I'm sitting on a big quartz rock.
Where the gold is said to grow;
But, I'm thinking of the merry flock,
That I left long ago.
My fare is hard, and so is my bed,
My claim is giving out,
I've worked until I'm almost dead,
And soon I shall "peg" out.
I'm thinking of the better days,
Before I left my home;
Before my brain with gold was crazed,
And I began to roam.
Those were the days, no more are seen,
When all the girls loved me;
When I did dress in linen clean,
They washed and cooked for me.
But awful change is this to tell,
I wash and cook myself;
I never more shall cut a swell,
But here must dig for pelf.
I ne'er shall lie in clean white sheets,
But in my blankets roll;
An oh! the girls I thought so sweet,
They think me but a fool.
Author Unknown
Showing posts with label El Dorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label El Dorado. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Devoto, One of the Early Families in Old Eldorado Camp
Benidito Devoto came to Calaveras County in the early 1860‘s. He came from Italy around the horn in a clipper ship. Two years later he sent for his wife Rosa. He traveled from San Francisco to El Dorado Camp by hitching rides on wagons heading for the gold fields.
By working hard and saving what little he did make from mining he was able to buy a small lot and adobe building in El Dorado. Later he purchased a small acreage northeast of town and put in a vineyard. He soon became one of the finest wine makers in the area. Near his vineyard he also found gold valued at $800 in one pocket. He also lost one eye in a mining accident.
There was a bakery in El Dorado as early as 1858. Mr. Devoto’s bakery is listed on the township map of 1872. We believe he bought the same bakery that was operated in the early days. It was in an adobe building behind the present candle shop.
In his later years grandfather Devoto told of Joaquin Murietta coming over Butcher Hill from Cave City to his bakery to get sacks of bread. When business was poor for Murietta he did not offer to pay. When the pickings were right he often rewarded the baker very well. Mr. Devoto never spoke of this during the time it happened. No one spoke of Murietta at that time for fear of reprisal. His gang was known throughout California as cold-blooded killers.
The Devotos lived behind the bakery in small living quarters. Later with the help of his two sons he built the existing Devoto home which stands next to the stone Dughi building which is now the Lutheran Church, the oldest wooden building in town. The sons exchanged work for lumber from Wiggins Sawmill on Jesus Maria Creek. Joe Cuneo helped with the carpentry work on this house.
Benidito Devoto was born in Italy in 1828, died in El Dorado in 1917; his wife was born in 1832, died 1923.
They had five children, one died as an infant. Louis was born 1864, died 1929; Jennie born 1872, died March 29, 1967 age 94; Joe born 1869, died 1943; Auralia born 1875, died 1951.
The children went to school at the old Fischer School north of El Dorado. Louis later became Justice of the Peace in San Andreas. He moved to San Francisco. At one time he was assistant treasurer for the city, later became head of the Board of Health and finally was elected to the assembly. When he first moved to San Francisco he worked as a guard at San Quentin and also as a bartender on the infamous Barbary Coast. He was known all his life as “Judge”. Louis married Mame Coran.
A son Francis was born in 1897 in San Francisco. A daughter born in 1902 was named Maria Rose.
Francis went to the St. Mary Catholic School in San Francisco and later went to Lincoln Public School in Oakland after the earthquake in 1906. He was living with his parents on Minna Street in San Francisco when the earthquake hit. He was nine years old. The morning of the quake Francis was awakened by his father. By the time Louis got his family together the house had moved two feet off its foundation and there were cracks in the walls large enough to walk through.
Louis was a big man, over six feet tall, he picked up his son and jumped through a hole in the wall, leaped several large cracks in the earth until they had reached safety. He returned to the house several times to get the rest of his family and some supplies.
As they wandered about the city trying to find a place away from the fires, Francis can remember seeing tongues of flames licking out of every window in the Call Newspaper building. Fires started everywhere, there was no water to fight with, the lines had broken from the quake so many buildings were blasted down by the fire fighters. Many people were hysterical and untold numbers were killed.
The Devoto family stayed two days in Golden Gate Park. It was a haven for many homeless families. They they moved out of town with family friends. When the family gathered what was left after the quake they moved to Oakland.
Francis’ uncle Joe lived in Mountain Ranch for many years. He was postmaster here in 1894. He married Louise Rodesino, sister to Johanna Rodesino, who was killed in a stage hold-up.
Later he moved to San Francisco where Louis set him up as a partner in a saloon. He also moved to Oakland after the earthquake. He bought a saloon at 7th and Broadway called the “Station Saloon”. Lew Powell, a promising young fighter, became close friends of Joe and Louis Devoto. Lew Powell spent his life in the fighting game and was considered the most colorful fighter of his day. He spent his retired years at Mountain Ranch. Joe Devoto had no children. Lew Powell’s daughter still owns the Powell Ranch off Banner Road.
Francis’ Aunt Jennie became postmaster in Mountain Ranch in 1906 after working for many years in the post office. In fact, she took care of the post office when Joe, her brother, was postmaster.
Francis moved from Oakland to Mountain Ranch in 1908 when he was eleven years old. He lived with his Aunt Jennie.
Francis went to school in Mountain Ranch. Elba Ames was one of his teachers. He used to ride the butcher’s wagon from San Andreas, operated by Jim Uland, who served the El Dorado - Cave City area selling fresh meats. Francis said he kept towns clear of flies, as they followed the meat wagon wherever he went.
He moved back to Oakland when he was 13 to work for Southern Pacific Railroad as an apprentice machinist for 15 cents an hour. Later he worked for the Telephone Co. collecting money from pay phones. He spent two years in Dunsmuir for his health but working in a billiard parlor did not seem to do much good.
He missed the first World War because he was working on the railroad. After the war he made two trips to Europe as a pump man on an oil tanker for the Tri-Mountain Oil Co.
Francis returned to Mountain Ranch in the early 1930‘s to work part time for A. Domenghini. He also worked some in the Sheep Ranch Store. Later when Atillio took sick he went to work full time for Louis Domenghini in the general store. His first marriage did not work out and he married Mabel Dale Hatch in 1946. Francis worked for the Domenghini family for over 30 years. He retired in 1965 when the Domenghini Estate was sold to Alberts Family and has since passed away.
The Domenghini General Store fixtures and old merchandise as well as old photos is now on display at the Red Barn Museum, donated by Phil and Florence Alberts.
By working hard and saving what little he did make from mining he was able to buy a small lot and adobe building in El Dorado. Later he purchased a small acreage northeast of town and put in a vineyard. He soon became one of the finest wine makers in the area. Near his vineyard he also found gold valued at $800 in one pocket. He also lost one eye in a mining accident.
There was a bakery in El Dorado as early as 1858. Mr. Devoto’s bakery is listed on the township map of 1872. We believe he bought the same bakery that was operated in the early days. It was in an adobe building behind the present candle shop.
In his later years grandfather Devoto told of Joaquin Murietta coming over Butcher Hill from Cave City to his bakery to get sacks of bread. When business was poor for Murietta he did not offer to pay. When the pickings were right he often rewarded the baker very well. Mr. Devoto never spoke of this during the time it happened. No one spoke of Murietta at that time for fear of reprisal. His gang was known throughout California as cold-blooded killers.
The Devotos lived behind the bakery in small living quarters. Later with the help of his two sons he built the existing Devoto home which stands next to the stone Dughi building which is now the Lutheran Church, the oldest wooden building in town. The sons exchanged work for lumber from Wiggins Sawmill on Jesus Maria Creek. Joe Cuneo helped with the carpentry work on this house.
Benidito Devoto was born in Italy in 1828, died in El Dorado in 1917; his wife was born in 1832, died 1923.
They had five children, one died as an infant. Louis was born 1864, died 1929; Jennie born 1872, died March 29, 1967 age 94; Joe born 1869, died 1943; Auralia born 1875, died 1951.
The children went to school at the old Fischer School north of El Dorado. Louis later became Justice of the Peace in San Andreas. He moved to San Francisco. At one time he was assistant treasurer for the city, later became head of the Board of Health and finally was elected to the assembly. When he first moved to San Francisco he worked as a guard at San Quentin and also as a bartender on the infamous Barbary Coast. He was known all his life as “Judge”. Louis married Mame Coran.
A son Francis was born in 1897 in San Francisco. A daughter born in 1902 was named Maria Rose.
Francis went to the St. Mary Catholic School in San Francisco and later went to Lincoln Public School in Oakland after the earthquake in 1906. He was living with his parents on Minna Street in San Francisco when the earthquake hit. He was nine years old. The morning of the quake Francis was awakened by his father. By the time Louis got his family together the house had moved two feet off its foundation and there were cracks in the walls large enough to walk through.
Louis was a big man, over six feet tall, he picked up his son and jumped through a hole in the wall, leaped several large cracks in the earth until they had reached safety. He returned to the house several times to get the rest of his family and some supplies.
As they wandered about the city trying to find a place away from the fires, Francis can remember seeing tongues of flames licking out of every window in the Call Newspaper building. Fires started everywhere, there was no water to fight with, the lines had broken from the quake so many buildings were blasted down by the fire fighters. Many people were hysterical and untold numbers were killed.
The Devoto family stayed two days in Golden Gate Park. It was a haven for many homeless families. They they moved out of town with family friends. When the family gathered what was left after the quake they moved to Oakland.
Francis’ uncle Joe lived in Mountain Ranch for many years. He was postmaster here in 1894. He married Louise Rodesino, sister to Johanna Rodesino, who was killed in a stage hold-up.
Later he moved to San Francisco where Louis set him up as a partner in a saloon. He also moved to Oakland after the earthquake. He bought a saloon at 7th and Broadway called the “Station Saloon”. Lew Powell, a promising young fighter, became close friends of Joe and Louis Devoto. Lew Powell spent his life in the fighting game and was considered the most colorful fighter of his day. He spent his retired years at Mountain Ranch. Joe Devoto had no children. Lew Powell’s daughter still owns the Powell Ranch off Banner Road.
Francis’ Aunt Jennie became postmaster in Mountain Ranch in 1906 after working for many years in the post office. In fact, she took care of the post office when Joe, her brother, was postmaster.
Francis moved from Oakland to Mountain Ranch in 1908 when he was eleven years old. He lived with his Aunt Jennie.
