Nevada-Statewide County CA Archives History - Books .....Nevada County 1891
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Book Title: Memorial And Biographical History Of Northern California

NEVADA COUNTY.

BOUNDARY, CLIMATE, ETC.

  Commencing at the Yuba County line, Nevada is hemmed in between the Middle
Yuba and Bear rivers until the sources of those streams are reached, when the
boundary line runs directly east until it reaches the western line of the State
of Nevada. It is bounded on the north by Yuba and Sierra counties, on the east
by the State of Nevada and Placer County, on the south by Placer County and on
the west by Yuba County. Nevada is abundantly supplied by streams of water,
sufficient for all purposes, even for hydraulic mining in its day. Ever rolling
and ever ascending in tiers one above another until they reach the summit,
Nevada County is a vast succession of hills, the snowcapped summits seeming but
just high enough to peep over the verdant-covered crests of their lower
brothers; and hundreds of fertile valleys greet the eye on every side, few of
them containing as many as a hundred acres. 

  The range of the thermometer is very great, the highest recorded being 142
1/2° above zero in the sun at the office of the South Tuba Canal Company, and
the lowest being 40° below zero on Prosser Creek in the Truckee basin. At the
point where the highest mark was reached, the thermometer has never fallen below
zero. These figures are seldom reached within 20°, except in unusual seasons.

  The rainfall is also very heavy, and when it comes in the form of snow it
often lies on the ground in places to a depth of twenty-five feet. These deep
snows isolate the mining camps and other neighborhoods from each other,
sometimes for many weeks, and the blinding storms often cause the traveler to
lose his way or locks him up for a time; and many lose their lives, or are saved
as by miracle. A little communication is maintained by means of snow-shoes. The
amount of rainfall (including melted snow) on the mountain sides in this county
is about three times that which occurs at Sacramento, or about fifty-five inches
per annum, the variation being from 14 to 109 inches.

EARLY TIMES.

  The first settlement in Nevada County was made by John Rose, whose name was
given to the celebrated Rose Bar near Smartsville, Yuba County. Rose and
Reynolds were engaged in trading with the miners and Indians, their store being
at Rose Ear. They made a specialty of raising cattle and producing beef for the
miners. Afterward Rose built a corral at Pleasant Valley and established a
trading post there. Following him, a man named Findlay, from Oregon, opened a
trading post on Bear River near the mouth of Greenhorn Creek. David Bowyer also
opened a store at White-oak Springs, in Rough and Ready Township. The Rough and
Ready company settled at the town of that name. All these and a few others were
in 1849.

  The winter of 1852-'53 being very severe, the miners in the mountain
fastnesses of this county ran short of provisions and met in convention in order
to devise what to do; and on account of their resolving "to go to San Francisco
and obtain the necessary supplies, peaceably if we can, but forcibly if we
must," a great deal of laughter was indulged in at their expense.

  When the State was originally divided into twenty-seven counties in 1850, this
region was unknown, except partially to a few prospectors. Soon real-estate
owners in the valleys among the foothills laid out "cities," obtained the ear of
legislators and had county seats established for counties which, on account of
their great number, had to be narrow strips of territory running far up into the
mountains. Besides, many "cities" did not get the county-seat, or even become
towns. The career of these rival points reminds one of a striking feature of
almost or quite every department of life, well illustrated by a patch of weeds
as they spring up all evenly at the start, but soon a few, having at the early
stage but a very slight advantage, generally invisible, get ahead of the rest,
shade the ground, kill down their neighbors, absorb all the nutriment of the
surrounding earth and easily thrive ever afterward.

  In Yuba County there were seven of these "cities,"—Kearney on Bear River,
Plumas City, El Dorado City, Eliza, Marysville and Featherton on Feather River,
and Linda on the Yuba River, The one that blew the loudest blasts upon its horn,
and really had the most to blow for, was Marysville; and this place, though at
one extremity of the county and over a hundred miles distant from the other
extreme, was made the county-seat. The county of Yuba was made to embrace all of
Yuba, Sierra, Nevada and a portion of Placer counties, thus constituting a most
unwieldy territory. The shifting of population in those days was as incessant
and rapid as drifting clouds of the sky; and thus was it that a few months after
the creation of Yuba County, this region, to which scarce a thought had been
given, became the scene of life and activity. The disadvantages of belonging to
Yuba County were early felt; Marysville was too distant, and a county government
located at that place was to the citizens here almost as useless as one in Oregon.

  The first officers in 1850 were: Wm. R. Turner, District Judge, succeeded by
Gordon N. Mott; Henry P. Haun, County Judge; S. B. Mulford, District Attorney,
succeeded by H. P. Watkins and J. O. Goodwin; E. D. Wheeler, Clerk; Alfred
Lawton, Recorder; R. B. Buchanan, Sheriff; L. W. Taylor, Treasurer; James B.
Cushing, Surveyor; S. C. Tompkins, Assessor; and S. T. Brewster, Coroner. Very
few changes have been made in the judiciary, and the usual number in the other
offices.

