Butte County CA Archives History - Books .....The Courts And Judiciary 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 December 15, 2005, 3:02 am Book Title: History Of Butte County THE COURTS AND JUDICIARY. Law, in its simplest form, was introduced into Alta California by the Caucasian race in 1769, when the mission of San Diego was founded by the Franciscan friars under the leadership of Father Junipero Serro. At this and other missions soon after established, the padres had full control, administering justice in the manner best calculated to further the interests of their religion and cement and perpetuate the feeble government they had set up among the simple natives they soon gathered about them. The military sent into the wilderness to uphold and protect the missions was entirely subservient to the authority of the padres. As the Caucasians increased and pueblos (towns) were established, justice was administered therein by an alcalde (judge), the padres still reigning supreme at the missions. The pueblos increased in size, and the authority of the alcalde and other civil officers gradually encroached upon that of the padres, until when the missions were secularized by the Mexican government, the padres lost all temporal authority, and the civil power obtained supreme control. This authority was exercised along the whole coast, and as far inland as the military arm had strength and energy enough to sustain it. At the time of the American conquest, the courts existed under the Mexican laws of 1837, and were composed as follows in the territory of California: The highest court, having an appellate jurisdiction and corresponding in character to our present supreme court, was the superior court of California, consisting of four judges and an attorney-general. It was divided into the first and second benches, the three senior judges composing the first, and the junior the second. The first bench was called the court of the third instance, and its decisions were final. Appeals lay to this court from the second bench, or court of the second instance. The latter court had first jurisdiction of appeals from the court of the first instance, the highest local tribunal then existing, and corresponding very closely to our present superior court. The lesser magistrates were the first alcalde and second alcalde, having authority similar to that exercised by justices of the peace. In some districts the duties of judge of the court of the first instance were discharged by the first alcalde. The Mexican laws remained in force, and justice was administered through the tribunals established by them, until the courts were organized under the state constitution in 1850. After the American conquest, and especially after the discovery of gold had led to the wild rush of men from all over the world and peopled a country before almost unknown save to the naked and barbarous natives, the courts became seriously disorganized, or rather failed to become organized at all. In the many commercial towns and mining camps that sprang up like Aladdin's palace, there was no law save that administered by the restless and excitable gold-hunter and no court but the bar of public opinion. To remedy this defect, Gen. Bennett Riley, then military governor, issued a proclamation, June 3, 1849, in which among other things he called upon the people to elect alcaldes and judges, under the Mexican laws then in force, who should administer justice until the courts to be established by the constitution should become clothed with the powers to be given them by that instrument. The courts established by the constitution of 1849 were as follows:— SUPREME COURT. By the constitution of 1849 the highest judicial power in the state was vested in a supreme court with an appellate jurisdiction of causes involving over two hundred dollars, and in all cases of tax and municipal tines, and in criminal cases amounting to a felony, in questions of law only. The court consisted of a chief justice and two associate justices, any two of whom constituted a quorum. The agreement of two of them was necessary to a decision. The term of office was fixed at six years, one justice to be elected in 1851, and one each second year thereafter. The one whose term was first to expire became the chief justice. The first justices were selected by the legislature in 1850, and they chose lots among themselves for the terms expiring January 1, 1852, 1854 and 1856, these terms falling respectively to S. C. Hastings, H. A. Lyons and Noah Bennett, thus making Justice Hastings the first chief justice. In February, 1852, Justice Heydenfeldt, by a joint resolution of the legislature, was granted leave of absence for six months. It became evident, soon after his departure, that the remainder of the court could not transact business with any facility, because a disagreement between them rendered a decision impossible. The constitution empowered the governor to fill any vacancy in the court by appointment until the next general election, but this was not a vacancy—it was simply an authorized absence. Based upon this provision, however, the legislature passed an Act, March 25, 1852, authorizing the governor to fill any temporary vacancy by appointment. The next day Hon. Peter H. Burnett was appointed, but declined to serve, deeming the Act unconstitutional. Hon. Alexander Wells was appointed on the second of April. The constitutionality of the Act was tested on an agreed case, and the members of the court were divided in their opinions, Chief Justice Murray deciding against and Justice Anderson in favor of the Act. There being no adverse decision, Justice Wells took his seat. When Justice Heydenfeldt