Francis went to school in Mountain Ranch. Elba Ames was one of his teachers. He used to ride the butcher’s wagon from San Andreas, operated by Jim Uland, who served the El Dorado - Cave City area selling fresh meats. Francis said he kept towns clear of flies, as they followed the meat wagon wherever he went.
He moved back to Oakland when he was 13 to work for Southern Pacific Railroad as an apprentice machinist for 15 cents an hour. Later he worked for the Telephone Co. collecting money from pay phones. He spent two years in Dunsmuir for his health but working in a billiard parlor did not seem to do much good.
He missed the first World War because he was working on the railroad. After the war he made two trips to Europe as a pump man on an oil tanker for the Tri-Mountain Oil Co.
Francis returned to Mountain Ranch in the early 1930‘s to work part time for A. Domenghini. He also worked some in the Sheep Ranch Store. Later when Atillio took sick he went to work full time for Louis Domenghini in the general store. His first marriage did not work out and he married Mabel Dale Hatch in 1946. Francis worked for the Domenghini family for over 30 years. He retired in 1965 when the Domenghini Estate was sold to Alberts Family and has since passed away.
The Domenghini General Store fixtures and old merchandise as well as old photos is now on display at the Red Barn Museum, donated by Phil and Florence Alberts.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Mail Order Brides
In the early days of the Old El Dorado supplies were not always available when they were needed. Many items were sent to the mines and the workers by mail order. Orders were placed by the local merchant, or stage driver but most often by mail order.
In 1859 the California papers estimated in all the territory west of the Missouri River there was but one woman to every 200 men. This opened the path for an enterprising new business of mail order brides.
Early in the Gold Rush these hard working men lifted their heads from their labors and felt the absence of one vital element -- women!
There were no money-back guarantees but those lonely hearts thought it was worth a role of the dice to order a bride by mail, and it did work out most of the time.
There were a number of early publications that specialized in mail order brides. The motto of the day was "Women need a man's strong arm to support her in life's struggle, and men need a woman's love".
Most communities celebrated the arrival of a new bride to their town. Miners scattered throughout the hills would all come to town to look at this new addition -- "A woman". Word would spread far and wide when a woman was to arrive.
Here in Old El Dorado the new bride was not always celebrated as in other towns. Here they said it was a friend of a relative back East. Some men were too embarrassed.
Some of the names of early Old El Dorado you will recognize but we are not going to list those brave souls who took to this much needed supply.
Despite an occasional unhappy couple mail order match, there were an unusual number of life long unions.
This was because the people were very honest in their letters of exactly what they expected. Photos and background information was a must. Also after they met both parties were to sign an agreement not to be a bad spouse or try to change the other person.
These poor souls were willing to sign away anything to complete the spousal arrangement.
The lack of women in the gold fields and not many good men back East especially after the war brought these two factions together. Records tell us that in most cases this was a life made in Heaven.
EVEN the old timers said "If you are lucky enough to live in Old El Dorado with a woman, then you are lucky enough!"
In 1859 the California papers estimated in all the territory west of the Missouri River there was but one woman to every 200 men. This opened the path for an enterprising new business of mail order brides.
Early in the Gold Rush these hard working men lifted their heads from their labors and felt the absence of one vital element -- women!
There were no money-back guarantees but those lonely hearts thought it was worth a role of the dice to order a bride by mail, and it did work out most of the time.
There were a number of early publications that specialized in mail order brides. The motto of the day was "Women need a man's strong arm to support her in life's struggle, and men need a woman's love".
Most communities celebrated the arrival of a new bride to their town. Miners scattered throughout the hills would all come to town to look at this new addition -- "A woman". Word would spread far and wide when a woman was to arrive.
Here in Old El Dorado the new bride was not always celebrated as in other towns. Here they said it was a friend of a relative back East. Some men were too embarrassed.
Some of the names of early Old El Dorado you will recognize but we are not going to list those brave souls who took to this much needed supply.
Despite an occasional unhappy couple mail order match, there were an unusual number of life long unions.
This was because the people were very honest in their letters of exactly what they expected. Photos and background information was a must. Also after they met both parties were to sign an agreement not to be a bad spouse or try to change the other person.
These poor souls were willing to sign away anything to complete the spousal arrangement.
The lack of women in the gold fields and not many good men back East especially after the war brought these two factions together. Records tell us that in most cases this was a life made in Heaven.
EVEN the old timers said "If you are lucky enough to live in Old El Dorado with a woman, then you are lucky enough!"
The Mines around Old El Dorado
The many mines in and around Old El Dorado have names as varied as those of race horses, such as:
Rose Hill: Located on ridge south of El Dorado Creek, one mile west of Mtn. Ranch. Opened in 1871, operated for 25 years with a 10 stamp mill, by the Rodesino family. Later purchased by Clyde Sherwood, former owner of El Dorado Ranch.
Hardscabble: Located on ridge above Murray Creek, one mile west of Mtn. Ranch, owned by Louis Baver. In 1930 the ore yielded up to $30 per ton.
Starlight: Located 6 miles east of San Andreas off Michel Road on what is now called Starlight Lane. Discovered in 1890 with 145 foot shaft. Concentrates averaged $162 per ton. Treated in 5 stamp mill. Owned by John R. Ross.
Old McKinney: Located 5 miles southeast of Mt. Ranch, owned by Clorinda Domenghini. Discovered in 1860. What is now called Hidden Valley.
Pilot: Located on ridge between the O'Neil and McKinney Creeks, 5 miles northwest of Murphys. 180 foot shaft with 4 stamp mill. Near Cave City.
Table Mountain: Located one mile northeast of Mtn. Ranch, owned by A. M. Raggio with 110 foot shaft.
Murray Creek: Located one mile north of Mtn. Ranch, owned by Albert Wanner. Discovered in 1890.
Fort Ritter: Located on ridge north of Murray Creek, one mile northeast of Mtn. Ranch and owned by Donald Costello. 3 foot vein strkes northwest and dips northeast. Early mine discovered in 1850. With 640 foot adit and 200 foot shaft. Ore treated with 5 stamp mill.
Hazel Emma: Located in Mexican Gulch, 1 1/2 miles northeast of Mtn. Ranch and owned by Geo W. Carr, Jr. Ore yielded $20 per ton in the 1930's with 175 foot north crosscut adit, 100 foot of drifts, and 40 feet winze.
Montana: Locate on ridge north o Salamander Gulch, 6 miles northeast of San Andreas, owner M. Gattavaro in the 1930's. 2 foot quartz vein stripes north and dips 55 east. Active in 1870 with 2 stamp mill. Northwest of Mtn. Ranch.
Shenandoah: Located on Jesus Maria Creek 5 miles northwest of Mtn. Ranch, owned by J.S. Jack 5 foot vein strikes northeast. 1600 foot adits and 500 foot shaft. Ore treated in 10 stamp mill.
Alpha and Omega: Located on ridge between Jesus Maria and Esperanza Creeks, owned by Loring Bennet and Alice Rynn. 1 1/2 foot vein strikes northwest. Ore yeild up to #34 per ton. From 1877 to 1930's, 5 stamp mill.
Rindge: There were 3 Rindge mine, one located northeast of Jesus Maria, one in Wet Gulch, and one southeast of Glencoe. All were operated in the 1920's by F. H. Rindge of Stockton, with a 10 stamp mill.
Wet Gulch: Located 2 miles southeast of the town Jesus Maria in Wet Gulch. Owned by T.P. Shufelton and worked extensively in the early days.
Dauphine: Located one mile southeast of Jesus Maria (the town). Two veins in 7 foot zone strike northeast. Discovered in 1851. 100 foot shaft, 140 foot adit and open cut. Treated with one stamp mill. One of our very early mine shafts.
And don't forget Sheep Ranch, by far the largest and best producing gold mine in this area. Discovered in 1868 and operated almost continuously until 1942. In 1875 the mine was sold to George Hearst and Company. They brought the mine up to modern standards at that time and it was most productive. One of the biggest little towns in southern mines with stores, hotels, livery, even a hospital.
You will be surprised. There is probably a mine on your property or close by. Get out your pick and metal detector and see what you can find!
Rose Hill: Located on ridge south of El Dorado Creek, one mile west of Mtn. Ranch. Opened in 1871, operated for 25 years with a 10 stamp mill, by the Rodesino family. Later purchased by Clyde Sherwood, former owner of El Dorado Ranch.
Hardscabble: Located on ridge above Murray Creek, one mile west of Mtn. Ranch, owned by Louis Baver. In 1930 the ore yielded up to $30 per ton.
Starlight: Located 6 miles east of San Andreas off Michel Road on what is now called Starlight Lane. Discovered in 1890 with 145 foot shaft. Concentrates averaged $162 per ton. Treated in 5 stamp mill. Owned by John R. Ross.
Old McKinney: Located 5 miles southeast of Mt. Ranch, owned by Clorinda Domenghini. Discovered in 1860. What is now called Hidden Valley.
Pilot: Located on ridge between the O'Neil and McKinney Creeks, 5 miles northwest of Murphys. 180 foot shaft with 4 stamp mill. Near Cave City.
Table Mountain: Located one mile northeast of Mtn. Ranch, owned by A. M. Raggio with 110 foot shaft.
Murray Creek: Located one mile north of Mtn. Ranch, owned by Albert Wanner. Discovered in 1890.
Fort Ritter: Located on ridge north of Murray Creek, one mile northeast of Mtn. Ranch and owned by Donald Costello. 3 foot vein strkes northwest and dips northeast. Early mine discovered in 1850. With 640 foot adit and 200 foot shaft. Ore treated with 5 stamp mill.
Hazel Emma: Located in Mexican Gulch, 1 1/2 miles northeast of Mtn. Ranch and owned by Geo W. Carr, Jr. Ore yielded $20 per ton in the 1930's with 175 foot north crosscut adit, 100 foot of drifts, and 40 feet winze.
Montana: Locate on ridge north o Salamander Gulch, 6 miles northeast of San Andreas, owner M. Gattavaro in the 1930's. 2 foot quartz vein stripes north and dips 55 east. Active in 1870 with 2 stamp mill. Northwest of Mtn. Ranch.
Shenandoah: Located on Jesus Maria Creek 5 miles northwest of Mtn. Ranch, owned by J.S. Jack 5 foot vein strikes northeast. 1600 foot adits and 500 foot shaft. Ore treated in 10 stamp mill.
