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Fairfield's pioneer history of Lassen Co
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3 1924 028 881 718
The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library.
There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028881718
FAIRFIELD'S
PIONEER HISTORY OF
LASSEN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
TO 1870
THOMPSON S STUDIO, SUSANVILLE, CALIFORNIA
(:yl/.jLyiyUy^ C^^^^-^s-^^i^^^
FAIRFIELD'S PIONEER
HISTORY of LASSEN COUNTY
CALIFORNM.
CONTAINING EVERYTHING THAT CAN
BE LEARNED ABOUT IT FROM THE BEGINNING OF
THE WORLD TO THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1870
THE CHRONICLES OF A BORDER COUNTY
SETTLED WITHOUT LAW, HARASSED BY SAVAGES, AND
INFESTED BY OUTLAWS. ALSO MUCH OF THE PIONEER HISTORY
OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, SHOWING THE EFFORTS OF
THE SETTLERS TO OBTAIN FREEDOM FROM MORMON RULE
THE HISTORY OF LASSEN'S TRAIL, ROOPS SETTLEMENT, THE
MURDER OF HARRY GORDIER AND THE HANGING OF
SNOW, EDWARDS AND "LUCKY BILL," TOLD IN FULL FOR
THE FIRST TIME; THE BIOGRAPHIES OF GOVERNOR
ISAAC N. ROOP AND PJ;TER LASSEN, THE
ORMSBY MASSACRE, THE BOUNDARY LINE
WAR, THE PEARSON MASSACRE, AND
MANY STORIES OF INDIAN WARFARE
NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED
By ASA MERRILL FAIRFIELD
PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY
H. S. CROCKER COMPANY
SAN FRANCISCO
f
Copyright BY A. M. FAIRFIELD
SUSANVILLE
CAUFORNIA
1916
Mi^&
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO THE PIONEER SETTLERS OF LASSEN COUNTY, WITH THE HOPE THAT IT MAY SERVE TO KEEP THEM IN REMEMBRANCE IN THEIR OWN LAND
FOREWORD
r I IHE following pages have been written for neither gain nor / glory, but to preserve the names and deeds of the men and women who sowed the seeds of civilization in the mountain val- leys of Lassen County, California. Though it is not on record that the women went on the wa/r path, except in figurative way; yet they bore their part of the toil, hardships, and dangers in- cident to the settlement of a country cut off from the outside world during the winter months, and infested by savages and outlaws.
The writer, then a boy about eleven years of age, crossed the plains in 1863, and came to Honey Lake Valley to live; and the most of his life since then has been spent here. As boy, and man he was acquainted with the majority of the pioneers of the county, and many months of his life have been spent in listening to their tales of early days.
In 1909, when this work was commenced, excepting the out- line given in the "History of Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Coun- ties," there was no history of Lassen county; and there was no likelihood that any would ever be written. Very few of the early settlers of the county were alive, and if their stories were saved and anything like a complete history written, it had to be done at once. For these reasons the writer undertook the work.
An attempt has been m/ade to tell the truth in plain language, and no pains have been spared to obtain the truth. A great deal, perhaps the most, of what is given in the following pages in the way of Indian troubles, historical reminiscences, etc., was learned from the men who took an active part in tJie events narrated, or from the men and women who lived in the country at that time. As a matter of course, after a lapse of fifty years, or more, their stories are more or less conflicting in the minor details; but in nearly every case it has been possible to find some account of what they told in the publications of those days, and in that and in other ways their stories have been verified. In what is given as original, unless otherwise stated, the date and the principal facts can be depended upon.
In 1882 Fariss atid Smith published a work entitled "History of Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Counties, California." Mr. Ed- mund B. Dodge, now a prominent lawyer of Beno, Nevada, col-
[ix]
rOEEWOED
lected a great deal of the history of Lassen county contained in that work. To his work the writer is greatly indebted, for much of the information he collected at that time could now be found in no other place. Mr. Dodge obtained information from men who were dead when the writer commenced this work, and had access to at least one book which has been lost or destroyed since he used it. Isaac N. Boop, Recorder of "Nataqua," kept two hooks; one of which contained the land filings of the settlers, and the other a record of their political work, public meetings, arbi- trations, etc. The latter book can not be found, and what Mr. Dodge took from it is quoted in these pages. The hook of filings was given by Mrs. A. T. Arnold, daughter of I. N. Boop, to Lassen county, and is now among its records. Peter Lassen, " Nataqua' s" Surveyor, kept a record of the surveys made by him, hut no one knows what became of his book. Boop's little hook, a few entries made in the records of Plumas county, and some documents in the office of the Secretary of State at Carson City, Nevada, relating to the part the citizens of Honey Lake took in the organization of Nevada Territory, are all the records of this section made before it became a county by itself.
The history of the settlement of Western Utah, the organiza- tion of the territory of Nevada, and the political work of the Honey Lake settlers has been taken from the "History of Plumbs, Lassen, and Sierra Counties," Thompson and West's "History of Nevada," and the newspapers published in Nevada and northern California at that time.
Through the kindness of Mrs. B. H. Leavitt, the writer has had the opportunity of using the diary kept by her first husband, A. L. Tunison; and from it has been obtained many facts, dates, and accounts of expeditions against the Indians. The writer also wishes to acknowledge the kind assistance of Miss Eudora Oar- outte, the lady who had charge of the California department of the State Library at Sacramento while he was collecting informa- tion there; H. B. Van Horn of the California Adjutant General's office; Miss Jeanne E. Wier, Secretary of the Nevada State His- torical Society; J. C. La Plant and V. L. Bonner of the U. S. Forest Beserve Service and Charles F. Hart, all of whom made maps of the country along the Lassen Trail; Mrs. A. T. Arnold, who contributed old letters, documents, and newspapers; and George N. McDow, President of the Lassen County Abstract Com-
FOEEWOBD
pany, who made the map that is found in this hook, furnished the use of the maps in his office, and in other ways helped in this work.
The writer is sincerely grateful to those who have helped him, and intends to give every person credit for the information given. With one or two exceptions, every one has told all he could; but some have had the will and the knowledge that enabled them to give so much help that they deserve especial mention. To Fred nines and William Dow the writer is indebted more than to any one else for information regarding the first eight or ten years' settlement of the county. Sines came here in 1856 and Dow in 1857. Both were determined men in the prime of life, and both took a prominent part in almost every important event that occurred during those years. Both were reliable men of excep- tionally good memories, and both did all they could to help in this work. If it had not been for their knowledge and their unll- ingness to help, much of the most important matter in this book could not have been written. Wm. H. Clark, who settled here in 1857, also gave considerable information about the early settle- ment of the county. Mrs. Smith J. Hill came to the valley with her parents, who settled on the site of Janesville in 1857, and her husband came there the next year. They told the story of the first setlement of that place and many events that took place in the valley during the next six or eight years.
Joseph C. Wemple, Henry E. Lomas, Thomas N. Long, Wm. Milton Cain, Archibald L. Harper, Alvaro Evans, Mrs. A. T. Arnold, William H. Hall, John F. Bailsman, V. J. Borrette, J. Bristo Bice, Eber G. Bangham, Mrs. E. O. Bangham, Dr. H. S. Borrette, Wright P. Hall, Samuel B. Hall, A. W. Worm (now Wern), Charles Lawson, George W. Harrison, I. N. Jones, Mrs. Philenda Spencer, Hiram H. Dakin, Hiram N. Skadan, Daniel W. Bryant, Thomas H. Epley, J. Oscar Hemler, Mrs. Louisa Fry, William S. Brashear, Thomas Brown, W. W. Asbury, and A. 6. Moon have told much of the settlment of the valley and the local events here narrated.
Besides those already named Alec. T. Arnold, John J. Mcllroy, Orlando Streshly, William J. Seagraves, La Fayette Marks, Alvin E. De Forest, Isaac Coulthurst and Wife, Mrs. Frances Corneli- son, Mrs. W. M. Cain, Mrs. Dora Moe, Mrs. Mary A. Bass, John T. Long, Charles Barham, Jacob W. Broadwell, William B.
[xi]
FOEEWOED
Bailey, Harry F. McMurphy, William Brockman, James Doyle, Charles E. Eurlbut, Thomas J. Lomas, Boss Lewers, Thomas J. Mulroney, Leroy N. Arnold, John Baxter, Jeremiah Bond and Wife, Mrs. Eva Partridge, David B. Bankhead, John Todd, John E. Cornell, Willis Brockman, Mrs. G. W. Harrison, Mrs. A. C. Neale, John S. Borrette, G. E. DeForest and Wife, Freeman Lanigar, William D. Minxikler, Harry Peyton, P. B. James, Mrs. Ella Forkner, and Mrs. Sarah A. McClelland have given more or less information and assistance.
Alvaro Evans told the most of the history of Long valley, hut J. C. Wemple, J. B. Bice, H. H. Dakin, William Beilly, Edwin Ferris, H. N. Skadan, and Mrs. Cordelia A. Wright also helped. The history of Milford was given ly J. C. Wemple, aided by J. B. Bice. The earliest settlement of Janesville was told by Smith J. Hill and his Wife, and its later history was given by them and W. M. Cain, H. E. Lomas, H. N. Skadan, H. H. Dakin, and T. H. Epley. The settlement and history of Susanville and the upper part of the valley was told by Fred Hines, William Dow, Mrs A. T. Arnold, T. N. Long, A. L. Har- per, J. F. Hulsman, E. G. Bangham and Wife, Dr. H. S. and V. J. Borrette, Charles Lawson, W. P., S. B., and W. H. Hall, G. W. Harrison, and Isaac N. Jones. The history of the "Tule Confederacy" was given by H. E. Lomas, John H. Summers, John D. Putnam, W. M. Cain, W. S. Brashear, and Charles T. Emerson. The history of Mountain Meadows urns told by W. J. Seagraves, T. N. Long, and T. J. Wright. The settlement of Dixie valley was given by Mrs. James P. Eld/ridge, W. J. Sea- graves, G. W. Harrison, and T. J. Wright. The history of the early settlement of Horse Lake valley. Secret valley, and Made- line Plains was told by John B. McKissick, Albert L. Shinn, T. N. Long, and Charles Cramer. The history of Willow Creek valley was given by Bernhard Neuhaus, Mrs. Jennie Harrison, W. H. Hall, and William Dow. What is told of the settlement of Surprise valley was related by John Price, W. H. McCormick, and W. J. Seagraves. The story of Hayden Hill was told by L. H. Hopkins and Mrs. Mary E. Harris. The history of Big valley was given by Mrs. Mary E. Harris, Bichard A. Bicketts, Joseph Wilson, and N. Bieber.
In finding the Lassen Trail the ivriter has been aided by A. Delano's "Life on the Plains and among the Diggings," William
[xii]
FOEEWOED
Dow, Louis 8. Smith, James 8. Church, Abel and L. W. Bunnell, Charles F. Hart, Chester and L. W. Boggs, George N. McDow, Waldron B. Philliber, Homer G. Jack, James M. Streshly, V. L. Bonner, J. C. La Plant, T. N. Long, William E. Viwyard, Harry Fitch, Lewis M. Folsom, Walter J. Dakin, N. E. 8utt<m, Wil- liam Fish, and J. W. Zumwalt. The last named came over the "Trail" in 1849.
No pains have been spared in finding where this road orig- inally ran. Its course has been learned from men who were well acquainted with different parts of it, and the uyriter believes that the route followed by Lassen in 1848 is given more exactly in this work than in any other place.
In tracing the course of the Noble Boad help has been given by the "History of Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Counties," by an article written by John H. Dreibelbis in "Hutchings Califor- nia Magazine," and by Fred Hines, W. W. Asbury, J. C. La Plant, W. M. Cain, and 0. W. Harrison.
In other places in this book will be found the names of people and publications, not given here, that have been of assistance in this work.
The names of those who settled in the county that year have been given in^ each chapter. These lists are incomplete and per- haps there are mistakes in them, for at this late date it could not be otherwise, but it is a very good record of the permanent set- tlers of the county during those years. The length of residence applies to those whose names are given and to the wives of the married men. In a few cases one or the other of a married couple died in the county and the other one did not. Sometimes a person who is said to have lived in the county all his life moved away for a few years and then returned. There is not rqom in a book like this to tell about everything of that kind.
Asa Merrill Fairfield.
Susanville, California, April 26, 1916.
[xiii]
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
ASA MERRILL FAIRFIELD was born in Douglas, Wor- cester county, Massachusetts, July 30, 1854. His parents, Enos Walling and Sarah Luvan (Parker) Fairfield, were both born in the same town. The Fairfields are of Huguenot descent, the French name being "Beauchamp." Five generations back of A. M. Fairfield, Jonathan Fairfield settled in the village of Pascoag, town of Burrillville, northern Rhode Island. It is supposed that he came to Rhode Island from Fairfield, Con- necticut. A. M. Fairfield's grandmother, Phebe (Churchill) Fairfield, was a descendant of Roger Williams, her mother's maiden name being Williams. Her father, Joseph Churchill, served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionarj'- War, probably in the Rhode Island Line.
Sarah L. (Parker) Fairfield's parents were Captain Abel and Sarah W. (Darling) Parker, both of whom died in this county. She was the third generation from James and Eunice (Emerson) Parker. He was an Englishman who settled in Douglas, Mass. The children of their son Prince and his wife Olive were Joseph, Prince, Abel, Lovel, Zary, and Pollj"-.
A. M. Fairfield's parents were married in 1852, and a year or two later his father, who was a machinist by trade, concluded to leave the shop and go West. In the fall of 1855 the family moved onto a farm near Rockford, Illinois. January 28, 1857, a daughter, who was named Phebe Ellen, was born to them. In the spring of 1857 the family moved to the little town of Jeffer- son in Bremer county, Iowa, twelve miles north of Waterloo. They lived there four years and then moved to Waterloo and lived there four years. Here the father's health failed, and in 1865 they crossed the plains with a team to Honey Lake valley. The mother's family, the Parkers, who also came to Rockford and then to Jefferson, had emigrated to this valley in 1862. The Fairfields lived with them two miles northwest of Milford during the winter of 1865-66, and the children attended the first public school taught in that district. In the summer of 1869 they re- turned to Iowa, going by the newly constructed railroad, and settled in Waverly, Bremer county. The daughter died at this place in August, 1871. The son went to school in Waverly about
[XV]
THE AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
a year and a half and in the spring of 1871 began teaching. He taught three short terms of school in Iowa.
In the fall of 1873 the family came back to Honey Lake valley and in the spring of 1875 settled on a place about three fourths of a mile southeast of Janesville. The mother died there in 1893 and the father died at Janesville in 1904.
A. M. Fairfield began teaching at Janesville in the spring of 1875 and followed that profession the most of the time until the summer of 1899. This teaching was done in Honey Lake valley and in five districts — Janesville, Soldier Bridge, Richmond, Johnstonville, and Lake. During the past six years he has been engaged in collecting the material for this history and in writing it. He has lived in this county, excepting four years, ever since the fall of 1865 and most of that time has virtually known every- body in this valley besides many others living in the county. He was acquainted with the majority of the pioneers, and what he learned from them and his knowledge of the people and the conditions here in early days has been of much use in determining the truth of many things written in the following pages.
A. M. Fairfield.
[xvi]
CONTENTS
FOBEWOED ix
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR xv
DESCRIPTION OF LASSEN COUNTY xxi
CHAPTER I. 1848 TO 1856 3
The Lassen Trail, The Beckwourth Pass Road, Description of Honey Lake Valley, The Indians, Early History of Honey Lake Valley, Noble's Route, Fredonyer's Pass, First Settlement, Dr. MoClay Ejlled by an Indian.
CHAPTER IL 1856 30
Settlement, The Drowning of Isadore Meyerwitz and His Wife, Roop House Register, Honey Lake Politics, Western Utah — Early Settlement and PoUtics, State of the Desert, Utah Territory Or- ganized, Settlement, Squatter Government, First County Organi- zation, Carson County Created.
CHAPTER III. 1857 55
Settlement, Roop House Register, Western Utah Politics, Second Attempt at Territorial Organization, Honey Lake Politics, Ter- ritorial Meeting in Honey Lake Valley, Indian Troubles, The Potato War, The Pursuit of the Indians Who Stole Vary 's Cattle, Elliott and Ferry's Shooting Scrape, Barber Springs, Fight Over the Noble Road, Conditions in Honey. Lake at the Close of 1857.
CHAPTER IV. 1858 97
Settlement, Western Utah Politics, Judge Crane to His Constitu- ents, Result of the Movement of 1857, Honey Lake Politics, Laws of Honey Lake Valley, Indian Troubles, Treaty with the Smoke Creek Pi Utahs Indians, Expedition to Cold Springs in Pursuit of Indians, Captain Weatherlow's Fight with the Indians, Crawford Killed by an Indian, The Trip to Goose Lake Valley in Pursuit of the Indians, Another Indian Hunt, Chapman's Escape from the Mormons, Ferry's Horse Taken by Sheriff J. D. Byers, The Murder of Henry Gordier, The Arrest of Edwards, Lucky Bill, and Others and Their Trial, and the Execution of Edwards and Lucky BiU, The Black Rock Mining Excitement, The Fraser River "Mining Excitement, Pursuit of Horse Thieves, The First Flag in the Valley, W. P. Hall's First Visit to Honey Lake Valley, Con- ditions at the Close of 1858.
CHAPTER V. 1859 149
Settlement, Western Utah Politics, Movement of 1859, The Meet- ing of the Legislature of Nevada, Informal Meeting of the Legis- lature, Governor Roop's Proclamation, Indian Troubles, Life of Peter Lassen, Death of Lassen, Lassen's Masonic Charter, Trouble with the Pit River Indians, Colonel Lander's Road Expedition, Fast Mail through Honey Lake Valley and Noble's Pass, Death of John Mote, The Killing of Van Hickey, A Common Occurrence in Early Days, Row at a Dance at Richmond, Honey Lake Val- ley's Reputation in 1859, The Winter of 1859-60, Conditions at the Close of 1859.
[ xvii ]
CONTENTS
CHAPTER VI. 1860 188
Settlement, Pioneers Who Are Still Living, Politics in the Provi- sional Territory of Nevada, Honey Lake Politics, Indian Troubles, The Murder of Dexter E. Demming, Cady and Blodgett Killed by the Indians, The Pah-ute War, The Battle of Pyramid Lake, Gen- erally Called ' ' The Ormsby Massacre, ' ' The War in Honey Lake and Long Valleys, The Battle of the Truckee, Movements of the Never Sweats, The Murder of Horace Adams, Lander and Weath- erlow's Expedition Against the Pah-utes, Utt's Escape from the Indians, Colonel Lander 's Talk with Young Winnemucca, A Meet- ing of the Citizens of Honey Lake Valley, Young Winnemucca 's Talk with the Never Sweats, The Soldier's Bridge, The Shooting of "Big" John Chapman, A Bear Story, Conditions at the Close of 1860.
CHAPTER VII. 1861 239
Settlement, Nevada Territory Polities, Honey Lake Politics, In- dian Trouljles, The Murder of James Lawson, White's Horses Stolen, Conditions at the Close of 1861.
CHAPTER VIIL 1862 257
Settlement, Nevada Politics, Honey Lake Politics, Indian Troubles, The Pursuit of the Indians Who Stole the Cattle of William B. Long and Others, Two Indians Killed at the Lathrop and Brad- ley Ranch, Eight with the Indians at the Lathrop Ranch, Hall's Trip to the Humboldt, The Burning of the Mud Flat Station, Horses and Cattle Stolen by the Indians from Susanville, The Murder of James Bailey and William Cook, Two Indians Shot Near Bankhead's, Four Men Attacked by the Indians Near the Shaffer Ranch, An Attack by the Indians on Mud Plat, The Pur- suit of the Indians, A Complaint from Susanville about the Indians, Soldiers Promised to Honey Lake, Fredonyer's Talk Against Time, Lassen's Monument, The First U. S. Mail Routes in the County, Rough Elliott's Fight with Douglas, Cornelison and Rafael Shot, William Fox Shot by Dr. R. F. Moody, Seaman Killed by Hyde, Conditions in 1862.
CHAPTER IX. 1863 305
Settlement, Nevada Territory and Honey Lake Polities, The Sage Brush, or Boundary Line, War, Indian Troubles, One of Old Win- nemucca's Escapes from Susanville, The Winter of 1863-64, The First Death at Milford and at Janesville, An Attempt to Recruit for the Confederate Army, The Knights of the Golden Circle, The Union League, A Cutting Affray at Janesville.
CHAPTER X. 1864 338
Settlement, Lassen County Politics, The Organization of Lassen County, Proceedings of the Lassen County Board of Supervisors- First Meeting, The First Grand Jury, The First County Court, A Set of Land Pirates in Armor of Brass, Indian Troubles, How the Tule Confederacy Got Its Name, The Killing of Wales and Boody, The Honey Lake Rangers, The Prices of Merchandise in Susanville in 1864, The Never Sweats.
[ xviii ]
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XI. 1865 364
Settlement, Lassen County Polities, Indian Troubles, The Murder of Lucius Areularius, The Massacre at Granite Creek Station, The Murder of Bellew, The Death of Black Book Tom, Black Eock Tom's Pale Horse, The Death of Pearson, Walker Killed by Brunty, Spencer's Trouble with the Gamblers, The Eoad from Chico to the Humboldt and Idaho Mines, The Overland and Idaho Routes, Hanging of Charles Barnhart, Biddle KUled by Williams, High Water.