returned he gave an opinion concurring with Chief Justice Murray against the validity of the Act, and thus it was declared unconstitutional; not, however, until Justice Wells had retired from the bench. The amendments to the constitution in 1863 altered the composition of the court, establishing it as it remained until the new constitution took effect, January 1, 1880. The number of justices was increased to five, with terms of ten years, one to be elected every second year. Five were elected in 1863, the length of their respective terms being decided by lot. The causes that could be carried to the supreme court were placed at those involving three hundred dollars or more. The new constitution made a radical change in the composition of the supreme court. That body now consists of a chief justice and six associate justices, elected by the people, their terms of office being fixed at twelve years. DISTRICT COURT. This was the highest local tribunal of original jurisdiction, embracing chancery, civil and criminal causes. As at first created, it had original cognizance of all cases in equity, and its civil jurisdiction embraced all causes where the amount in question exceeded two hundred dollars, causes involving the title to real property or the validity of any tax, and issues of fact joined in the probate court. It had power to inquire into criminal offenses by means of a grand jury, and to try indictments found by that body. In 1851, the legislature took from this court its criminal jurisdiction and conferred it upon the court of sessions, leaving it the power of hearing appeals from that court in criminal matters, and the power to try all indictments for murder, manslaughter, arson, and any cases in which the members of the court of sessions were personally interested. By the Act of March 16, 1850, dividing the state into judicial districts, Butte, Colusa, Trinity and Shasta counties were apportioned to the ninth district. Hon. Winfield Scott Sherwood was elected judge by the legislature, and opened his court at Chico, then one of the disputed locations for the county-seat, on the first of July, 1850. No business was transacted but the qualifying of Joseph W. McCorkle, the district-attorney elected on the tenth of the preceding month. The court reassembled on Monday, the tenth of the succeeding October, at Hamilton, the new county-seat, where it held its sessions until the August term, 1853. It then moved to Bidwell's Bar, and continued there until removed permanently to Oroville in October, 1856. After the expiration of his term of office, in 1852, Judge Sherwood lived in Butte county two years, and then moved to Sierra county, where he died, at Alleghany, June 26, 1870. Of the election of Judge Sherwood's successor, Judge Sexton, says: "In 1852 came on the first popular election for district judge. George Adams Smith presented himself as a candidate for the position from Butte, and William P. Daingerfield as a candidate from Shasta. The convention met at the town of Tehama. J. E. N. Lewis marshaled the forces of Mr. Smith, and Mr. Watson (the immortal Col. Jack, of legislative memory) those of Mr. Daingerfield. The rooms of the hotel where the convention was held were separated by cloth partitions, and the several caucuses were held under the shade of the spreading oaks. The convention came to a deadlock, and neither candidate would give way, or their friends would not let them; and finally Watson, with the friends of Mr. Daingerfield, withdrew, formed a convention of their own and unanimously nominated Mr. Daingerfield. The other portion of the convention unanimously nominated Mr. Smith. A third party came into the field from Colusa, as a Whig —Col. G. W. Bowie. George Adams Smith was elected by a fair majority. * * * In 1853, he died of consumption. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and learned the trade of his father, a brick-mason. He was too weak physically to labor at that, and, quitting it, commenced the study of law. With only an ordinary common-school education, he made rapid advances in his profession, and, had he lived, would have attained eminence in it. He was an indefatigable student, a clear and logical thinker, and exulted in the acquisition of knowledge, especially in that of his profession. He was a good, pure, honest and high-minded man. The people of Butte lost one of their brightest ornaments, and every member of the bar a friend, when they were compelled to murmur their farewell over his grave." The vacancy was filled by the appointment of Hon. Joseph W. McCorkle by the governor. He was succeeded by William P. Daingerfield, elected the following year for the unexpired term. In 1857, the legislature created a new judicial district, called the fifteenth, with Butte, Colusa, Tehama and Plumas counties, and Hon. C. E. Williams was appointed judge until the election that fall. This was a hard-fought struggle between Hon. Warren T. Sexton and Hon. J. E. N. Lewis. They were both democrats, but Mr. Sexton had been successful in securing the nomination, and Mr. Lewis ran independently. It is said that §15,000 were spent in conducting this exciting contest, which resulted in the election of Judge Sexton. In 1863, Butte, Plumas, Tehama and Lassen were formed into the second judicial district, and Mr. Sexton was again chosen judge. In 1869, Hon. Charles F. Lott was elected judge. J. E. N. Lewis, who had received the nomination of the democratic party, died of heart disease the night after securing it. Of his death Mr. Sexton says: "He died sitting in his chair, enjoying a beautiful summer eve, in front of the house, so quietly, so noiselessly, that a lady, sitting near enough to touch