Luigi and Caroline Domenghini came to Calaveras County in the early 1870‘s with one son, Attilio, who was born in Switzerland in January 1868. They came by ship, the crowded old ships that caused the death of many a fearless traveler. They crossed this great country of ours by wagon train with hardships beyond the imagination of modern man.
In Calaveras County they picked the quiet and peaceful valley near Murray Creek to settle down and work the land as the good Lord had intended man to do.
Two more boys were born near Mountain Ranch, Cash in 1878 and Charles a year later, who died in infancy. Big strong boys were what every farmer looked for in his family, they were needed so a family could make a living from the land.
Luigi purchased a large piece of land in Mountain Ranch in 1872 and ran a saloon in the stone building built by Mr. Pagani in 1856. Luigi Domenghini was born in 1844 and died in 1891 at 46 years of age. His wife died in 1935 and both are buried in Mountain Ranch Cemetery.
Through the years the Domenghini family purchased more land in the Mountain Ranch area and at one time owned what is now called the M-24 Ranch and also Hidden Valley. As the years went by this land was sold piece-by-piece.
Cash Domenghini married Elba Ames in 1919. They had no children. Cash died in 1925 and is also buried in the Mountain Ranch Cemetery.
The present Domenghini Building was a saloon until 1901 when the Domenghini Brothers remodeled the interior and opened a general store ater one year in the Domenghini Building. Supplies were picked up at Valley Springs by team and wagon from the railroad. These trips took two or three days. Drummers also made the round to the mountain communities.
Attilio married Clorinda Valente from Sheep Ranch after a whirlwind courtship. They became acquainted at a dance in Mountain Ranch. They were married in Clorinda’s home by a priest from Angel’s Camp in January 1901. The wedding was delayed one month because the house Attilio was building in Mountain Ranch was not finished. Clorinda said No House, No Wedding! During this delay in the wedding plans Clorinda continued to work at their boarding house at Indian Creek to supply meals to the workers for the large electrical project going in near Angels Camp.
Their honeymoon was spent in San Jose and San Francisco. They traveled from Indian Creek, near Sheep Ranch, by a two-horse buggy to catch the train at Milton.
Clorinda still lived in the same house, next to the general store, that she moved into on her wedding day, until late 1966 She used the same bedroom set, wood cook stove, chairs and cabinets. The wallpaper was the original and the home was truly a step into the past.
Attilio Domenghini was on the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors in the early 1930‘s.
A son was born on Dec. 4th, 1901. Louis was an only child. He went to school in Mountain Ranch to the 9th grade He was an excellent student and excelled in sports. After graduation he went to Herald’s Business College in Stockton until his uncle Cash became ill. Then he returned home to help his father with the business.
Louis married Edyth Roe on Feb. 28th, 1925 at Stockton. They lived on the Roe Ranch just north of town until Oct. 1938 when they moved into Mountain Ranch. No children were born of this marriage. Louis died May 31, 1963. When he died it was felt throughout Calaveras County. He was a man without an enemy.
Domenghini General Store Building
Built in 1856 by a man named Pagani, this is the oldest building in Mountain Ranch. Constructed of stone, adobe and hand-hewn beams with a full basement, this old building has withstood time and tribulations with very little sign of stress. Material was dug from Adobe Gulch just south of town.
The 24-inch stone wall, iron shutters on the windows and doors, wooden plank floor and high ceiling make this one of the true marvels of the Mother Lode. There are glass windows inlaid in the floor about six inches square to give light to the basement. The large hooks for lowering heavy items into the basement are still visible.
It was purchased by the Domenghini family in 1872. This building was used as a saloon, pool hall and dance hall until 1901. The Domenghini brothers remodeled the interior into a general store in late 1901. It has been in continuous use ever since. The house next to the store burned down and was rebuilt in 1905. This same house was moved across the street in 1938 and is still in use today.
This business was known as Domenghini Brothers General Merchandise until Cash Domenghini’s death in 1925. Then Louis Domenghini, son of Attilio and Clorinda Domenghini, came home from business college to help his dad with the store operation. It became known as A. Domenghini and Son from that day on. With Attilio’s death in 1952 his son Louis continued to operate the general store under that name.