   By the time the next Legislature met, Nevada City had become a town of
considerable importance, and both Grass Valley and Rough and Ready were coming
into prominence; the latter was also an aspirant for the seat of government. A
re-division of the State into counties was therefore made by a Legislative act
April 25, 1851, by which, among others, the new county of Nevada was created.
The county derived its name from Nevada City, at which point the seat of justice
was located. The word "Nevada" is Spanish for snowy. At the first election,
thereafter, in May, about 2,900 votes were cast, resulting in the choice of the
following officers: Thomas H. Caswell, Judge; John R. McConnell, District
Attorney; Theodore Miller, Clerk; John Gallagher, Sheriff; Charles Marsh,
Surveyor; H. C. Dodge, Treasurer; and T. G. Williams, Assessor.

  The boundaries given to the county by the above act were as follows: Beginning
at a point in the Yuba River opposite the mouth of Deer Greet, and running
thence up the middle of Yuba River to a point opposite the mouth of the middle
branch of the Yuba; thence up the middle of said middle branch ten miles from
its mouth; thence easterly in a straight line to the boundary of the State;
thence south along the boundary line of the State to the northeast corner of
Placer County; thence westerly on the northerly line of Placer County to the
source of Bear Creek; thence down Bear Creek to a point due south of the
junction of Deer Creek and Yuba River; thence north to the place .of beginning.
But April 19, 1856, the line on the Sierra County side was changed thus:
Commencing at a point in the Main Yuba opposite the mouth of Deer Creek, and
running thence up Main Yuba to the mouth of Middle Yuba; thence up Middle Yuba
to the south fork of the same; thence up said fork to its source; thence east to
the State line; then south on the State line to the northeast corner of Placer
County; thence west on the north line of Placer County to the source of Bear
River; thence down Bear River to a point due south of the place of beginning;
thence north to the place of beginning.

  February 2, 1857, the boundary lines were again described by a detailed
delineation of the respective townships.

  By the burning of the court-house July 19, 1856, some of the county records
were destroyed, thus cutting off some of the sources of early history.

THE INDIAN WAR

in the Washoe country in 1860 is of special interest to Nevada County on account
of the prominent part taken in it by her citizens. On the evening of May 7, that
year, intelligence of the massacre of seven white men by Indians was brought to
Nevada City. Two companies, one commanded by Major Ormsby and the other by
Captain McDonald, in all over 100 men, proceeded toward the scene of the
massacre, below the great bend of the Truckee River. They followed the trail
until on the 12th, near Pyramid Lake, when they were ambushed by a band of
Piutes in a pass. The men fought desperately until their ammunition became
exhausted and then sought to escape by flight. Many were killed in the action,
while many more were shot in their attempt to escape. Henry Meredith, a
gentleman well and favorably known in this vicinity and Sacramento, was killed
while fighting after many had fled.

  The news reached Nevada City on Sunday. The alarm bells were rung, and the
people assembled in the theatre and made arrangements to send aid to the
terrified settlers. All that night men were busy making cartridges and preparing
ammunition. Early in the morning a volunteer company of thirty men, under
Captain Van Hagan of the Nevada City Rifles, started for the scene of action,
having, a great amount of ammunition and about sixty muskets. At Virginia City
the company was increased to seventy-seven men and served through the campaign
of six weeks, doing good service. On returning they brought back the body of
Meredith.

  A few days after the departure of the company for the seat of war, an effort
was made to raise another. It is related that, at the meeting called for the
purpose, an enthusiastic gentleman was moved by the scarcity of volunteers to
say: "Let us make up a company consistent with the pride of the county and the
danger to be encountered. Yes, gentlemen; let us raise enough to make a
respectable corpse." The effect of this ghastly remark was the opposite of that
intended, as many of the volunteers wilted on the spot.

RAILROADS.

  In 1859 the Sacramento, Placer & Nevada Railroad was projected, and a survey
was commenced from Folsom to Auburn, by Sherman Day. The intention was
eventually to extend the line to Nevada City, and the merchants of this county
subscribed a sum sufficient for a survey of a route from Auburn to Nevada City
by the way of Grass Valley. A preliminary survey was made, and was embodied in
Day's report, showing that a line could be constructed thirty-six miles in
length and with a grade of eighty feet to the mile. From this time the railroad
question was never entirely laid aside; every year it was brought out, rubbed
over and polished, and laid carefully away within easy reach.

  A road to Lincoln was at one time under discussion.

  As soon as it became evident that the great transcontinental road would be
built, great efforts were made to have the Henness pass route adopted, but in
vain. After several tedious efforts, work was commenced on the narrow-gauge road
in February, 1875, and was completed from Colfax to Grass Valley in April, 1876,
and regular trains began to run between those points. The total length of the
road is twenty-two and a half miles.

JOURNALISM.

