Butte County CA Archives History - Books .....Bidwell's Bar And Vicinity 1882 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 26, 2006, 10:57 pm Book Title: History Of Butte County BIDWELL'S BAR AND VICINITY. This place, which appeared so conspicuous in the early affairs, of Butte county, is situated on the middle fork of the Feather river, about a mile and a half from its junction with the main stream. About the first of April, 1848, after John Bidwell had made the discovery of light scale gold on the Feather, at the point where Hamilton was afterwards located, he established a mining-camp at Bid well's bar, to which his name has been given. The camp was a pretty large one in a very short time, each white man having a greater or less number of Indians and squaws to assist him in his labor. Potter's bar was established two miles above Bidwell, and named after its first settler, Mr. Potter. It became an election precinct, and cast quite a number of votes for several years after the organization of the county. Bidwell's bar was for three years after the county organization a prominent trading-post, both for whites and aborigines, as well as a rich mining-camp in itself. In reality, it was the most important place in Butte county until Oroville disputed the palm with it. The bar was very long and wide, and almost inexhaustible. Bidwell's bar was chosen the temporary county-seat of Butte at the first county election, on the tenth of June, 1850, but the place enjoyed this advantage only a very short period, as the election of September removed the capital to Hamilton, on the main Feather river. After having been organized at Chico, the first sessions of the court of sessions, the county court, and the probate court (except two or three of the last held at Long's bar), occurred at Bidwell's bar. They were then transferred .to the legitimate county-seat, and Bidwell pursued the even tenor of progress and prosperity without the assistance of official concomitants. The population of the camp in 1850 could not have been less than six hundred, as the election precinct of Bidwell alone cast a vote of over three hundred. All the time that Hamilton held the county-seat, Bidwell was steadily building up, and preparing herself to seize the prize, which in all new counties is such a bone of contention. In the early part of 1853, several prominent individuals interested in the town, made a successful move towards securing the county-seat. Those particularly conspicuous in this movement were Joseph E. N. Lewis, Randall Hobart, W. W. Hobart, and A. B. Newcomb. The town was laid out and platted, and a square was set apart on the hill—afterwards known as Court-house hill—for the exclusive use of the county, and a building was erected thereon to accommodate the public officers. On the tenth of August, 1853, Bidwell became the county-seat [see County-Seat], and all business and trade centered there. Among the most important business institutions of Bidwell may be mentioned the following:— Gluckauf & Newcomb were engaged in the sale of clothing, dry goods and provisions. The firm, in 1854, was changed to Gluckauf & Williams, and soon after each carried on a separate business of his own. Ferguson & Co. dispensed a general stock from the "Old 49 Stand." Hess & Larcombe assumed the august title of "wholesalers and retailers," while Horton & Co. had an establishment near the ferry; J. M. Burt's office was in the second story of the latter place. The Butte Record printing-office was on the upper floor of a building on Miner street, owned by A. L. Bath. Below it was a popular institution, the Miner's Stove. Bidwell was not lacking in hotel accommodations. The National, kept by A. C. Bancroft and John F. Thompson, was a large affair and a credit to the town. Bancroft was its earliest proprietor, and prior to this time J. Mitchell had been interested in its patronage. The Shade hotel was the property of P. Wirstrom, then postmaster of Bidwell. It was situated near the bank of the river. Other places for the satisfaction of man's appetite were numerous. Dr. Wm. Wilson dealt out chemical mixtures from his drug-store, and Dr. J. T. England claimed the title of "botanic physician," making his headquarters for "roots and yarbs" at the National hotel. C. A. Smith's book and variety-store was east of the Shade hotel, while Lamp's bakery, Pierson & Co.'s livery-stable, and Brown & Spear's blacksmith-shop occupied various places around the plaza. Thomas Wells was at that time justice of the peace, and dealt out even-handed justice at the court-house. Warren T. Sexton, then district-attorney, had an office with C. F. Lott, three doors above the National. Harris & Lewis, attorneys, were located in the vicinity of "Our House." Adams & Co.'s express, Everts, Snell & Co.'s Feather-river express, and W. E. Singer's express carried packages to every part of the county over the stage-lines and their numerous branches. The Virginia steam saw-mill industriously whittled out the pine for the structures that were continually being erected. Bidwell became so metropolitan in the fall of 1853, that she talked of incorporating and becoming a city. Her population then could not have been less than two thousand, including, of course, those small camps surrounding the place. People in building houses in Bidwell had great difficulty in finding sites where there was not rich pay dirt. A "gold basis" was rather a misfortune than otherwise. It was not very pleasant to have an eager gold-hunter exploring subterranean caverns directly beneath your store, or sinking prospect-holes at its rear entrance. Even, the streets were not exempt from invasion, and blockades occurred daily on nearly every thoroughfare. Court-house hill was pretty thoroughly mined also, and gold was taken from under the very nose of justice. Early in 1854, a tunnel was started at the edge of the river, which ran under the Shade hotel clear to the plaza. Theatrical amusements proved to be in great demand. In the winter of 1853, Mr. Pratt fitted up a theatre over his saloon, calling it the American. It was devoted entirely to the display of local talent. The stage manager was Harry Mighels, and the acting manager J. Buckman. The first entertainment was given under the most auspicious circumstances on the ninth of February, 1854. The bill consisted of songs, dances, negro burlesques, and the farce Bombastes Furioso. An admission fee of one dollar was charged, reserving the front seats for the ladies. A crowded house witnessed the performance. Afterwards the old play of Slasher and Crasher had a big run. The amateur stars of that period were Pratt, French, Buckman, Spear and Diver. Mr. Diver was the favorite comedian, and trod the boards amidst the incessant laughter of the parquette and pit. One day an inebriated young man flung a missile