Alpha and Omega: Located on ridge between Jesus Maria and Esperanza Creeks, owned by Loring Bennet and Alice Rynn. 1 1/2 foot vein strikes northwest. Ore yeild up to #34 per ton. From 1877 to 1930's, 5 stamp mill.
Rindge: There were 3 Rindge mine, one located northeast of Jesus Maria, one in Wet Gulch, and one southeast of Glencoe. All were operated in the 1920's by F. H. Rindge of Stockton, with a 10 stamp mill.
Wet Gulch: Located 2 miles southeast of the town Jesus Maria in Wet Gulch. Owned by T.P. Shufelton and worked extensively in the early days.
Dauphine: Located one mile southeast of Jesus Maria (the town). Two veins in 7 foot zone strike northeast. Discovered in 1851. 100 foot shaft, 140 foot adit and open cut. Treated with one stamp mill. One of our very early mine shafts.
And don't forget Sheep Ranch, by far the largest and best producing gold mine in this area. Discovered in 1868 and operated almost continuously until 1942. In 1875 the mine was sold to George Hearst and Company. They brought the mine up to modern standards at that time and it was most productive. One of the biggest little towns in southern mines with stores, hotels, livery, even a hospital.
You will be surprised. There is probably a mine on your property or close by. Get out your pick and metal detector and see what you can find!
Friday, November 21, 2014
Where Is It? Places lost and remaining from the Motherlode Gold Rush
Where Is It?
Some have survived but most have disappeared.
* La Chapelle Flat - That big meadow behind Scott's Junction. Lewis Emery, who built the lake at M-24, moved his house from the Rose Hill Mine to La Chapelle Flat.
* Miles - Located where Whiskey Slide Road crosses Jesus Maria Creek. Known as the Sharp Ranch for many years.
* Broderick - Somewhere near the present town of Mtn. Ranch but we have not been able to determine where.
* Cave City - At the end of Cave City Road. Cave now open to the public.
* Poverty Flat - North of town off Whiskey Slide.
* Fourth Crossing - On Highway 49 between San Andreas and Angels Camp.
* Humbug - Now called Hidden Valley.
* Whiskey Slide - North of Jesus Maria Road at the end of Whiskey Slide Road.
* Dog Town - North of Altaville.
* Chee Chee Flat - The three corners of Whiskey Slide, Ponderosa and W. Murray.
* Old Gulch - 1 mile south of Michael Road on Old Gulch Road.
* San Antone Camp - On San Antone Creek south of Fricot City Road.
* Montgomeryville - Just east of Stage Coach Monument on Mtn. Ranch Road.
* Rigney Flat - Off Sheep Ranch Road before O'Neil Creek.
* Willow Creek - 2 miles south of San Andreas.
* Upper and Lower Calaveritas - Near present area of Calaveritas. Once a very active mining area.
* Indian Creek - South of Sheep Ranch on road to Murphys. Home of Valenti Store and Clorinda Domenghini.
* Sheep Ranch - Originally called Hay Press Flat. You know where that is.
* Yaqui Camp - 3 miles southeast of San Andreas, home of Squarehead Mine.
* Cherokee Flat - Now known as Altaville.
* Gold Hill - One mile northeast of Altaville.
* Jesus Maria - a few miles east of Moke Hill on Jesus Maria Road.
* Double Springs - Below Toyon toward Valley Springs.
* Mosquito Gulch - Now known as Glencoe.
* Turnersville - Now called Campo Seco.
* El Dorado - Now known as Mountain Ranch.
* Macaroni Flat - Near Stevenot Winery on Sheep Ranch - Murphys Road.
* Railroad Flat - You know where that is.
* Rich Gulch - West of Railroad Flat, very rich mining area.
* Vallecito - Originally called "Shooter's Town" between Angels Camp and Murphys.
* Douglas Flat - West of Murphys was called "New Diggings".
Some have survived but most have disappeared.
* La Chapelle Flat - That big meadow behind Scott's Junction. Lewis Emery, who built the lake at M-24, moved his house from the Rose Hill Mine to La Chapelle Flat.
* Miles - Located where Whiskey Slide Road crosses Jesus Maria Creek. Known as the Sharp Ranch for many years.
* Broderick - Somewhere near the present town of Mtn. Ranch but we have not been able to determine where.
* Cave City - At the end of Cave City Road. Cave now open to the public.
* Poverty Flat - North of town off Whiskey Slide.
* Fourth Crossing - On Highway 49 between San Andreas and Angels Camp.
* Humbug - Now called Hidden Valley.
* Whiskey Slide - North of Jesus Maria Road at the end of Whiskey Slide Road.
* Dog Town - North of Altaville.
* Chee Chee Flat - The three corners of Whiskey Slide, Ponderosa and W. Murray.
* Old Gulch - 1 mile south of Michael Road on Old Gulch Road.
* San Antone Camp - On San Antone Creek south of Fricot City Road.
* Montgomeryville - Just east of Stage Coach Monument on Mtn. Ranch Road.
* Rigney Flat - Off Sheep Ranch Road before O'Neil Creek.
* Willow Creek - 2 miles south of San Andreas.
* Upper and Lower Calaveritas - Near present area of Calaveritas. Once a very active mining area.
* Indian Creek - South of Sheep Ranch on road to Murphys. Home of Valenti Store and Clorinda Domenghini.
* Sheep Ranch - Originally called Hay Press Flat. You know where that is.
* Yaqui Camp - 3 miles southeast of San Andreas, home of Squarehead Mine.
* Cherokee Flat - Now known as Altaville.
* Gold Hill - One mile northeast of Altaville.
* Jesus Maria - a few miles east of Moke Hill on Jesus Maria Road.
* Double Springs - Below Toyon toward Valley Springs.
* Mosquito Gulch - Now known as Glencoe.
* Turnersville - Now called Campo Seco.
* El Dorado - Now known as Mountain Ranch.
* Macaroni Flat - Near Stevenot Winery on Sheep Ranch - Murphys Road.
* Railroad Flat - You know where that is.
* Rich Gulch - West of Railroad Flat, very rich mining area.
* Vallecito - Originally called "Shooter's Town" between Angels Camp and Murphys.
* Douglas Flat - West of Murphys was called "New Diggings".
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Calaveras Prospect Excerpts, 1899
The year 1899 was a busy and prosperous year in and around old El Dorado. Here are a few of the local happenings!
When and where you will find the County Assessor:
All persons who have purchased real estate within the past year are requested to appear:
Fourth Crossing: March 8
Calaveritas: March 9
San Antone: March 10
El Dorado: March 11
Jesus Maria: March 22
RailRoad Flat: May 8
Sheep Ranch: March 13
Sat. March 4th, 1899
The Ritter Mine. Recent Developments Very Encouraging to the Management.
Hard to Estimate the Average Value of the Ore -- Some Will Go Away Up In the Thousands.
The Ritter Mine, situated on Murray Creek Ridge, about two miles north of El Dorado, is proving itself, from recent developments, to be a very valuable property. It is an old location covered by a U.S. patent, and was prospected to a considerable extent in the early fifties but abandoned. It was taken hold of several times during the seventies and eighties by different parties but no encouraging developments were made and it was as often relinquished until recently when it was taken in hand by E.C. Rigney.
March 25th, 1899
EL DORADO MINES.
What is Being Done in That District.
A Favorable Clean-up at the Rose Hill-- Flattering Results at the Alpine and Extension Mines
The latest clean-up at the Rose Hill quartz mine near El Dorado proved very satisfactory. In view of the encouragement thus given and the favorable outlook for the future, Lewis Emery, the sole owner of the property, has ordered new steam machinery for use on the mill The heavy rains have assured a bountiful supply of water for other power. The management has spent something over $60,000 in repairing a large reservoir and in constructing an extensive ditch and laying pipe at different points in order to bring water to the mine. This work was completed last January. The water from this ditch will not only be used for power but also for sluicing and hydraulicking, as Emery & Co. own quite a large tract of placer land in connection with the Rose Hill property, upon which they will commence operations in the near future, Mr. Emery is erecting a large building on the El Dorado road about 1 1/2 miles from El Dorado.
May 13th, 1899
Ordinance NO. 92
Granting to the Sheep Ranch Mercantile Company,
a corporation, the right of way, privilege and franchise to
construct, maintain and operate a telephone and telegraph
line between the towns of Sheep Ranch and San Andreas,
in the County of Calaveras
July 15th, 1899
A Suicide at Murphys.
Frederick Peterson Ends His Life with Giant Powder.
He Placed a Stick of the Explosive In His Mouth
and Fires It -- Complete Decapitation the Result.
An old man named Frederick Peterson, protege of Rev. M.J. Luark, the resident minister at Murphys. He formerly lived at Chee Chee Flat where for a long time he eked out a scanty existence in mining.
July 15th 1899
El Dorado and Sheep Ranch.
The Progress of Mining in Those Districts.
The Live Oak Mine to be Sold--The Maine Mine Sold--Other Properties Showing up Well
The Live Oak mine, about one mile north of El Dorado on Sheep Ranch road, is abourt to pass into the hands of parties from San Francisco. It is at present owned by Tiscornia & Company who have done a good deal of development work therein. The purchase price is$10,000, $4,000 of which is about to be paid down before work commences. The ledge from the top down averages about two and one-half feet in width and prospects from a few dollars to $150 to the ton in fine gold. There is a large pile of pay ore on the dump and plenty more in sight in the mine. This mine is opened by a tunnel 300 feet long and also by a shaft forty feet deep.
The Ritter mine which is being developed by Lewis Emery of the Rose Hill mine is looking all right. Some very rich bunches of ore have been struck, although the ledge on an average prospects well. The results from recent tests in the Rose Hill mill were better than they have been before. For reasons known only to the management, work was suspended for a while.
Emery & Company have been working the Rose Hill gravel mine by the hydraulic process. It is reported that some nuggets of gold can be seen in the sluice boxes, which would indicate good results from the next clean-up.
Sept. 9th, 1899
Sheriff Thorn, accompanied by his wife, left for San Francisco last Wednesday. Mr. Thorn since recovering from his recent sickness is now suffering with ear trouble so he has gone to the city to consult a specialist.