CHAPTER XII. 1866 389
Settlement, Lassen County Politics, Indian Troubles, Fight with the Indians in Guano Valley, Streshly, Mulroney, and Hough's Mules Stolen by the Indians, Cattle Stolen from Honey Lakers at Soldier Meadows, Nevada, Indians Killed at Papoose Valley, "Old Tom" Killed, Edward Mulroney Wounded by the Indians, Drake and Tussler's Eight with the Indians, A Row with the Soldiers in Susanville, ' ' Buckskin Mose, ' ' Robert Wisbern Killed, How Robber's Creek Got Its Name.
CHAPTER XIII. 1867 407
Settlement, Lassen County Politics, Indian Troubles, Gaddy Shot at by an Indian, Old Winnemucea Pays Susanville Another Visit, The Murder of Charles League, Indians Killed in Dry Valley, Summers and Hurlbut's Horses Stolen, The Murder of Mrs. Thompson, The Marks-Myers "Shooting Scrape," The History of the Black Rock Mines.
CHAPTER XIV. 1868 441
Settlement, The Settlement of Big VaUey, Indian Troubles in Big Valley, Lassen County Polities, Indian Troubles, John L. Crow's Horses Stolen by the Indians, The Massacre of the Pear- son Family and S. C. Cooper, The Pursuit of the Indians who Killed the Pearson Family and Samuel Cooper — The Susanville Party, The Pursuit of the Indians who Elilled the Pearson Family and Samuel Cooper — The Long Valley Party, An Indian Scare in Long Valley, The Exterminators, Indians Hanged for the ' ' Pear- son Massacre," Honey Lake Very High.
CHAPTER XV. 1869 466
Settlement, The Settlement of Dixie Valley and Vicinity, Hayden Hill and Its Mines, The Early History of Bieber, The Susanville Water System, Lassen County Politics, Indian Troubles, The Mur- der of Partridge and Coburn, Three Indians Killed for the Mur- der of Partridge and Coburn, Another Indian Hanged in Susan- ville, The Death of Governor I. N. Roop and a Short Account of His Early Life.
CHAPTER XVL. IN CONCLUSION "485
Old Winnemucea 's Death, The Death of Young Winnemucea, Las- sen County Pioneer Society, The Diversions of Early Days, The Death Roll of the Pioneers, A. W. Wern's Tribute to the Pioneers of Lassen County, California, Conclusion.
[xix]
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THE AUTHOR Frontispiece
PBTEE LASSEN Facing Page 166
SUSANVILLE IN 1864 Facing Page 338
ISAAC N. EOOP Facing Page 480
MAP OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOBNIA, AND
SUEEOUNDING COUNTEY Back of Book
I XX]
DESCRIPTION OF LASSEN COUNTY
THE following brief description is given for the benefit of any one who is not acquainted with this section.
A glance at the map will show Lassen county's location in California, and that it is bounded oU the east by Nevada. It will also show that it lies east of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is a part of the Great Basin, that elevated, semi-arid country lying between the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains on the west and the Rocky mountains on the east. Big valley, Ash valley, and Mountain Meadows are drained by tributaries of the Sacramento river, but their characteristics are the same as the rest of the county.
Its surface is very rugged, probably two-thirds of it consisting of hills and mountains, the highest peaks of the latter rising to an altitude of from 6500 to 8400 feet. Its western part is covered with heavy timber; and the east line of this heavily timbered belt, beginning at the southern end of the county, runs up the western side of Long valley, along the southern and western sides of Honey Lake valley, and then to the southern end of Eagle Lake. From there it extends in a northwesterly direc- tion to Dixie valley, thence to the south side of Big valley, and around the southern and western sides of it to the Modoc county line. There are a few small bodies of good timber east of this; but, as a rule, where there is any timber, it is juniper or scrubby pine.
Excepting Pit river and its tributaries and a few mountain creeks that help to form the headwaters of Feather river, the streams of the county, all of which are small, flow into lakes, or sinks, which have no outlets.
The valleys of the county are Honey Lake, Madeline Plains, Big valley. Long valley, "Willow Creek, Ash valley. Secret, Horse Lake, Dixie, Mountain Meadows, Red Rock, Grasshopper, and Dry valleys. The altitude of these valleys ranges from about 4000 feet to 5300 or 5400 feet. Their climate is temperate with a touch of the semi-tropical, for there is a wet season and a dry one. The moisture and temperature depend, however, on the elevation and the proximity to the Sierra Nevada moimtains; but the heat, cold, and the amount of rain and snow are very variable, sometimes the dry season being very wet and the wet
[xxi]
DESCEIPTION OF LASSEN COUNTY
one very dry. Occasionally there is a year when thei-e are slight snow falls through March and a part of April, and once in a great while snow falls to a considerable depth late in the spring, but it does not stay very long. As a rule, the crops are raised by irrigation, and the grains, fruits, and vegetables of the temperate zone are produced. A great deal of hay is raised, and stock raising is one of the principal industries of the county. Though politically in California, Lassen county, in every other respect, is a part of Nevada.
[ xxii ]
THE HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY
CHAPTEE I
THE YEARS 1848 TO 1856
THERE is nothing to show when the first white man, or men, set foot within the limits of this county. In the fall of 1848 a small train of immigrants under the leadership of Peter Lassen went the entire length of the western part of it. It is reasonable to believe, though, that wandering bands of hunters and trappers had passed through here before that time.
The Lassen Trail The writer believes that the following description of the orig- inal Lassen Trail is the most correct one in existence.
The "Hesperian Magazine" of August, 1859, Bancroft's His- tory, and "Fifty Tears of Masonry in California" say that Lassen went east across the plains with Commodore Stockton in 1847, and the following spring started from Missouri with a train of twelve wagons. These immigrants were to settle on his grant at the mouth of Deer Creek, in the southeastern part of what is now Tehama county, California. (For a full account of the life of Lassen, see the year 1859 in this book.)
At that time the emigrant road ran up the Platte and Sweet- water rivers, through the South Pass, and on to Fort Hall, which was near the Snake river and almost due north of Salt Lake City. The road to California ran southwest from Port Hall to the headwaters of the Humboldt river, and then followed down that stream to its sink. Lassen came this road until he reached the Big Bend of the Humboldt river, and there he turned into the Applegate road which went into southern Oregon.
Bancroft says that in June, 1846, "Levi Scott, Jesse Apple- gate, Lindsey Applegate, John Scott, Moses Harris, Henry Bogus, John Owens, John Jones, Robert Smith, Samuel Goodhue, Bennett Osborne, William Sportsman, William Parker, Benj. Burch, and David Goff" started from Polk county, Oregon, to find a route from there through the Cascade mountains, and out to the regular emigrant road to California. They succeeded in finding a road out to the Humboldt river, and went on to Fort Hall to meet the coming immigration. Bancroft says that there they got ninety or a hundred wagons to go with them instead of taking the northern route, and these they conducted into Oregon by the new road. F. and S. (hereafter the "History
[3]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
of Plumas, Lassen, and Sierra Counties" will be referred to in this way) say there were forty-two wagons and one hundred and fifty people. At the Big Bend of the Humboldt river, near what was afterwards called Lassen's Meadows, they left the river and went west to Antelope springs, and then to Rabbit Hole springs. After going a little farther west, they went northwest across the desert to the Big Hot spring west of Black Rock mountain, which is at the southern extremity of the Black Rock range. They kept along the western side of this range up to Mud Meadows, and then turned west into High Rock canyon. They went up through this canyon, and on to a point about two and a half miles south of the Massacre Lakes; and turning to the southwest, went across to the 49 canyon, and down that into Surprise valley. Crossing the valley between the two upper lakes, they kept up the west side to the Fandango Pass, for many years called Lassen's Pass, and there went over into Goose Lake valley. They kept down the east side of Goose lake until they reached a narrow place in it, south of west of the Sugar Loaf. All the way down the lake they had kept close to the edge of it ; and here, near the northwest corner of Section II, Township 45 north, Range 13 east, they crossed the lake, going a little west of north. It is said that the old road can still be seen where it goes into the water on each side of the lake. The Oregon road then turned to the northwest and went around the north end of Clear and Tule lakes.
Lassen followed the Applegate road until he reached the lower end of Goose lake, and here the Lassen Trail really begins. One old road turned off on the west side of the lake and ran almost south, crossing the Devil's Garden, and striking Pit river near the mouth of Rattlesnake creek. A. Delano, who went over the road in 1849, and in 1857 published a book entitled "Life on the Plains and Among the Diggings," says he never crossed the bed of the lake, but went right on down the river. Without doubt, both roads were used. The writer has never been able to learn how far north of the Applegate road the water was at that time. Lassen kept down on the north side of the river and crossed it near the mouth of the canyon below what is now called Canby. He then went over into Stone Coal valley and down that to the river, and again followed down the river, being obliged to cross it frequently and sometimes to go along the sides of the
[4]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
hills above it. About ten miles above where Lookout now stands he crossed the river for the last time, going over to the east side of it, and then went down through Big valley, then called Eound valley, keeping close to the river and passing through the present site of Bieber. As early as 1849 a road ran from the upper end of the valley north to the Applegate road. They left the valley at the Thompson place, where Greorge Thompson and his family settled in the spring of 1872, and climbed the hill to the plateau above the river. They then went on almost south, keeping about a mile from the river until it turned west, over to Clark's valley and then on the same course to the west end of Little Dixie valley.
From all that can be learned, it seems that the original trail went from Little Dixie about eight miles south of west to Beaver creek. There it turned and ran a little east of south to the west end of Poison lake, and then to Pine creek at the place where the road from Susanville to Dixie valley and that part of the country now crosses it. A little later on another road was made, which ran from the west end of Little Dixie to its southeast cor- ner, just touched Big Dixie, and ran about three miles farther to the southeast. Then it turned southwest, passed along the west side of Shroder lake, and kept on that course until it met the other road at the southwest corner of Poison lake.
From Pine creek Lassen went a few miles southeast, turned south, passed Feather lake, crossed Susan river just west of Norvall Plat, passed west of Duck lake, and crossed Clear creek about a hundred yards above where the road crossed it in 1910, or before Westwood was built. He then went on to the Big spring in the north arm of Big Meadows, and kept on south until he got north of where the original Prattville stood. Then turning to the southwest, he crossed the river about a mile above that place, and kept on that course about seven miles fai-ther until he struck the north fork of Butt creek. He followed up Butt creek northwest to its head in Soldier Meadows, through these meadows (this is the Deer creek pass) to Lost creek, and down that to Deer creek. Delano says the trail followed down this stream eight miles to the last crossing, and two miles below that left the creek. After going about fourteen miles, they reached the top of the ridge between Deer creek and MiU creek ; and they followed down the summit of this ridge for twenty miles. He also says "Eight miles from the foot-hills was the
[5]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
house of Col. Davis, where the Lawson Trail first struck Deer creek. About a mile below this was Lawson 's on the opposite side of the creek. At Lawson 's were two or three small adobe buildings, one of which was by courtesy called a store, having a little flour, whiskey, and groceries for sale. Flour was $50 a hundred, beef 35 cents, pork 75 cents, sugar 50 cents, and cheese $1.50 per pound." (Lassen's buildings were on the south side of Deer creek and perhaps a mile and a half from the mouth of it. In early days Lassen's name was pronounced "Lawson" and sometimes spelled that way. The early settlers pronounced the name of the county "Lawson." Men who were well acquainted with Lassen say that he pronounced his name "Lassen," the Danes of today say it is "Lassen," so it seems that the pro- nunciation of this county's name, like its weather, must be guessed at. — F.)
The Lassen Trail was a "holy terror," so to speak. See on the map the distance from the Black Eock mountain to Clear creek by the road through Honey Lake valley, and see where Lassen took his train to get there. It took Delano two days over a month to go from the Humboldt river to Lassen's ranch. After the experience of the 1849 immigrants it was called the "Death Eoute" and "Lassen's Horn Route," probably because it was about as much of a cutoff as going around Cape Horn would have been. A great immigration went over this road in 1849; some of them going this way because they were afraid of the forty miles of sandy desert between the Humboldt sink and Rag- town on the Carson river. From Lassen's Meadows to Rabbit Hole springs is something like thirty miles, and Antelope springs are about half way between them. At this time none of these springs had been opened up, and afforded very little water, and there was no feed worth speaking of at either place. It was nearly thirty miles across the desert to the Big Hot spring west of the Black Rock mountain, and five miles beyond that they found the first good grass since leaving the Humboldt river. They had jumped from the frying pan into the fire, and their troubles had only begun. At the hot springs in this vicinity a great many wagons were abandoned, and traces of them can still be seen here, and in the High Rock canyon, too. In fact, wagons, etc., were left all along the road. Their teams gave out or died, or were stolen by the Indians; and they had to leave their
[6]
THE TEARS 1848 TO 1856
wagons, and go on the best they could. Some cut their wagons in two, and made carts out of parts of them; and on these they hauled their families and what little else they could.
Going from the Hot springs up to Mud Meadows they had a long stretch of sandy desert, and Delano says they let their wagons down into the High Rock canyon with ropes. From Surprise valley up through Fandango, or Lassen's, pass, the mountain looks a person in the face, and one would hardly want to go over the old road with a pack train. Probably it was rough traveling from Hot Spring valley to Big valley, although not so bad as in many other places. They say it makes a person's hair stand up to see where they came down into Horse creek at Little Dixie valley, and the marks on the trees show that they let their wagons down with ropes there, too. Because it was a very dry time, they went across Big Meadows without any trouble; the swamps being almost, or entirely, dry that year. Delano says they cut hay in Big Meadows and carried it along to feed their teams on the fifty miles of mountain desert to be traveled over after leaving there, and that twenty miles of the road between the last crossing of Deer creek and the Sacramento valley was on the top of a ridge. Sometimes the top of this ridge was fifty rods wide, and in other places it was just wide enough for the road; and sometimes it was hundreds of feet almost straight down from the top of the ridge. To make matters worse, this ridge was crossed occasionally by ravines which made hard, rocky, sideling hills to go down and up. William Fish, who knows that country well, says there are two places called "The Narrows," where at each place, for perhaps two hundred feet, it was hard work to drive along with a wagon without tipping over. He says there was water at different places near the summit; but probably the immigrants did not find it, and went a long ways down into the canyon after it. After leaving the ridge the ground sloped gradually into the valley. Live oaks grew along here, and the immigrants cut a good many of them down for their stock to browse on.
It looks as though Lassen didn't know where he was going. They used to say that when he got to Goose lake, he saw Mt. Shasta one day and Lassen's Butte the next. He didn't know the difference, and traveled one day toward one of them and the next day toward the other. It is also told that out in the Pine
[7]
HIST0E"2 OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
creek country he got lost, and the men in his train threatened to hang him. He told them that if they would let him go to the top of the mountain near by, he could find the way. They let him go, and from the mountain he was able to get on the right course again. The writer will not vouch for the truthfulness of either story, but he has heard both of them told a good many times. P. and S. say that Lassen led his train along safely until it reached Mt. Meadows, or Big Meadows ; and there their pro- visions and animals both gave out, and they had to stop. This was about the first of November. The news of the discovery of gold did not reach Oregon until the last of August. Immedi- ately twenty wagons set out for California, and there being no other road, they followed the Applegate road out to Goose lake, and there took the trail Lassen's train had made a few weeks before. When they overtook Lassen, they helped him finish his journey.
The following quotations tell the history of those who went over the Lassen Trail after 1848. F. g-nd S. say: "The experi- ence of Lassen's party in 1848 was repeated the next year, when a large emigration came over that route, and became snowed in and out of provisions on the headwaters of Feather river. When word of their precarious situation reached the valley, the people of San Francisco, Stockton, and Sacramento, who remembered the sad fate of the Donner party, made a great effort in their behalf. Their condition was reported to Gen. Percifer F. Smith, who, with the consent of Gen. Bennett Riley, the military gov- ernor, placed one hundred thousand dollars in the hands of Major Rucker, U. S. Quartermaster, to purchase animals and supplies for their relief. The military authorities were the more moved to this act of humanity because Gen. Wilson, U. S. Indian Agent, was among the sufferers. John H. Peoples, who was afterwards drowned in one of the Trinidad expeditions, was selected to lead the relief party. About the first of October Mr. Peoples started with twenty-four pack-animals, three wagons, and fifty-six beef-cattle, having twenty-five men in his party. He found the emigrants in the snow on Pit river, out of food, and suffering with the scurvy. On the first of December he brought in fifty families to Lassen's ranch, including Gen. Wil- son's, the last thirty miles being traversed through a blinding
[8]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
snow-storm. The majority of the emigrants settled in the head of Sacramento valley, or went to the Trinity mines in the early spring."
A. Delano has this to say : ' ' Those who left Missouri late in the season (1849) and could not arrive until November experi- enced incl-edible hardships. The previous trains had eaten up aU the grass and thousands of cattle perished. Worn out with fatigue and weak for want of nourishment they arrived late in the season in the mountainous region of the Sierras. The snow and rain commenced much earlier than usual and fell to an unprecedented depth, and it seemed utterly impossible for them to get through. Many suffered from scurvy and fevers from using salt and impure provisions. Eeports of these sufferings reached the settlements, and the government and individuals contributed largely, and sent out a detachment to afford all the relief they could, and bring the suffering emigrants in. The last of the emigrants on the Lassen route had reached the Feather river when the government train reached them with mules. Some had been without food for two or three days, and with others a heavy body of snow lay on the ground. Three men made a desperate effort to get through. For some days they had been on an allowance of but one meal a day, but baking up aU the bread they had left, which Was only a supply for two days, they started for Lawson's, a distance of seventy miles. The snow was between two and three feet deep yet they waded through it for a few miles, and came to a wagon containing two women and two or three children who had eaten nothing for three days. They gave all they had in the way of food to them and went on. They succeeded in reaching Lawson's. Many knocked their animals in the head and lived on the meat until the government train arrived. Strong men fell down exhausted, and women waded through the deep snow carrying their helpless children. The only food they had was their animals, and men became so famished that they cut meat from horses and mules which had perished from hunger and thirst by the road-side. When the government train arrived the women and children were placed on the mules, exposed to a furious snow-storm in which many of the animals perished; but the emigrants finally succeeded in getting through, when the government furnished them with boats to carry them to Sacramento as the roads along the valley had become impassable."
[9]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Bayard Taylor in "Eldorado or Adventures in the Path of Empire," says: "Public meetings were held in San Francisco by the citizens to contribute means of relief. Major Eucker took the expedition over the Lassen road himself. He found a large body of emigrants scattered along Pit river, many without pro- visions and others without animals, the Indians having stolen them. There were so many who needed his assistance that he had to come back to the ranches on Deer creek for more supplies, and leaving Mr. Peoples to hurry them up. They were very apathetic about trying to move rapidly. At the first part of the journey they threw away supplies that they needed ; and now they hung onto useless goods and refused to lighten the loads of their teams. While they were crossing the mountains to Deer creek a violent storm came on, and Mr. Peoples made them leave their wagons and hurry forward with the remaining ani- mals. They finally got into Sacramento valley with the loss of many wagons and animals. Major Eucker went at once to Deer creek and saw that they were favorably established for the winter. They built log houses; and the government gave them flour from its stores and bought cattle from the neighboring ranches, and this furnished them with food for the winter. ' '
Delano also says: "But a small portion of the emigration of 1850 came by the Lawson, or northern, route. The character of this route was now generally understood, and but few attempted it, fortunately. Those who did, almost without excep- tion, suffered severely. The Indians on Pit river were very hostile. In one night they stole twenty-seven mules from one train, which so completely broke it up that the emigrants were compelled to leave their wagons and pack what they could on the few mules they had left, leaving their wagons and goods to be plundered by the Indians."
After 1850 little or no emigration went over the Lassen Trail. A great deal of the road, though, has been used ever since; but of course it has been worked and improved. In many places, through deep canyons and mountain passes, the remaining traces show the difficulties encountered by those who first used it. Eelies of the emigrant days, such as chains and irons where abandoned wagons were burned, and goods buried because they could be carried no farther, are even now occasionally found.
[10]
the ybaes 1848 to 1856
The Bbckwoueth Pass Eoad In the spring of 1851 James P. Beckwourth, the old "moun- tain man, ' ' or trapper, discovered the pass which bears his name," although it is misspelled; and that fall conducted an emigrant train of seventeen wagons from the Truekee river through it to American valley, and then on to Marysville. This road entered the limits of Lassen county about a mile and a half from its southeastern corner, ran north down Long valley creek to the pass, and then went through it into Sierra valley. This road was much used during the emigration to California, and has been used ever since.
Desckiption of Honey Lake Valley
Honey Lake valley, the Land of the Never Sweats, was the part of the county first settled ; and was for almost twenty years the only part of it that was settled to any great extent. Its size and location can be seen from the map. The mountains on its southern and western sides are heavily timbered; but those on the north and east are without timber, excepting a few scattering junipers. The lake is shallow, the water muddy, and more or less alkaline. The peninsula extending into the lake is locally known as "The Island," or, as lately called by some, "Honey Island." The elevation of Honey lake is 3949 feet.