After Louis died in 1963 his widow continued the business under the faithful management of Francis Devoto who had worked for the Domenghinis for some thirty-odd years.
The business, buildings and Domenghini property was then sold in July 1965 to Phil O. Alberts and family. They have donated all of the old store fixtures and some merchandise that has survived all these years and now is on display at the Red Barn Museum.
The round glass candy case, McCaskeg charge account register, old scales, coffee grinder, tobacco cutter, old photos and so much more. Stop by and see this and all the other displays at the Museum.
Clorinda’s Family History
Genoa, Italy, is the place of departure for Mrs. Clorinda Domenghini’s mother in 1862. Janie Cuneo, Clorinda’s mother, was born in Plan De Cunei Turri, Italy, a suburb of Genoa. In her younger years she set off from Genoa to America in search of her two brothers. The brothers were mining around the San Antone Camp. After Janie had reached her destination, she set up housekeeping for the boys. A year after she arrived, in 1863, she married Angelo Canavera. After they were married they moved to Esmeralda and there they established a store. Then Janie gave birth to two boys, John and Henry. A few years after they had been married, Angelo died as the results of an accident. After her first husband’s death she married Steve Valente. At this time they moved to Indian Creek. This was a little mining community about three miles from Sheep Ranch and approximately five miles from Murphys road. After moving to Indian Creek Mr. Valente built a little store. It was not too long before the mines closed down and when they did the Valentes lived on their ranch. During the cold winters to follow the Valentes kept boarders that would occasionally work in the mines. Clorinda’s sister Mary lived in this house her whole life; it was burned down in the Old Gulch Fire.
Clorinda’s Youth
When the mines opened again the Valentes kept the boarding house to hep support the new addition to the family. This addition came in 1879 which was Clorinda.
There was not much going on in Clorinda’s life until she started school. She just had the usual chores boys and girls had at that time. Clorinda and her two half-brothers, John and Henry Canavera, and sister Mary would attend school in Sheep Ranch. At this time Sheep Ranch had quite a few people. The school at which they attended had two rooms. There were over a hundred students that went to this two room school. Clorinda, John and Henry would walk three miles on nothing but a cow trail. On their way to school they had to cross San Antone Creek on a log bridge. They never had to worry about the bus being late or if it was going to run. They just hoped that the bridge would not wash out. The bridge did wash out a few times. When it did this would cause them to miss school for several weeks before it would be repaired. They would come home from school by walking or hitch a ride on wagons driven by wood choppers or vegetable men, leaving from Sheep Ranch Mine. One person that they rode with had his wagon pulled by an oxen team.
There were other incidents that would happen to Clorinda and her brothers also. Several times, a wood chopper, who would cut wood for the mine, would stop them on the trail and ask them to get a few items in town for them. These items were tobacco and matches. When school let out Clorinda would take the items she got for the men and leave them on a certain stump that had a dime or some reward left for this little task. She attended school up to the fifth grade. Then her mother became ill and she was needed at home so had to quit school. From this time on she stayed at home and worked on the ranch at Indian Creek.
On January 10, 1950, Clorinda and Attilio celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. And two short years later Attilio died on January 17th, 1952, just before his 84th birthday. After Louis’ father died he took over the store. And after 11 more years the Domenghini family suffered another death in the family. This time it happened to Louis. He died May 31, After Louis’ death Clorinda passed away a few years later in San Andreas. The last of the gracious ladies of Mountain Ranch.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
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.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Little League Season
Our season has ended with a great job by both teams and their coaches.
Mike Sabelberg, E. Naski and Brian Fuller had a busy season getting all their rookies ready for baseball. Everyone had a great year and learned a lot about the game.
Allen Sender, Will Glover and Ole Gardina took their team to the sectionals in Tracy for a real baseball education, Great Year!!
We want to also thank those special people who donated to the Little League because this year the Park Committee and the Community Club told us there were no funds available this year like there has been for the past 30 years.
Special mention to Allen Sender and Phil Alberts for large donations to help buy the batting cage and other equipment.