Lewis Emery who lives at La Chapelle Flat near El Dorado is moving his dwelling house from he Rose Hill mine to a more convenient locality near the road. The fish with which he stocked his reservoir near his home recently are doing well.
Oct. 28th, 1899 Baling Out The Water.
That Work at the Sheep Ranch Mine Advancing Rapidly.
Without any Mishap the Water Will be Out by the End of Next Month -- Other Notes.
The work of unwatering the Sheep Ranch mine is in progress and at present the shaft is freed of water as far down as the eight hundred foot level. In this level there are a great many drifts holding an immense quantity of water which will of course make progress very slowly. Between levels rapid headway is made and the water has been lowered as much as twenty-one feet in a single day. Baling has been done with two huge buckets holding 589 gallons each, but this week one of these buckets was replaced by a larger one, holding 720 gallons.
November 18th, 1899
MINING NEAR EL DORADO.
Emery Making Preparations for Hydraulicking.
Will Raise the Water Dam Fourteen Feet --
Six Thousand Feet of 30-inch Pipe to be Laid.
Extensive preparations are being made for work on a large scale on the mining properties near El Dorado, of which Lewis Emery is the principle owner. The dam, which is situated about two and a half miles above El Dorado, will be raised fourteen feet, which will insure the storage of an immense body of water. This dam is fed from ditches taking water from Jesus Maria creek, the Little Mokelumne and other streams in the mountains.
A tunnel for a tail-race is being dug from Murray Creek toward La Chapelle Flat. This will be about 1400 feet in length.
Accident at North America.
A. Cuslidge of El Dorado met with a bad accident at North America last Tuesday. He was engaged with other workmen in hoisting hay with a derrick when the boom fell, striking him on the head and right arm, making an ugly cut on the former and breaking the latter in two places. He was taken to his home where his injuries were attended to by a surgeon.
Nov. 25th, 1899
The News From Jesus Maria.
Frank Towle as a Temperance Lecturer.
The Institute at the Hill--A Heavy Thunder Storm--A Couple Accidents--Local Notes.
Jesus Maria, November 20th. F.Z. Towle of the Banner mill delivered an able lecture on temperance at the Negro Gulch school house. The audience was a very large and appreciative one. Nearly every man, woman and child of the whole community attended in a body. He spoke with an eloquence and enthusiasm that carried conviction to every listener's heart.
One of Our Soldier Boys Returns Home.
Edward Zwinge Arrives From a Sojourn in the North.
Edward C. Zwinge, who enlisted on the 24th of June, 1898, in Battery A, Third Artillery, U.S.A., is at home, having received his honorable discharge on the 4th of last June, and arrived here Thursday last. Mr. Zwinge enlisted at San Francisco with the expectation of being sent to the Philippines, but in this respect he was disappointed, for instead of going to the Orient his company was ordered to Rapid City, Alaska, where he remained up until the time of his discharge. Mr. Zwinge, who has a fine physique, makes a good appearance in the habiliments of Uncle Sam's boys, and he does not appear to have suffered in the least from his sojourn in the frozen north. He was forty-seven days in making the journey from his post, during which he had to travel 1000 miles in a row-boat. Ed is an exemplary young man and to say that his many friends here were pleased to greet him once more, expresses it mildly.
The Petticoat and Poorman.
Developments In a Couple of Properties at RailRoad Flat.
At the Petticoat mine near RailRoad Flat a station has been cut at the 550 foot level, sinking for the 650 mark is in progress and drifting is being carried on in the 550 foot level. Everything looks very favorable.
At the Poorman mine near the same place the work of sinking from the 250 to 350 level has just been completed and a level is being run north to tap the pay chute, which is 500 feet from the shaft.
Dec. 9th, 1899
A Runaway At San Antone.
The Extreme Darkness at Wally Hill was the Cause.
On Friday evening Frank Cuneo of San Antone and another resident of the same place whose name we did not learn, had a rather unpleasant shake-up on what is known a the Wally Hill grade, near above place. They were returning from San Andreas in a one-horse cart, and when they reached the grade, the night was so dark that it was impossible to see the road, so they gave the horse free line, permitting him to pick his own way. The animal was evidently over-cautious, for he favored the inner side of the road to the extent that he ran one wheel upon the bank and upset the cart, spilling the occupants down the steep hillside.
Dec. 30th, 1899
He Drops While Playing the Violin on the Music Stand.
Earl Gilman of El Dorado, a musician while playing for the dance here on Christmas night, was suddenly taken sick about 1:30 o'clock and was carried into the hotel in a semi-unconscious condition.
A Pioneer of '52 Laid To Rest.
Daniel Bagley Succumbs to Death In His Seventy-Seventh Year.
As the golden sun sank to rest on last Friday evening, with the departing day fed the gentle spirit of a good man, at the County Hospital. For many long years Daniel Bagley hads been a patient sufferer from disease which seemed to culminate within the last three or four months in the fatal affliction of cancer of the stomach. Most of us who knew him when he lived in Mountain Ranch can remember his well known attributes of honesty and sobriety and always found him a friend true to his obligation in every respect.
Daniel Bagley was born June 21, 1822 in County Cork, Ireland. He came across the plains to California and arrived at Hangtown August 15, 1852. He came to Mountain Ranch in 1861 where he was engaged in work at Holmes' store and afterwards followed mining about Cave City.
When and where you will find the County Assessor:
All persons who have purchased real estate within the past year are requested to appear:
Fourth Crossing: March 8
Calaveritas: March 9
San Antone: March 10
El Dorado: March 11
Jesus Maria: March 22
RailRoad Flat: May 8
Sheep Ranch: March 13
Sat. March 4th, 1899
The Ritter Mine. Recent Developments Very Encouraging to the Management.
Hard to Estimate the Average Value of the Ore -- Some Will Go Away Up In the Thousands.
The Ritter Mine, situated on Murray Creek Ridge, about two miles north of El Dorado, is proving itself, from recent developments, to be a very valuable property. It is an old location covered by a U.S. patent, and was prospected to a considerable extent in the early fifties but abandoned. It was taken hold of several times during the seventies and eighties by different parties but no encouraging developments were made and it was as often relinquished until recently when it was taken in hand by E.C. Rigney.
March 25th, 1899
EL DORADO MINES.
What is Being Done in That District.
A Favorable Clean-up at the Rose Hill-- Flattering Results at the Alpine and Extension Mines
The latest clean-up at the Rose Hill quartz mine near El Dorado proved very satisfactory. In view of the encouragement thus given and the favorable outlook for the future, Lewis Emery, the sole owner of the property, has ordered new steam machinery for use on the mill The heavy rains have assured a bountiful supply of water for other power. The management has spent something over $60,000 in repairing a large reservoir and in constructing an extensive ditch and laying pipe at different points in order to bring water to the mine. This work was completed last January. The water from this ditch will not only be used for power but also for sluicing and hydraulicking, as Emery & Co. own quite a large tract of placer land in connection with the Rose Hill property, upon which they will commence operations in the near future, Mr. Emery is erecting a large building on the El Dorado road about 1 1/2 miles from El Dorado.
May 13th, 1899
Ordinance NO. 92
Granting to the Sheep Ranch Mercantile Company,
a corporation, the right of way, privilege and franchise to
construct, maintain and operate a telephone and telegraph
line between the towns of Sheep Ranch and San Andreas,
in the County of Calaveras
July 15th, 1899
A Suicide at Murphys.
Frederick Peterson Ends His Life with Giant Powder.
He Placed a Stick of the Explosive In His Mouth
and Fires It -- Complete Decapitation the Result.
An old man named Frederick Peterson, protege of Rev. M.J. Luark, the resident minister at Murphys. He formerly lived at Chee Chee Flat where for a long time he eked out a scanty existence in mining.
July 15th 1899
El Dorado and Sheep Ranch.
The Progress of Mining in Those Districts.
The Live Oak Mine to be Sold--The Maine Mine Sold--Other Properties Showing up Well
The Live Oak mine, about one mile north of El Dorado on Sheep Ranch road, is abourt to pass into the hands of parties from San Francisco. It is at present owned by Tiscornia & Company who have done a good deal of development work therein. The purchase price is$10,000, $4,000 of which is about to be paid down before work commences. The ledge from the top down averages about two and one-half feet in width and prospects from a few dollars to $150 to the ton in fine gold. There is a large pile of pay ore on the dump and plenty more in sight in the mine. This mine is opened by a tunnel 300 feet long and also by a shaft forty feet deep.
The Ritter mine which is being developed by Lewis Emery of the Rose Hill mine is looking all right. Some very rich bunches of ore have been struck, although the ledge on an average prospects well. The results from recent tests in the Rose Hill mill were better than they have been before. For reasons known only to the management, work was suspended for a while.
Emery & Company have been working the Rose Hill gravel mine by the hydraulic process. It is reported that some nuggets of gold can be seen in the sluice boxes, which would indicate good results from the next clean-up.
Sept. 9th, 1899
Sheriff Thorn, accompanied by his wife, left for San Francisco last Wednesday. Mr. Thorn since recovering from his recent sickness is now suffering with ear trouble so he has gone to the city to consult a specialist.
Lewis Emery who lives at La Chapelle Flat near El Dorado is moving his dwelling house from he Rose Hill mine to a more convenient locality near the road. The fish with which he stocked his reservoir near his home recently are doing well.
Oct. 28th, 1899 Baling Out The Water.
That Work at the Sheep Ranch Mine Advancing Rapidly.
Without any Mishap the Water Will be Out by the End of Next Month -- Other Notes.
The work of unwatering the Sheep Ranch mine is in progress and at present the shaft is freed of water as far down as the eight hundred foot level. In this level there are a great many drifts holding an immense quantity of water which will of course make progress very slowly. Between levels rapid headway is made and the water has been lowered as much as twenty-one feet in a single day. Baling has been done with two huge buckets holding 589 gallons each, but this week one of these buckets was replaced by a larger one, holding 720 gallons.
November 18th, 1899
MINING NEAR EL DORADO.
Emery Making Preparations for Hydraulicking.
Will Raise the Water Dam Fourteen Feet --
Six Thousand Feet of 30-inch Pipe to be Laid.