him, continued her conversation to him a few minutes after his death, until finding he did not answer some question, she touched him and discovered that life was extinct." Judge Lott held the position until 1875, when he was again succeeded by Mr. Sexton, who presided until his death, August 11, 1878. Hon. P. O. Hundley, the present superior judge, was appointed to succeed to the vacancy, and held the position until the abolition of the court, January 1, 1880. When the constitutional changes were made in 1863, the jurisdiction of this court was made to embrace causes involving amounts over three hundred dollars, instead of two hundred as formerly, and in criminal matters it was given the exclusive power to try all indictments for treason, misprision of treason, murder and manslaughter, as well as those which the county judge was incapacitated from trying by reason of personal interest. But little change was made in the powers of the district court after 1863. A district judge had the authority to hold court in any district in the State, when so requested by the judge of that district, or upon designation by the governor. By virtue of the new constitution of 1879, the court was abolished and all the papers and records transferred to the superior court, and December 31, 1879, Judge Hundley adjourned the court sine die, and its life of thirty years came to a close. The judges who have presided over the district court in Butte county are: Winfield Scott Sherwood, 1850 to 1852; George Adams Smith, 1852 to 1853; Joseph W. McCorkle, 1853 to 1854; William P. Daingerfield, 1854 to 1857; C. E. Williams, 1857; Warren T. Sexton, 1857 to 1869; Charles F. Lott, 1869 to 1875; Warren T. Sexton, 1875 to 1878; Patrick O. Hundley, 1878 to 1879. Judge McCorkle served a term in congress from this district, and is now following the practice of his profession at the capital of the nation. Judge Daingerfield remained on the bench of the district to which Shasta county was attached for many years. He then moved to San Francisco, became eminent in his profession, and died in 1880, while holding the position of superior judge in that county. Judge Lott is still residing in Oroville and enjoying a lucrative practice of his profession. Judge Hundley now holds the position of superior judge of Butte county. Judge Sexton was a man of great ability and high attainments, not only in the scope of his profession, but in the field of general literature and classics. He was a genial, courteous gentleman, ever willing to aid others in their struggles for advancement. He was counted one of the best jurists in the state, and was a clear and logical thinker, and expressed his opinions in forcible and convincing language. He died in Oroville April 10, 1878, surrounded by his friends, and mourned by thousands who had known him for years. In him the profession lost one of its brightest lights, and one who had done much in these degenerate days to maintain the purity and dignity of the bench. COUNTY COURT. The county court was held by the county judge, whose term of office was fixed by the constitution at four years. An appeal lay to this court in civil cases from a justice of the peace. The business transacted prior to 1863 was very small, but at that time it was given jurisdiction of cases in forcible entry and detainer, and the criminal jurisdiction theretofore exercised by the court of sessions was conferred upon it. Thereafter it had the power to inquire into criminal offenses by means of a grand jury, and try all indictments except those for treason, misprision of treason, murder and manslaughter, which indictments were certified to the district court for trial. At the election of June 10, 1850, Hon. Moses Bean was chosen the first county judge of Butte county. He opened court at Chico, the disputed county-seat, on the seventeenth of July, but transacted no business, except to open court and make the following order: "Ordered that the court adjourn, to meet at Bidwell's bar on the twenty-second inst., and that all courts for the future will meet at that place till otherwise provided for." On the day appointed, the court assembled at Bidwell. Judge Bean resigned in 1852. Of him Mr. Sexton says: "Judge Bean had a rather over-weening consciousness of the power and dignity of his own court, and had given it, in his own mind, 'ample jurisdiction.' A question as to the right of a ferry purchase had been contested in his court, and decided by him, when an appeal was taken to the district court, and the judgment of his honor reversed. At the next term of the county court a similar question arose, and the judge was about to decide the matter as he had the former case. Up jumped one of the attorneys and represented that in a former case the decision of the county court had been reversed, and the decision of the district court must stand as the law of the case. The judge straightened himself to the highest point of dignity, reached his hair back with his fingers, and with a look of unutterable wisdom exclaimed, 'Well, I know it? But if the superior courts of this state see proper to make fools of themselves, that is no reason this court should. Mr. Clerk, enter up the judgment.' " To fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Bean, the governor appointed George~W. Shults, who was also elected in November of that year, and filled the position till the fall of 1853. At that time he departed for the Atlantic states without going through the formality of tendering his resignation, and the governor appointed Randall Hobart, who filled the position until the office was assumed by J. E. N. Lewis, who had been elected the previous September. At the general