We also want to thank:
Chuck and Linda Turner,
Bob Croft of Pumpco,
San Andreas Print Shop,
MRYA Resource Center,
and all those other volunteers for a great year.
Mike Sabelberg, E. Naski and Brian Fuller had a busy season getting all their rookies ready for baseball. Everyone had a great year and learned a lot about the game.
Allen Sender, Will Glover and Ole Gardina took their team to the sectionals in Tracy for a real baseball education, Great Year!!
We want to also thank those special people who donated to the Little League because this year the Park Committee and the Community Club told us there were no funds available this year like there has been for the past 30 years.
Special mention to Allen Sender and Phil Alberts for large donations to help buy the batting cage and other equipment.
We also want to thank:
Chuck and Linda Turner,
Bob Croft of Pumpco,
San Andreas Print Shop,
MRYA Resource Center,
and all those other volunteers for a great year.
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.
Our Mens Team
To keep the Mountain Ranch Mens Softball Team in good shape for the coming season we called Sonora to see if we could play in their spring season. We thought this would be just the thing to get our team all tuned up.
Sonora said, “Sure, come over”, and they would teach the hillbilly Mountain Ranch how to play softball. So Sam Smith the manager and coach took Alberts’ Hitmen to Sonora.
So Alberts’ Hitmen, the Mountain Ranch slow pitch softball team, travels 46 miles to Sonora, CA, to play in Standard Parks Spring Rec League every Thursday night. The Hitmen started out this league undefeated until they faced “Make a Mends” who gave Hitmen their first loss, winning by one run, making Hitmen 5-1. The Hitmen went on to face “Maynard’s” the next Thursday getting beat by 8 runs which gave them their first real upset. This gave both teams a 7-2 record going into playoffs. When the record is the same going into playoffs it is down to counting runs to decide seeding. Maynard’s came out with 7 more runs, making then the 1st seed team and Hitmen 2nd seed.
June 12th marked the day for the playoffs for this Spring League and Championship game to follow. 1st seed to play 4th seed, and 2nd seed to play 3rd. Hitmen were to face SVP at 6:30 to be the first playoff game of the night. SVP was forced to forfeit because Standard Park rule is each team has 10 min. after original game to take the field, so lack of players by set time caused a forfeit. Therefore, the Hitmen moved on to the championship slot with an 8-2 record.
Maynard’s and Hitmen started this championship game battling from the very first inning trading leads throughout the first half of this game. Each team is allotted 7 home runs per game, and both teams hit 4 of the 7, until the Hitmen cam out banging in the 5th inning, blowing out 15 runs, going through their line-up twice, giving them the biggest lead of the game. The Hitmen are able to hold down Maynard’s, maintaining an 8 run lead to win the championship and making this game 2 hours long. This was an intense game filled with skill, dedication and competition from both teams. With a high scoring game like this you can tell winning the championship
didn’t come very easily for the Hitmen.
Sonora said, “Sure, come over”, and they would teach the hillbilly Mountain Ranch how to play softball. So Sam Smith the manager and coach took Alberts’ Hitmen to Sonora.
So Alberts’ Hitmen, the Mountain Ranch slow pitch softball team, travels 46 miles to Sonora, CA, to play in Standard Parks Spring Rec League every Thursday night. The Hitmen started out this league undefeated until they faced “Make a Mends” who gave Hitmen their first loss, winning by one run, making Hitmen 5-1. The Hitmen went on to face “Maynard’s” the next Thursday getting beat by 8 runs which gave them their first real upset. This gave both teams a 7-2 record going into playoffs. When the record is the same going into playoffs it is down to counting runs to decide seeding. Maynard’s came out with 7 more runs, making then the 1st seed team and Hitmen 2nd seed.
June 12th marked the day for the playoffs for this Spring League and Championship game to follow. 1st seed to play 4th seed, and 2nd seed to play 3rd. Hitmen were to face SVP at 6:30 to be the first playoff game of the night. SVP was forced to forfeit because Standard Park rule is each team has 10 min. after original game to take the field, so lack of players by set time caused a forfeit. Therefore, the Hitmen moved on to the championship slot with an 8-2 record.