Extensive preparations are being made for work on a large scale on the mining properties near El Dorado, of which Lewis Emery is the principle owner. The dam, which is situated about two and a half miles above El Dorado, will be raised fourteen feet, which will insure the storage of an immense body of water. This dam is fed from ditches taking water from Jesus Maria creek, the Little Mokelumne and other streams in the mountains.
A tunnel for a tail-race is being dug from Murray Creek toward La Chapelle Flat. This will be about 1400 feet in length.
Accident at North America.
A. Cuslidge of El Dorado met with a bad accident at North America last Tuesday. He was engaged with other workmen in hoisting hay with a derrick when the boom fell, striking him on the head and right arm, making an ugly cut on the former and breaking the latter in two places. He was taken to his home where his injuries were attended to by a surgeon.
Nov. 25th, 1899
The News From Jesus Maria.
Frank Towle as a Temperance Lecturer.
The Institute at the Hill--A Heavy Thunder Storm--A Couple Accidents--Local Notes.
Jesus Maria, November 20th. F.Z. Towle of the Banner mill delivered an able lecture on temperance at the Negro Gulch school house. The audience was a very large and appreciative one. Nearly every man, woman and child of the whole community attended in a body. He spoke with an eloquence and enthusiasm that carried conviction to every listener's heart.
One of Our Soldier Boys Returns Home.
Edward Zwinge Arrives From a Sojourn in the North.
Edward C. Zwinge, who enlisted on the 24th of June, 1898, in Battery A, Third Artillery, U.S.A., is at home, having received his honorable discharge on the 4th of last June, and arrived here Thursday last. Mr. Zwinge enlisted at San Francisco with the expectation of being sent to the Philippines, but in this respect he was disappointed, for instead of going to the Orient his company was ordered to Rapid City, Alaska, where he remained up until the time of his discharge. Mr. Zwinge, who has a fine physique, makes a good appearance in the habiliments of Uncle Sam's boys, and he does not appear to have suffered in the least from his sojourn in the frozen north. He was forty-seven days in making the journey from his post, during which he had to travel 1000 miles in a row-boat. Ed is an exemplary young man and to say that his many friends here were pleased to greet him once more, expresses it mildly.
The Petticoat and Poorman.
Developments In a Couple of Properties at RailRoad Flat.
At the Petticoat mine near RailRoad Flat a station has been cut at the 550 foot level, sinking for the 650 mark is in progress and drifting is being carried on in the 550 foot level. Everything looks very favorable.
At the Poorman mine near the same place the work of sinking from the 250 to 350 level has just been completed and a level is being run north to tap the pay chute, which is 500 feet from the shaft.
Dec. 9th, 1899
A Runaway At San Antone.
The Extreme Darkness at Wally Hill was the Cause.
On Friday evening Frank Cuneo of San Antone and another resident of the same place whose name we did not learn, had a rather unpleasant shake-up on what is known a the Wally Hill grade, near above place. They were returning from San Andreas in a one-horse cart, and when they reached the grade, the night was so dark that it was impossible to see the road, so they gave the horse free line, permitting him to pick his own way. The animal was evidently over-cautious, for he favored the inner side of the road to the extent that he ran one wheel upon the bank and upset the cart, spilling the occupants down the steep hillside.
Dec. 30th, 1899
He Drops While Playing the Violin on the Music Stand.
Earl Gilman of El Dorado, a musician while playing for the dance here on Christmas night, was suddenly taken sick about 1:30 o'clock and was carried into the hotel in a semi-unconscious condition.
A Pioneer of '52 Laid To Rest.
Daniel Bagley Succumbs to Death In His Seventy-Seventh Year.
As the golden sun sank to rest on last Friday evening, with the departing day fed the gentle spirit of a good man, at the County Hospital. For many long years Daniel Bagley hads been a patient sufferer from disease which seemed to culminate within the last three or four months in the fatal affliction of cancer of the stomach. Most of us who knew him when he lived in Mountain Ranch can remember his well known attributes of honesty and sobriety and always found him a friend true to his obligation in every respect.
Daniel Bagley was born June 21, 1822 in County Cork, Ireland. He came across the plains to California and arrived at Hangtown August 15, 1852. He came to Mountain Ranch in 1861 where he was engaged in work at Holmes' store and afterwards followed mining about Cave City.
Friday, August 15, 2014
The Ballad of Johanna Rodesino, by Tim & Kate Laddish of Sheep Ranch
Last Feb. we wrote an article about this stage hold-up.
We thought this would be a great ending to that story.
Reprinted today by special permission of Tim Laddish, from The Ghost...
The Ballad of Johanna Rodesino
You can yell and stamp and fire your guns
To celebrate this plaque
To celebrate this plaque
But when you're done and had your fun
I'd like to take you back
I heard the blast; I saw the flare
Of the shotgun's wicked play --
And if I'm asked, I'll tell you fair
See, I was there that day.
'Twas the thirtieth of April back
In eighteen ninety-two;
We were ratt-l-ing along by stage,
The dust was flying through.
I chatted with Johanna
And with our chaperone,
We three had gone to San Andreas;
Only two would reach dear home.
Johanna and I were girls together
We'd shared a desk at school
From pigtails to longer skirts
We'd lived the Golden Rule
Sewing patchwork by the Summer's creek
Watching Winter's creek in flood
Together since we were little girls,
We were sisters in all but blood.
Now 15 we'd caught the eyes
of local older boys,
Like Sheep Ranch's Babe Raggio,
Seventeen, with strength and poise.
Our stage came round that curve right there,
Babe was driving us that day;
Mike Tovey rode as shotgun, he'd
Protect the miners' pay.
Then two blasts were shot by someone else;
No warning did he give.
Babe slumped and groaned and looked as if
He had not long to live.
Mike tied Babe on, then took the reins,
To find both help and hope;
The gunman made no move to rob;
He vanished up that slope.
I looked about and saw, I thought,
Johanna slumped in faint;
But when I bent to comfort her,
I saw the dark red seeping taint.
I looked about and saw, I thought,
Johanna slumped in faint;
But when I bent to comfort her,
I saw the dark red seeping taint.
"Oh robber", I cried, "you can take my purse,
"Take my gold and freely spend,
"But villain, you've done so much worse,
"You've robbed me of my friend."
Your plaque says I was a girl "unhurt,"
But I am here to say
My heart still bleeds for what it lost
When Johanna died that day.
My heart still bleeds for what it lost
When Johanna died that day.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Outlaws of El Dorado
The most famous dirty deed of note locally was the attempted stage hold-up and murder on Mountain Ranch Road in April of 1892 where 15 year old Johanna Rodesino was killed. She is buried in Mountain Ranch. No treasure was taken and the bandit was never apprehended.
In Dec. of 1864 a Chinaman stabbed a storekeeper in Cave City and he was brought to El Dorado after his capture. The storekeeper died so the good people of El Dorado hung the Chinaman. It is believed the huge oak tree across from the Blunder Inn is that tree.
In 1883 that iron-willed lawman of Calaveras County played a prominent role in the manhunt for Charles E. Boles, alias Black Bart. Ben Thorn’s first law job was in the spring of 1853 when he helped search for Joaquin Murrieta. Joaquin spent time in old El Dorado getting supplies, especially from the bakery operated by Julin Paterey which was located behind the present candle shop.
Ben was involved in the capture of long hair Sam Brown in 1855 which started in Upper Calaveritas and ended on O’Neil Creek.
Ben Thorn died on Nov. 15th, 1905 and was a law officer in Calaveras County for 50 years. His home still stands in San Andreas today.
In 1851 at Whiskey Slide, just north of Mountain Ranch, a miner was found murdered in his cabin one morning. The whole place had been ransacked. Fifteen years later another miner came and built a new cabin on the hill. He heard from a dying companion that the murdered man had hidden his treasures under the floor of the cabin.
The man who built the second cabin finally found the gold over $10,000 worth... but then became obsessed by the idea that the gold was haunted. At last, in terror he reburied it, shortly after telling his story he went mad and was confined in the Stockton Asylum, where he died. No one has ever reported finding this hidden treasure. Another tale of the Gold Rush days that lies buried forever.
The San Andreas Independent of Dec. 4, 1858, tells of a desperate fight at El Dorado in which two Americans were killed. Two Mexicans escaped but the third was captured. He was later freed for want of sufficient testimony. The Mexicans did not live in El Dorado. Because of early racial problems with the Mexicans in San Andreas, very few were ever known to live and work near El Dorado or Mountain Ranch.
As early as 1849 Ned Bushyhead, born in the Cherokee Nation, was the constable of El Dorado Mining District. Before 1849 El Dorado Camp was a gathering place for individuals looking to get away from the law. These were just rough and tumble gentlemen who did not want to tow the line when it came to community betterment ideas.
There were many law abiding citizens in El Dorado so as a complete community we were pretty safe. The Zwinge family was involved in law enforcement for a couple generations.
So if you are lucky enough to live in Mountain Ranch, then you are lucky enough.
In Dec. of 1864 a Chinaman stabbed a storekeeper in Cave City and he was brought to El Dorado after his capture. The storekeeper died so the good people of El Dorado hung the Chinaman. It is believed the huge oak tree across from the Blunder Inn is that tree.
In 1883 that iron-willed lawman of Calaveras County played a prominent role in the manhunt for Charles E. Boles, alias Black Bart. Ben Thorn’s first law job was in the spring of 1853 when he helped search for Joaquin Murrieta. Joaquin spent time in old El Dorado getting supplies, especially from the bakery operated by Julin Paterey which was located behind the present candle shop.
Ben was involved in the capture of long hair Sam Brown in 1855 which started in Upper Calaveritas and ended on O’Neil Creek.
Ben Thorn died on Nov. 15th, 1905 and was a law officer in Calaveras County for 50 years. His home still stands in San Andreas today.
In 1851 at Whiskey Slide, just north of Mountain Ranch, a miner was found murdered in his cabin one morning. The whole place had been ransacked. Fifteen years later another miner came and built a new cabin on the hill. He heard from a dying companion that the murdered man had hidden his treasures under the floor of the cabin.
The man who built the second cabin finally found the gold over $10,000 worth... but then became obsessed by the idea that the gold was haunted. At last, in terror he reburied it, shortly after telling his story he went mad and was confined in the Stockton Asylum, where he died. No one has ever reported finding this hidden treasure. Another tale of the Gold Rush days that lies buried forever.