election in September, 1857, Thomas Wells was chosen county judge, and was succeeded, at the expiration of his term, by J. B. Barker, who was elected in September, 1861. In 1863, William S. Safford was chosen county judge, and, at the expiration of each term of four years, was re-elected, until the court was abolished by the adoption of the new constitution, and adjourned sine die December 31, 1879. The county judges of Butte were: Moses Bean, 1850 to 1852; George W. Shults, 1852 to 1853; Randall Hobart, 1853; J. E. N. Lewis, 1853 to 1857; Thomas Wells, 1857 to 1861: J. B. Barker, 1861 to 1863; William S. Safford, 1863 to 1879. PROBATE COURT. The jurisdiction of this court embraced all probate matters, the court being held by the county judge. At first, issues of fact joined in this court were adjourned into the district court for trial, but afterwards the legislature conferred upon it the power to summon juries and try all issues of fact. There was but little alteration made in the powers of this court, which ceased to exist when the new constitution took effect. COURT OF SESSIONS. The county judge, as chief justice, and two justices of the peace, as associate justices, composed the court of sessions. Annually the county judge convened the justices of the peace of the county, who selected from their own number two who should act as associate justices of the court of sessions for the ensuing year. In case of a vacancy or a failure to attend, the county judge appointed another justice, and as this frequently occurred, some years half a dozen gentlemen occupied the position. The duties of this court at first were chiefly to administer the affairs of the county, a function now discharged by a board of supervisors. In 1851, a radical change was made in the powers of this court by conferring upon it the criminal jurisdiction previously exercised by the district court. It had the power to inquire into all criminal offenses by means of a grand jury, and to try all indictments found by that body, save those for murder, manslaughter and arson, which were certified to the district court. In 1855, the legislature created boards of supervisors in the various counties, leaving to the court of sessions only its criminal jurisdiction. In 1863, the court was abolished and its powers were conferred upon the county court. The first record of this court is as follows:— STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ) County of Butte. ) SS. COURT OF SESSIONS, BIDWELL'S BAR, July 22d, A. D. 1850. First term of the court of sessions. Court opened in due form. Present, the Hon. Judge Bean, and associate judges N. D. Morse and A. W. Morgan. W. T. Sexton, clerk, and Joseph Q. Wilbur, sheriff. And now on this day appeared in court G. L. Wadley and J. J. Nichols, praying the court for license to establish a ferry across Feather river at Bidwell's bar, for one year. Witnesses sworn in this behalf, J. T. Elliott, J. H. Boon. And now on this day appears in court Austin A. Hover and Peter von Bramer, by attorney G. A. Smith, praying the the court for license to establish a ferry across Feather river at Bidwell's bar, for one year. When it is ordered by the court that the petitions be laid over until Tuesday, the twenty-third inst. And now on this day came into court Cross and Foster, by attorney Jno. M. Kerr, praying the court for a license to establish a ferry at Long's bar, across Feather river, for one year. When it being proved to the satisfaction of the court that the requisitions of the [statute] had been complied with, it is ordered by the court that upon the filing a bond in the sum of two thousand dollars, and upon the payment of the sum of twenty-five dollars, said license shall be granted for the space of one year from and after this date. And it is further ordered by the court that the sales of ferriage shall be as follows, viz.: For crossing each foot-man § .25 For " man and horse 50 For " each one hundred Ibs 12 And now came into court Thos. H. Paris and James B. Jones, praying the court that the place of holding the election in the township of St. Louis may be removed to Veazie City. When the court granted the petition and ordered such removal. And now the court adjourns until to-morrow morning, Tuesday, the twenty-third July, at eight o'clock. MOSES BEAN. The gentlemen who sat upon the bench with the county judge the first five years, during which time the court discharged the functions of a board of supervisors, were N. D. Morse, A. W. Morgan, Columbus Wheeler, George Adams, Randall Hobart, Reuel C. Baker, Thomas Wells, D. B. Besse, D. D. Fralick, Seneca Ewer, H. B. Shepherd, J. T. Elliott, G. W. Stockton, A. Skinkle, I. Bartholomew, S. S. Wright, R. R. Chappell, Alexander Coles, W. S. Safford, and George H. Crossette. From that time the court was simply a criminal tribunal, and was in no way responsible for the management of the affairs of the county. On the twentieth of November, 1863, Judge J. B. Barker adjourned the court sine die, it having been abolished by the legislature. SUPERIOR COURT. By the new constitution the powers of the district, county and probate courts were combined and vested in one tribunal, called the superior court. There are twelve judges of the superior court in the city and county of San Francisco, two in each of the counties of Sacramento, San Joaquin, Los Angeles, Sonoma, Santa Clara and Alameda, one in the counties of Yuba and Sutter combined, and one in each of the other counties in the state. Tire term of office is six years. There are no set times for holding terms of court, but the judge is compelled to attend from day to day, the court being always open for legal business during the day. A