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 Gold Mining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gold Mining. 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.
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