Maynard’s and Hitmen started this championship game battling from the very first inning trading leads throughout the first half of this game. Each team is allotted 7 home runs per game, and both teams hit 4 of the 7, until the Hitmen cam out banging in the 5th inning, blowing out 15 runs, going through their line-up twice, giving them the biggest lead of the game. The Hitmen are able to hold down Maynard’s, maintaining an 8 run lead to win the championship and making this game 2 hours long. This was an intense game filled with skill, dedication and competition from both teams. With a high scoring game like this you can tell winning the championship
didn’t come very easily for the Hitmen.
The 156th Anniversary of our Post Office
The first post office in this area of Calaveras County was at Double Springs in 1851. This building was shipped over here from China made of camphor wood. It also was the first court house of Calaveras County. The building has been restored at the museum in San Andreas. Later that same year Moke Hill opened their post office.
Third Crossing opened in 1852 followed by San Andreas in 1854.
Fourth Crossing in 1855 and closer to home was Mill Valley which was located on Whiskey Slide Road where it crosses Jesus Maria Creek. locals have known this as the Sharp Ranch.
Railroad Flat opened in 1857 and Mountain Ranch in 1858. Also Poverty Flat in 1858 which was north of town.
Sheep ranch in 1877, Glencoe in 1878 and Cave City in 1883. As you can see a great many of these post offices opened with the discovery of a good gold claim, opened very quickly and died just as fast. Only 5 of the 12 locations are still in operation.
Things changed very quickly in the early gold rush days as you can see.
The first post office in Mountain Ranch, which was located one mile north of the present town of Mountain Ranch, was established on July 30th, 1858. John McKeon was the first postmaster. The net proceeds for 1858 were $2.33. Mr. McKeon’s compensation was $7.31. A profitable first year? William H. Holmes became postmaster on July 29th, 1861.
In 1868 the post office was moved from Mountain Ranch to El Dorado. They could not name this post office El Dorado because there already was a post office with this name in El Dorado County, so the name Mountain Ranch was moved with the post office.
With this move old Mountain Ranch again became a private residence and a ranch and the town of El Dorado then became known as Mountain Ranch.
Bartalmo Dughi became postmaster on July 6, 1868. The Dughi building is now a private residence where Judy and Frank Brockman live, considered by most historians as one of the finest buildings still in use in the Mother Lode. Giovanni Rodesino was postmaster on Nov. 20, 1888. This was in the two story building that later became Senders Market which burned down on Christmas morning in 1968. The new Senders Market is located on the same spot.
The post office was then in Joe Devoto’s home and he became postmaster on May 25, 1894. His house was next to the Dughi building and it still stands today as the Lutheran Church. This half house, sometimes called a Flounder house, is the oldest wooden building in Mountain Ranch.
Mrs. Jennie Devoto Koen, Joe’s sister, then became postmaster on Jan. 22, 1906. As a clerk and postmaster she worked for the department for 27 years. Mrs. Koen died March 27, 1967 at the age of 94.
A small eight-by-ten-foot building was built April 5th, 1923 by James Javeaux and John Zwinge from lumber purchased from Fred Leidecker of Mountain Ranch. This building was built at the corner of Garabaldi and Washington Streets. May E. Javeaux was postmaster here in the world’s smallest post office from March 2, 1923 until Feb. 6th, 1956. Mrs. Javeaux then retired after 33 years of service.
Today you can see the world’s smallest post office on display here in town.
In a story published in the Washington D.C. Star, it was stated that May E. Javeaux claimed that the office served 250 patrons and was the smallest in the country. No challengers to the title ever disputed this claim.
On Dec. 22, 1956, last-day cancellations were made in the historic “toy-like” post office.
Virginia Butterfield became postmaster in the new enlarged building on Feb. 6th 1956. This building is also on display next to the world’s smallest post office on Washington Street in downtown Mountain Ranch.
In 1982 the new enlarged post office was built to accommodate the population increase plus the closing of the Sheep Ranch post office.
Luellan Del Papa was the post master at that time and there has been a series of post masters ever since.