The early settlers found the valley in some respects different from what it is now ; and what is said about this valley applies, in almost every way, to the rest of the county. Excepting some natural meadow land along the streams, the country was covered with sagebrush. Those who came through here in early days remembered that more than anything else. On a great deal of land where little or no grass can now be seen, rye grass grew as high as a man 's head, and bunch grass grew everywhere. There was literally "thousands of feed." Uncle Johnny Baxter said that December, 1857, about a foot of snow came. He had a little bunch of cattle running around his place, which was about three- quarters of a mile down the edge of the timber from Janesville, or Bankhead's; and when they came near the house he threw some hay out to them. They sniffed at it a little and went away without eating it. There was plenty of dry grass above the snow, and they liked it better than they did the hay. For many years stock did well all winter without feed, and it was a matter of
[11]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
astonishment how fat the range cattle got in the summer time. In the fall of 1856 Fred Hines traded for some poor emigrant oxen out on the Humboldt river. He drove them to this valley and left them on the range through the wiater. He said that the next spring they were the fattest cattle he ever saw.
The ground had not been tramped down, and was light and loose, and there were no trails or roads to carry the water off. During the rainy season the water went into the ground and made it very soft. All over the valley it would "mire a saddle blanket." One spring in the early'60's, John F. Hulsman hauled a load of wood to Eichmond with a couple of yoke of oxen. On the way home the wheel cattle walked faster than the leaders, and would turn out and try to pass them. Every time one of them got a little out of the road he mired down, and Hulsman had to pull him out with the leaders. This happened so many times that it took him nearly all the afternoon to get home, a distance of only a few miles. On account of the looseness of the soil, it was easily worked. In 1862 S. E. Hall put in thirty-five acres of grain on the south side of the river seven or eight miles below Susanville. He never plowed the ground, just harrowed in the seed, and he got thirty-five bushels of oats, and twenty-five bushels of wheat, to the acre.
Either because not so much water flowed in them, or because the channels were not broken, the beds of the streams were not washed out as they are now. "Where the road from Susanville to Janesville crosses the Baxter creek, a sixteen mule team and three wagons could have been driven across the stream without any trouble. At the old James D. Byers ranch on Baxter creek northeast of Janesville, where there is now a hole in the ground, they used to cut one hundred and fifty tons of hay yearly. In 1856 the falls in Susan river were about fifteen feet high, and were where the Toadtown (Johnstonville) grist mill now stands, or perhaps a little lower down. In two years they washed back to a little above where the Lake Leavitt reservoir dam is now. In many other places deep channels have been cut where at one time the water ran almost on the top of the ground.
Deer, antelope, sage hens, water-fowl, and rabbits were very plentiful ; and there were bears, mountain lions, and a few moim- tain sheep in the moimtains. In the winter of 1859, and perhaps considerably later than that, a person in "Rooptown" could see
[12]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
bands of deer and antelope feeding on the hills to the north. Twenty years after that there were large bands of antelope in the country around Secret and Pete's valleys, and deer could be found almost anywhere in the hills and mountains.
The Indians
"When Lassen county was first settled by the whites, the southern part of it and along the south side of Honey lake was claimed by the Wassaw, or Wasso (Washoe), Indians. The Pah IJtahs, or Pah Utes (Piutes), claimed the rest of the valley and the most of the eastern part of the county. The Pit Eivers lived along that stream, and probably the Hat creek and the Dixie valley Indians were branches of the same tribe. The Pah Utahs and Pit Bivers made raids nearly all over the county, and occasionally a band of Modocs or Bannocks came down as far as the southern part of it. In the spring of 1857, "Old Tom" and "Old Charley," Indian valley Indians, and their families lived in the upper part of Honey Lake valley, and may have been there three or four years before that.
The Washoe Indians ranged along the base of the Sierras, west of the Pah Utahs, from Walker lake to Honey lake. The two tribes were bitter enemies ; and there never was a treaty of peace between them until 1908, or about that time. In 1859 Major Dodge, the Indian Agent, reported that they numbered about 900, and that they owned not one pony, horse, or mule. The Pah Utahs, who spoke the same language as the Bannocks, ranged over nearly all of what is now the state of Nevada, north- eastern California, and some of southeastern Oregon and south- western Idaho. Major Dodge reported in 1859 that there were between 6000 and 7000 of them. They lived principally along the rivers and around the lakes of the country belonging to them. When first known to the whites, "Old" Winnemucca, or Po-i-to (in a treaty made in 1858 it is spelled Winnemorha and Winne- morhas, and another authority has it Wonamucea) was their head chief, and under him were many sub-chiefs. His head- quarters were at Pyramid lake. Out in the Smoke creek country there was a band of renegade Pah Utahs under a chief the whites called "Smoke Creek Sam." This band was on friendly terms with the main tribe of the Pah Utahs, but they were never very much under the control of Old Winnemucca.
[13]
HISTOET OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
The Washoes never gave the settlers much trouble after the "Potato War." The Pit Rivers were always very hostile, and committed many depredations until the most of them were killed or taken away. Except in 1860, the Pyramid lake Pah Utahs never had much trouble with any of the whites. A few years, later on. Smoke Creek Sam's band, and that of Black Rock Tom, who ranged a little farther to the east, committed many depre- dations on the settlers of that section, and also on the travelers along the road from the Humboldt river to Honey Lake.
Until the latter part of 1857, the settlers here had very little trouble with the Indians. Perhaps they stole a little whenever they had a chance, but at that time there was not much here to steal. The settlers had few animals, and did not raise much on the land. Among these Indians it seemed to be the cu.stom to share with each other ; and when one had food, the others helped him eat it. At first they seemed to think this was the custom among the whites, too, and some of them may have taken vege- tables, etc., through ignorance. During the winter of 1854-5, when I. N. and Bphriam Roop stayed in the valley, an Indian stole a table-cloth that E. Roop had made out of flour sacks; and had washed and hung out on the line to dry. "When he was caught with the goods, I. N. Roop yanked him around and booted him a little to show him he had done wrong ; and then Old Winne- mueca told him to leave and not come back there any more.
Old Winnemucca was a friendly sort of a fellow, and in 1856 the settlers made a treaty with him. Capt. "William "Weatherlow says the terms of the treaty were "that if any Indian committed any depredation or stole anything from the whites, the settlers should come to "Winnemucca and make complaint to him and not take their revenge indiscriminately upon the Indians. And the whites agreed that if a white man should steal horses or cattle from the Indians or molest the squaws, that Winnemucca should come and make his complaint and they would redress his wrongs and punish the offender. The settlers also passed a resolution that no white man should molest or live with a squaw in the vaUey, under penalty of being summarily dealt with and driven from the settlement. The treaty was faithfully observed on both sides, ia not a single instance was there a misunderstanding between the whites and the Indians. ' ' Of course this referred to Winnemucca and his Indians.
[14]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
This is speaking in general terms. The white men and the Indians could not live in the same neighborhood very long with- out finding some excuse for killing one another, even though there was no actual warfare going on between them. The Indian killed the white man because the latter had something he wanted, or he wanted to keep him out of the country. Sometimes he killed him out of revenge for the killing of an Indian, or for some other wrong done by the whites. The white man killed the Indian because he had stolen something or killed a white; and sometimes the Indian was killed for the fun of it, or because the white man wanted to say that he had killed an "Injun." It is said that Joseph L. Meek, the "mountain man" and trapper, and his partner, when out one morning looking after their traps, killed some inoffensive Indians. When they got back to camp and told about it, some one asked if the Indians had molested their traps or stolen anything. Meek said "No, but they looked as if they were going to." Many frontiersmen looked upon an Indian as a wild animal and treated him like one. The only good Indian was a dead one. The Indians were blamed because they killed any white man out of revenge, whether he had wronged them or not. This was the way the Indians were raised, and they knew no better. White men were raised under the teachings of Christianity, and they have been doing the same thing ever since the settlement of America began. When a man has had hjs family or friends killed, or his stock driven off by the Indians ; he can not be blamed if he follows them, and takes ample revenge. But killing human beings in cold blood, without any excuse for it, is another thing. One thing that kept up hostilities between the two races was the fact that there always were white men who, out of revenge, killed an Indian every chance they had, whether there was war going on or not. Among the pioneers of this county there were several men of that kind ; and, no doubt, they honestly thought they were justified in doing it. A man who once lived in this valley told that in early days he met an Indian who had a good rifle. After some talk he bought the gun and paid the Indian for it. He went on a short distance, and then returned and followed the Indian and shot him. He took from his dead body the money he had paid for the gun, and went his way rejoicing; thinking, no doubt, that it was a good joke on the Indian, and that he had done some clever financial work.
[15]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
In the following pages it will be seen that in many cases, before a massacre by the Indians took place, one or more Indians had been killed for the fun of it; and the savages wreaked their vengeance as soon as possible, perhaps on innocent people. It was inevitable that the two races would fight, and that the Indians would be killed off or driven away; but in numberless cases a little more justice on the part of the whites would have saved a great deal of trouble and bloodshed.
The Baelt History of Honey Lake Valley
Honey lake and Honey Lake valley were named from the honey-dew found on the grass and some of the trees and bushes, but it is not certain who gave them the name. After much research in the pioneer literature relating to northern California the writer is satisfied that June, 1852, is the first time the name ever appeared in print, and that Mr. Noble, or some member of the party with him at the time, named them in the spring of 1852, or possibly in the spring of 1851. ( See ' ' Noble 's Route. ' ')
It is also uncertain what white men discovered the valley, or when that event took place. The following is a synopsis of what is told by F. and S. : James P. Beckwourth claimed -to have visited the valley in 1845 with a party of hunters and trappers. His biography says he was in California in 1852, but tells nothing of the following incident. Beckwourth settled near his pass early in 1852, and soon afterwards a party of miners from Jamison creek, in pursuit of some Indians, stopped at his place. He told them that, judging from the course taken by the savages, they were headed for a large valley which he had visited in 1845. He then gave them a description of the valley, and said that it could not be more than seventy-five or a hundred miles from there. At their request he went with them. They rode hard until sundown, and during the night as fast as they could and follow the trail. About daylight the next morning they reached the top of the mountain southeast of where Milford now stands. They could see the Indians they were after just going out of the timber toward the lake; but there were a good many more in sight, so the white men went no farther. They didn't get any Indians, but they proved Beckwourth 's statement that he had seen Honey lake before that time. (Judging from the time it took them to reach the lake they saw, and from what old timers
[16]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
said about Beekwourth's truth and veracity, it is doubtful whether they proved it or not. — F.)
F. and S. make several more surmises as to who were the first white men who entered this county, but tell nothing for certain.
It is said that in 1850 a man named Stoddard led a party from Nevada City in search of the lost "Gold Lake." They followed up Feather river until they got into the country south of Honey lake. They had met with a great many hardships on the trip, and had found no "Gold Lake"; so they held a consul- tation, and decided to hang Stoddard at once. Finally they concluded to let him hunt for the lake one more day, and that was to be his last chance. It would seem, though, that Stoddard did not want to take any more chances, for that night he left them and went to the mines of the lower country. From this incident Last Chance valley is said to have been named. If this story is true, there is a possibility that some of this party may have gone up to the summit of the mountain and looked down into this valley. All of the foregoing, however, is only surmise, and the writer can find nothing to prove that any white man ever set foot in this valley before 1851.
Noble's Eoutb
F. and S. say, no authority given, : ' ' Early in the spring of 1851, a prospecting party of eighty men, headed by a man named Noble, and now known as Noble's party, after crossing Indian valley, passed through the mountains to Honey Lake valley. The company soon returned and disbanded, but Noble, who was impressed with the value of the pass through the mountains which they had found, went to Shasta, then the chief town in the extreme northern portion of the state, and made known his discovery to the enterprising business men of that place. The pass was then called and has since been known as ' Noble 's pass. ' Eealizing the fact that the opening of an emigrant route through the upper mountains with its terminus at Shasta would be of vast benefit to that town commercially, the business men of that place raised a subscription, and hired Noble and a small party of men to go out to the Humboldt, and divert as much of tl}e stream of emigration as possible through the new pass, and to the town of Shasta."
In Hutchings' Californik Magazine for June, 1857, an un-
[17]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
named contributor says that Big Meadows, then called ' ' Lassen 's Big Meadows," was the west end of Noble's pass; and that the old settlers of Indian valley claimed that to Peter Lassen is due the honor of having discovered the Noble's pass route, having known it long before Noble saw it. He was Noble's guide all through this route, Mr. Noble being entirely unacquainted with it. The writer also said that Lassen solemnly told the same thing to him in 1854.
A part of the foregoing, at least, is certainly a mistake. The Noble route never went through Big Meadows and down Deer creek ; and if Lassen knew that route, he must have found it after he made the Lassen Trail. It doesn't seem reasonable to suppose that if he knew of the Noble 's pass route, he would take a party of emigrants up to Oregon and back, just to get from the Black Eock peak to Mt. Meadows. If he did, he should have been punished for it.
"The Shasta Courier," late in June, 1852, says that Mr. Noble had promised for the consideration of Two Thousand Dollars, to show the route for a wagon road across the Sierra Nevada mountains that would be superior in every respect to the routes previously traveled. A party of citizens offered to accom- pany Mr. Noble in making a thorough search for the route, and they left Shasta, May 3, 1852. W. W. Asbury says that John Fallensly, John Dreibelbis, Jack Hammans, — Swain, and Chas. Kyle were among those who went with him. They got back June 24, 1852, and reported that Mr. Noble had fulfilled his promises to the letter, and ia some respects more than fulfilled them. They called it three hundred miles to the Humboldt, and thought the distance could be traveled in eight days with a pack train. The greatest distance between watering places between the Humboldt and Honey lake was only twenty-five miles, and there was plenty of grass on the road. They said that Honey Lake valley was very rich and fertile, and well situated for cultivation. Several mem- bers of the company took up claims at this place, and intended to return in a few days and improve them. The party remained on the Humboldt river eight days. While resting at that place, a party of twenty-two men passed on their way from Yreka to St. Louis. "With these men Mr. Noble left his party, and started for his home in Ohio.
The following description of the Noble Koute is taken from an
[18]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
article published in Hutchings' California Magazine for June, 1857, which was written by John A. Dreibelbis, who went over the road iu 1852, and several times in 1853. Asbury and Hiaes describe it about the same as he does. This route followed the Applegate-Lassen Trail about thirty miles, nearly west, to the Rabbit Hole springs; and then between twenty-five and thirty miles northwest to the Hot springs west of the Black Rock peak. Here the Noble's Pass Route begins. Leaving the old road, it turned southwest and went nearly twenty-five miles to the old Granite Creek Station. From there it came on to Deep Hole springs, Buffalo springs. Smoke creek. Rush creek. Mud springs, and then to the Susan river, striking it, or some of its sloughs, about three miles from the lake. It kept up on the north side of the river, and crossed Piute creek just a little north of where Main Street now crosses it. It went on over the hill, up past the Big spring, crossed Bridge creek; and keeping on northwest, struck the Lassen Trail and followed it a few miles until it crossed Pine creek. It kept on the same course until it got to Poison lake ; and then turning to the west, went south of the lake and on to Black Butte creek, now called Butte creek. (In early days the Cinder Cone was called Black Butte.) It then turned south and followed up that creek, turned southwest, going just north of the Black Butte, and thence west four miles to Pine Meadows. (Per- haps this was Badger Plat.) From there it went northwest four miles to Hat creek, west two miles to Lost creek ; and then south- west fourteen miles to John Hill's ranch on Deer Plat on the north fork of Battle creek, going through Noble's Pass on the way. Sometimes the country between Pine creek and Butte creek was called Noble's Pass. It then kept southwest eight miles to McCumber's mill, probably on, or near, what is now called Macomber's Plat; and on three miles to Shingletown. It then went four miles to what he calls Charley's Ranch, probably going northwest past the place where Ogburn's mill was after- wards built. Then it ran north of west six miles to Payne & Smith's, and then southwest seven miles to Dr. Baker's on Bear creek. From there it wa^ four miles to Old Fort Reading, and that was only three miles from the Sacramento river. They called it three hundred and eight miles from the Humboldt river to Fort Reading.
The Honey Lakers called this road from here west the "Old
[19]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Hat Creek" road; and it was used by them until Port Crook was established in Fall River valley in 1857, and then part of it was abandoned. They followed the old road from the Sacramento river up to Lost creek, and then followed the Fort Crook road down that stream to Hat creek, and down Hat creek eight or nine miles to the Hat creek hill. Then they turned east and struck the old road near Butte creek, south of west of Poison lake.
When the emigration of 1852 reached Lassen's Meadows on the Humboldt, Noble 's party tried to get them to go over the new route ; but they had hard work to persuade any of them to leave the regular road. The experience of those who followed Lassen 's "cut-off" had become well known, and in almost every train that came along there were men who had previously crossed the plains. F. and S. say that some of the returning Californians threatened to do them great bodily injury, so to speak, if they did not quit trying to get people to travel their road. William Dow says he was in one of the trains that came along about this time. Part of his crowd wanted to turn off here ; but the rest were unwilling, and they went on down the Humboldt river. Finally the Shasta men succeeded in getting a small train to go over their road, and they reached the Sacramento valley without any mishaps or suffering. William W. Asbury, now a resident of Tehama county, was among those who went over the Noble road this year. He says that at the Humboldt river they were given a written description of the road; and though it was dim, they had no trouble in following it. The next year or two the road was improved a little, and before long the greater part of the emigra- tion into northern California was going over it. Later on some statistics will be given to show the amount of this travel.
Fredonyer's Pass
Of this pass, now mis-called "Fredonia" pass, the "Altq Calif ornian" of May 26, 1855, says: "From the most reliable data, it appears that Dr. Fredonyer came through the pass in the month of July, 1850, and was the first person who gave a written description of it, and the first and only person who made a map thereof prior to 1852."
W. J. Seagraves says that when he went through Fredonyer's pass in 1860, the following inscription was painted on a tree on the summit of the hill: "Fredonyer's pass. Discovered in
[20]
THE YBAES 1848 TO 1856
1852." It looked as though it had not been there long; and probably this was the case, for Fredonyer had just located in Mt. Meadows. A. L. Harper also remembers the date as being 1852. Fredonyer must have known the date of his own discovery.
FmsT Settlement
Evidently the men in Noble's party who took up claims in Honey Lake valley in 1852, forgot to "return in a few days and improve them," for no settlement was made in the valley that year.
In June, 1853, Isaac N. Eoop, acting postmaster at Shasta, lost his hotel and store by fire, leaving him penniless. Discour- aged by his loss, he concluded to try his luck elsewhere ; and came alone on horseback to this valley, probably with the idea of finding a place where he could carry on a trade with the emigrants.
He located a piece of land at the upper end of the valley, and put up a notice on it, of which the following is a copy. This notice and the others given are taken from Koop's record of the filings made by the settlers.
"Notice
"I Isaac Roop do take up and claim the following described tract of land. Beginning at a pine tree on the south side of Susan river at the foot of the bluffs, thence running north some four hundred rods more or less to a pine stake set at the foot of the bluffs on the north side of • Susan river, thence west to the timber thence south along said timber to the top of the bluffs on the north of Susan river thence up said river on the top of said bluffs two miles thence across Susan river to the top of the bluffs on the south side of Susan river thence down on the edge of said bluffs to the edge of the timber thence to continue in a south- easterly course to the place of beginning. (This being in the head of the valley)
"Sept A. D. 1853. Isaac Roop.
"July A. D. 1854 Built a house on the above claim. Left for Shasta Nov. A. D. 1855.
"A true copy of the original this first day of May A. D. 1856
Isaac Roop Recorder"
F. and S. say: "It will be observed that in the notice he applies the name Susan river to the stream that comes down from
[21]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
the Sierra and flows easterly to Honey lake. It is claimed by some that this name was then given the stream, by him in honor of his only daughter, Susan, who was then living in the east. By others it is maintained that an emigrant girl named Susan De Witt, who died on the road, and was buried a short distance east of the Buffalo salt works, in Nevada, has her memory per- petuated in the name of this stream. Still others say that a young lady bearing the name of Susan passed through with one of the trains in 1852, and that her name was bestowed upon the stream. These contradictory opinions are held by the early settlers, all of whom would seem to have been so situated as to know the facts in the case; and as it is impossible to decide between them, we let the matter stand as it is. One thing is certain : Roop, in his notice, left the first record of this name for the beautiful mountain stream, and it is not improbable that he bestowed this title upon it to better define the boundaries of his location. It is, however, also improbable that emigration would pass this river for two seasons without a name of some kind being applied to the stream."
Probably all of the foregoing stories were told and perhaps a few more could have been found at that time without much trouble. But the next thing to be considered is the value of these stories. Very few, perhaps none, of the pioneers of this county went through Honey Lake valley before Roop came in here. Those with whom the writer talked after this work was com- menced, were satisfied that the river was named in honor of Susan Roop, now Mrs. A. T. Arnold, of Susanville; and the fact that Roop named his town after her makes it still more probable that he also named the stream. Very few emigrants went over the Noble road in 1852; and the second year the Lassen trail was traveled, very few of the natural features along it had been named. It is not strange, however, that the naming of Susan river, or anything else, should have been disputed. In the course of this work, the writer has found more than one man who would, to show his own knowledge, dispute what could easily be proved beyond a doubt; and probably would dispute with his mother about the date of his birth.
Roop went back to Shasta county and stayed there during the winter of 1853-4. He stayed here until late in November, because he wanted to see Old Winnemucea before he went below.
[22]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
After seeing the chief, he cached everything of value that he didn't want to take with him, and started over the mountains by the Noble road. Before he got across the Sierras, a big storm came on. Fortunately for him, he came to an old trapper's cabin in which there were a few old cooking utensils and a little barley; and here he stayed for nine days, until the storm was over.