number of other provisions intended to facilitate the transaction of business are in the constitution, one of which is that a judge cannot receive his salary if there remains a case undecided that has been submitted to him for ninety days. At the election in September, 1879, Hon. Patrick O. Hundley, then judge of the district court, was chosen superior judge of Butte county, which position he still holds. The court was duly opened according to the provisions of the constitution, on Monday, the fifth of January, 1880, and has continued to deal out justice in civil, criminal and probate matters to the satisfaction of all but those who have been so unfortunate as to receive an adverse decision. JUSTICE COURTS. A justice court is an inferior local tribunal for the adjudication of minor causes and the preservation of the peace. By the law of 1850, the term of office of a justice of the peace was fixed at one year. Two justices were allowed to each township, also two constables, the officers who serve the processes of the court. The jurisdiction of a justice extended to the limits of the township for which he was elected. He had cognizance of actions on contract, for damages, and to recover specific property, when the amount or value did not exceed $200. In 1851, his powers were considerably increased. He had jurisdiction of actions to recover money, for damages to personal property, for fines, penalties and forfeitures, actions on bonds, enforcement of lien on personal property, actions to recover personal property and judgment by confession, where the amount in all these cases did not exceed 8500, and on a bond taken by him if the amount did exceed that sum, cases of forcible entry and detainer, and the trial of the right of mining claims. The criminal jurisdiction embraced vagrancy, disorder, petty larceny, assault and battery, breaches of the peace, and all misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than $500 and not more than one year's imprisonment. In 1863, forcible entry and detainer cases were transferred to the county court, and the civil jurisdiction was reduced to amounts not exceeding $300. In 1870, the jurisdiction of cases of misdemeanor was extended to fines of §1,000 and imprisonment for one year: but in 1874 it was reduced to fines of $500 and six months' imprisonment. In 1863, the term of office of justices and constables was increased to two years. The new constitution preserved the justice courts as before. The justices of the peace and constables who have held office in the various townships of the county are given below, together with the date of qualifying. The location and extent of the townships can be ascertained in the chapter entitled "Official History." All prior to September, 1851, were elected in their respective localities before the court of sessions had divided the county into judicial townships:— F. Parker, J. P., Veazie City December 25, 1850. W. M. Kirby, Con., " December 25, 1850. Thomas H. Paris, J. P., St. Louis July 22, 1850. Lemuel Hebbard, J. P., " July 22, 1850. J. T. Elliott, J. P., Long July 12, 1850. Nelson D. Morse, J. P., Long July 19, 1850. Thomas Wells, Con., " July 24, 1850. James Farnan, J. P., " April 7, 1851. A. H. Stout, T. P., Stout July 17, 1850. Columbus Wheeler, J. P., Stout July 17, 1850. Daniel D. Brunke, J. P., Stony Point July 22, 1850. John Alley, J. P., " July 22, 1850. C. B. Fowler, J. P., " July 17, 1851. Ira Benton, J. P., " July 17, 1851. Samuel D. Van Dyke, J. P., Stringtown July 22, 1850. Robert Horton, J. P., Stringtown July 22, 1850. Samuel McCurdy, J. P., Spanish Valley. May 29, 1851. T. M. Mudgett, Con., " " February 18, 1851. QUARTZ TOWNSHIP. (Set off to Plumas county in 1854.) Edwin Fitch, J. P October 27, 1851. T. D. Bonner, J. P November 22, 1852. J. B. McGee, J. P September 6,1852. K. I. Barnett, Con September 28, 1852. William Robertson, J. P. July 22, 1853. John B. Carrington, Con. July 22, 1853. T. D. Bonner, J. P October 7, 1853. JUSTICES, MINERAL TOWNSHIP. (Set off to Plumas county in 1854.) S. S. Horton October 13, 1851. Samuel Carpenter October 6, 1851. D. F. H. Dow October 10, 1853. Lewis Stark November 17, 1853. H. M. Gazley January 17, 1854. JUSTICES, ORO TOWNSHIP. J. D. Forbes March 11, 1852. J. Bartholomew December 9, 1852. J. D. Forbes October 5, 1853. R. R. Chappell October 5, 1853. D. D. Plum October 2, 1854. James H. Hanson October 2, 1854. E. Brown October 1, 1855. J. Deuel October 1, 1855. J. S. Denson November 19, 1855. Henry Sayre November 27, 1856. Joseph F. Deuel December 1, 1856. John R. Peyton September 26, 1857. John R. Peyton October 9, 1858. Joseph F. Deuel October 9, 1858. R. R. Chappell December 17, 1859. Samuel J. Whipple September 30, 1861. Henry A. Woodruff. October 2, 1861. Samuel J. Whipple October 17, 1862. E. S. Owen December 9, 1863. L. P. Smith January 9, 1864. L. P. Smith January 10,1866. Joseph F. Deuel November 15, 1869. Joseph F. Deuel December 29, 1871. Joseph F. Deuel November 21, 1873. J. W. Vail November 29, 1873. Joseph F. Deuel November 18, 1875. Joseph F. Deuel January 5, 1878. E. Adams January 5, 1878. J. W. Vail October 24, 1879, E. Adams December 22, 1879. CONSTABLES, ORO TOWNSHIP. M. M. Kelly September 19, 1851. H. J. Schofield December 9,1852. Michael Valentine October 3, 1853. J. Almes Johnson October 6, 1853. H. G. Scofield October 5, 1853. R. R. Chappell October 4, 1854. Thomas Washington October 10, 1854. Henry Safford October 1, 1855. S. H. Preston November 29, 1856. Jacob Allenbach September 29, 1857. Jacob Allenbach October 9, 1858. Jacob Allenbach November 26, 1860. J. P. Price January 8, 1866. J. P. Price May 6, 1870. M. G. Kenny March 3, 1871. J. P. Price October 1, 