Dave “Swede” Zwinge was constable in El Dorado Camp, now Mountain Ranch, in 1910. He was paid $40 per month and carried a 5 shot 38 cal. Iver Johnson pistol now owned by the Alberts Family. Just over 6 ft. 6 inches tall this big lawman had a reputation of getting the job done.
Many colorful tales have been told of this big daredevil but none as wild as this ride he took on his faithful black horse this Jan. day in 1910.
The story began when a white man named John Thomas from the Glencoe area was murdered. An American who some thought had committed the crime, accused a young half breed Indian named Two Dog.
The so-called Glencoe Rangers, nothing more than self appointed vigilantes, attacked the temporary jail where Swede had housed Two Dog. Swede and his helpers were able to repulse the Rangers but Two Dog was shot, not fatally. As soon as Two Dog recovered he was placed on trial. Hanging the poor Indian was foremost on their minds.
Judge A.I. McSorely was the one officiating at the trial. The local D.A. presented his case and the jury found poor Two Dog guilty. Judge McSorely sentenced Two Dog to life imprisonment at San Quentin.
The Glencoe Rangers wanted to hang Two Dog and they waited for Swede to come out of the court room to the jail. Swede was ready for whatever would happen. He had his trusty black horse and another equally good steed saddled and ready for a quick exit to the penitentiary. With the angry mob behind him, Swede decided horses for this cross country ride would be much better than the automobile, for at that time none of the roads in this area were paved.
While the Glencoe Rangers were waiting Swede and Two Dog were lowered from the second story window and quickly mounted their horses and dashed away.
All hell broke loose and it took about 15 minutes for the Glencoe group to get horses ready for the chase.
Swede and Two Dog rode madly north of town and flashed through sleepy Poverty Flat before the people knew what was happening. Whiskey Slide was passed as well.
In little over an hour they riders reached Jesus Maria. There they changed horses and continued north toward Moke Hill over the roughest terrain.
With Two Dog’s injury the going was slower than Swede wanted for the closer they got to Sacramento the more open the terrain which would give the Glencoe bunch a good shot.
Their frantic ride continued and on occasion they passed men on horseback and at one point drive a couple in an automobile entirely off the road. The ride was beginning to take its toll. The afternoon was fading as they passed Sutter Creek town site.
The Indian was getting weaker and Swede was now worried he might not make it. Swede told Two Dog to “look back and you will see they are gaining on us.”
They pushed their horses for more speed, but they were still gaining. At last Swede saw the most welcome sight of all his life, the bridge over Bear Creek, Sacramento was in sight.
The race was not over, they found the streets deep in mud and their tired horses struggled and toiled to get through this mire.
As they glanced back they saw the Glencoe Rangers very close but they could not fire on them, being almost in town. The jailer threw open the doors and the dauntless deputy, as white as death but seemingly unwearied, gave his prisoner into safe keeping. Seconds after the iron doors swung shut the Glencoe Gang arrived, too late. Swede had saved Two Dog from hanging.
Just four hours had passed since Swede and Two Dog had been lowered from the Dughi Building window in Mtn. Ranch Swede disclaimed all credit for bravery or daring for his deed.
Swede was a practical man and did what he felt had to be done. He had little time to think of his great ride, 48 miles in four hours, or of the fate of Two Dog.
Shortly after this brave ride he was shot in the back by an assassin, but so it was, and one night his faithful black horse came home without him. In the cold light of the early morning he was found near Wiggins Sawmill with a jagged hole in his back but still alive.
It would take more than a coward’s bullet in the back to stop the biggest and bravest man in old El Dorado Camp now called Mountain Ranch
Dave “Swede” Zwinge lived out the rest of his life in Sheep Ranch. Hoping to reach 100 years of age, he almost made it.
This story has been told and retold many times in Swede’s live and after it, and always seemed to add a bit at every telling. It is commonly believed a small part of it is true.
REMEMBER: If you are lucky enough to live in Mtn. Ranch, then you are lucky enough!
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