The San Andreas Independent of Dec. 4, 1858, tells of a desperate fight at El Dorado in which two Americans were killed. Two Mexicans escaped but the third was captured. He was later freed for want of sufficient testimony. The Mexicans did not live in El Dorado. Because of early racial problems with the Mexicans in San Andreas, very few were ever known to live and work near El Dorado or Mountain Ranch.
As early as 1849 Ned Bushyhead, born in the Cherokee Nation, was the constable of El Dorado Mining District. Before 1849 El Dorado Camp was a gathering place for individuals looking to get away from the law. These were just rough and tumble gentlemen who did not want to tow the line when it came to community betterment ideas.
There were many law abiding citizens in El Dorado so as a complete community we were pretty safe. The Zwinge family was involved in law enforcement for a couple generations.
So if you are lucky enough to live in Mountain Ranch, then you are lucky enough.
Black Bart in Mountain Ranch?
Sat. Nov. 3, 1883 was cold and clear with a sharp wind. R.E. McConnell, driver for the Nevada Stage Company had been up early preparing for his run to Milton from Sonora. He was carrying no passengers, only a small amount of gold coin and 228 ounces of amalgam (a gold and mercury mixture).
After Jimmy Rolleri had taken McConnell and his stage acress the Stanislaus River on the ferry he operated, he suggested that he ride over to Copperopolis with him, hoping he could find something to shoot.
As the stage stared up Funk Hill, Jimmy got off in hopes he would find better game. He could cut cross country and meet the stage on the other side. As McConnell neared the top of Funk Hill he turned his head to look at some movement in the bushes and he looked straight into the muzzle of a shotgun.
Black Bart had been watching the stage through a powerful field glass and he saw a driver and a boy on the front seat. Between the hillside and his position Jimmy had dismounted. When the stage drew up and was halted by Bart, his face concealed by a flour sack slipped over his head, at once demanded: “Where’s the other man.”
McConnell said he had gone hunting and that it was a boy not a man,, to which Bart responded in his usual deep voice, “Get Down.” Bart did not use his usual command of “Throw down the box” because he knew that in this case the chest was inside the stage and fastened securely to the floor. Bart had visited the Patterson Mine earlier in the week and found out all the details of the shipment.
McConnell dismounted and unhitched as he was told. Bart ordered him to take his horses on up the hill and over the crest out of sight. Bart then hammered open the treasure box with an old axe he carried just for this purpose.
McConnell could hear Bart hammering away at the box so he did not hear the movement in the brush until Jimmy Rolleri was almost upon him He attracted Jimmy’s attention and signaled him to walk in detour around the foot of the hill and come to him out of sight of Black Bart. Jimmy was a smart boy so he knew something was wrong.
When Jimmy got up to the driver they made their way to the crest of the hill just as Black Bart was backing out of the stage with his treasure. They fired three shots with Jimmy’s rifle.
On the last shot Bart stumbled and dropped a bundle but held on to the sack and disappeared into the brush.
McConnell and Jimmy gathered up what had been scattered, hitched up and drove to Copperopolis to report. Wires were sent to the Calaveras County Sheriff at San Andreas and Wells Fargo and Co. at San Francisco.
Sheriff Ben K. Thorn was a quite thorough man. He found many clues, a leather case for field glasses, a belt, a quartz magnifying glass, a razor, a handkerchief, two linen cuffs, and two flour sacks. He also found the laundry mark on the handkerchief .F.X.0.7.
Sheriff Ben Thorn, J.B. Hume of Wells, Fargo and Co., his special detective Harry Morse , and Capt. Stone of the San Francisco police went to work on the case. In just one week Nov. 12th the mark was traced to a laundry at 316 Bush St., San Francisco, operated by Thomas C. Ware. The mark belongs to a Mr. C.E. Bolton, a mining man A family bible and discharge from the 116th Illinois Volunteer Infantry listed his name as Charles E. Boles.
Mr Bolton was a man dressed elegantly, carrying a little cane. He wore a small Derby hat, a diamond pin, a large diamond ring, and a heavy gold watch and chain. He was five feet seven inches tall, straight, broad shoulders with blue eyes and a large gray mustache.
Bart was arrested and taken to San Andreas. Sheriff Thorn met the boat at Stockton along with a large group of curious. Bart was photographed at Stockton adn kept in jail overnight. The next morning they started early for San Andreas by way of Milton. At San Andreas there was another crowd who for the first minute or two mistook Morse for Black Bart and took the well dressed prisoner for the detective. This seemed to please Bart a great deal. Bart was kept in the San Andreas jail.
On Nov. 16th, Bart appeared before Justice P.H. Kean of San Andreas and said he wanted to plead guilty. On the next day Bart was brought before Judge C.V. Gottschalk and asked the court to pronounce judgement. The minutes of these proceedings read: “Whereas the said C.E. Bolton has been duly convicted of robbery by his own confession, it is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the said C.E. Bolton be punished by imprisonment in the state prison of Calif. for the term of six years.”
Sheriff Thorn escorted Bart to San Quentin Prison on Nov. 21, 1883. He was committed as prisoner number 11046. Bart settled into prison routine and was a model prisoner.
On Jan. 21, 1888 Charles E. Bolton was released from San Quentin, his term completed, the law satisfied. There is no sound proof that anybody anywhere ever saw Black Bart again. There were many stories of stage hold-ups and personal visits by Black Bart but nothing was ever proven. It is a matter of record, however, that Bolton spent much of the two years of his parole in Calaveras County after his release.
Charles E. Bolton was born in New York in 1828. His early years remain a mystery as do his later ones. He came to CA as a young man in 1850 to seek his fortune in mining like so many young men of his day. He left a wife and two daughters behind in Hannibal, Mo. In 1863 he returned to serve in the 116th Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the civil war. In 1865 he again returned to CA to teach school in Concord, CA but lost this job due to his fondness for gambling. For the next 10 years he traveled northern CA never holding one job very long.
On July 26th, 1875 the Milton-Sonora stage was held up and this is where Bart left his famous poem;
“I’ve labored long and hard for bread
For honor and for riches
But on my corns too long you’ve tread
You fine haired sons of bitches”
Over two years later he held up his second stage on Aug. 3rd, 1877 on the Russian River. Here he left his second poem and his last. In Black Bart’s twenty eight stage hold-ups he wrote only two poems, but they were enough to earn him the title of PO-8 for the rest of his life. His second poem was;
“Here I lay me down to sleep
To wait the coming morrow
Perhaps success, perhaps defeat
And everlasting sorrow
Let come what will I’ll try it on
My condition can’t be worse
And if there’s money in that box
‘Tis munny in my purse”
Two men claim to have seen Black Bart following his release from prison in 1888. John Ross has a picture that supposedly shows Bart in about 1892. It was taken at the Union Copper Mine Boarding House in Copperopolis. The small boy in the picture is Ross.
According to Ross’s father, the highly respected Gilbert Ross, Bart came to visit his friends in Copperopolis and this picture was taken.
Romi Rolleri says that he also saw Bart when he visited Angels Camp after his release. Rolleri says that Bart came and stayed at the old Calaveras Hotel in Angels Camp
Bart came to see Jim Rolleri who had been instrumental in Bart’s arrest and conviction . Jim Rolleri had died while Bart was in prison, but one of his brothers revisited the site of the robbery on Funk Hill with Black Bart. The visit was common knowledge with the old timers in Angels Camp according to Romi.
In Sept. of 1968 both the Stockton Record and the Calaveras Enterprise reported that Phil D. Alberts discovered, on his property in Mountain Ranch, Calaveras County, a smooth moss-covered stone at the head of a mound of dirt and rocks that resembled a grave site. An initial has been chiseled on the stone. Initial “B”. Its location remains a well-guarded secret.
Alberts himself a historical writer, has made inquiry among many of the old timers in the area who might have some knowledge of what definitely appears to be a grave. No one can recall a local buried on the property. Until Alberts purchased the land a few years ago it had been part of the Domenghini Ranch since 1872, and before that it had belonged to a man named Pugini.
For many years there has been more than a little speculation among old timers here that Black Bart was secretly buried in Calaveras by well-meaning friends to prevent possible desecration of his grave or body, as was done in the case of Joaquin Murietta.
Those who follow this theory say that Bart was pleased with the use of his initials and often used them instead of a full signature. They contend that the simple letter “B” would have pleased Charles Bolton, alias Black Bart.
Even if it does not contain the remains of Black Bart, the grave still presents a mystery, and, who knows, perhaps the ghost of Black Bart is close to Mountain Ranch and the Ghost from Dirty Gulch than many suspect.
Phil D. Alberts,
“the Ghost from Dirty Gulch”
The Monument
The monument erected on Mountain Ranch Road
January 12, 1963, reads:
ATTEMPTED STAGE ROBBERY
At this place April 30, 1892 without warning
a lone bandit fired two charges of buckshot
into the stage carrying the payroll for the
Sheep Ranch Mine. Miss Johanna Rodesino a
passenger was instantly killed. Babe Raggio
driver was severely wounded. Mike Tovey
messenger was slightly wounded, Miss Agnes
Filipini and Mrs. A.Lloyd passengers were unhurt.
No treasure was taken and the bandit was
never apprehended.
Erected Jan. 12, 1963
by
Matuca Chapter E. CLAMPUS VITUS
and
CALAVERAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The monument was erected in memory of Miss Rodesino who was 15 years old. She was from one of the pioneer families of Mountain Ranch. Her grandfather, G. Rodesino, built the two-story stone building which housed Senders Market before it burned down Christmas of 1968. She is buried at the Mountain Ranch Cemetary, marked by a beautiful head stone.
You can still see the marks of the buckshot on the oak tree behind the monument. You should stop some time and read the monument.
The following story appeared in the San Andreas newspaper:
April 30th, 1892
A BLOODY TRAGEDY
A LONE ROBBER’S WORK NEAR SAN ANDREAS
MURDER OF MISS RODESINO
The Sheep Ranch Stage Fired Upon on Willow Creek. Chase of the Villain.
Last Saturday morning between nine and ten o’clock the people of San Andreas were startled by the reappearance of the Sheep Ranch stage, which only about two hours beforehand had left this place for its usual trip. They were more than startled when it was learned from the lips of the messenger the extent of the tragedy which had occurred. The details of the case are known to most of our readers probably before they will see this, yet we shall endeavor to give it a truthful account.