1873. J. P. Price October 22, 1875. J. P. Price December 15, 1879. O. B. Carl ton December 29, 1879. JUSTICES, BENTON TOWNSHIP. (Set off to Tehama county in 1856.) Danforth B. Besse April 26, 1852. W. P. Mayhew October 2, 1854. Chas. E. Fisher (constable). October 16, 1855. JUSTICES, CHICO TOWNSHIP. J. M. Covington October 2, 1854. Thomas Wright February 29, 1856. James H. Cole October 21, 1857. Columbus Wheeler May 5, 1858. W. P. Tilden October 6,1859. P. W. Deguire October 7, 1359. Andrew Hallet December 21, 1859. J. W. Snook November 27, 1860. A. A. Small December 4, 1860. J. W. Snook October 7, 1861. A. A. Small September 28, 1861. August H. Chapman September 27, 1862. A. M. Barnard October 4, 1862. A. Hallet December 14, 1863. A. M. Barnes December 16, 1863. W. H. Duren December 29, 1865. J. McIntyre December 31, 1865. A. Hallet February 7, 1867. Thomas Pyle December 28, 1867. A. Hallet January 4, 1868. A. Hallet November 24, 1869. Newell Hall December 29, 1869. A. Hallet December 1, 1871. Edward Hoole December 1, 1871. Edward Hoole November 10, 1873. Samuel Bragg November 19, 1873. A. Hallet November 19, 1875. George J. Bourne November 20, 1875. George J. Bourne December 6, 1877. A. Hallet December 6, 1877. A. Hallet November 1, 1879. A. J. Lucas November 1, 1879. Robert E. Warren December 2, 1880. CONSTABLES, CHICO TOWNSHIP. W. F. Good November 27, 1855. John H. Plummer October 3, 1859. John H. Plummer December 4, 1860. George Allen October 7, 1861. W. R. Usher September 27, 1861. George Allen September 29, 1862. William M. Stevens September 29, 1862. H. Sunderlin December 24, 1863. A. S. Warner December 29, 1863. George Allen January 2, 1866. D. C. Gray January 2, 1866. H. L. Sunderlin February 8, 1867. Robert Boydston October 15, 1867. C. H. Robinson December 20, 1867. E. J. Cartwright October 4, 1869. Shepard C. Masters October 15, 1869. J. C. Morgan February 24, 1871. C. H. Robinson December 1, 1871. James O. Weed December 1, 1871. C. H. Robinson September 30,1873. A. M. Barnard December 19, 1873. James Hegan November 19, 1875. A. McDonald December 9, 1875. Ridgely Tilden May 26, 1876. James Hegan October 29, 1877. Henry C. Mansfield October 29, 1877. Henry C. Mansfield October 23, 1879. B. F. True October 25, 1879. JUSTICES, KIMSHEW TOWNSHIP. E. B. Kinson October 2, 1854. E. B. Kinson December 2, 1856. A. G. Brown September 25, 1858. E. B. Kinson October 4, 1858. E. B. Kinson October 3, 1859. J. S. Carter October 5, 1859. D. C. Downer October 8, 1861. E. P. Kinson October 8, 1861. D. C. Downer September 27, 1862. Charles B. Clark September 27, 1862. W. P. Kelley December 17, 1863. Frank Gary January 6, 1864. D. C. Downer October 19, 1864. William Leonard August 18, 1866. W. S. Green September 10, 1866. W. S. Green February 4, 1868. D. C. Downer January 22, 1869. E. B. Kinson February 12, 1870. D. C. Downer February 12, 1870. E. B. Kinson December 23, 1871. E. Cousins November 17, 1873. E. Cousins November 24, 1875. H. F. Yokum January 7, 1878. E. Cousins April 5, 1878. H. Chadbourne December 18, 1879. W. S. Riley December 1, 1880. Isaac Siggins January 10, 1881. CONSTABLES, KIMSHEW TOWNSHIP. J. J. Mechling October 5, 1854. H. H. McCauley October 4, 1858. H. H. McCauley October 5, 1859. A. B. Perry December 10, 1859. James Rowles October 17, 1861. W. S. Green September 27, 1862. D. L. Clark September 27, 1862. D. B. Coleman December 19, 1863. D. L. Clark January 4, 1864. 0. Sowers December 28, 1866. 0. Sowers January 22, 1869. F. R. Stryker March 7, 1870. S. S. LaRo.se December 2. 1871. C. C. Slocum December 4, 1875. C. C. Slocum April 28, 1879. George A. Wikle February 27, 1880. JUSTICES, MOUNTAIN SPRING TOWNSHIP. John Freeland October 2, 1854. John Freeland September 13, 1861. J. W. Woodman October 7, 1861. J. W. Woodman October 11, 1862. John Freeland October 24, 1862. William Edmonds January 2, 1864. J. W. Woodman January 9, 1864. J. W. Woodman January 8, 1866. John Freeland January 8, 1866. J. W. Woodman January 10, 1868. J. W. Woodman January 22, 1870. J. W. Woodman January 10, 1872. J. W. Woodman November 19, 1873. J. W. Woodman December.21, 1.875. J. W. Woodman January 5, 1878. J. W. Woodman January 6, 1881. CONSTABLES, MOUNTAIN SPRING TOWNSHIP. J. O. Givens October 24, 1862. J. W. McCollum December 29, 1864. A. L. Brayer. January 8, 1866. JUSTICES, EUREKA TOWNSHIP. J. M. Covington March 15, 1855. C. E. Campbell November 27, 1856. C. E. Campbell October 5, 1857. Jacob Bittenbauer October 3, 1857. C. E. Campbell October 4, 1858. E. W. Whitmore October 3, 1859. E. M. Sparks October 3, 1859. CONSTABLES, EUREKA TOWNSHIP. Levi Smith March 15, 1855. John White October 1, 1855. A. Fitts, Jr November 28, 1856. George W. North September 28, 1857. W. N. Allen September 30, 1857. W. N. Allen October 12, 1858. A. Fitts, Jr October 3, 1859. D. A. Howard October 3, 1859. JUSTICES, WYANDOTTE TOWNSHIP. E. S. Owen December 3, 1856. E. W. Lawrence December 13, 1856. E. S. Owen October 1, 1857. W. P. Calloway October 4, 1857. John L. Kutch October 4, 1858. W. P. Calloway October 4, 1858. John L. Kiitch October 3, 1859. William J. Packman October 6, 1859. W. P. Calloway October 11, 1859. R. S. Barrett November 23, 1860. E. S. Sewell October 7, 1861. W. Y. Bliss October 7, 1861. W. Y. Bliss October 6, 1862. Gardner Osgood October 6, 1862. W. Y. Bliss December 29, 1863. Gardner Osgood January 7, 1864. David Lewis December 30, 1865. Levi B. Verney January 10, 1866. W. Y. Bliss December 30, 1867. Levi B. Verney February 29, 1868. William Dunstone December 15, 1869. Levi B. Verney December 27, 1869. William Dunstone December 27, 1871. Levi B. Verney January 10, 1872. William Dunstone November 10, 1873. Levi B. Verney December 