De. McClat Killed by an Indian
Dr. McClay was the first white man killed in Honey Lake valley by the Indians; and the following account of it was given by Fred Hines.
The last of September, or the first of October, 1853, Dr. McClay 's train was camped on the flat, just below where Eoop afterwards built his cabin. The next morning, when they were hitching up to resume their journey, they discovered that some of their cattle were missing. Just as they made the discovery, an Indian they had brought from the head of the Humboldt river started to run toward the foothills to the north. Some of them followed him on horseback, and shot him as soon as they caught up with him. McClay, his son, and some of the men of the train, followed the trail of the cattle back along the road until they came to a swamp about ten miles down the river. There the trail went into the tules, for at that time it was a tule swamp all along there. They followed the trail into the tules, and rode around in them looking for the cattle. They had not hunted very long before an Indian rose up and shot Dr. McClay in the breast with an arrow. They returned and got a carriage, and took him back to camp. His wife pulled out the arrow, and he died that night. His body was taken to Shasta and buried there.
Dr. Minor, with whom Mr. Hines crossed the plains, camped near the tule swamp the night before ; and during the night one of his horses was shot by the Indians, it was supposed.
The following quotations are from F. and S., and from Eoop 's record of filings. ' ' In May, 1854, Roop and John Hill went from Shasta to the valley, to see if the snow was sufSciently melted to admit of the passage of a wagon loaded with supplies. On the way they overtook a prospecting party of about a dozen men, one of whom was Hyram K. Wilcox, who had left Shasta a few days before. They all came on to the valley together, arriving on the sixth of June, the prospectors soon becoming dissatisfied, and
[23]
HISTOEY OP LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
returning across the mountains. Eoop and Hill also went back to Shasta, and Roop soon returned with a load of merchandise and supplies, accompanied by his brother Ephriam Roop, "William McNall (McNauU), Captain William Weatherlow, and others." William Armstrong was one of the crowd.
' ' During the summer, this party built a rough, one-story log house, about 20 by 30 feet in size, which still stands in an orchard in the eastern suburbs of Susanville, and is owned by A. T. Arnold, Mr. Roop's son-in-law. This building was covered with a shake roof. Since it was used for a fort in the Sage-Brush War, it has been called Fort Defiance. In this building was placed the stock of goods that had been brought over from Shasta, and a brisk and profitable trade was carried on with the emi- grants." As it was hard work to haul freight into the moun- tains at that time, their stock must have been a small one. Probably it consisted of a few staple articles, and some tobacco and whiskey; for in those days, if a trader did not have the last named goods, his patrons would be badly disappointed.
The log house they put up stands on the east side of Weather- low St., about 140 feet back from the street, and 380 feet north of Main street. It is twenty-seven feet long, and eighteen feet, nine inches wide, outside measurement; and was intended to be eight feet high at the comers.
That year, Roop claimed a water right on Pah Ute (Piute) creek, then called Smith creek, and posted up the following notice :
"Notice
"I the undersigned claim the privilege to take all the water out of Smith Creek at the junction of the two forks where this stake stands I shall build a dam some six feet high and carrj' the water along the south hill to the emigrant road.
"August A. D. 1854. Isaac Roop.
"Recorded the first day of May A. D. 1856.
Isaac Roop Recorder"
"From this creek they dug the Roop ditch, about one-half a mile long, by which they conveyed water in close proximity to the log house. When working upon this improvement, it was always necessary to leave a guard at the house ; for, though the Indians were not openly hostile, their predatory habits compelled
[24]
THE YBAES 1848 TO 1856
the early settlers to be constantly on their guard to protect their property. When winter set in, Roop and the larger number of his companions returned to Shasta, while a few stopped in the valley until spring, though there was no necessity for their doing so."
Roop put his dam in the creek about one hundred and sixty yards above where Roop street strikes it. It is not known how much of the ditch was dug that year, but they raised a few vege- tables. This ditch was the beginning of a water system that supplied Susanville with water until the early 70 's. Mrs. Arnold says that I. N. Roop and his brother stayed in the valley during the winter of 1854-5, but the former went below early in the spring. Captain Weatherlow stayed, too.
"During the year 1854, Lieutenant E. G. Beckwith, in charge of an exploring party, passed through the valley. The war department had sent out, the previous year, several exploring expeditions to examine the various routes across the continent, for the purpose of ascertaining which was the most feasible for a trans-continental railroad. One of these detachments, under the charge of Lieutenant Beckwith, crossed Honey Lake valley, and went through Noble's pass to Fort Reading. They then went up the Sacramento and Pit rivers, and passed down the old Lassen trail, and again to Fort Reading. The observa- tions and conclusions of Lieutenant Beckwith are embodied in his report, which was submitted to congress by the secretary of war, and is to be found in the 'Pacific Railroad Reports, Volume 2. " ' As early as 1851, Lieut. R. S. Williamson made a survey for a railroad through the country just north of Honey lake.
"In the early part of the year 1855, Peter Lassen was living with Isadore Meyerwitz (or Meyerowitz), a Jew, on a ranch in Indian valley, located by them in 1850. In June, 1855, he started over the mountains on a prospecting trip, accompanied by Kenebeek, Parker, and another roan, themselves mounted on horses, and their outfit packed on the backs of mules. They came into the valley three miles west of Janesville, where they pitched their camp just back of the ranch now owned by Richard Bass. ' ' (This is the upper end of Elysian valley.) Some of the earliest settlers say that they came over Diamond Mountain, and camped under the tree where Lassen was afterwards buried. ' ' The next day Parker and the one whose name is unknown started out to
[25]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
make some kind of a trade with the Indians, going around the lake to the north in search of them, and encamped in the vicinity of the hot springs. At the same time Lassen and Kenebeck traveled towards the north-west, along the base of the Sierra, and after going about six miles, camped at a pile of bowlders, which are in front of, and but a short distance from, the first cabin he built in the valley. They prospected for a few days, and were so gratified at the result, that Lassen returned at once across the mountains to procure men and supplies to work the place systematically."
"In the latter part of June, Lassen came again to the valley, accompanied by Joseph Lynch, William Gallagher, and Samuel Knight. They brought with them a complete mining outfit and a supply of provisions. The first thing necessary was to bring water to the claim, and this they did by digging a ditch two miles in length, from the little stream now known as Lassen creek. (Wrong. Lassen's ditch was taken out of what was afterwards called Hill's creek.) This ditch has always been called the Lassen ditch. After they had worked a couple of weeks a cause of difEerenee arose between Knight and Lassen, and the former took what property there was belonging to him and left the valley. About ten days after the ditch was completed the water supply failed, but during that time the claim had paid them good wages. They therefore decided to go to Indian valley and make preparations to return here and spend the winter.
"In October, 1855, Lassen came back to Honey Lake vaUey, accompanied by Isadore Meyerwitz, Joseph Lynch, — Greenwood, and a Spaniard named Lazier. They brought a good supply of provisions, blacksmith and mining tools, a plow, and such other implements as they thought would be necessary or useful. They also brought a number of cows, oxen, and horses. Lassen then located a tract of land one mile square, embracing the place where they had encamped while engaged in mining, and now including the ranches of John Hulsman, Joseph Lynch, and David Titherington. This he did not survey until the following spring, and never had it placed on record. In a short time the Spaniard and Greenwood went back to Indian valley, leaving Lassen and Meyerwitz alone in the valley. Soon after, John Duehene came over from Quincy, where he had gotten into some difficulty, and hired himself to Lassen. Newton Hamilton and
[26]
THE YEABS 1848 TO 1856
Marion Lawrence, called generally Commanehe George, came over the moimtains, packing a good supply of provisions. It was their intention to locate land ; but they did not do so that season. They made their camp with the others, and began prospecting.
"Fearing that the snow would fall to such a depth as to prevent his stock from sustaining themselves by browsing, Lassen cut about twenty tons of hay from the bunch grass that grew in such abundance, and stacked it near his camp. The next thing required was a shelter for himself and men during the winter. They then erected a long, low, log house, which has never been without a pioneer tenant to this day, Joseph Lynch having lived there constantly. The cabin, or house, is nearly fifty feet long, sixteen wide, six logs high, and covered with a shake roof. At either end is a room sixteen feet by twenty. One of these Lassen used for a general storeroom, and the other for an apartment to live in, and which he floored with lumber cut with a whip-saw. At one end of this room was built a rock fireplace, with sufScient capacity to admit cordwood. The openings to the outside world were a door and a three-foot-square window, over which barley sacks were nailed to keep out the cold. The small room in the center was used by Peter as a sleeping apartment, and where it is said he always kept a bed for a traveler or a friend. In this rude hut the pioneers of Lassen county, Peter Lassen, Isadore Meyerwitz, Joseph Lynch, Newton Hamilton, Marion Lawrence, and John Duchene spent the winter of 1855-56 ; and though this humble dwelling has furnished a pioneer with shelter for a quarter of a century, it gives evidences of remaining a monument to the memory of its builders long after the last one shall have passed away."
Joseph Lynch lived there until his death in December, 1885, three years after the foregoing was written. This cabin was on the south side of Lassen creek, about one third of a mile west of where the mountain road from Susanville to Janesville crosses that stream. It was about four miles south and a mile east of Susanville. The cabin built the fall of 1855 was ten by twelve feet, or perhaps a little larger, and about seven feet high at the comers. It had a fireplace, and a door so low that one had to stoop to enter it, and no window. It was built of imhewn logs of unequal size, and looked as though it had been hastily con- structed. In after years additions were made to it. For a while
[27]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COITNTy, CALIFORNIA
Lassen did a little blaeksmithing under a big tree right in front of it. This cabin was burned by Peter Vogt about the year 1896, because the logs had decayed and it had fallen down.
It is hard to understand why F. and S. call Lassen and his five companions the pioneers of Lassen county. Just before that, they say that some of the Eoop crowd stayed in the valley during the winter of 1854-5. Roop claimed land in the county two years before Lassen did, and put up a cabin the year before Lassen built his. Why wasn't Roop the pioneer of the county? Ephriam Roop, McNaull, and Weatherlow stayed in the Roop cabin all through the winter of 1855-6. I. N. Roop was there the latter part of the winter.
"During the year a man named Moses Mason came into the valley and located a piece of land adjoining Roop's on the north- west corner, but did not remain upon it or make any improve- ments. The next year his notice was recorded, and read as follows :
"Notice
"I Moses Mason do take up and claim this valley on Smith Creek of some four hundred acres more or less. November A. D. 1855. M. Mason.
A true copy of the original. May first, 1856. Isaac Roop,
Recorder. The above claim joins Roop on the North-west corner."
"During the winter, Lassen and his companions busied them- selves in sawing out lumber with a whip-saw for sluices, and splitting rails for fencing. About five thousand rails were gotten out, and in the spring were used to fence a portion of his land. The weather was so mild and pleasant that the stock passed through the winter with but little need of the hay he had provided.
"It is stated in the Sketches published in the 'Mountain Re- view,' that in December, 1855, William Hill Naileigh (better
known as Captairi HiU), McMurtre, Captain Gilpin, and
two others were piloted into the valley from Gold Canyon, Ne- vada, by old Winnemucca, the Pah Ute chief, and that they prospected on Gold Run and discovered what was known as the Hill diggings. " In a lawsuit about the Lassen ditch in 1875, Cap. Hill testified that he came into the valley in 1855, and in 1856 discovered the Hill diggings on Hill's ereek.
[28]
THE YEAES 1848 TO 1856
It is probable that the information gathered by Mr. Dodge for F. and S., together with that obtained by the writer, is all that will ever be known of the history of this county previous to 1856. So far as is known, every man who settled here before that time is dead. Isadore was drowned in the lake in 1856, and his body was never recovered. Lassen and Lynch lie under the big tree beneath which the former camped the first night he was in the valley, and Commanche George is buried in the sage- brush about a mile north of them. I. N. Eoop, Naileigh, Weath- erlow, and Wilcox lie in the Susanville cemetery. Ephriam Roop died on the Isthmus of Panama while on his way to the Bast. The fate of the others is unknown to the writer. In all prob- ability they, like thousands of other pioneers, died in some county hospital or while prospecting in the mountains, and lie in un- marked and unknown graves.
[29]
CHAPTER II
1856
THE news had gone abroad that gold had been found in pay- ing quantities in Honey Lake vaUey, and men, and perhaps a few women, began to come over the mountains early in the year. The most of them came from the mines on the headwaters of Feather river. Leroy Arnold said that in those days if a man owned a mine where the gold was anMe deep, he Would soon hear of a place where it was knee deep and would leave his mine and go there. Some took up land, but the most of them went to mining. They worked on Gold Run, Hill's creek, Lassen's creek, and the gulches in that vicinity. Considerable mining was done there until 1861. Lynch says there were more men engaged in mining in 1856 than in any of the following years, and that possibly there might have been a hundred men working at it that year. More or less mining was done in that neighborhood for more than forty years after Lassen discovered the mines.
A large majority of the earliest settlers of this county came from the mines of California, generally from those on Feather river. They had come to the coast several years before that, and by the time they got here they were used to the hardships of frontier life. They could ride and shoot, and were resolute, energetic, and self-reliant. Some one has said that the pioneers of California were the best body of men that ever settled in any country. "The weak in mind never started to come here, and the weak in body died on the road." Besides fighting nature, they had to fight Indians and outlaws; and only men of good nerve would stay in the country. The majority of the pioneer women were also strong in mind and body.
The early settlers of Honey Lake valley needed both courage and the ability to endure hardships, for they were in a very dangerous locality. They were exposed on all sides to attack by the Indians and no help was near at hand. Between them and the settlement iu Indian valley was a range of mountains generally hard to cross during the winter, and the settlements in the Carson country were more than a hundred miles away. Fortunately, the most hostile Indian tribes were either distant or not very strong, and the Pi-Utahs, as they were then called, were comparatively friendly.
[30]
THE YEAE 1856
Settlement. 1856
At the beginning of this year Roop and Lassen each had a cabin, and perhaps one or the other of them had done a little fencing. The former had a short irrigating ditch and the latter a mining ditch. These were all the improvements there were in the county.
Early in the spring Commanche George (Marion Lawrence) located the land along the stream that flows out of Blysian valley, from the lower end of that valley to the Bald mountain to the north. Lynch claimed a tract along what is now called Parker creek, a couple of miles southeast of where Janesville now stands. Isadore located at the comer of the lake about three miles south- east of him. F. and S. say that Newton Hamilton took a section of land which he afterwards sold to Hasey, McMurtre, and Elliott. If that is so, the land must have been on Gold Run creek, and its aorthem boundary about two miles south of Roop. These four locations were never placed on record.
The greater part of the information in this book in regard to the claims of the settlers, was taken from Roop 's book where those claims were recorded; but what is shown there frequently had to be helped by what the writer learned from Dow and Hines, and by what the writer himself had learned since 1865. Many of the notices of location in Roop's book read like this : "Notice. I commence at this stake and run east one mile, thence south one mile, thence west one mile, thence north to the place of beginning. Claimed by Daniel Reed. This II day of March, 1857." Being copies of the original notices, they are frequently lacking in punctuation and many words are mis-spelled. The descriptions are vague ; and when distances from any known places arc given, they are guessed at. This year many men recorded claims on land they never saw, and left the valley a few days afterwards. Some stayed a short time, but made no improvements on the land they claimed. Many put no relinquishment of their claims in the record book, and the claims were put on the same land, one after the other. The writer has been able to tell where nearly all the claims were located; and if the reader will notice their direction and distance from known claims and landmarks, he, too, can tell their location nearly enough for all practical pur- poses. Unless otherwise stated, the claimant took a section of land.
[31]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
March 14, 1856, Ebenezer Smitli of Meadow valley, Plumas county, California, (known as "Red Head," or "Bricktop," Smith) located on the south side of the lake about half way between the present sites of Janesville and Milford.
In April, Florence Smith, wife of E. Smith, claimed about 660 acres on the south side of the river southeast of Roop. (N. B. Roop's southeast comer was on the south side of the Susan river, perhaps a quarter of a mile from it, and at the east edge of the bluffs opposite the mouth of Pah Ute creek. His east line ran north from that.) A. Gr. Hasey located just north of where the Richmond schoolhouse now stands, his southwest cor- ner at the edge of the timber; John Strode on the south side of the river about a mile and a half east of Roop 's east line, and a mile north of Hasey 's north line; W. T. C. (Rough) Elliott just north of Hasey, and M. T. Shores north of Elliott.
In May, Paul Hulsey, or Hulsa, located west of Lassen ; Wm. Hill (Cap. Hill) in the little valley between Lassen and the west fork of Baxter creek; J. F. Hill, location uncertain; John HoUingsworth, north of the river and east of Roop ; R. J. (Bob) Scott, where Milford now stands and north of it; Dow, Estep, and Aganett, two sections one mile west of Scott ; W. M. Lyttle & Co., south of Hasey; Mathew Adams, location uncertain; George Lathrop, on the lake, three miles west of Scott; George (Joe) Eppsteiu, joining E. Smith on the east; and Stephen Raney on the lake east of Eppstein.
In June, Henry Denney and Henry Keelty claimed one sec- tion in Elysian valley south of Commanche George; William Weatherlow, on the north side of the river north of Strode, and about a mile and a half east of Roop ; John Griffin, on the south side of the river south of "Weatherlow; Stephen O'Laughlin, the little valley on the west fork of Baxter creek, over the ridge east of Cap. Hill; Ephriam Roop, on the south bank of Susan river, having its northeast corner at the west base of "Curloo Butte"; (Curlew Butte is the little rocky hill on the south side
of the river about three miles below Susanville) and
Henery in the forks of Susan river and Willow creek.
In July, T. P. Kingsbury and D. A. Breed located two sec- tions between Commanche George and 0 'Laughlin ; John Adams, east of McMurtre and south of Carter (McMurtre's claim lay east, or northeast of Hasey) ; R. W. Dezoe, west of E. Smith;
[32]
THE YEAR 1856
Joshua Abbott, one half section having D. P. Carter on the east and B. C. Gillett on the west, and crossing Susan river and taking in "Curloo Butte"; Samuel Burnie, or Brunie, in Antelope valley, "some three miles northeast of Eoop's House and at the foot of the mountain"; G. W. Byerly, on the north side of the river and east of Weatherlow; W. B. Galphin, north of Mc- Murtre; H. C. Nichols, east of Joseph Eppstein, "being the ground formerly taken up by Stephen Eaney"; and L. E. Cush- ings, south of Nichols. Ebenezer Smith claimed "this boiling spring situated on the northeast. side of Honey lake for the pur- pose of building a bath house, and also a building spot sixty feet front facing the lake by one hundred feet back."
In August, Florence Smith, by E. Smith, Agent, claimed a section east of I. N. Roop, having the river for its north line; the next day J. B. Mankins claimed almost the same piece of land; and the day following that, John C. Mankins claimed a section almost south of Roop, the eastern part of which took in a part of the two previous claims; Dave Hescock, Francis Lani- gar, and Charles Nixon, three sections east of E. Roop and Byerly; James and William Shelton, two sections east of the foregoing claim; T. C. Smith, north of J. B. Mankins and east of Roop ; Thos. N. Kingsbury claimed the section north of Elliott previously located by M. T. Shores; William Morehead claimed the land taken up by Strode, and forfeited by him, relinquishing it himself the following November; and C. T. Miller and Bro., the two sections previously claimed by Kingsbury and Breed and relinquished by them.
In September, Capt. Weatherlow claimed the land taken up by Moses Mason in 1855 ; Thos. P. Kingsbury transferred to A. G. Hasey the land claimed by him in August; L. M. Robertson took the land previously claimed by Weatherlow on the north bank of Susan river, but soon relinquished it ; William N. Craw- ford re-located the land taken by GrifiSn in June, but relinquished it before long.
No settlement was made in Long valley until this year. During the fall, our old acquaintance, Ebenezer Smith, who seems to have been "on the job" when there was land to be taken up, located a tract of land in the southwest corner of the north end of the valley. It was about six miles south of what is now called the "Willow Ranch," or eleven and one third miles south of
[33]
HI8T0ET OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
where the road crosses the summit between Honey Lake valley and Long valley. Geo. W. Humphrey, afterwards a prominent stockman of Sierra valley, came in with him, but did not remain there very long.
In October, Ladue Vary made a location at Deep Springs (Deep Hole), on the emigrant road between the Humboldt river and Honey Lake; J. W. San Baneh, an old Northwestern Fur Company's trapper called "Buckskin," in Antelope valley; and J. H. Patty relocated the claim southwest of "Curloo Butte" taken by E. Eoop in June, and forfeited by him.
This fall Nicholas Clark and his son "William H. came into the valley from Plumas county, but stayed only a short time.
In November, M. "W. Haviland relocated the "Weatherlow- Robertson tract on the north side of the river one and a half miles east of I. N. Roop ; A. D. Morton, on the north side of the river east of Haviland; D. P. Dexter, northwest of R. J. Scott; W. N. Crawford, north of Dexter, but relinquished it in two days ; Logan E. "Whitaker, northeast of Scott; Wm. Morehead, west of Dexter, and one half claim on the lake west of Dexter ; W. N. Crawford and L. M. Robertson one section west of Morehead; Thomas Mitchell relocated J. Wycroft's claim. This was the land where Janesville stands and that to the north of it. Anton Storff located north of Mitchell; R. J. Lennox relocated the most of the tract claimed first by Strode and then by Morehead ; W. W. L. Lennox "jumped" I. N. Roop's claim.