at a Chinawoman, which missed her and struck the tender cranium of her babe, inflicting a rather ugly wound. The citizens were aroused and gave chase to the offender. A lively foot-race ensued, but sober fleetness overtook him and he was brought back to town. While escorting him thither and when at the most precipitous portion of the river-bank, he sprang from the grasp of his captors and plunged headlong into the foaming torrent below. By this time there were several hundred witnesses and the excitement was intense. The reckless man struck out bravely for the opposite shore, but after making several unsuccessful attempts to land, went down over the rapids in gallant style, amidst the cheers of the crowd. Below he succeeded in gaining land, and was re-captured, but considering that he had had punishment sufficient, he was magnanimously allowed to depart. Some time in the February following, J. C. Martin, a young man, came into town, having in his possession a horse. Being a stranger, no one took much notice of him. In a few days, the proprietor of a livery-stable at Marysville, who was looking for Martin, found him at Bidwell. The horse had been stolen from him. Martin was arrested and lodged in jail. On the third day of his confinement he committed suicide by hanging himself to a stove-pipe. Martin was only eighteen years of age, and of a good family. Bidwell was not exempt from the inevitable visitation of the fire-fiend. On the second of August, 1854, a fire originated in Evans' building, corner of Water and Miner streets. One hour after, the town was in ruins, except the court-house and jail, the ferry-boat, a small boarding-house and the Record office building. Many small buildings were torn to pieces to keep the material from burning. The aggregate loss was in the neighborhood of $130,000. The town quickly recovered from the blow. Those who were able immediately began to rebuild. The National hotel was rebuilt that fall by Bancroft and E. M. Burrows. Joseph Gluckauf put up a stone fire-proof edifice, which is still standing. Dr. Wilson, and many others, rebuilt. The town was very gay and lively with the numerous balls given upon the completion of buildings. Before three months Bidwell was as happy and prosperous as ever. In the fall of 1854, the bridge question began to be agitated. It was seen that the man or company which did the work would have a good investment, and consequently there was a contest as to which should be the first to get a bridge license. John C. Fall, S. A. Murray, R. T. Van Norden and Joseph E. N. Lewis were successful before the court of sessions, and the Bidwell Bridge Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $39,000. Proposals for a wire suspension-bridge were advertised in the Butte Record from January to March, 1855. The contract was awarded to Jones & Murray, for $26,500. In December, 1855, the bridge was completed. The total cost of the structure was $34,922. The bridge has four wire cables, each cable containing 300 wires of size No. 10. There is a span of 240 feet. The roadway is eighteen feet wide in the clear, and the abutments are twelve feet high. The bridge never paid very large dividends. The heaviest stockholders at the time were Lewis and Gluckauf. Many years afterward the stock deteriorated greatly in value, and some of it has been sold as low as twelve and a half cents. At present the heaviest stockholders are D. N. Friesleben, J. M. Brock and R. T. Van Norden. Brock is president, Friesleben treasurer, and Isaac R. Ketchum secretary. After the fire E. S. Dickenson opened a large clothing and hardware store on Newcomb street. Lattimore & Brother was another new firm, and Dutton & Co., the unique advertisers, opened a store "over on old Mother Cooper's side hill," where they sold "liquor and coarse fodder, fit for strong stomachs." Russ Johnson was the company of the firm. The first chartered Masonic lodge in Butte county was the Butte Lodge, No. 36, F. & A. M., which received its charter in 1854. It had run for some time under dispensation of the grand lodge of the state. The first officers were: R. C. Baker, W. M.; J. B. Smith, S. W.; A. B. Newcomb, J. W.: J. Gluckauf, T.; P. H. Harris, S.; G. W. Hess, Tyler. The original membership was nineteen. In the summer of 1854, shortly after obtaining its charter, all the records and papers were burned. They got a new charter and continued until 1864, when it was surrendered. Fifteen, members were reported at the time, but they were so scattered it was impossible to keep up the organization. A lodge of Odd Fellows was organized March 24, 1855. In the winter of 1855-56, Bid well began to decay. The gradual decline of her mining interests, and the unparalleled attractions offered by Oroville, not only lost her the county-seat but her whole population as well. Bidwell literally "petered out." Most of her miner's made a stampede for the rich bluff-diggings at the rising town; her business and professional men, all more or less directly interested in mining, rushed to secure choice locations for traffic or practice; her newspaper, the pioneer sheet of the county, deserted her, and Bidwell was soon a "deserted village" indeed. Yet a few remained. Hess & Chamberlain continued in business for some years afterwards; and John Bendle, who had purchased Gluckauf's stone house and business prior to the dissolution of the town, still maintains his position. The only residents of the place now, are Mr. Bendle, John Hida, Isaac R. Ketchum, Alexander A. Totman, and about a mile from the old town-site, Mrs. Fitzgerald. Mr. Ketchum has on his place the largest and finest orange tree this part of the state has produced. It is constantly laden with magnificent clusters of the luscious fruit, and hundreds have gone to Bidwell's bar for the sole purpose of seeing it. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF BUTTE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, IN TWO VOLUMES. I. HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA FROM 1513 TO 1850. BY FRANK T. GILBERT. The Great Fur Companies and their Trapping Expeditions to California. Settlement of the Sacramento Valley. The Discovery of Gold in California. BY HARRY L. WELLS. II. HISTORY OF BUTTE COUNTY, From its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time. BY HARRY L. WELLS AND W. L. CHAMBERS. BOTH VOLUMES ILLUSTRATED WITH VIEWS AND PORTRAITS. HARRY L. WELLS, 517 CLAY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO 1882. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1882, by HARRY L. WELLS, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. FRANCIS, VALENTINE & Co., Engravers & Printers 517 Clay St., San Francisco File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/butte/history/1882/historyo/bidwells176nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 13.9 Kb