4, 1873. Levi B. Verney November 23, 1875. William Dunstone December 7, 1875. William Dunstone December 6, 1877. Samuel Frew January 5, 1878. William Dunstone December 31, 1879 Andrew Kitchen January 19, 1880. William Dunstone December 27, 1881. CONSTABLES, WYANDOTTE TOWNSHIP. John Moudy December 8, 1856. Thomas Miller December 1, 1856. Thomas Miller October 1, 1857. William Ayres October 2, 1858. Neal Thompson October 10, 1859. H. G. Standard October 11, 1859. G. M. Glass December 3, 1860. G. M. Glass October 17, 1861. H. G. Standard October 6, 1862. H. G. Standard January 5, 1864. Daniel Combs January 5, 1864. Daniel Combs January 2, 1866. L. H. Marley May 20, 1867. E. J. Wise August 24, 1868. Frank W. Bailey November 8, 1869. David Whipple January 6, 1872. David Whipple October 22, 1875. JUSTICES, CASCADE TOWNSHIP. John Keyes February 22, 1858. John Keyes October 2, 1858. James M. Shields October 3, 1859. William Edmonds October 31, 1859. J. N. Morris December 3, 1860. J. M. Shields October 7, 1861. W. B. Van Orden October 7, 1861. CONSTABLES, CASCADE TOWNSHIP. John Gildersleve April 6, 1858. George Adair November 12, 1858. John V. Peers October 3, 1859. C. F. Noble October 7, 1861. JUSTICES, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. A. W. Morgan July 17, 1850. J. T. Elliott July 12, 1850. Nelson D. Morse July 19, 1850. Benjamin T. Denton July 17, 1850. James Farnan April 7, 1851. Seneca Ewer March 4, 1851. Thos. E. Gray February 17, 1851. Columbus Wheeler October 6, 1851. E. C. Baker February 14, 1853. Thomas S. Wright February 21, 1853. William Poile October 2, 1854, James Wilkerson March 25, 1855 S. P. Thresher October 15, 1855 J. S. Crain November 28, 1856 H. Cram December 2, 1856 J. S. Crain October 8, 1857 H. Crum December 29, 1857 John H. Cochrane November 29, 1858. Samuel Plymire November 17, 1860. John H. Cochrane November 17, 1860. John Beall September 25, 1861. W.Walton October 17,1861. C. E. Campbell October 7, 1862. J. H. Cochrane October 13, 1862. A. D. Nelson December 12, 1863. George A. Hall December 21, 1863. A. D. Nelson December 28, 1865. D. C. Norton January 2, 1866. W. M. Ord March 2, 1866. George A. Hall November 26, 1867. Robert Atherton January 10, 1868. Simon D. Webb November 26, 1870. John Beall November 11, 1871. Wilson T. Woods December 2, 1871. L. H. Ruffner November 18, 1873. S. J. Burton January 4, 1874. Thomas R. Fleming February 24, 1875. C. L. Baker December 4, 1875. George Norman December 20, 1875. George Norman December 6, 1877. M. R. Manchester December 6, 1877. George Norman November 5, 1879. L. W. Doty December 13, 1879. George Norman December 23, 1880. CONSTABLES, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP. Thomas Wells July 24, 1850. D. D. Fralick February 25, 1853. William Wallace October 12, 1854. Robert Davis October 12, 1854. D. Weaver October 8, 1855. J. W. Wallace October 6, 1855. A. D. Wilcox December 2, 1856. Daniel Willsey November 24, 1860. Alexander Dick December 3, 1860. C. B. White September 24, 1861. George H. Lynch November 4, 1861. C. B. White October 6, 1862. George H. Lynch October 17, 1862. Robert A. Cook December 12, 1863. Alexander Dick May 7, 1864. Alexander Dick December 30, 1865. A. D. Wilcox December 30, 1865. J. M. Clauton January 9, 1868. K. D. Hosely February 8, 1868. George W. Thomas November 26, 1870. J. B. Heath November 13, 1871. George "W. Thomas January 6, 1872. Byron Dulmag October 4, 1873. E. B. Walker October 14, 1873. Nathan Foster February 24, 1874. A. M. Foster December 9, 1875. W. R. Rodgers December 27, 1875. Charles C. Fisher December 11, 1877. Benjamin D. Gray May 15, 1878. J. C. Flint April 21, 1879. Brackett Cole November 21, 1879. J. C. Flint December 22, 1879. JUSTICES, BIDWELL TOWNSHIP. Clark Biirnham 1850. Wm. Tillotson April 1, 1851. A. S. Burnham April 7, 1851. Randall Hobart November 23, 1852. A. B. Newcomb July 29, 1852. J. J. Nichols March 16, 1853. Randall Hobart October 3, 1853. Thomas Wells October 3, 1853. W. S. Safford October 2, 1854. W. S. Safford October 15, 1855. Randall Hobart September 20, 1856. George McBride November 22, 1856. George McBride September 24, 1857. George McBride October 4, 1858. E. S. Ruggles October 3, 1859. George McBride October 3, 1859. George McBride December 3, 1860. George McBride October 4, 1861. E. S. Ruggles September 27, 1862. W. R. Dodge December 7, 1863. George McBride December 26, 1863. E. S. Ruggles January 10, 1866. George McBride February 28, 1866. E. S. Ruggles December 5, 1867. George McBride January 10, 1868. George McBride January 17, 1870. William R. Dodge June 1, 1871. George McBride January 4, 1872. William R. Dodge November 14, 1873. George McBride November 8, 1873. George McBride November 18, 1875. William R. Dodge November 18, 1875. William R. Dodge December 6, 1877. George McBride December 6, 1877. William R. Dodge November 8, 1879. David Johnson November 9, 1879. CONSTABLES, BIDWELL TOWNSHIP. George W. Hoag July 22, 1850. Thomas B. Fleming December 9, 1852. H. Cary May 26, 1853. O. O. Goodrich October 10, 1855. G. W. Drake November 22, 1856. Michael Massett October 2, 1858. John McNally October 3, 1859. Caleb Brown October 7, 1861. C. B. White October 7, 1862. J. Durand December 24, 1864. Leander Delevain December 31, 1865. John Hida November 7, 1866. J. P. Day October 9, 1871. C. A. Wyckoff December 6, 1877. JUSTICES, OREGON TOWNSHIP. Samuel Potter October 6, 1851. George Adams October 6, 1851. Alexander Coles December 8, 1852. W. H. Durrett December 7, 1852. D. D. Fralick April 20, 1852. Samuel Glass October 3, 1853. D. D. Fralick July 17, 1854. Guy B. Morrison October 12, 1854. Samuel Glass October 2, 1854. Samuel Glass October 6, 