In December, John "W. Davis re-located the Hulsey claim; Joseph Libler located east of O'Laughlin, and A. U. Sylvester, east of Morton. The claims of Haviland, Morton, and Sylvester extended on the north side of the river from a mile and a half east of Roop, down below where the Johnstonville bridge crosses the river. Manley Thompson located a section east of Lynch, and built a cabin on it that winter. The middle of his south line was near where Buntingville is now. Before Weatherlow took the place left by Mason, E. Roop claimed it; but he was afraid of the Indians and left it in a short time.
Late in the spring of 1856, L. N. (Newt) Breed came into Indian valley and bought a small stock of goods from E. D. Hosselkus and I. J. Harvey, and hired them packed into this valley. He put up a tent on the flat across the creek from
[34]
THE YEAR 1856
Lassen's cabin, and sold goods that summer. In the fall he had a trading-post for emigrants at the crossing of WiUow creek.
In 1853, when he was seventeen years old, Fred Hines crossed the plains with Dr. Minor. He passed through this valley over the Noble road; and went on to Shasta, and mined there until July, 1856. Then he, Ladue Vary, and A. U. Sylvester came to this valley; Vary to prospect, and the others to trade with the emigrants. They went out to La^en's Meadows on the Hum- boldt, and stayed there until the last of September, or the first of October. During that time, Hines and Vary came back to Deep Hole springs with a pack train. When they went back, Hines concluded to go straight across from Granite creek to Eabbit Hole, and save a good many miles of travel. They did this, and about midway between the two places found some hot springs. Shortly after they got back to the Humboldt, an emi- grant train came along. They were going over the Noble road, and Hines told them how to keep his trail and find the hot springs. They followed his directions, and made a new road which was traveled after this instead of the old one.
The Drowning of Isadore Metbrwitz and His Wipe
The following was told by F. and S., A. G. (Joe) Eppstein, and W. H. Clark.
In the month of July, 1856, Isadore and his Indian wife were drowned in Honey lake. He and Sailor Jack built a sail- boat out of a wagon box or some old boards, something more like a box than a boat. It was a crazy aflEair, and their neighbors warned them against risking their lives in it. Evidently no attention was paid to their advice, for soon after it was finished, Isadore and his wife, George Lathrop, R. J. Scott, Reed, and Sailor Jack took a sail in it, starting out from near Isadore 's ranch. "When they had reached quite a distance from the shore, a sudden gust of wind upset the boat and threw them aU into the water. They all managed to get back to the boat, and some of them clung to it, the others getting up on the bottom of it. The Indian woman kept slipping from the boat, and every time she did this Isadore would put her back. Finally he got tired out, and she drowned. Soon after this, he gave up and let go of the boat. Lathrop left the boat and started for the shore. He swam until he was completely tired out, and gave up the
[35]
HISTOET 0¥ LASSEN COUNTT, CALIFORNIA
fight for his life. When he stopped swimming, he went down a little ways and then struck bottom. He then stood up and found that the water was only waist deep. The lake was very low at that time, and probably he had swum half a mile where he might have waded. The others stuck to the boat, and finally it drifted ashore near the mouth of the Big Slough. A few days afterwards Eppstein and two others rode entirely around the lake looking for the bodies of Isadore and his wife, but they were never found.
Of course difEerent stories are told about this. Thos. B. Doyle says he has the following from good authority: There were seven persons in the boat — their names were given — and the boat was made out of the trunk of a tree. (Others tell this, too.) They started out on the lake near the Ebenezer Smith place. Perhaps WiUiam Goose was one of the men with Eppstein, and it took them a day and a night to ride around the lake.
F. and S. say: "The first entry of any nature whatsoever made upon the civil records of the territory of Nataqua was in the matter of the estate of Isadore Meyerwitz, who had been drowned in Honey lake." The following quotations are from F. and S., and are from Eoop 's record of public meetings, etc. :
"Estate of Isadore Meyerowitz
vs. Geo. Lathrop, Admr.
"At a meeting held this 15th day of July, A. D. 1856, Geo. Lathrop was duly elected administrator for the Estate of Isadore Meyerowitz, Dec, and Wm. Reed, R. J. Scott, and John W. Gushing were elected Appraisers.
"Isaac Roop, Recorder."
The next entry is as follows:
"July 27, A.D. 1856.
"Isaac Roop was this day sworn in by due process as Re- corder.
"Peter Lassen was this day sworn as Surveyor by Recorder.
"Geo. Lathrop was this day sworn as administrator by the Recorder.
"Roop, Recorder."
"In the appraiser's inventory of the deceased man's estate, his ranch, a section of unimproved land, was put in at $400 ; one
[36]
THE YEAK 1856
boat (probably the one from which, he was drowned), $12.50; one set of double harness, $8.00; two spurs, $4.00; one purse with cash, $1.50; and numerous other articles, such as farm and house utensils, clothing, etc., amounting in ail to $625.75. The inventory was filed July 30, 1856."
Lathrop's notice was written out on a little piece of paper, and tacked up on Eoop's cabin by the side of the door.
"The first civil cause that came within the jurisdiction of the high tribunal, to be organized in accordance with sections 9 and 11, was the following: (For these sections see Honey Lake Polities, 1856.)
"Plorency Smith Be it remembered that on the 7th day of vs August, 1856, Floreney Smith filed her
J. B. Mankins Complaint of Forcible Entry and Detainer
against J. B. Mankins before me, I. Roop, Recorder, in the words and figures as follows: 'That J. B. Mankins, on or about the 5th day of August, A. D. 1856, did willfully and knowingly take possession of a certain tract of land belonging to her, Floreney Smith. The said land is fully described and boundaries defined in Record Book A page 3. And thereupon, on the same day and date, a call was made to the citizens to meet at the Roop House on the 10th day of August, 1856, and try said cause.
"I. Roop, Recorder.' " "August 10, A. D. 1856.
"The citizens appeared in pursuance of the above call, and on being organized into a board of arbitrators, neither of the parties appearing, it was resolved to proceed with the cause; and the proofs and allegations concerning said cause, together with the Record, being fuUy heard and examined by said Board (about this time the defendant J. B. Mankins appeared), and upon a consultation by said Board, the Verdict was as follows:
"That the said Floreney Smith recover and have restitution of the premises; and further, that the said Floreney Smith shall cause said premises to be surveyed within fifteen days from the date hereof, and that the Recorder make out a quit Deed to her for said premises, and signed by all present; and further, that if the said Floreney Smith shall fail and neglect to have said premises surveyed within the time specified, then in that case
[37]
HISTOET OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
she forfeits all her right, title, and interest in and unto the same. Reed, Scott, Breed, Morehead, Hasey, Weatherlow, Cushing, Kingsbury, Ely, Grout, Devol, and Hank.
"Three o'clock P. M. this tenth day of August, A. D. 3 856.
"Isaac Roop, Recorder."
"On the 29th day of August, 1856, Isaac N. Roop, who had been acting in the capacity of recorder, appointed I. Ely and J. H. Patty his deputies, with full power to act in his stead, himself placing their appointment on record; and soon after went to Shasta to remain until the following spring. J. H. Patty had placed but six claims on record when he was summarily ousted from his position by the following proceedings which appear on the record :
"Honey Lake Valley Nov 16/56
"As it became necessary to hold an Election in this valley for the purpose of electing a Recorder pro tem to fill the vacancy of Mr I Roop until his return to the Valley or until tim vacates his office the Citizens therefore proceeds to Elect a Recorder pro tem
""Wherein Wm Hill Presids President
"W W L Lennox Secty.
' ' On Motion Mr Goodwin, Hasey & Davis was put in nomina- tion to fill the office.
"they then proceeded to take the Ballot when Mr Hasey was declared unanimously Elected to fill that office.
"there being no important business be four the meeting a motion of Mr Morton it was adgoumed sine die.
W W L Lennox Secty."
"The reason these proceedings were held does not fully appear ; but it may be judged that a change was desired by some for personal reasons. This thought is suggested by the fact that on the twenty-ninth of the same month W. W. L. Lennox copied veriatim the notice Roop had posted up and placed on record of the first location in the valley, and caused it to be recorded by the new official. He thus relocated, or "jumped," Roop's claim, including that portion which had been designated as a town site in section six of the laws adopted by the first assembly of the territory of Nataqua. It might have been done for other and better reasons. ' ' "When Roop came back in the spring, Len-
[38]
THE YEAR 1856
nox told him he thought that he had left the valley for good; and that he (Lennox) might as well have the claim as any one else. He gave the claim back to Eoop without making any trouble about it, and probably this was one of the best things he ever did in his life for the good of his health.
"November 23, 1856, the following power of attorney was placed on record by A. G-. Hasey: 'Notice — Know all men by these Presents that I the undersigned have been and is hear by appointed to act as Agent or Substitute to represent the Claim of Mrs. L. M. Ellis. J Belcher.' "
About the first of October Hines, Sylvester, and Vary, and some others, came back from Humboldt with the cattle they had obtained by trading with the emigrants. They camped on the river two or three miles below Eoop's; and stayed long enough to build some corrals and brand the cattle, which they turned out and left here. Sylvester and A. D. Morton, who had come in with them from the Humboldt, each took a claim as before related. Hines went to Shasta and wintered there, and Morton went to Quiney. Sylvester stayed in the valley with Morehead, who had a cabin a couple of miles up the lake from where Milf ord now stands. Weatherlow stayed that winter down on the lake with E. Smith, or had a cabin near his place. Some time during the winter a big wind-storm came on; and that night a large pine tree blew down across the corner of his cabin, pinning him down to his bed. If it had not fallen across the chimney, he would have been instantly killed. Smith was not at home, so his wife started out for help, and struck out for a cabin near the edge of the timber at the western corner of the lake. The wind was against her, and it almost blew her into the lake ; but she finally reached the cabin, and some men went down and sawed off the tree and got Weatherlow out. This accident laid him up for some time.
Early in the year Hasey, Elliott, Shores, and others claimed two miles square on Gold Run, the southwest corner of the tract being about 600 yards south of west of where the Richmond schoolhouse now stands. During the summer the land was traded around, and finally L. C. McMurtre bought in; and then the whole tract belonged to him, Hasey, and Elliott. Just before Christmas they put up a log cabin near the spring at Richmond.
During the year 1856, all the good land from the mouth of
[39]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Willow creek to the head of the valley, from Milford around the foot of the moimtaiii to Gold Run, and down that stream had been taken up, some of it three or four times. Claims on over 36000 acres of land had been recorded, and a good many claims were never put on record.
According to the Register kept at the Roop House that year, after August 19th 278 men, 69 women, 89 children, 323 horses, 22 mules, 4515 cattle, 3700 sheep, and 88 wagons passed through the valley going west. Probably a good many went through before that time. None of them stopped here, they were going to the mines. The most of them went on to the Sacramento valley, and then turned and came back into the mountains.
At the end of the year, Lassen, Roop, and Weatherlow each had a cabin ; the last named being across the street from Roop, and not far from Main street. E. Smith had one near some springs at the edge of the bluff about a mile and a half south of Roop, and one at his place on the lake. R. J. Scott had one at Miilford, Morehead one a couple of miles further up the lake, and there was one close to the edge of the timber at the west end of the lake. There was the cabin at Richmond, the miners may have had some "shacks" in the hills, and of course there may have been one or two that the writer failed to hear about, though Hines knew what was in the valley late that fall. All the settlers whose names are given in 1856 came in here that year, unless they were mentioned before that time.
The Roop House Register
For several years the Roop House (Roop's cabin) was the only station on the emigrant road in the valley. Even when there were settlers down along the river, it was the most important place on the road; and the emigrants made it a stopping place for a time. For some years a register was kept here, and in it almost everything that took place was jotted down. It was a sort of diary, and it seems as though any one wrote whatever he pleased in it. In after years the book fell into the hands of those who used it for a scrap-book, and newspaper clippings were pasted over the most of it. A small part of the book, the record for the latter part of 1856 and the first part of 1857, had nothing pasted in it, and the most of what was written there is given here. It tells something of the life led by the few men around the
[40]
THE YEAE 1856
station, and of the efforts made to induce some of the passing emigrants to settle here. It is quoted just as written. The date of the first extract could not be seen, but probably it was August 17, 1856.
"Kellog Orton & Heep started out Hill says he has got ten thousand potatoes Clay says money there is liquor money coming ! Cap getting Diner Lassen highly interested with Old Stephe Morehead & Roop in close conversation about Town lots Hill Gon to Sleep
Losson Gon don to Meet the Bmegrant Devol Went Down to meet the Girles and got throod and came Back and sent Breed
Roops House Monday 18 1856 Charley started to go Down Without any Legins and Could not make the Rifle
Augus 1856 Monday the 18 1856
Dane Last Night Roop Went out and asked the Girles in the house and there Was thirteen Girles
Tuesday 19 Woods & Longs Train 20 men 3 women 1 child 15 horses & mules 420 cattle 5 wagons
Mitchum & Co Train 18 Men 1 Woman 2 Jacks 26 Horses & Mules 270 cattle 3 Wagons
A T Smith Train An 19th 56 Big Meadows
130 Cattle 8 horses & mules 16 men 5 Women 7 children 5 Wagons Geo W Beers from Grand Rapids Kent Co Michigan formerly of New York City
Aug 19 1856 Thos. J Bowling, Fort Royal Va I Was Frying Meat and A Sage Rooster Darned Hot They Benches was crowded with Girls Roop was Fixing Some plan to stop them in this Valley Tes and Cap Charley Devol and the Balance of the Boys could not say one Word to them nohow (Sugar no go)
Roop House Thursday 21 Barnes Train 1 Waggon 20 Cattle 6 horses 1 Woman 3 children 4 men
Elliott Train 10 Men 280 Cattle 12 Horses & Mules 1 Jack 1 Jenny 1 Waggon
Friday 22nd R. H. Stuart Some for the Gall that Dresses Neat and Some For the Gall that Kisses Sweet
I Tomkins
[41]
HISTOBT OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
August 1856 Lassen & Hill Returned from Working on Emegrant Road Breeds pack Train Came in
Weatherlow. Grout. Sailing & Devol leaves for the Hiimboldt River or in that vaeinity Girls very scarce non coming of any amount
0 I should like to mary if I could find
Some hansome young Ladie Just suited to my mind
1 should like to mary I know I could fancy Say, Susan. Betty. Katey. Louisa or Nancy
It is not good for a man to be a lone Vereley. Vereley. I say unto you take unto yourself a wife that your days may be long in the land that the Lord thy God gave unto you for how can a man live to a good old age if he obey not this commandment, August 21st 1856
J. W. Johnson passed here to-day en rout for ' ' Sweet Amer- ica" via the "big meadows" "Deer Creek" and Lassen's peak. Family all 0. K.
John Smith, Thomas Brown et al are just behind with large kid- neys and extensive ab-do- mens
Regester August 1856 M Carter & Abbott arived Black smith Tools Damned high Old Iron. "Wagon tire. &c. Scarce
Arkansas Fools With Black smith Tools
Crossed the Plains Without any Brains
Stoped here for a day Then went their way Aug 25 Mr Long from Arkansas left here this morning for the "big Meadows" with his wife and two daughters. Why in ' ' Gods Name ' ' cant some of the women stop here 1 Johnson Patty Turned Black smith shoeing all day (Abbott & Carter Leaves)
Roop House Thursday 28th
Major A. T. Smith leaves here this day for the Meadows on the other side of the Motmtain. Would advise my friend Bryant. Winfield to remain at this Point for a few days and recruit his Stock and enquire for me — Mr Roop can tell you if you have any Horse Shoe Nails let. Mr Roop have enough to Shoe his danm Old Horse Smith
The Fool Killers Have Left Honey Lake Valley This Day
[42]
THE YEAE 1856
Au^st, 1856 very late when I got up to mad to rise early. Patty Leaves early for the Camp
Roop House Augs 29 1856 Messr Jenkins & Dobbins arrive from Shasta Eoop, Jenkins & Dobbias leaves for Shasta
Roop House Sunday Aug 31st
Another Sabbath has passed on the swift pinions of Time, and we are one week nearer eternity. A few years more and we shall have passed smoothly down the stream of Life and paid the debt of nature. How different then will this far famed Elysian valley appear ! "What great and stupendous changes will have taken place! Where now stands Lassen's log Cabin, a modern pig sty will have been erected and round that sage covered Ranch will be a rail-worm fence, composed chiefly of piles of brush Who among this generation will be able to recognize this valley ? Echo answers ' ' nary bugger ' ' Brown
September 2 1856 4 foot men this for Big Medders Sept 5 Roop House Honey Lake Valley
Cap Sailing Devol Grout left Smoke Creek on Tuesday got out nine miles from mud Creek took Johnsons Cutt off Trav- eled 75 miles on it took to the blufs 4 miles to Willow Creek Cap left to take another look at the buggy
Sept 6 Ely, John, Charley & sailing all left for Red Bluffs, by way of the Big Medders
Sept 4 1856 a Dace Givn by the sitions of Honey Lek Valley at Roops Hous. 9 Ladys in attendenee all enjoyed themselves finely
9 Prepperation for a danc. and a sad Disapointment. no lady could be find. after a hard search som wer found but ingaged so they could not com Men all Got the Slipper Roop House Sept 15th 1856
Messrs Rogers & Scimpshir left here this morning for some better country where Girls are more in demand — very sorry to see them leave but am somewhat comforted by the assurance that I have done all I could for them. Where is Roop? Poor Ike, he is losing deal.
Sept 15 5 men from over the Moimtain Prospecting for Ranshes. Patty is sick with the year ake
[43]
HISTOET OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIPOENIA
18 Kingsbury left— Flat 19 Brown's Train 1 Mian 1 Woman 27 Children 4 Steers 1 Cow
Roops House Sept 22
Sept 22 The great and unterified Vigalence Committee once more in Session ! ! Business of all kinds is suspended and the greatest excitement prevails, causing the whole earth to shake from center to circumference ! The highest Hill is to be visited and wo ! wo ! to the unfortunate sinner who falls into the hands of this never- to-be- forgotten and much feared Committee. Being men who have had much experience in such matters having immigrated mostly from that great receptacle of all horse-thieves and cut-throats Carson Valley, they will not fail to inflict sum- mary punishment on all offenders Johnson
Roops House Sept 27 1856 Buc skin Leavs for American Valley
Roops House Sept 30, 1856.
In bygone days and ere this land of golden dreams was known
Ere men from every clime and strand had sought it for their home.
A stranger came and in these wilds did make himself a ranch
This valley claimed for many miles and likewise all the branch;
One day the stranger sought the brook and sunk a hole I'm told
From which some particles he took which proved to be pure gold
Then came a rush and every man from all adjoining stations
Did seek this place with pick and pan provided with their rations
Then Carson valley grew quite sick and certainly did vomit And forth she sent in time quite quick some fellows who were "on it."
To be Continued J. W. Brown.
Roop House Octo 9th C. C. Walden Tehama Sylvester Shasta Fred Hines Shasta Ladue Vary Trinity F. Batehellor alias Piccayune A. D.Morton 2 Wagons 1 Indian 3 dogs 50 head Cattle 15 horses 1 mule Nary woman
[44]
THE YEAR 1856
Koop's Eaneh Oct 14, 1856.
Honey Lake Valley about "gone in", "Whiskey just "gin Baut" Walden leaves tomorrow for Tehama in Company with Vary, Pick & H only % Gal of Gin to carry them jover the mountain "Halo" Chamuc Buckskin going over the mountain for Whiskey
Koop's Eanch Oct 24th 1856
The last train from Pike County has just Arrived.
A. D. Morton Left the Humboldt Sept 28 Arrived in the valley Oct 10 1 man 1 Hors 2 Catle 0 women 0 Children"
The "Eoop House Eegister" says that Wood & Long's train reached there Aug. 19th. This train came from Arkansas under the leadership of General Allen Wood, a veteran of the Mexican War. He and Wm. B. Long, his son-in-law, had been partners for several years, but Long came to California first. W. B. Long, Thos. N. Long, and John Clemmens went from Humbug valley to meet the train on the Humboldt river. A few days before this train reached Eoop's, a couple of men went from there out to- ward Big Meadows, and cut out the brush at the places where creeks were crossed. When the train left Eoop's, Cap. Hill and Lassen went with them on horseback as far as Clear creek. This was the first emigrant train, or any heavy wagons, to go from Honey lake to Humbug valley; but there was a trail, and light wagons had gone over it. There was a road from Humbug to Oroville. A. L. Harper crossed the plains with this train. T. N. Long says that when the train got to Eoop's, there were two or three board shanties there, besides the cabin; and twelve or fifteen men around the place.
Two men not previously mentioned, Asa Adams and Henry Talbert, came into the valley this year.
Of those who came into the valley before 1857 I. N. Eoop, Weatherlow, Wilcox, Meyerwitz, Lynch, Lassen, Lawrence, Nai- leigh, Eppstein, Nixon, Lanigar, Sylvester, and Hines virtually lived here the rest of their lives and died here. L. N. Breed lived here about thirty .years, and sold goods most of the time. Hines held the offices of Supervisor and Sheriff, and for several years before his death was President of the Bank of Lassen County.
Vary, Thompson, Asa Adams, Storff, Hasey, McMurtry, El- liott, Lathrop, Crawford, Haviland, and Tutt lived here from eight to eighteen years.
