became chief and there was no more trouble. In 1852, the small-pox carried off a large number of Indians in this locality.