1855. Samuel Glass December 1, 1856. I. S. Steward December 1, 1856. J. D. Pollard November 13, 1857. A. C. Turner September 20, 1858. Thomas W. Nutter September 29, 1858. O. M. Evans February 22, 1858. Samuel Glass October 3, 1859. J. R. Simpson October 3, 1859. M. H. Wells September 30, 1861. Samuel Glass October 15, 1861. Samuel Glass November 21, 1863. H. Fairbank January 8, 1866. Samuel Glass January 2, 1866. Samuel Glass December 3, 1867. Alexander Forkner December 30, 1867. Samuel Glass November 8, 1869. D. A. Jones December 27, 1871. William H. Williams November 2, 1872. William H. Williams November 18, 1873. A. B. Stevens November 27, 1875. Nicholas Willoughby November 20, 1875. A. B. Stevens December 11, 1877. Nicholas Willoughby December 6, 1877. S. J. Burton December 26, 1879. N. Willoughby January 13, 1880. N. Willoughby December 29, 1880. CONSTABLES, OREGON TOWNSHIP. John T. Bond December 7, 1852. James Cannon October 3, 1853. J. A. Clark October 3, 1853. Michael O'Garra July 8, 1854. Thomas Merriweather October 12, 1854. E. W. Morrison October 8, 1855. Albert J. Enders. October 5, 1855. M. McConkey November 26, 1856. E. D. Anderson October 5, 1857. Thomas Merriweather March 10, 1858. Thomas P. Hendricks September 29, 1858. J. Y. Goode October 4, 1859. J. J. Peavey October 4, 1859. J. J. Peavey December 3, 1860. J. S. Dickey November 21, 1861. J. Y. Goode October 16, 1861. E.J.Davis October 6, 1862. J. H. Armstrong October 12, 1863. J. H. Armstrong January 10, 1866. J. T. Brown January 7, 1868. Charles H. Duret April 6, 1868. A. E. Layson November 6, 1868. E. D. Anderson October 4, 1869. E. D. Anderson November 7, 1871. Charles Duret February 19, 1874. Charles Duret March 6, 1876. Thomas C. Barnes August 28, 1876. George P. Hand April 9, 1877. W. J. Applegate December 17, 1879. Alfred Thompson December 18, 1879. JUSTICES, OPHIR TOWNSHIP. James H. Boon July 22, 1850. G. W. Stockton September 22, 1851. J. W. E. Brown September 24, 1851. Thomas Wells February 20, 1852. R. L. Patton May 29, 1852. H. B. Shepard November 23, 1852. J. R. Hope March 14, 1853. H. B. Shepard October 7, 1853. J. R. Hope November 14, 1853. H. B. Shepard October 12, 1854. A. Coles October 2, 1854. John James October 4, 1855. J. T. Elliott June 10,1856. R. L. Patton November 25, 1856. Edward Donoho September 28, 1857. John S. Berry October 3, 1857. John S. Berry October 4,1858. Charles G. Lincoln October 2, 1858. Joel G. Dower October 3,1859. Joseph Willett October 3, 1859. N. P. Cortland October 6, 1859. John G. Hunter November 19, 1860. J. H. Marple November 27, 1860. R. Hewett September 28, 1861. George G. Berry December 30, 1861. S. W. W. Coughey October 3, 1862. John Dick February 17, 1863. S. W. W. Coughey January 4, 1864. John Dick January 2, 1864. S. W. W. Coughey May 12, 1865. Samuel Strauss December 27, 1865. John Dick January 2, 1866. Thomas A. Leggett December 23, 1867. S. Strauss December 4, 1867. John Dick December 31, 1867. St. John Jackson November 20, 1869. John Dick December 31, 1869. C. L. Baker December 28, 1871. John Dick December 30, 1871. St. John Jackson November 25, 1873. John Dick November 13, 1873. C. L. Baker December 16, 1873. F. W. Day October 7, 1874. F. D. Eggleston November 18, 1875. John P. Leonard November 18, 1875. St. John Jackson May 4, 1876. John P. Leonard December 6, 1877. Philip Hefner December 6, 1877. John P. Leonard December 8, 1879. W. Y. Bliss December 22, 1879. W. Y. Bliss December 23, 1880. CONSTABLES, OPHIR TOWNSHIP. H. B. Hayes February 20, 1852. Jacob Snow December 10, 1852. Sam Withington June 10, 1852. W. Y. Bliss December 9, 1853. G. G. Marquis October 1, 1855. R. S. Patton May 15, 1856. J. Y. Jones June 13, 1856. S. W. Cambrel November 21, 1856. R. S. Patton September 29, 1857. Matthew J. Purcell September 29, 1857. P. Maguire May 11, 1858. S. T. Elliott September 25, 1858. J. J. Collins October 2, 1858. J. T. Elliott October 3, 1859. J. V. Parks September 27, 1861. Moses Chase December 14, 1861. J. H. Simmons October 3, 1862. J. V. Parks October 17, 1862. J. H. Simmons January 6, 1864. Miles Chapin December 3, 1865. W. B. Spencer December 27, 1865. P. R. Wolf May 18, 1866. Daniel Hilton August 28, 1867. Benjamin Raynes December 31, 1867. J. V. Parks December 31, 1867. Daniel Hilton August 12, 1868. J. V. Parks December 31, 1869. George Grover February 12, 1870. Solomon Young December 28, 1871. J. V. Parks December 30, 1871. Peter Freer May 28, 1872. D. B. Hays September 30, 1873. George Grover February 7, 1874. George Grover October 6, 1875. William H. Matthews October 6, 1875. J. V. Parks December 31, 1879. Jacob Snow February 20. 1880. JUSTICES, CONCOW TOWNSHIP. M. H. Wells October 7, 1862. J. S. Dickey (Constable) October 17,1862. M. H. Wells November 24, 1863. M. H. Wells January 2, 1860. M. H. Wells May 22, 1868. M. H. Wells November 8, 1860. M. H. Wells December 27, 1871. M. H. Wells November 18, 1873. M. H. Wells December 24, 1875. M. H. Wells December 6, 1877. J. V. Goode January 17, 1878. M. H. Wells February 3, 1880. M. H. Wells December 15, 1880. JUSTICES, DAYTON TOWNSHIP. Gawn Murdock December 12, 1873. H. T. A. Smizer February 18, 1874. Elijah Nichols January 11, 1875. James O. March November 19, 1875. E. J. Cartwright, Sr December 7, 1875. J. O. March December 22, 1877. J. H. Locey January 5, 1878. J. O. March February 14, 1880. CONSTABLES, DAYTON TOWNSHIP. J. W. Snyder October 16, 1873. J. O. March October 16, 1873. William Bonham November 19. 1875. Henry B. Sanders February 24, 1877. A. Whistler December 18, 1879. W. H. Troxel May 20, 1881. 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/courtsan47nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 60.2 Kb