[45]
history of lassen county, califoenia
' ' Honey Lake Politics. 1856
It has been told that early in 1856 settlers came into the valley and began to take up land. It was not long before they saw there mnst be some rules, or laws, made in regard to taking land, so they might get along without trouble. They also saw the necessity of establishing some sort of government.
As to location, they did not know just "where they were at." The valley was so near the line between Utah and California that it seemed a hard matter to decide which one they were in. Probably they knew that the 120th degree of west longitude was the eastern boundary of California in this locality, and that the line crossed lake Tahoe near its center; but they took no pains to find out whether they were east or west of that line. A very small part of the trouble and expense this question caused them and Plumas county in the years that followed, would have made a rough survey of the line from lake Tahoe to this valley, and settled it for all time to come. But neither they nor the Plumas county authorities seem to have thought about this. Probably the Never Sweats didn't think, or care, much about it. They guessed they were too far east to be in California, and they didn't want to be in that state anyway. They were east of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and for several months in the year were practically shut off from intercourse with the people of California; and they believed they had nothing in common with them. So they decided to create a new territory east of the mountains, and have a government of their own; and have it where it was handy to get at.
On the 26th of April, 1856, a little bunch of men met at the Eoop House, organized a new territory, and drew up some laws for its government. F. & S. have the following, taken from Eoop 's record :
"A New Tereitoey Foemed at Honey Lake Valley. — Laws
AND EeGULATIONS FOE ItS GOVERNMENT
Adopted April 26, A. D. 1856 "Pursuant to previous notice, the citizens of Honey Lake valley met April 26, A. D. 1856, in mass convention, at the Eoop House, for the purpose of forming such laws, rules, and regula- tions as are deemed necessary and advisable in view of the set- tlement of said valley.
[46]
THE YEAR 1856
' ' The meeting being organized by the election of Peter Lassen to the chair, and Isaac Koop secretary, the following laws were unanimously adopted by the citizens :
"See. 1. — Inasmach as Honey Lake valley is not within the limits of California, the same is hereby declared a new territory, and the boundaries thereof shall be as follows, viz. -. Beginning at a poiat where the 38% degree of North Latitude crosses the East line of California ; thence East to the 117 degree West Longitude ; thence North to the 42 degree North Latitude; thence running West to the 120 degree West Longitude (N. E. corner of Cali- fornia) ; thence south to the beginning; the said territory to be named Nataqua (i. e., woman).
"Sec. 2. — Each actual male settler twenty-one years of age shall have the right to take up a claim of six hundred and forty acres.
' ' Sec. 3. — Any person taking up a claim shall put up a notice describing the boundaries of said claim as near as possible, and also cause the description to be placed on record.
"Sec. 4. — ^AU claims shall be surveyed within ninety days from the date of the putting up of the notice and recording, and said survey, together with the recording, shall be done in the presence of the claimant.
"Sec. 5. — All claims so taken up and surveyed shall be improved or occupied by the claimant or his substitute.
"See. 6. — All that tract of land lying between Roop's house and the timber on the West, and between the top of the bluffs on the North side of the Susan River and three hundred yards west of the Emigrant road, Roop shall cause to be laid out in a town plat, and each settler shall be entitled to one lot in said plat, provided he causes a building to be placed thereon by the first day of May, A. D. 1857. All portions of said plat not claimed and improved according to the provisions of this section shall belong to said Roop.
"See. 7. — ^Any claimant shall have the privilege to settle on or improve a town lot or his claim, and that either shall be held as an improvement of his claim of six hundred and forty acres.
"See. 8. — No person shall divert water from its original channel to the injury of any prior occupant.
"Sec. 9. — ^AU difficulties and disputes shall be settled by an arbitration composed of the citizens of the valley, and all decisions of this board shall be final.
[47]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
"Sec. 10. — No person shall sell, trade, or in any other manner dispose of any spirituous liquors to the Indians ; and any person or persons misusing, maltreating, robbing, or stealing from the Indians shall be considered an offender, and upon any person making a complaint in writing to the Recorder that such offense has been committed, the Recorder shall forthwith summons the citizens together, and they shall form a board of arbitrators, and after hearing all the evidence, they shall determine and assess such punishment as they may deem proper.
' ' Sec. 11. — The Recorder shall be chairman in all such boards, and shaU keep a docket of all proceedings had in said boards, said minutes to be recorded in a book. In the absence of the Recorder, a majority of said board shall elect a chairman, and majority shall decide all business of said board.
"Sec. 12. — That there shall be a Surveyor and Recorder elected to hold their ofSce until their successors are elected and qualified.
"Sec. 13. — That there shall be declared a public road, as follows: beginning at the boiling springs on the North side of Honey lake, thence to run in a Westerly course on the North Bank of Susan River to the Roop House; said road to be one hundred feet wide, and named Emigrant Road.
"Sec. 14. — That there be declared a public road as follows: beginning at the Roop House, and to run to the Big Meadows on the north fork of Feather river ; said road to be one hundred feet wide, and named Lassen Road.
"Sec. 15. — That there be declared a public road as follows: beginning at the Roop House, and to run a westerly course to the Bast line of California; said road to be one hundred feet wide, and named Shasta Road.
"Sec. 16. — That there be declared a public road as follows: beginning at a point on the Emigrant road three-quarters of a mile Bast of Roop's Bast line, and thence to run south to the south-east comer of Smith's ranch; thence southerly to the south- west corner of Hasey's ranch; said road to be eighty feet wide, and named Gold Run road.
"Sec. 17. — That there be declared a public road as follows: beginning at the south-west corner of Hasey's ranch, and thence to run easterly to the south side of Honey Lake; thence to the
[48]
THE TBAE 1856
Truckee Meadows; said road to be eighty feet wide, and named Honey Lake road.
"See. 18. — That there be declared a public highway as fol- lows: beginning at the south-east corner of Meyerowitz's ranch, on Honey Lake road, and thence to run North to the Emigrant Eoad ; said road to be eighty feet wide, and named Central road. "Sec. 19. — That Isaac Roop was elected and qualified a Recorder, and Peter Lassen was elected and qualified a Surveyor, and each shall act in his respective office from this date.
"Sec. 20. — 'That to a strict adherence to and fulfillment of the above laws and regulations, we, the undersigned, permanent settlers of Honey Lake valley, pledge ourselves and our honor, each to the other, to stand to and abide by the same, and defend them inviolate.
' ' In testimony whereof we, the imdersigned, hereunto set our hands and names this twenty-sixth day of April, A. D. 1856. Peter Lassen. "Wm. Hill.
Isadore Meyerowitz. L. C. McMurtre.
G. W. Lathrop. E. W. Shaw.
Isaac Roop. W. T. C. Elliott.
Joseph Lynch. M. T. Shores.
R. J. Scott. M. Mason.
E. Dow. David Hescock,
Paul Hulsa. A. G. Hasey.
W. S. Davis. E. Smith.
John A. Strode. Marion Lawrence.
"I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the original.
"Isaac Roop, Be'd. "The following was omitted by me :
' ' On motion of Peter Lassen, it was resolved that, in order to fully promulgate these laws, the Secretary be directed to furnish the editor of the Shasta Bepublican with a copy of them for publication, with a request that other papers throughout the state copy. The convention then adjourned sine die.
"Isaac Roop, Sec. Peter Lassen, Pres."
"With this meager code of laws, and but the two officers to administer them, the new territory of Nataqua was launched upon the political sea."
The new territory was a little over seven times as large as Lassen county. It was about 220 miles long and 150 miles wide.
[49]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Beginning at the northeastern comer of California, it extended to about twenty-five miles south of lake Tahoe. The south line crossed the lower end of Walker lake, and the southeast corner was a little west of where Belmont, Nevada, now stands. The line on the east side ran near the present sites of Au,stin and Battle Mountain, Nevada, and the northeast corner was near the southwest corner of Idaho.
These twenty men finished a large job in a short time, but they made a wild shot at their location. They didn't even live in the territory they had created. It was nearly thirty-five miles from their place of meeting to the western line of Nataqua, and the settlers furthest down the lake were almost twenty miles west of it.
Besides that, they took in the people of Carson, Eagle, and Washoe valleys, and the other settlers in that vicinity, who at that time must have numbered at least six hundred. It is not on record that these settlers were ever notified of the fact that they had been taken into the new political division. The Never Sweats should have known, though, about the settlers along the Carson river, for some of them had come from there. Apparently they paid no attention to any of these things, but went about their business ; no doubt thinking everything was fixed up all right.
Western Utah — Eaely Settlement and Politics In 1857 the Never Sweats joined the people of what is now western Nevada in trying to get the United States government to organize a new territory, and take them from under the Mormon rule. As the political affairs of the settlers of Honey Lake valley were for several years closely connected with those of the settlers farther south, the following brief history of western Utah, afterwards Nevada, is given in order that what took place in Honey Lake valley may be better understood.
"State of the Desert" On the 18th of March, 1849, the Mormons assembled in con- vention in Salt Lake, and organized a territorial government over what they designated as the "State of the Desert." The boun- daries named for this new territory included what is now Utah. Nevada, Arizona, a portion of Colorado, a slice from Oregon, and that portion of Wyoming lying south of the Wind River moun- tains. It also included of what is now California San Diego and
[50]
THE YEAR 1856
Los Angeles counties, as far up the coast as Santa Monica. From there the line ran directly north to the ridge of the Sierra Nevada, and took in half of Kern county, a part of Tulare, all of Inyo and Mono, a part of Alpine, all of Lassen, and part of Shasta and Siskiyou.
Utah Tekeitoby Oeganized On the 9th day of September, 1850, the day on which Cali- fornia was admitted as a state. Congress, by act, established the territory of Utah with the following boundaries: Bounded on the west by the state of California, on the north by the territory of Oregon, on the east by the summit of the Rocky mountains, and on the south by the 37th parallel of north latitude. In the Report of the "Nevada Historical Society" for 1907-8, R. L. Fulton says: "When California was made a state, the enabling act defined the eastern boundary as beginning at the point where the 35th parallel of latitude intersected the Colorado river and running thence northwest to the 120th meridian, thence north along the summits of the Sierra Nevadas to the Oregon line. But a California man, John F. Kidder, was sent to survey the state liae, and when he reached the poiat where the line running northwest reached the 120th meridian he found it in the middle of lake Tahoe, and instead of following the summits of the Sierras he followed the 120th meridian."
Eaelt Settlement op Western Utah In 1850 a party of Mormons from Salt Lake City started for California. They got to the Carson valley so early that they could not get over the mountains, and while staying there prospected and found gold. The news soon got over to Cali- fornia, and some miners came from there that year and went to work. Mormon Station was founded by Salt Lake Mormons, Jime, 1850. That fall the Mormons traded with the emigrants. Flour wa^ $1.50 a pound, and beef 75c a pound. That faU they abandoned the place, and the Indians burned all the buildings.
In Sam Davis's History of Nevada, Prof. Robert Lewers of the Nevada State University says : " In March, 1850, De Mont organ- ized a party in Salt Lake City to go to California, and upon reaching the Carson valley some of the party determined to locate there. Among them was H. S. Beatie, who built what was prob- ably the first house in Nevada. This was on the present site of
[51]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
Genoa, then called Mormon Station. Beatie and his partner went to California and bought supplies which they sold to the emi- grants. The Salt Lake traders returned to their home that winter. Beatie sold his house to Moore, and he transferred it to John Eeese, a member of the mercantile firm of J. and E. Eeese of Salt Lake City."
The next spring (1851) John Eeese left Salt Lake with ten wagons loaded with flour, butter, eggs, etc., intending to estab- lish a trading post somewhere east of the Sierras. He stopped first at Eagtown, a station on the Carson river down toward the lake, but shortly afterwards went to the place where the Mormon station was the year before and located there. The name of Mormon Station was kept until 1855, and then the ground was surveyed and the name changed to Genoa. Squattee Government
The citizens of western Utah held a meeting at Mormon Sta- tion November 12, 1851. Two more meetings were held that year, and another one May 22, 1852. At each one of these meet- ings something was done toward framing some sort of a local government. They were under the government of the Mormon authorities, but they knew nothing about them and paid no attention to them. At these meetings they made rules for taking up land, elected some county officers, and petitioned to congress for a separate territorial government.
First County Organization
On the third of March, 1852, the legislature of Utah divided what is now the state of Nevada into seven counties. Juab county contained all of Storey county and the most of Washoe county. The same legislature elected judges for these counties, and George Bradley was made judge of Juab county. At that time none of these counties was organized, and for the next three years the settlers governed themselves.
On March 21st, 1853, the citizens held their fifth meeting, and made some more rules about the taking of land, and changed the fees of some of the county officers.
Carson County Created
On the 17th of January, 1854, the territorial legislature of Utah passed an act creating the county of Carson, and authorized the governor to appoint a probate judge for it. In a couple of
[52] ^
THE YEAE 1856
days the legislature divided Utah into three Judicial Districts. The governor appointed Orson Hyde as probate judge, and he got to the Carson valley in June, 1855. A lot of Mormons came with him. He called an election that year, and the various county offices were filled. Richard D. Sides was elected treasurer.
In the report of the "Nevada Historical Society" for 1907-8, Miss Beulah Hershiser, A. B. says: "When Utah was divided into court districts Provo was the meeting place of the district that included all western Utah, and of course the Carson valley settlers would have to go clear there to attend court, and so they petitioned to the California Legislature to extend the jurisdiction of the state over the Carson valley. The California senate passed a memorial to congress in March, 1853, urging that Carson valley should be under the control of California ; because the desert was the natural boundary, and Utah was too remote. It further suggested that the eastern boundary of California be a line drawn from the intersection of the 42nd parallel and the 120th meridian to the intersection of the 35th parallel and the Colorado river. This memorial was adopted by the California senate, but not by the assembly. This caused the Mormons to organize Carson county in 1854, and a colony of Mormons was sent to put it into effect. Before Judge Hyde, whose task it was to organize the county, could proceed, he had to clear up the indefiniteness of the boundary question. In connection with an act to build a wagon road to the eastern boundary of the state in 1855, the California Surveyor General appointed Mr. Goddard to survey such portion of the state line as should fall in Carson valley. For this work Judge Hyde of Utah furnished supplies. As soon as Mr. God- dard felt convinced that Carson valley was in Utah, Judge Hyde, who had accompanied the party from Sacramento, hastened on to Mormon Station to hold court."
The Mormons had been coming into the Carson valley every year; and in 1856, when the county officers were elected, all excepting one were Mormons. A good many "Gentiles" had settled in that section, too ; and as usual, there was a feeling of bitterness between them and the Mormons.
The reader will notice that near the beginning of the next chapter it says that Francis Lanigar and his Wife spent the winter of 1856-57 with Peter Lassen. Since that was written it has been learned that they had four children with them — Jane,
[53]
HISTORY OF, LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
John W., and Freeman. Jane married Frank Murphey and now lives in Surprise valley, Modoc county, California. John W. lived in this section, or not far away, until his death in 1909. Freeman has also been a resident of this section and has lived in Honey Lake valley for a good many years. The name and fate of the other child are unknown to the writer.
[54]
CHAPTER III
1857. SETTLEMENT
LODGINGS were extremely scarce in the land of the Never i Sweats during the winter of 1856-7, and not many of those who came here in 1856 stayed all winter. The following per- sons spent all, or nearly all, the winter here. R. J. Scott and Wm. Morehead stayed on their claims, and A. U. Sylvester spent part of the winter with the latter. E. Smith and his Wife and Capt. Weatherlow stayed at Smith's place on the west side of the lake. Francis Lanigar and his Wife, Eppstein, Antone Storff, and Lynch stayed with Lassen. Hasey, McMurtry, and Elliott stayed on their claim. Dr. W. W. L. Lennox, Lathrop, Cap. Hill, and probably Gilpin and O'Laughlin stayed somewhere in the valley. E. Roop and MeNauU stayed at Roop's, and I. N. Roop was there the latter part of the winter.
Early in the spring men began to come into the valley from the other side of the mountains. Wiley Cornelison came here in March. He says there were thirteen men and two women in the valley at that time. Probably some of those who wintered here had gone to the lower country for a short time. The permanent settlement of the valley began this spring. Men came in then to take up land and stay here, and some of them brought their families with them. A good many of those who settled in. the valley this year stayed here all the rest of their lives.
The list of those who took up land in 1857 is a long one, but it is given because it will be of interest to those who know the country. It will be noticed that some men took up a good many claims of what was shortly afterwards valuable land, and soon abandoned thera, or sold out for a song.
In January A. D. Morton and M. W. Haviland came back, and some time during the month put up a cabin on the latter 's claim. It was on the north side of the river about a mile and a half east of Roop's east line, just about where the Jensen house now stands. This was the first cabin put up in the Toadtown (JohnstonviUe) country. The latter part of this month, or the first of February, Morton built a cabin on his claim. Probably he was helped by Haviland, Sylvester, Johnson Tutt, and C. C. Walden. This cabin was on the north side of the river, a little
[55]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
northeast of Curlew Butte. January 2nd Stephen O'Laughlin sold his claim to Dr. Lennox, "because I owe him money." Janu- ary 26th S. C. Perrin, John Teskey, and Asa Adams relocated all the land between the claims of Lathrop and Smith, previously claimed by Reed and Cushings. Probably this was along the lake east of Eppstein. The last of the month Nicholas Clark bought E. Smith's claim on the lake for $400, and sold the east half of it to the "Know-nothing Boys" (Thos. Eaton and Ben. Ward). Mr. Clark's Wife walked over here from Elizabeth Town some time during the summer. They and their son, William H., spent the rest of their lives on this ranch, and it is still owned by their descendants.
In February Gabriel Murphy located north of Manley Thomp- son on land that was afterwards partly covered by the Baxter and Bartlett ranch on Baxter creek; David P. Dexter relocated the land northeast of Scott that Whitaker had taken the year before; James Belcher relocated the claim southeast of Roop, "formily heM by Florancy Smith"; Wm. Hill (Cap. Hill) gave notice that he constituted himself "substitute for Mrs. L. M. Ellis in place of James Belcher," and he also relinquished his claim east of Lassen; D. M. Munchie claimed a section west of Haviland; — Butts claimed Haviland's land, but relinquished it in about a week; N. Greenwood took a claim south of Morton; James Belcher relinquished his appointment as agent for Mrs. Ellis ; J. W. Tremer took a claim, the northwest comer of which was "a certain tree about two mile below the mound on Susan river"; J. H. Perry, W. T. Eadwards, and Daniel Terry took three claims along the lake, location xmcertain ; James F. Ray and John Meyer relocated the claim just relinquished by Hill ; R. F. Mastin, Wm. Powell, and Mrs. L. Cooper took three claims in Elysian valley, Mastin 's on the west, probably joining the land claimed by Denney and Keelty the year before, Powell east of him, and Mrs. Cooper east of Powell (Charles Cooper was with his Mother) ; John Grifiin took a section just north of Belcher's last claim; Joseph Libler claimed the "water of the creek known as Camanchas Creek for farming and mining purposes" (east branch of Baxter creek) ; A. Fredonyer took a claim north of "Geo. Lathrops formerly Isadore Mayerowtz claim, situated in Honey Lake valley and state of California or Utah Territory as the ease may be," but relinquished it in a few days "because he
[56]
THE YEAR 1857
had since learned the same to be claimed and occupied by an actual settler. " In a few days he took another claim along Susan river east of I. N. Roop.
Some time during this month A. T., Leroy, and Cutler Arnold, and the latter 's son Henry, and Malcom and Albert Scott came into the valley, but did not stay very long. The fall before, while on a prospecting trip, L. Arnold and M. Scott came into the valley for a few days.
In March Richard Thompson located a section south of Mor- ton, the center of h^s south line being about twenty-five rods south of the mouth of Lassen creek; Antone Storflf claimed the water from Rosees creek, probably the creek three fourths of a mile northwest of Janesville; Wiley Comelison claimed a half section northwest of Haviland; Daniel Reed made a location, place uncertain, and relinquished it in nine days; Cornelison located west of Haviland, but relinquished it in less than a month; Robert Hamilton, N. Clark's stepson, claimed a tract south of the land sold by Smith to Clark. William Dow, who had come from Michigan to California in 1852, and Henry Hatch came into the vaUey the last of March. Dow says that the Roop and Weatherlow cabins were then the only buildings where SusanviUe now stands. They stayed here a few days and claimed some land, and then went back to La Porte ; but in the course of a month they returned here to stay.