Luellan retired in 1990 and will be remembered as the last of the old time public servants. Over 300 people attended her retirement party at the Mountain Ranch Park.
Wally Matlock has put together a very interesting display of the story of post offices in Calaveras County which is at the Mountain Ranch Post Office for your viewing pleasure. We now have 5 buildings on Washington Street in Mountain Ranch that are or have been a Post Office and one building that no longer exists. We believe there is not another town in CA that can make that claim.
Third Crossing opened in 1852 followed by San Andreas in 1854.
Fourth Crossing in 1855 and closer to home was Mill Valley which was located on Whiskey Slide Road where it crosses Jesus Maria Creek. locals have known this as the Sharp Ranch.
Railroad Flat opened in 1857 and Mountain Ranch in 1858. Also Poverty Flat in 1858 which was north of town.
Sheep ranch in 1877, Glencoe in 1878 and Cave City in 1883. As you can see a great many of these post offices opened with the discovery of a good gold claim, opened very quickly and died just as fast. Only 5 of the 12 locations are still in operation.
Things changed very quickly in the early gold rush days as you can see.
The first post office in Mountain Ranch, which was located one mile north of the present town of Mountain Ranch, was established on July 30th, 1858. John McKeon was the first postmaster. The net proceeds for 1858 were $2.33. Mr. McKeon’s compensation was $7.31. A profitable first year? William H. Holmes became postmaster on July 29th, 1861.
In 1868 the post office was moved from Mountain Ranch to El Dorado. They could not name this post office El Dorado because there already was a post office with this name in El Dorado County, so the name Mountain Ranch was moved with the post office.
With this move old Mountain Ranch again became a private residence and a ranch and the town of El Dorado then became known as Mountain Ranch.
Bartalmo Dughi became postmaster on July 6, 1868. The Dughi building is now a private residence where Judy and Frank Brockman live, considered by most historians as one of the finest buildings still in use in the Mother Lode. Giovanni Rodesino was postmaster on Nov. 20, 1888. This was in the two story building that later became Senders Market which burned down on Christmas morning in 1968. The new Senders Market is located on the same spot.
The post office was then in Joe Devoto’s home and he became postmaster on May 25, 1894. His house was next to the Dughi building and it still stands today as the Lutheran Church. This half house, sometimes called a Flounder house, is the oldest wooden building in Mountain Ranch.
Mrs. Jennie Devoto Koen, Joe’s sister, then became postmaster on Jan. 22, 1906. As a clerk and postmaster she worked for the department for 27 years. Mrs. Koen died March 27, 1967 at the age of 94.
A small eight-by-ten-foot building was built April 5th, 1923 by James Javeaux and John Zwinge from lumber purchased from Fred Leidecker of Mountain Ranch. This building was built at the corner of Garabaldi and Washington Streets. May E. Javeaux was postmaster here in the world’s smallest post office from March 2, 1923 until Feb. 6th, 1956. Mrs. Javeaux then retired after 33 years of service.
Today you can see the world’s smallest post office on display here in town.
In a story published in the Washington D.C. Star, it was stated that May E. Javeaux claimed that the office served 250 patrons and was the smallest in the country. No challengers to the title ever disputed this claim.
On Dec. 22, 1956, last-day cancellations were made in the historic “toy-like” post office.
Virginia Butterfield became postmaster in the new enlarged building on Feb. 6th 1956. This building is also on display next to the world’s smallest post office on Washington Street in downtown Mountain Ranch.
In 1982 the new enlarged post office was built to accommodate the population increase plus the closing of the Sheep Ranch post office.
Luellan Del Papa was the post master at that time and there has been a series of post masters ever since.
Luellan retired in 1990 and will be remembered as the last of the old time public servants. Over 300 people attended her retirement party at the Mountain Ranch Park.
Wally Matlock has put together a very interesting display of the story of post offices in Calaveras County which is at the Mountain Ranch Post Office for your viewing pleasure. We now have 5 buildings on Washington Street in Mountain Ranch that are or have been a Post Office and one building that no longer exists. We believe there is not another town in CA that can make that claim.
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