When the Sheep Ranch stage left here Saturday morning, it continued besides the driver Well’s Fargo & Co. messenger, Mike Tovey, Miss Johanna Rodesino, Miss Aggie Fillippini and Mrs. A. Lloyd, and quite an amount of coin for the Sheep Ranch mine. Everything went along all right for about five miles, when as the stage was ascending a slight incline just above the forks of the road, where a branch goes through the Agostini Ranch to Old Gulch, suddenly without a word of warning a shot was fired into the stage from the left hand side. With scarcely a groan Miss Rodesino who was on the middle seat fell into the arms of one of her companions, shot through the head.
The messenger who was on the front seat sprang to the ground, but as he did so young Raggio, the driver known to all as “Babe”, pitched forward with an apparently mortal wound through the chest. As he fell he explained, “They have killed me Tovey, but look out for the horses.” Miss Fillippini also sprang out and managed to catch a glimpse of the robber, who seeing that he had failed to kill the messenger, which was his evident intention, immediately fled.
Tovey drove the stage to Sperry’s house, about a quarter of a mile distant, where the extent of the tragedy was soon seen. The wounded girl just gasped and expired as she was being lifted from the stage, and it was found that she received three shots one in the head causing death and the others in the body. Young Raggio had two shots about an inch apart, and ranging into the lung, one shot in the right shoulder and one grazing the neck. The messenger had one shot through the right arm near the shoulder, but nothing serious. The top of the stage was shattered by the shot, which was fired from above. Evidently most of the shot that took effect, first cam through the top of the stage. Probably a sudden lurch of the stage saved the messenger’s life.
On examining the ground it was found that the assassin had located himself in the most favorable position for his nefarious purpose. A complete wall of rock, screened by trees formed a fortress from which a dozen men could not have dislodged him by possibility of an attack in front. From this position at less then forty feet he had poured the contents of his gun upon the unconscious victims. The man was evidently a coward for he made no attempt to follow up his first attack.
After the dead and dying were in good hands messenger Tovey took the stage team and drove back to town with the coin, and left it at Well’s Fargo & Co. office. It did not take long for the news to spread through the town, and instantly all was excitement. The streets were quickly crowded with excited and angry men, who almost instantly dispersed again for arms and horses, and soon nearly every able bodied man was on the way to the scene. Sheriff Thorn with constables Masterson and Hawes, and deputy constable Getchell, were among the first to go, and deputy Getchell and Frank Washburn were the first to arrive on the ground. Search for the trail was quickly begun, and the well defined track of the man was soon found. The country is extremely wild and brushy and the fugitive took the roughest and most difficult routes.
In the party were many that were familiar with that wilderness of mountains and deep ravines, and they managed to follow the trail pretty closely, though at times losing it in the dense thickets.
The trail led across Murray Creek, which he crossed between George’s place and Hodes. Up over the limestone hill the hunters followed to where the man had evidently stood for a time taking observations, the imprint of a butt of a gun being plainly visible. From there he turned westward, and shortly afterward the track changed as though he had taken off his shoes, or wrapped them in something.
Late in the afternoon the severe labor began to tell on the searchers, and one by one they returned to their homes. Only C. W. Getchell and his father continued on towards the old Doak place, near which place Mr. Getchell found a stick of giant powder, evidently dropped by the fugitive. Night was coming on and the search was reluctantly abandoned for the night, the trail being lost in what is known as the big chaparral, near Doaks.
Sunday detective J.B. Hume of Wells Fargo & Co. arrived in town, and took charge of the search. Very little clue is in the hands of the officers, but no stone will be left unturned to bring the wretch to justice.
Sunday morning the coin was taken to Sheep Ranch by a special messenger, on the usual stage. It shows something of the stuff that our California boys are made of, that driver a little older than the wounded Raggio, should be found ready to take the vacant seat, beside a shot gun messenger, and safely take that fateful coin to its destination.
The heroic “Babe” thinking only of his duty while writhing from what he thought to be his death wound, and the brave Waters who was ready to take his place, will perhaps never be known outside of their own circle, but “Don’t give up the ship,” was not more heroic than “They have killed me Tovey, but look out for the horses.”
The Great Ride
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!
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!
The Giants of Calaveras ... No, Not the Big Trees...
The Zwinge Family
Joseph Zwinge Sr. arrived in Calaveras county in 1853. He came originally from Germany. In 1855 he married Miss Elizabeth Evas in St. Marys Catholic Cathedral, San Francisco. His ranch, which he worked until his death, was located near the Sierra Vista Lookout. His son John also had a ranch nearby in later years. Joe Sr. was killed in 1890 when his team ran away on a downhill road into Murray Creek with a load of lumber. He is buried in San Andreas.
The Zwinges had eleven children: William, John, Joe Jr., Henry, Theodore, Edward, Matthew, Mary, Teresa, Elizabeth and Kathleen. The six boys of Joseph Zwinge were said to be the tallest in the state. The shortest was 6‘2“ and the tallest was 6‘6“. All the girls were over 6 feet tall also.
William Zwinge was the second white child born in Calaveras County. He also was the father of Joe Zwinge, Sheriff for 28 years of the County. Elizabeth married Peter Albers of Sheep Ranch, April 18, 1880.
The present public library building was first constructed as a tent for the first eating place in San Andreas by Joseph Zwinge, in 1853. The tent burned down and was replaced by canvas and lumber by Zwinge. Following a third fire, Zwinge rebuilt the structure in 1857 with stone and rock. Zwinge took in two partners, a brother William A. Zwinge, and Antone Schacten. On December 29th, 1858 the three sold the property to John Huberty, gramdfather of Judge Joseph H. Huberty of San Andreas.
In 1887 the property was acquired by William H. Jenkins, who conducted a hotel and eating place until 1917. The building was known locally as the Old Jenkins Hotel. In 1936 it was purchased by D. Fricot after being idle for almost 20 years. After completely remodeling the old building Mr. Fricot deeded it to the county to be used as a museum and public library. The museum has moved to larger quarters.
May 20, 1858 assessment list by Channcey Johnson, county assessor shows Zwinge and Co. with one house and lot in San Andreas on the south side of main street joining Wells Fargo and Co. Express. Value thereof $1800.
John Zwinge was born in 1856 near San Andreas. He went to school and spent his childhood in the San Andreas area. He worked his ranch, now the present Doster ranch near the lookout and also worked out as a blacksmith. He worked for many mines in the Sheep Ranch - Mountain Ranch area.
John married Louise Filippini on June 6, 1880. They were married by Judge F. O’Connell and witnessed by Henry Zwinge and Sophia Filippini.
The Filippini family was an old family of Mountain Ranch. Four of the Zwinge family married four of the fourteen Filippini family. John married Louise, Joe married Pauline, Ted married Amela and Kate married Dave Filippini. The fourteen Filippini children were Louise, Pauline, Amela, Dave, Dan, Charles, Ellen, Rosie, Sophjia, Josie, Carrie, Flora, Aggie, and Cela. Cela Filippini married “Doc” Cuslidge of Mountain Ranch.
John and Louise Zwinge had six children, Henry, David, Oscar, Eva, Josephine, Agnus, and David.
John Zwinge died in Mountain Ranch in 1949 at the age of 93. His wife Louise died later that same year. Dave was the only one who lived out his life here.
Dave went to school to the 6th grade at three different locations. The old Fisher school located just north of the Zwinge Ranch, at Mountain and San Andreas. Some of his teachers were Daisy Danielson, Tom Moffet, Teresa Rivera, Mrs. Crossett and Lissie Salcido. Dave’s schooling was very limited because he had to help his dad on the ranch.
In his late teens Dave was bigger than most men in the area. He was six foot four and weighed over 200 pounds. He was called “Swede” by his friends. By the time he was 18 years old Dave was working in the mines in the Mountain Ranch - Sheep Ranch area, also made extra money breaking horses, donkeys and burros, Dave says he never found a jackass he couldn’t ride the second time.
Dave also worked on the Emery pipeline ditch from the Emery Reservoir to Cave City with his dad who was a blacksmith and tool repair man on the same job. The foreman was Ed Wigney.
When Dave was 12 years old in 1896 he helped his cousin Joe Hertzig feed the prisoners in the San Andreas jail. The Hertzig family had a contract with Sheriff Ben Thorn to supply the daily food for the guests of the county.
Dave was working in the Square Head Mine for a Mr. Haggerty in 1905 when he married Helen Lovelace. The Square Head Mine was located just south of San Andreas. Helen Lovelace was a sister to Florence Clyde of Sheep Ranch. Dave and his new bride lived in the San Andreas and Mountain Ranch in the old Dughi building. They were married by the Justice of the Peace Pat Kean of San Andreas.
Dave ran for constable against his uncle Henry in 1910, and held office 4 years. It all started on a hunting trip as a practical joke. Dave’s uncle said no one could beat him so Dave proved otherwise. During his term of office Dave became an expert in the art of catching chicken thieves. He spent most of his time rounding them up. His salary was $40 monthly.
In 1914 Dave ran a saloon in Mountain Ranch located next to the road on the old Filippini hotel property. He later went to Arizona to work in the mines near Oatman with Paul Lewis and Ray Cuslidge. Paul broke his arm trying to crank Dave’s old Ford and stayed in L.A. After about a year in Arizona he sold the Ford for $200 and returned by train.
Dave and Helen had three children, Mourice “Molly”, Bernice and Dorothy. Out of the 22 Zwinge boys in four generations, the shortest was 6 foot 2 inches.
After working in many mines in the Mountain Ranch area Dave went to work at the Sheep Ranch mine for John Lewis. He worked there until it closed in 1921. The foreman then was Frank Thor. Dave was night foreman and John Canavera was day foreman.
After separation of Dave and Helen, he married Lola Kelly Jenkins in 1922 in Jackson. He then worked at many different mines in the area and also worked in the woods until 1930.
Dave belongs to the Native Sons and joined the Masons Lodge in 1922.. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Scottish Rites, and Shriners.
In the early 1930‘s Dave was hired by Attilio Domenghini who was on the Board of Supervisors, as foreman on the country roads in the Mountain Ranch - San Andreas district. At this time he lived in the old Rodesino building.