In April Dow and Hatch claimed two sections on the north side of Susan river seven miles below Roop; Malcom S. Scott took half a section north of the land last claimed b.y Belcher and transferred by him to Cutler Arnold, but in eleven days Scott relinquished his claim ; Leroy N. Arnold located west of McMur- try & Co. and south of the Belcher- Arnold tract; Belcher took another claim a little northeast of Hasey & Co., but relinquished it the following July; James Hood and Isaac Coulthurst took a tract on Susan river eight miles east of Roop's; J. T. Saum claimed Antelope valley northeast of Roop ; Daniel Reed located what was "formily knone as the Morhed claim" afterwards claimed by R. J. Lennox. This land, so Reed said, had been forfeited according to the laws of the valley, but after an arbi- tration he relinquished his claim; William C. Kingsbury and Richard F. Cahill claimed a tract east of Lanigar and Nixon and south of Hasey & Co. ; Albert A. Smith took a half section join-
[57]
HISTORY OF LASSEN OOUNTT, CALIFOENIA
ing Lassen on the north and west of Lassen creek ; W. H. Watson located down the river east of Sylvester, and in May he gave up half of his claim to Hugh S. Porter; Thomas J. Harvey took a claim in the "forks of Susan river and Willow creek," but relin- quished it in July; E. P. Townsend made a location west of this; Geo. W. Williams relocated the land northwest of R. J. Scott which had been claimed by Dexter the previous November ; James R. Damrye claimed 320 acres joining R. J. Scott on the southwest; W. W. L. Lennox and Mary C, his Wife, sold the claim he bought of Q'Laughlin to Lassen for $50 ; Morehead took a half section southeast of his place northwest of where Mdlford now stands; John Tusky, or Tesky, claimed 160 acres northwest of Antones, probably Anthony Barla east of Murphy (see May) ; John Baxter located all the unclaimed tillable land on the creek west of Gabriel Murphy. The western part of this, which he sold to Matchelor, was afterwards the James D. Byers place; Samuel Brown took up 120 acres north of Scott, a part of the land that had been claimed by Damrye a few days before that; P. M. Jackson made a location in the neighborhood of Scott, but didn 't record it until June ; T. J. Harvey also made a claim this month that he didn't put on record until July; Henry Lish claimed a section "at the foot of the lake." Some time this spring, or perhaps the fall before, Wm. Hill Naileigh (Cap. Hill), located a section joining R. J. Scott, and a little to the northeast of him. This was afterwards the L. P. Whiting ranch, now the property of the Wemple Brothers.
F. & S. say that April 28th, 1857, the legislature of Cali- fornia passed an Act "To provide for the construction of a wagon road from Oroville, Butte county, to and intersecting at the most practicable point the line of the proposed National Wagon Road that has its terminus at or near Honey lake, Plumas county," and three commissioners were named to construct the road. The Act also provided for the issuing of $20,000 bonds each by the counties of Butte and Plumas, provided such measure received the indorsement of the people at the fall election. The surveys made by the government led people to believe that when a transcontinental railroad was built, it would go to Fort Read- ing ; and it was thought that if a good wagon road was built from Oroville to Honey Lake, it would be the means of turning the railroad in that direction, and making a shorter line to San Fran-
[58]
THE YEAE 1857
Cisco. But the measure was defeated in both counties, and the project was abandoned. If this road had been built, perhaps the Central Pacific railroad would have been put through Honey Lake valley.
In May PeUo Trutters claimed a tract joining Coulthurst on the southwest; Johnson P. Ford took a section east of Hasey & Co., and afterwards sold it to Asa B. Judkins and Dan. R. Cate ; Albert Scott located west and southwest of Dow and Hatch; Harry Jarder, probably Gordier, located east of Hood and Coult- hurst ; Daniel Reed made a claim on Susan river about four miles east of the mouth of Willow creek, and Eli B. Prater took the section east of him; Chas. E. Alvord claimed a half section northwest of A. A. Smith ; Anthony Barla located east of G-abriel Murphy, and James W. Duesler southwest of Cornelison ; Dan. R. Cate took a section which had for its northwest corner a certain tree about two miles below the mound on Susan river; Wm. Alford, John and Eadeene and James Beart claimed four sections northeast of Murphy and Barla; Rusel Alford located a tract east of Reed, and J. H. Ferry, W. T. Eadwards, and A. B. Norris three sections along the south side of the lake, place uncertain; W. D. Fitts took 180 acres joining Miorehead on the east; Kings- bury and Cahill claimed a half section east, or northeast, of A. A. Smith; L. M. Robertson and Wm. N. Crawford took the little valley southeast of Lassen, the tract first claimed by Hill; Hugh S. Porter recorded the east half of the land claimed by W. M. Watson, and sold by him to Porter; (This was the first notice recorded by Roop since Hasey was elected Deputy Recorder.) A. Fredonyer located east of Roop, taking in both sides of the river and a water privilege ; Edward Rice took a quarter section west of the Lennox Brothers, and the same day they sold out to him, but it was not recorded until the third of July ; H. Sehlke claimed a strip of land along Lassen creek between Thompson and Lassen ; C. Arnold claimed the privilege of taking water out of Susan river for the purpose of irrigating his ranch; Charles C. Walden claimed an irregular tract between Hasey, Lennox, and Thompson; E. Smith & Co. located east of Reed, "some five miles east of Willow creek and near the point where the emigrant road comes in the valley"; J. B. Hixson took a section on tho south side of the river about three fourths of a mile west of where the emigrant road enters the valley; C. Arnold claimed 160 acres
Jl...J.«:'*.-'^>i''~.9
[59:
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, OALIFOENIA
south of Florence Smith's first claim, but relinquished it in July; T. P. Kingsbury located on Smoke creek.
George Lathrop and L. N. Breed sold to Reuben F. Mastin, for $150, the place in the upper end of Elysian valley that had been taken by Denney and Keeltey the previous year. In one way and another Breed had managed to get possession of this claim ; and Lathrop, who had bought or relocated Isadore's ranch, sold it to Breed, or traded it to him for part of the Elysian valley claim.
Malcom Bankhead came into the valley and bought the land where Janesville now stands and that to the north of it from Thomas Mitchell. This summer he put up a building of hewn logs 20 by 30 feet, or something like that, and two stories high. This building was used by him, and others, as a hotel until 1872. Then Dennis Tanner tore it down, and put up a new building on the site of the old one. In the fall Bankhead went over to the mining town of St. Louis, and brought back his wife and four children. His Father, his brother "William, two of his nephews, and Ealph Niesham also came with him.
About this time Robert J. Scott, who had built a shanty and raised a few vegetables, sold out to Lassen ; and he built a cabin near what is now the upper part of the town of Milford.
Some time this spring Peter Lassen, the Nataqua Surveyor, ran a base line from near the site of the Johnstonville gristmill to the bluffs near Susanville. It ran just north of Curlew Butte.
Mention has been made of the fact that Roop began to record land claims again this month. After this he acted as Recorder the most of the time as long as any squatter filings were made in the valley.
In June F. M. Jackson recorded his claim, which lay south- east of Goodwin and not far from Cap. Hill; Charles E. Tomp- kins, James Hunter, and Thomas Llewelen took the land along Baxter creek between the claims of Libler and Storff; Squire Lewis Stark and James P. Sharp bought Commanche George's claim on the east branch, of Baxter creek, and relocated it ; Thos. Calloway took the northeast quarter of a section of land claimed by Dr. Fredonyer; — Johnson claimed half a section north of Haviland ; Emory Scott located west of Daniel Reed ; C. Arnold bought from Roop the privilege of taking water through his ranch; Dow and Hatch sold, probably to W. J. Tutt, the claim
[60]
THE YEAR 1857
they took in April, for a cow and a calf ; Edwin R. Scott took a section joining the claim of Dow and Hatch, located in April; William Powell sold an undivided one half of a tract of 1200 acres in the eastern part of Elysian valley to H. A. and D. I. "Willmans and A. D. McDonald.
This spring John H. and A. Clark Neale came into the valley with cattle; and they and Dow and Hatch bought out Richard Thompson, the Neales taking the south half of the claim.
Early in the month Cutler Arnold, with the help of his neigh- bors, put up a log building, perhaps 25 by 30 feet and a story and a half high, on the northeast comer of Main and Union streets. This was the first hotel in "Rooptown," and for two or three years it was the only one. It is said that Arnold also kept a stock of general merchandise for sale in it. It was used as a hotel for some time, and after that was used for various purposes. For several years before it was destroyed, it was occupied by the Chinese, and was known as the "old China house." It was burned in the fire of September 23, 1882. This fire burned all the buildings on the south side of Main street between Lassen and Union streets. The log house was the only building burned on the north side of the street. F. & S. have the following, which will bear repeating : ' ' For two years this was the only place where meals were served to the public, for which the moderate price of seventy-five cents each was charged. The proprietor also pro- vided a few beds in the loft, to reach which required a little climbing. This portion of the establishment was not patronized as extensively as the table, for few men traveled in those days and in such localities without their blankets, and all they required in bad weather was the floor of some saloon or store to spread them on ; while on fair nights, the ground for a couch, and the stars for a roof, were all they felt the necessity of. Thus pre- pared, the weary traveler composed himself to sleep, soothed by the soft voice of the coyote, and the sweet lullaby of the night- owl, while various insects indulged in explorations about his person, and creaked forth their comments to their companions. With such surroundings no one could 'court the balmy' without success." Lodgers in Susanville hotels can still have the coyote serenade.
In July R. J. and W. W. L. Lennox recorded the sale of their claim south of Haviland to Edward Rice ; Jessey Gipson recorded a
[61]
HISTOEY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOENIA
notice to the effect that he had "jumped" the Crothers claim which joined Coulthurst on the west ; U. J. Tutt relocated the second sec- tion claimed by Dow and Hatch in April, but he relinquished it in January, 1859 ; Cap. Hill took the land northeast of Hasey & Co. that Belcher claimed in April and relinquished when Hill claimed it ; the little valley between Lassen and the west branch of Baxter creek was again claimed — ^this time by James Greshly; Thos. J. Calloway and Eobert Farish located two sections in Long valley, probably at the lower end of it, but held them only nine days ; in a few days Calloway took a half section in the same valley and a man named Smith located near him, but perhaps no one ever lived on these Long valley claims at that time; Antelope valley was taken by Samuel V. Conner and Jarvis Taylor ; J. P. Ray recorded notice of a claim made by him in June — it was on 200 acres of land between C. Arnold and Hasey & Co. ; Tutt and Walden again located the east section claimed by Dow and Hatch in April ; Wm. Wickhan took a half section northeast of W. H. Watson ; Thomas Johnson claimed 300 acres between Arnold and Hasey & Co., perhaps the land taken by Ray in June ; Arnold relinquished the land he took in May, and claimed the land taken by Florence Smith in April, 1856, and afterwards by Belcher; M. S. Scott re- linquished the claim he took in April, and located another one which included the land just abandoned by Arnold ; Edwin R. Scott relocated the west section claimed by Dow and Hatch in April, but relinquished it in September ; "William Bankhead & Co. claimed the vacant land along the Baxter creek between Storff and Baxter & Co. ; Thomas J. Harvey recorded the claim he took in April, this being between Libler and the land taken first by Com- manche Gteorge. A part of his notice was as follows : " I put up my notice in April and planted my garding and would of had it recorded but had heard it often said that Mr Hasey was not a valied recorder"; Calloway took a quarter section which had the Upper Hot spring in the center of it ; Emory Scott relinquished the land he claimed in June ; W. H. Watson relocated the land east of Sylvester that he had taken the previous April ; WiUiam Eaton, F. W. Butler and W. M. Brown claimed the east half of Morton's section and the west half of Sylvester's, stating in their notice that the land had been purchased from Morton and Syl- vester by H. Gr. 0. Drake, A. G. Baker, H. Burlingham, and Z. N. Spalding, but they relinquished it in three days ; Thomas Johnson
[62]
THE TEAE 1857
and Robert Ferriss relocated the east half of the section claimed by Sylvester in December, 1856, claiming that according to the laws of the valley, it had been forfeited for several months pre- vious to this ; Milton Craig claimed 40 acres in the corner between Haviland and Comelison; Burlingham, Drake, Spalding, and Baker recorded notice of claim on the section they had bought of Morton and Sylvester ; Craig claimed 40 acres close to the bluffs, and about a mile south of Roop; Dow & Hatch and the Neale Brothers recorded a claim of 900 acres of land, the most of it being what they bought from Richard Thompson; Daniel Reed filed in Quincy on 160 acres of land in this valley, location uncer- tain ; Thomas Watson bought from Hasey, McMurtry and Elliott the southeast section of land claimed by them, and lived on it the rest of his life. On the eleventh of this month Roop, McNauU & Co. raised the frame of the first sawmill in the valley. It was built just below where the Susan river canyon first becomes nar-. row and deep, going up the stream. It was a water power mill, and at first had an up-and-down saw.
In August Sylvester located a half section east of Dow & Hatch and the Neales; the little valley between Lassen" and the west branch of Baxter creek was claimed by Amos Conkey and James Williams, his brother-in-law, this being the fourth time it had been taken up since Cap. Hill located it in M(ay, 1856. Shortly after this Sylvanus and Betsey Conkey, the Father and Mother of Amos, came from Sierra county onto the place with their family. Williams lived there more than twenty years, Amos almost thirty years, and his Mother still longer. L. M. Ellis claimed a mill privilege "at the foot of the mountain on the stream running through Scott's and Hill's ranches"; Gabriel Murphy filed at Quincy on 160 acres of land in this valley, location uncertain. Dr. Zetus N. Spalding and Wife came into the valley about the first of the month. They lived here the rest of their lives, and the most of the time he was one of the prominent men of the county. William C. Kingsbury brought in his Wife and two boys, Frank and Fred. They came on horseback, each one carry- ing a child. He soon went into partnership with Lassen.
In September Emory Scott relocated the section originally taken by Dow and Hatch, and which had been relLaquished by Edwin R. Scott in July; Reuben F. Mastin recorded a claim of 300 acres in the west end of Elysian valley, and also a water priv-
[63]
HISTOEY OP LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
ilege. This was the land he bought of Breed and Lathrop in May; Thomas Bear relocated that part of Fredonyer's claim which lay between the bluffs and the river. He put up a cabin on the south side of the road and a little east of Pah Ute creek. Mary Jane Duvall crossed the plains, and reached this valley August 13th. September 23d she was married to Isaac Coul- thurst. This was the first couple married in the valley. They have lived here ever since. September 28th Emma Lanigar, daughter of Francis Lanigar, was bom on Gold Run southwest of Richmond. This was the first white child bom in the valley. She married a man named Andy Frazieur and now lives in Ore- gon.
In October W. H. Watson relinquished 40 acres of his claim, and took 40 acres northeast of Morton ; Dr. John A. Slater relin- quished 40 acres of his claim about three fourths of a mile north- west of Bankhead's house, and took another 40 acres in place of it; Dow, Hatch & Co. claimed all the waters of a stream four miles below Lassen's; R. L. Bryant relocated the section south- west of Dow and Hatch's old claim that Albert Scott had taken in May; Robert Steen claimed half of the Antelope valley ranch because it had been forfeited, he said; Edward Rice and John Neiswender relocated the northeast section of the four square miles once claimed by Hasey, McMurtry, and Elliott.
In November Anton Storff located north of Conkey's ranch; McNauU claimed a strip of land a mile wide and two miles long, having the river for its center, and extending up the river from Roop, McNauU & Go's. "Mill Damn." He also claimed the waters of the river and its tributaries ; James Shores, or Shares, took a half section east of Wickhan, who was east of W. H. Wat- son; William Powell sold D. I. Wilmans the other undivided one half of the tract he sold to the Wilmans Bros, and McDonald in June ; R. F. Mastin sold Richard D. and Stephen Bass his claim in the upper end of Elysian valley. R. D. Bass lived here the rest of his life.
In December F. M. Rinard bought a half section north of Roop and Fredonyer from Weikel, and recorded his claim ; Dr. Slater located 620 acres west of Bankhead and Asa Adams, and extend- ing from the timber north across the valley to the Bald hills north of Baxter creek. Dr. Slater crossed the plains this year, and came into the valley with his Wife and a child or two. He was
[64]
THE YEAE 1857
a prominent man until his death. Kobert Rushing claimed 80 acres joining Slater on the southwest, and 80 acres along the creek above Slater; A. B. Riffle took a claim east of James Shores ; Neale Bros, claimed 800 acres on the south side of the river east of the location made by them and Dow and Hatch in July ; Par- chiel (Zack) Taylor took a claim lying on both sides of the river between Willow creek and the ranch of W. H. Watson. It is probable that some time during this year William F. Raker and William Goose settled about three miles northwest of where Mil- ford now stands. It is claimed that they did, and Ross Lewers says that in 1858 the place looked as though they had been there some time. This year "Whitehead" Ross bought E. Smith's claim in Long valley. A man named Keams and his partner, friends of Ross, also came in there, took some land, and built a cabin about a mile and three quarters east of him. Ross was a somewhat noted character. He came from Tennessee, and dur- ing the Civil War he went back there and enlisted in the Southern army and was wounded. After the war he came to Austin, Ne- vada, and died there. Orlando Streshly, for many years a prom- inent man in this county, came into the valley and bought out A. Gr. Hasey at Richmond. His land lay west of that bought by Thomas Watson. The latter part of June Cutler Arnold went over into the mountains, and brought his family, which consisted of his Wife, two sons, Henry and RoUa, and four smaller chil- dren, to Honey Lake valley. They all came on horseback, and the trail was so bad that A. T. Arnold had to come along to help them over it. James P. Sharp bought a part of the Commanche George ranch, and became a partner of Squire Stark. With Stark's boy, John, he came to the valley to live on the place, and Richard and Stephen Bass spent the winter with them. De- cember 23d, 1857, there was recorded in Plumas county a deed from Lewis Stark and Wife to Elizabeth A. Sharp, and the fol- lowing is the description of the land given in it: "A certain Ranch, piece or parcel of land, situated in Honey Lake valley, comity of Plumas and state of California, known as the Co- manche George Ranch, and bounded as follows, to wit: On the South by the Ranch of D. I. Wilmans & Co., on the Northwest by a Ranch owned by Dutch Joe, on the east by the Ranch owned by Dr. Slater. On the Northeast by a line commencing at a stake near a creek known as the Irishmans creek and running in
[65]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
a Southeast direction one mile to a lone pine tree on the South bank of Irishmans creek supposed to contain 640 acres of land." Isn't that a plain description ? This fall FuUbright & Crawford, who had just crossed the plains, came into the valley with 600 head of long-horned Texas cattle, and located a tract of land about a mile and a quarter southeast of the present site of Milford. Charles and Abijah Adams brought in another large band of cattle from the States, and claimed a large tract of land about seventeen miles down the river from Roop 's, in what is now called "The Tules." This place is now known as the "Byers Ranch." John Baxter located a piece of land about three quarters of a mile southeast of Bankhead's house, and built a cabin near a spring at the foot of the hill. Harry Gordier took a claim on Baxter creek south of the east end of the Bald mountain — ^the ranch after- wards owned by Thomas Mulroney. Joseph Todd took up the place east of Sylvester. The winter of 1857-8 Ladue Vary planted some peach stones, or set out some small trees, in the northeast- em part of Rooptown. This was the first time anything of this kind had been done in the valley.
Peter Lassen had a blacksmith forge in front of his cabin, but he worked only for himself. Roop put up a blacksmith shop at the sawmill, and did custom work. J. H. Ferry was his black- smith. In December, 1857, Hines and Tutt went out to Rabbit Hole springs, thirty miles west of the Humboldt river, with two ox teams, four yoke of cattle to the team. They each got a full load of iron from the wagons that the emigrants had burned there because their stock had given out. They hauled it to the valley and sold it to Roop — $1500 worth, and paid $30 a thou- sand for the lumber they took for it.
This summer Dow and Hatch put up the first board house ever built in the valley. It was built of lumber which they whip- sawed, and was sixteen by twenty-four feet, and ten feet high at the comers. That fall they put on twelve feet more in length. It stood just east of the Curlew Butte. That winter Dow and Hatch, Dr. Spalding and Wife, her brother, Thomas Brown, her sister, Fanny Brown, afterwards Mrs. A. C. Neale, and "Whiskey" Smith lived in it. This building was used for a dwelling house until 1898, and burned down in the fall of 1911. In June Dow and Hatch brought the first stove into the valley. They brought it from La Porte on the back of a mule.
[66]
THE YEAE 1857
This fall Jonathan Scott brought in a pack train load of gen- eral merchandise and put it into the Eoop cabin. This was the first regular store in the valley.
This year James Jones crossed the plains with his family and settled in Honey Lake valley. He had three children, one of whom afterwards married Stephen White. These children are all dead. For some time after his arrival Mr. Jones lived at the Manley Thompson place, and another daughter was bom here on November 10th, 1857. She was named Sarah Margaret, and was the second child born in the county. In 1875 she married George H. St. Clair, who died in 1902. Mrs. St. Clair now lives in Alameda, California. In 1860 a son, James H., was born in the valley, and he is still living.
Names of people not previously mentioned who settled in the valley in 1857. N. B. An asterisk before a person 's name indi- cates that he may have settled here the previous year.
Thomas McMurtry, *David Lowry, James Conkey, "Big" John Chapman, Alec. Chapman, James Jones and Family, Field- ing Long, Joseph A. Knettles, Frank Johnson, — Mullen, — Snow, M. C. Lake, John E. Morrow, Wm. V. Kingsbury, John E. Fuller, John Weikel, Salmon Belden, David Blanchard, Dolphin Inman, Anthony Gray, Mrs. Johnson P. Ford, Mrs. FuUbright, E. Hewitt and "Wife, and George Purcell.
Of those who settled here in 1857 Comelison, Hatch, Sharp, E. Thompson, Zack Taylor, E. D. Bass, Craig, Eaker, Jones, Syl- venus and James Conkey, and Mrs. W. C. Kingsbury lived here the rest of their lives and died here.
Leroy Arnold, W. C. Kingsbury, Streshly, A. A. Smith, Bax- ter, Lowry, Amos Conkey and his Mother, and Dow lived nearly all the rest of their lives in the county.
The Wihnans Bros., Neale Bros., Cutler Arnold, Edward Eice, Squire Stark, S. Bass, Eobert Hamilton, J. P. Ford, the Jones Family, and Thomas Brown lived in the county from ten to twenty years. Gray lived here six or seven years.
Dow lived in the county over fifty years, and was a well known and prominent man. He is now a resident of Pacific Grove, California. Comelison had a store at first, then a blacksmith shop, and for more than thirty years he ran a sawmill. Kings- bury was county Assessor. Streshly was Assessor and Sheriff. Smith was Surveyor, District Attorney, and County Judge.
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HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFOBNIA
Squire Stark was Justice of the Peace in Plumas couaty and this county for many years.
Koop House Register. "List of Arrivals 1857
H.B.Ray Rabbit Creek 1st 1857
Henry Arnold Do Do April 3d 1857
stiles Train 650 cattle 306 horses and mules 119 men 1 woman 1 child 17 hands 3 wagons No of fools 201
To Roop You may perchance when time and age Have furrowed deep your wrinkled brow Turned back and thought upon this page Of some harsh thoughts or big bow bow It may be too these dim lines (Unworthy for a thought they be) Will quicken still as life declines Some friendly pulse to tell of me Then let this simple record pass For Oh I would not be forgot By good old "chums" who glass to glass Hath with me pledged this lovely spot
May 28, 1867. (Name looked like "Sebrach" May 29. 57 Honey Lake is now the center of attraction Men are pouring in daily and the prospects are flattering that in a few years it will be some
May 30 Hill and Hasey came to the Roop House Hill got slitly nebriated and Hasey is him self again Ho. Is. he say Roop House June 5 1857 June 3d Orevill Deligation In with the first Coach ever in the Valley W. A. Gamble Alex Brown S McDermutt H B Hunt Thos Calloway Charles J Brown Report the Road from Orevill to Honey Lake Valley Excellent
4th The Commissioners from Marysville Arive by Way of American Valley Indian Valley — Came down over a low pass Snow 10 feet Deep
7 Orovill Coach leaves at 10 o clock P. M. all 0. K. A. Salute fired. Legets Train for the states 20 Men 240 Horses Roop House June 5 1857 Camped opposite the house 18 men Two Women Three Chil- dren bound for the States with 38 Horses one Wagon Two of
[68]
THE YEAE 1857
the hombres Satisfied Geo Taylor & Wm Eaton that they were To heavy on the Whiskey Game
June 9th 1857 the Neighbors Gathered Togather & raised Cut Arnolds House got Drunk & retired Messrs Gilpen & Weatherlow excepted
June 10th 1857 Messrs Gilpen & Wethorlow returned after a long and tedious Jouny of Five day by leaving their goods & Wares on the road to be devoured by the Gigantic Coyota after their arrival they make arrangements to start over the Moun- tains, Mr Wm Baton to go & help fetch goods & Wares in June the 12th 1857
Taylor went hunting returned and reported to have shot an antelope but could not get it. Eoop started with a fishing pole to assist in getting the crippled game it is believed that the fish and antelope will suffer
June 13th 1857
Taylor Hill and H. B. Eay went to Smok Creek after Iron and when there they got they found they wer to lat the Iron was all gon But they made a rais some where of a tire and Chains For the States 16th
Thomas. S. Bradford Alpheus Hunter C. C. Boundy Geo H. Brown for Pike For. God's. Country By —
Bought a Knife and Gun for knife. — ^for the Gun $10 for the staits or some other sea Port or rather
June 25 1857
Cut Arnold and family arrived to-day aU well June 21st 1857
Arrived in Town Seven men from St Louis on a prospecting tour
Sir Eoop with his Troup Came down from the Mill Camp, to clean out the Town left Satisfied that it was a heavy Job Fish do not bite yet
Eoops, House Three men from Humbug Valy they intend to come back Shortly to settle there names dont know there names I think the men are Humbug if they come back a Gain to Honey Lake vally
Eoop House June 18 1857 Camped above the house eleven men 19 Horses from Treka & Oregon bound for the White Settlements
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HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
June 20th 1857
It has been as cold as hell for the last fortnight no frost July 1st— 2— 3 & 4th
Kained every day some days more
Roop House Honey Lake Valley July 11 '57
Eoop raised Mill today, Bob Sick"
There was one more entry that had nothing pasted over it. It was dated July 20th, but it was so indistinct that it could not be read. The remainder of the book was a record of the trains that passed the Eoop House in 1857. The record of the second train was "Second Train Crawford & fuUBrite 600 head of cattle & 4 Wagons 15 Men 4 Women 4 Children"
According to the Eoop House Eegister there came through the valley from August 2, 1857 to October 4, 1857 ninety-nine trains, or parties, with 306 wagons and carriages, 665 horses and mules, and 16937 head of cattle. There were 835 men, 254 women, and 390 children. Two or three large bands of cattle and a few of the emigrants stopped in the valley. The rest of them went on over the mountains. They were looking for gold.
Western Utah Politics. 1857
In 1856 an armed mob of Mormons had driven the United States District Judge from the bench in eastern Utah, and he left the territory. The relations between the Mormons and the United States government became hostile. Where the Mormons had the power (which was not the case in Carson county) murders were frequent, and a reign of terror was begun. What was virtually a rebellion caused President Buchanan to send General A. Sidney Johnston with a smaU army to Salt Lake in 1857 to re-establish the authority of the government. Brigham Young ordered all the Mormons living outside of eastern Utah to return at once, and help defend the ' ' City of Saints ' ' against what he called an armed mob.
On the 14th day of January, 1857, the legislature of Utah enacted the following law: "Said county (Carson) is allowed to retain its present organization so far as county recorder, sur- veyor, precincts and precinct officers are concerned, and may con- tinue to elect these officers in accordance with existing arrange- ments and laws until further directed by Great Salt Lake County court, or legislative enactment. Section 5 — The record books,
[70]
THE YEAR 1857
papers and blanks, and seals, both of probate and eoimty courts, shall be delivered over to the order of the probate court of Great Salt Lake county."
April 13th the county court, with Chester Loveland for judge, adjourned until the first Monday in the following June ; but it was September 3, 1860 before there was another session of this branch of the Judiciary.
On the 16th of July the California Mormon train, consisting of seventeen wagons and sixty-five people, left Eagle valley for Salt Lake City. On September 26th 123 wagons and 450 people left Carson valley for the same place. A few of them were from Cali- fornia and Oregon. This left Truckee and Carson valleys almost without inhabitants for a while. The land and buildings left by the Mormons were sold for a trifle. People from California bought up this real estate, and the valleys soon filled up with G«ntiles and apostate Mormons.
Second Attempt at Teeritorial Organization
On August 3d, 1857, at a meeting in Genoa of the citizens of Carson and adjoining valleys, a call was issued for a grand mass meeting of the people living along the eastern base of the Sierras. It was to be held at Genoa August 8, 1857. The object of this meeting was to petition congress to organize a new territory out of portions of Utah, California, and New Mexico, and to provide ways and means to lay this subject before the President and con- gress of the United States. Judge Loveland, the Morman elder, and Judge Crane were invited to be present and address the meeting.
On the appointed day the meeting was called to order by Ma- jor Wm. M. Ormsby, and Col. John Reese was elected president. By this time the Never Sweats had joined hands with the rest of the people living east of the Sierras, and their representatives were here. Isaac Roop was one of the four vice-presidents of the meeting.
After organization a committee was appointed to present busi- ness before the meeting. They retired to do their work, and in their absence Judge James M. Crane addressed the meeting. Judge Loveland was not there.
The committee then brought in some resolutions and a Memo- rial to the President and congress of the United States, and these were adopted.
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HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, OALIFOENIA
The Eesolutions were to the effect that the people inhabiting the territory commonly known as the Great American Basin, lying east of the Sierra Nevadas, west of the Goose creek range, south of the Oregon line, and north of the Colorado river and its tribu- taries were convinced that the increasing population of this region were in danger from hostile tribes of Indians, and from the ab- sence of any law for the protection of life and property, and that some kind of a government should be established in the shortest time possible.
That a memorial should be drawn up setting forth the reasons for this movement, and the same submitted to the consideration of the President and both houses of congress, and that the meeting select a delegate to represent to the President and congress the views and wants of the people of this section.
That James M. Crane, on account of his long residence in and knowledge of this country, as well as his "candor, fidelity, and ability, ' ' be appointed to represent the people of this section in Washington.
It was also resolved to appoint twenty-eight men to carry out the work laid out at this meeting, and five of those appointed were from Honey Lake valley. They were Major Isaac Koop, Peter Lassen, Mr. Arnold, Wm. HiU, and MJr. McMurtry. (Probably it was Cutler Arnold, "Wm. Hill Naileigh, and L. C. McMurtry.)
In conclusion the members of congress from California and the territorial delegates from Oregon, "Washington, Utah and New Mexico were asked to use their personal and official influence to obtain the passage of a bill organizing the territory asked for; and the newspapers of the Pacific coast, and several in the eastern and the southern parts of the United States were "invited and requested to publish these proceedings and memorial, and other- wise extend to us the benefit of their powerful influence and sup- port."
The Memorial was a very long document, and contained a good many misrepresentations ; but it showed the condition of affairs in western Utah at that time, and also showed the ideas of the people living there in regard to their country. The following synopsis gives a good idea of what it contained.
It began as follows : ' ' The citizens inhabiting the valleys within the Great Basin of the American continent, to be hereafter de- scribed, beg leave respectfully to present for the earnest consid-
[72]
THE YEAE 1857
eration of the Piresident of the United States, and the members of both houses of congress this their petition ; praying for the organi- zation of a new territory of the United States. We do not pro- pose to come with any flourish of trumpets or mere words in this memorial, but we propose simply to submit a few plain statements as the inducements and reasons which actuate us in making this appeal to those who have the power to remedy the existing diffi- culties and embarrassmente under which we now labor and suf- fer."
It then stated that the majority of the people of this section had been there six or seven years, and during that time had been without protection of any kind from Indians and outlaws ; and there was no reason to suppose it would be any better until some government was organized that could make laws and enforce them. They were law abiding citizens and did not wish to see ■'anarchy, violence, bloodshed and crime of every hue and grade waving their horrid scepter over this portion of our common country. ' '
' ' In the winter time the snows that fall upon the summit and spurs of the Sierra Nevadas frequently interrupt all intercourse and communications between the Great Basin and the state of California and the territories of Oregon and Washington for near- ly four months every year. During the same time all intercourse and communication between us and the civil authorities of \jtah are likewise closed. Within this space of time, and indeed from our anomalous condition during all seasons of the year, no debts can be collected by law; no offenders can be arrested, and no crime can be punished except by the code of Judge Lynch, and no obedience to government can be enforced, and for this reason there is and can be no protection to either life or property except that which may be derived from the peaceably disposed, the good sense and patriotism of the people, or from the fearf al, unsatisfac- tory and terrible defence and protection which the revolver, the Bowie knife, and other deadly weapons may afford us. ' '
Even during the favorable season of the year, on account of their location, they could get no benefit from the governments of the neighboring states and territories. The most of them be- longed to the government of Utah, but no intercourse could be held with the authorities of that territory, because it was nearly 800 miles to Salt Lake City ; and to get there it was necessary to
[73]
HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
cross two deserts. Besides that in Western Utah no one paid any attention to the territorial laws. The Mormons, ia their social affairs, conformed to the habits of life among the Gentiles; but their dealings with each other were regulated by the rules of the Mormon church.
These were only a part of their grievances. Nearly one half of the county in which the most of the petitioners resided had only two justices of the peace and one constable. No one respected their authority, and very few knew or cared where they lived. The territorial legislature of Utah once made a county called ' ' Carson ' ' out of nearly the whole of this region, but for some rea- son unkaown to the petitioners they abolished the county and established in place of it an election precinct in which nobody voted, or cared to vote.
There were 7000 or 8000 people living withia the limits of the proposed new territory and their numbers were rapidly increas- ing. There were no less than two hundred valleys, running into one another, of the most fertile grazing and agricultural land. In the mountains were found "gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, coal and other minerals, metals and precious stones," and they be- lieved that proper exploration would show that they had one of the richest and most productive regions on the globe. For these reasgns they expected to have a rush of population such as settled up California and Texas so rapidly, and unless congress at its next session organized the territory asked for, when the rush did come, there would be no laws to govern the settlers and the land would be full of "unrestrained violence and bloodshed."
' ' There are some portions of the Great Basin of this continent claimed by the state of California in which reside a considerable number of people who, in the winter time, can have no connection with it. This is the case with those who reside in Honey Lake valley. That valley lies east of the Sierra Nevadas, and within the Great Basin, and from this cause the people living in it have no intercourse with other parts of the state during the rainy sea- son for nearly four months every year. They, therefore, natu- rally belong to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, and on this account they desire to join us in this movement. If they are forced to remain with California they can not know anything about the affairs of their state during the whole time its legisla- ture may be in session. It is, therefore, folly, and worse than
[74]
THE YEAR 1857
folly, to attach the people of this valley to a state about which they know nothing, and care nothing, for one third of the year, and that third the most important part of it to them. They there- fore cordially unite with us ia this prayer and memorial to con- gress, asking not only that they may be attached to the proposed new territory, but that they may add their united voices in sup- port of the great necessities for the organization of the aforesaid territory. ' ' Those liviag in southern California east of the Sierra Nevadas and those of New Mexico (New Mexico then included Arizona) living near the Colorado river and its tributaries were also shut off from their respective capitals during the winter months.
It was then submitted that in addition to the facts here pre- sented, all the routes across the continent between the Atlantic and Pacific states would be well guarded when this new territory was organized. The Indian population of the proposed new territory was not far from 75000 or 100000, and the most of them could be very easily controlled, if there was anything like an organized gov- ernment in their country. For these and many other powerful reasons that would readily suggest themselves, they prayed for the organization of a new territory.
The petitioners suggested that the boundaries of the new terri- tory, which, by the way, was to be called "Sierra Nevada," be as follows : Beginning at the northeastern corner of California, the line was to run east about two thirds of the way across the present state of Nevada, and then southeast to a poiat about forty miles north of where Phoenix, Arizona, now stands. From there it was to run south to Old Mexico, and west along the northern boun- dary of that country to the southeastern corner of California. Then it was to follow the eastern boundary of that state to the place of beginning.
This boundary would take in a range of valleys connected together, and in the winter time the people who inhabited them were almost entirely shut off from communication with California, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, and Washington; but in all seasons they could enjoy free intercourse with one another. AU the proposed wagon, military, stage, and railroad routes crossing the continent between the Atlantic and Pacific states and terri- tories enter and pass through these valleys ; and the most trouble- some Indian tribes roam through or live in them. For these and
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HISTORY OF LASSEN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
similar urgent reasons and considerations they asked that the said territory be organized by Congress within the shortest pos- sible time.
W. "W. Nieols, R. D. Sides, Orrin Gray, J. K. Trumbo, and Col. William Rodgers were appointed to procure signatures to the memorial.
The meeting adjourned "with the full determination of all to work in good earnest to accomplish the success of the under- taking. Great harmony and enthusiasm prevailed on the occa- sion."
No ' ' flourish of trumpets ' ' about that. They certainly claimed everything in sight and "then some." The semi-arid country between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky mountains can hardly be called "the most fertile grazing and agricultural land;" and although the minerals and metals they told about were there, probably they knew nothing about any of them excepting the gold. They were not one fourth as many whites and Indians as they claimed living in the proposed new territory, and eight hundred miles to Salt Lake City was rather stretching the road.
T. & W. (Thompson and West's History of Nevada) have the following: "Western Utah at the close of 1857 had perhaps two hundred or three hundred people. There was not much to attract settlers. The placer mines were poor, and as the emigra- tion grew less trading with the emigrants was not very profitable. The principal occupation was stock raising from the Truckee to the head of Carson river. There was only one Mormon in ths country, and there was no organized government of any kind. The only law was that dealt out to 'Lucky Bill.' "
Judge Crane went to Washington to "boost" the cause of the new territory, .and in the history of the next year the results will be given.
Honey Lake Politics. 1857
When the Honey Lakers found they had taken in a lot of settlers to the south of them who paid no attention to their gov- ernment, they dropped Nataqua and, as previously told, joined the people of western Utah in their endeavor to have the United States organize a new territory. Besides this they had some polities to attend to at home.
In 1857 the valley was settled up quite rapidly and the land was taken up and improved. Before long there was settlement
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THE YEAR 1857
enougli in the valley to make the property worth noticing, and August 4, 1857, the board of supervisors of Plumas county organized it into a separate township, calling it Honey Lake town- ship. This, and other official, acts, and the taxing of the people of the valley brought on trouble that lasted for the next six years. Everybody thought the valley was close to the line, but no one took the trouble to do a little surveying and be sure about it. A part of the Honey Lake settlers said they were in Cali- fornia, and the Plumas county officials said so, too. That was all. The people of the valley, however, were not all of the same mind during the years of trouble with Plumas. Some of them believed they were in California, and were willing to acknowledge its jurisdiction. Others paid their taxes rather than have any trouble. Another class owned property both here and in Plumas. They had to pay their taxes, for if they didn't, their property there would be taken to pay them. But forty or fifty men, most of them men who came into the valley first, endured hardships, fought Indians, and in other ways bore the brunt of the battle, would have nothing to do with Plumas county. They said it did nothing for this valley, made no roads, built no schoolhouses — just came in and collected taxes. They didn't want to be in California, and didn 't believe they were ; and as long as the matter was in doubt they were going to pay no taxes, and were willing to fight it out — and they did. It seems as though a majority of the settlers here wanted to be in the new territory to be organized east of the mountains, but they were not willing to fight about it. The most of the settlers here filed their land claims with Eoop, but some of them went to Quincy and filed their claims, deeds, etc., there, too.
F. & S. say : ' ' The action of the board of supervisors, in the creation of Honey Lake township and the appointment of jus- tices and constables (none of whom qualified), called out the following proceedings from the citizens of this valley : (Quoted by them from Roop's record.)
' ' In pursuance of a notice, the citizens of Honey Lake valley met at M. Thompson's ranch on the twenty -ninth of August, A. D. 1857, and were called to order by appointing M. Thompson chairman, and L. N. Breed secretary.
' ' The following Preamble and resolutions were offered by Mr, Williams, and unanimously adopted:
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"Preamble
" Whereas, we, the citizens of Honey Lake Valley, entertain- ing very reasonable doubts of our being within the limits of the state of California, and believing that until the eastern boundary of the state of California is determined by the proper authori- ties that no county or counties have a right to extend their jurisdiction over us, therefore be it Resolved by the citizens of Honey Lake Valley in Mass Meeting assembled that we consider the action of the Board of Supervisors of Plumas county an unwarrantable assumption of power.
"Firstly, in appointing Justices of the Peace without our knowledge or consent.
' ' Secondly, in dividing the Valley into precincts, and appoint- ing officers for the same.
"Thirdly, in ordering an assessment of the propertj'^ of the Valley. Therefore be it further resolved that we will resist any action of the authorities of Plumas, and individually and col- lectively pledge ourselves by all we hold sacred to assist and aid each other in resisting any infringement of our rights.
"Resolved, That the officers appointed by the board of Super- visors to conduct the election in this place be requested to keep the Polls closed upon the day of election.
"Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed as a com- mittee of safety, whose business it shall be to correspond with the authorities of Plumas county, to end meetings when neces- sary, and to take such action as they may think necessary, sub- ject always to the approval of the citizens of this Valley.
"Resolved, That we cordially unite with the citizens of Carson Valley in their endeavors to have a new Territory struck off, whose limits shall be the Otegon line on the North, the Goose Creek range of Mountains on the East, the, Colorado River on the South, and the dividing ridge of the Sierra Nevadas on the west.
"Z. N. Spalding offered the following preamble, which was adopted and signed by all present:
"We, the undersigned individuals of Honey Lake Valley, feeling a just indignation at the course pursued by certain individuals, calling themselves citizens of this Valley, relative to a certain petition signed by them, and forwarded to Plumas county, praying them to consider this Valley under the juris-
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THE YEAE 1857
diction of said county, and for the authorities to appoint certain officers, such as Justice and constable.
"Now, be it known — ^First, that the petition above mentioned was drawn up and signed by persons most of whom were, and are now, non-residents of this Valley, and had no interest identi- fied with the welfare of this community. That very few of the resident citizens of the Valley knew anything about the petition until it was announced that Plumas county had appointed officers for us, nolens volens.
"Secondly, We are, and do consider this Valley, not in the state of California, and shall continue to do so until our bound- aries are defined and established by the legally constituted author- ities of the United States, and we will not recognize the authority of Plumas county or California to make ourselves or appoint our officers.
"Thirdly, Were we under the jurisdiction of Plumas county, we would not suffer the office-making power to force upon us men odious to the citizens generally, and destitute of the requisite qualifications to fill any office.
"Fourthly, We disclaim the whole proceedings from beginning to end and shall not regard any mandate issuing from under the officers appointed by Plumas county to preside over us.
"In token whereof, we severally pledge ourselves.
Names. M. Thompson, Thomas Baton,
L. N. Breed, J. D. Sharp,
Joseph Lynch, A. G. Bppstein,
H. Dony, Peter Lassen,
Wm. Hill, Ralph Niesham,
G. A. Williams, E. J. Scott,
Wm. Weatherlow, A. U. Sylvester,
C. Arnold, H. A. Wilmans,
D. C. Jackson, R. Hewitt,