In 1931 he worked at the Marjoh mine owned by John Martin. The mine went broke and Dave never got his pay. Years later the mine was sold for taxes and bought by Lester Canavera and Louis Domenghini. In 1967 when the estate cleared Dave received his pay. Things still move a little slow in the mountains.
He worked on the old C.C.C. camps at Blue Mountain and Glencoe as a crew foreman for Ed Cooke until 1933. Floyd Butterfield was one of the C.C.C. Boys from Minnesota who worked for Dave at Blue Mountain. Butterfield grew up and went to school with Alex Alberts, father of Phil D. Alberts, in Shovel Lake, Minn. It was a small world even then. Floyd is retired and lives in Arnold. Dave worked on the country roads in the winter and the camps in the summer. Jim Jack was his boss on the country road jobs.
During the depression Dave was never out of a job. He worked wherever work could be found. He did some mining, worked in the woods, and worked on ranches. He worked on the Clyde Sherwood ranch also, now owned by the Senders family.
In 1937 he went to work a the Calaveras Cement Plant at Kentucky House for Sam Lockwood. Dave worked there for twenty years. The superintendent then was Louis Alsman.
Dave rented a house from Louis Domenghini which burned down in 1941. He moved to another Domenghini rental which burned down in 1945. This was rebuilt at once and Dave and Lola lived there until it was sold in 1965 to Phil Alberts. Between these two fires Dave lost all their family possessions. Old family pictures and records were the greatest loss.
In 1965 when the Domenghini property was sold Dave moved just north of Mountain Ranch to the Shattuck Ranch. This was the original Filippini ranch which is now owed by Tim Lane.
Dave retired at the age of 71 but was still very active. He cut his own firewood, rode his young horse and looked after the ranch.
Dave planned to spend the remaining years in the town of his youth. He made his daily trip to the old Domenghini Store to swap stories with anyone with the time to listen. He can well remember when people were not always in a hurry as they are today. He recalls when life was a whole lot simpler and people were a whole lot friendlier. Dave hoped to reach 100 years of age and he almost made it.
Next month I will tell you about an heroic deed Dave accomplished while he was constable in an old El Dorado camp, now called Mountain Ranch.
Joseph Zwinge Sr. arrived in Calaveras county in 1853. He came originally from Germany. In 1855 he married Miss Elizabeth Evas in St. Marys Catholic Cathedral, San Francisco. His ranch, which he worked until his death, was located near the Sierra Vista Lookout. His son John also had a ranch nearby in later years. Joe Sr. was killed in 1890 when his team ran away on a downhill road into Murray Creek with a load of lumber. He is buried in San Andreas.
The Zwinges had eleven children: William, John, Joe Jr., Henry, Theodore, Edward, Matthew, Mary, Teresa, Elizabeth and Kathleen. The six boys of Joseph Zwinge were said to be the tallest in the state. The shortest was 6‘2“ and the tallest was 6‘6“. All the girls were over 6 feet tall also.
William Zwinge was the second white child born in Calaveras County. He also was the father of Joe Zwinge, Sheriff for 28 years of the County. Elizabeth married Peter Albers of Sheep Ranch, April 18, 1880.
The present public library building was first constructed as a tent for the first eating place in San Andreas by Joseph Zwinge, in 1853. The tent burned down and was replaced by canvas and lumber by Zwinge. Following a third fire, Zwinge rebuilt the structure in 1857 with stone and rock. Zwinge took in two partners, a brother William A. Zwinge, and Antone Schacten. On December 29th, 1858 the three sold the property to John Huberty, gramdfather of Judge Joseph H. Huberty of San Andreas.
In 1887 the property was acquired by William H. Jenkins, who conducted a hotel and eating place until 1917. The building was known locally as the Old Jenkins Hotel. In 1936 it was purchased by D. Fricot after being idle for almost 20 years. After completely remodeling the old building Mr. Fricot deeded it to the county to be used as a museum and public library. The museum has moved to larger quarters.
May 20, 1858 assessment list by Channcey Johnson, county assessor shows Zwinge and Co. with one house and lot in San Andreas on the south side of main street joining Wells Fargo and Co. Express. Value thereof $1800.
John Zwinge was born in 1856 near San Andreas. He went to school and spent his childhood in the San Andreas area. He worked his ranch, now the present Doster ranch near the lookout and also worked out as a blacksmith. He worked for many mines in the Sheep Ranch - Mountain Ranch area.
John married Louise Filippini on June 6, 1880. They were married by Judge F. O’Connell and witnessed by Henry Zwinge and Sophia Filippini.
The Filippini family was an old family of Mountain Ranch. Four of the Zwinge family married four of the fourteen Filippini family. John married Louise, Joe married Pauline, Ted married Amela and Kate married Dave Filippini. The fourteen Filippini children were Louise, Pauline, Amela, Dave, Dan, Charles, Ellen, Rosie, Sophjia, Josie, Carrie, Flora, Aggie, and Cela. Cela Filippini married “Doc” Cuslidge of Mountain Ranch.
John and Louise Zwinge had six children, Henry, David, Oscar, Eva, Josephine, Agnus, and David.
John Zwinge died in Mountain Ranch in 1949 at the age of 93. His wife Louise died later that same year. Dave was the only one who lived out his life here.
Dave went to school to the 6th grade at three different locations. The old Fisher school located just north of the Zwinge Ranch, at Mountain and San Andreas. Some of his teachers were Daisy Danielson, Tom Moffet, Teresa Rivera, Mrs. Crossett and Lissie Salcido. Dave’s schooling was very limited because he had to help his dad on the ranch.
In his late teens Dave was bigger than most men in the area. He was six foot four and weighed over 200 pounds. He was called “Swede” by his friends. By the time he was 18 years old Dave was working in the mines in the Mountain Ranch - Sheep Ranch area, also made extra money breaking horses, donkeys and burros, Dave says he never found a jackass he couldn’t ride the second time.
Dave also worked on the Emery pipeline ditch from the Emery Reservoir to Cave City with his dad who was a blacksmith and tool repair man on the same job. The foreman was Ed Wigney.
When Dave was 12 years old in 1896 he helped his cousin Joe Hertzig feed the prisoners in the San Andreas jail. The Hertzig family had a contract with Sheriff Ben Thorn to supply the daily food for the guests of the county.
Dave was working in the Square Head Mine for a Mr. Haggerty in 1905 when he married Helen Lovelace. The Square Head Mine was located just south of San Andreas. Helen Lovelace was a sister to Florence Clyde of Sheep Ranch. Dave and his new bride lived in the San Andreas and Mountain Ranch in the old Dughi building. They were married by the Justice of the Peace Pat Kean of San Andreas.
Dave ran for constable against his uncle Henry in 1910, and held office 4 years. It all started on a hunting trip as a practical joke. Dave’s uncle said no one could beat him so Dave proved otherwise. During his term of office Dave became an expert in the art of catching chicken thieves. He spent most of his time rounding them up. His salary was $40 monthly.
In 1914 Dave ran a saloon in Mountain Ranch located next to the road on the old Filippini hotel property. He later went to Arizona to work in the mines near Oatman with Paul Lewis and Ray Cuslidge. Paul broke his arm trying to crank Dave’s old Ford and stayed in L.A. After about a year in Arizona he sold the Ford for $200 and returned by train.
Dave and Helen had three children, Mourice “Molly”, Bernice and Dorothy. Out of the 22 Zwinge boys in four generations, the shortest was 6 foot 2 inches.
After working in many mines in the Mountain Ranch area Dave went to work at the Sheep Ranch mine for John Lewis. He worked there until it closed in 1921. The foreman then was Frank Thor. Dave was night foreman and John Canavera was day foreman.
After separation of Dave and Helen, he married Lola Kelly Jenkins in 1922 in Jackson. He then worked at many different mines in the area and also worked in the woods until 1930.
Dave belongs to the Native Sons and joined the Masons Lodge in 1922.. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Scottish Rites, and Shriners.
In the early 1930‘s Dave was hired by Attilio Domenghini who was on the Board of Supervisors, as foreman on the country roads in the Mountain Ranch - San Andreas district. At this time he lived in the old Rodesino building.
In 1931 he worked at the Marjoh mine owned by John Martin. The mine went broke and Dave never got his pay. Years later the mine was sold for taxes and bought by Lester Canavera and Louis Domenghini. In 1967 when the estate cleared Dave received his pay. Things still move a little slow in the mountains.
He worked on the old C.C.C. camps at Blue Mountain and Glencoe as a crew foreman for Ed Cooke until 1933. Floyd Butterfield was one of the C.C.C. Boys from Minnesota who worked for Dave at Blue Mountain. Butterfield grew up and went to school with Alex Alberts, father of Phil D. Alberts, in Shovel Lake, Minn. It was a small world even then. Floyd is retired and lives in Arnold. Dave worked on the country roads in the winter and the camps in the summer. Jim Jack was his boss on the country road jobs.
During the depression Dave was never out of a job. He worked wherever work could be found. He did some mining, worked in the woods, and worked on ranches. He worked on the Clyde Sherwood ranch also, now owned by the Senders family.
In 1937 he went to work a the Calaveras Cement Plant at Kentucky House for Sam Lockwood. Dave worked there for twenty years. The superintendent then was Louis Alsman.
Dave rented a house from Louis Domenghini which burned down in 1941. He moved to another Domenghini rental which burned down in 1945. This was rebuilt at once and Dave and Lola lived there until it was sold in 1965 to Phil Alberts. Between these two fires Dave lost all their family possessions. Old family pictures and records were the greatest loss.
In 1965 when the Domenghini property was sold Dave moved just north of Mountain Ranch to the Shattuck Ranch. This was the original Filippini ranch which is now owed by Tim Lane.
Dave retired at the age of 71 but was still very active. He cut his own firewood, rode his young horse and looked after the ranch.
Dave planned to spend the remaining years in the town of his youth. He made his daily trip to the old Domenghini Store to swap stories with anyone with the time to listen. He can well remember when people were not always in a hurry as they are today. He recalls when life was a whole lot simpler and people were a whole lot friendlier. Dave hoped to reach 100 years of age and he almost made it.
Next month I will tell you about an heroic deed Dave accomplished while he was constable in an old El Dorado camp, now called Mountain Ranch.
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