  As an exception in the field of journalism, Nevada County has not been the
fatal ground of many newspaper enterprises, a majority of them having been
paying investments for a number of years, and some for many years. The Nevada
Journal first appeared in April, 1851, started by Warren B. Ewer. This was the
second paper started in the mines of California. R. A. Davidge issued the first
number of the Young America September 14, 1853. This was afterward changed to
the Democrat, under Niles Searls, and died in 1863. The Nevada Daily Transcript
first appeared September 6, 1860, under the management of N. P. Brown & Co.,
with the name of Morning Transcript. The Grass Valley Telegraph was started in
September, 1853, by Oliver & Moore. After several changes of proprietorship, it
was changed in July, 1858, to the Grass Valley National. In 1872 the material of
the paper was sold to the Nevada Gazette and taken to Nevada City.

  In 1854-'56 the noted Lola Montez made Grass Valley her residence and the
scene of many of her eccentricities. She attempted to cowhide Henry Shipley,
editor of the Grass Valley Telegraph, but was disarmed after she struck one
blow. Both Lola and Shipley published their versions of the affair, each
severely reflecting upon the character of the other. The true, full name of this
woman was Maria Dolores Porris Montez. She was born in Ireland, in 1824; was
married early, and soon separated from her husband; appeared as a danseuse at
Paris in 1840, and soon afterward at Munich, where she became mistress of King
Louis and received the title of Countess of Landsfeld, in 1846; took an active
part in politics, but was compelled to leave the country by the popular
outbreaks of 1848; came to the United States in 1851; appeared for some years as
an actress and lecturer, and published her autobiography, besides various other
writings. She died at New York in 1861.

COURT-HOUSE.

  The handsome and substantial structure that now serves the double purpose of
court-house and jail in Nevada City, is the third costly building that has been
erected on the present site. Twice have the destroying fingers of flame seized
upon the building and in a few moments demolished the work of months.

  Court was first held in the "Red Store" on the corner of Main and Church
streets, near the present location. The county soon purchased an old shake
building on Broad street. This "shaky" old building, formerly a hotel, in time
became dilapidated, and court was held in the Methodist and Congregational
churches, Frisbie's theater and Abbott's hall. In 1855-'56 a new building was
erected, at a cost of nearly $50,000. This fine structure was destroyed in the
great fire of July 19, 1856, but a few weeks after the county offices had been
moved into it.

  A rare incident occurred in connection with this fire. The sheriff, W. W.
Wright, when he saw that the court-house must burn, and the jail with it, and
after he had exhausted all his strength in endeavoring to subdue the names,
opened the door of the jail to free the prisoners, falling at the same instant
to the floor utterly exhausted. A prisoner named Lewis, indicted for murder, on
emerging from the jail could easily enough have made his escape; but instead of
doing so he lifted up Sheriff Wright, carried him down to Deer Creek, and bathed
his temples and nursed him until he revived. He then asked him where he should
go. Wright told him to go where he pleased, but to appear in court the following
Monday morning. Lewis accordingly appeared, was admitted to bail in a nominal
sum, with plenty of men to become his bondsmen, and on a short trial he was
readily acquitted, the jury assuming "that he had fully compensated for the
taking of a worthless life by preserving a worthy one."

  A new court-house was completed January 26, 1857, at a cost of over $19,000,
and on Sunday, November 8, 1863, this also was consumed by fire. The third and
present court-house building was completed in March, 1865, at an expense of over
$46,000. In this building, July 27, 1867, R. H. Farquhar, the county clerk, was
killed by the explosion of coal gas which had leaked out into the room the
previous night. The jet had been left burning in the vault, and when the oxygen
had become exhausted the flame went out, and the gas continued to flow until the
air was saturated. On lighting a match there in the morning the fatal explosion
took place.

THE ASSEMBLYMEN

from this county have been: Wm. R. Armstrong, 1859; John M. A very, 1861-'62; S.
Barker, 1871-'72; Robert Bell, 1871-'72; Vincent G. Bell, 1856; S. L. Blackwell,
1875-'78; Thomas P. Blue, 1875-'76; S. W. Boring, 1856; John H. Bostwick,
1853-'54; H. M. C. Brown, 1855; E. F. Burton, 1854; C. W. Calahan, 1859; John
Caldwell, 1858-'59; George Cassin, 1857; James Collins, 1862-'63; E. W.
Councilman, 1861; J. T. Crenshaw, 1853; Samuel T. Curtis, 1860; E. M. Davidson,
1857; I. N. Dawley, 1854; J. M. Days, 1867-'68,1871-'72; George D. Dornin,
1865-'68; Daniel Dustin, 1856; J. C. Eastman, 1861; E. E. W. Ellis, 1852; Henry
Everett, 1871-'72; Michael Garver, 1877-'78; E. H. Gaylord, 1855; George W.
Giffen, 1873-'78; H. L. Hatch, 1865-'66; B. F. Hawley, 1869-'70; Henry Hayes,
1860; Wm. Hill, 1873-'74; W. A. King, 1869-'70; Wm. J. Knox, 1855; Reuben Leach,
1862, 1865-'66; J. Levee, 1880; J. L. Lewison, 1883: Wm. H. Lindsey, 1854; W. D.
Long, 1881; Wm. H. Lyons, 1852; Seth Martin, 1863-'64; T. B. McFarland, 1856;
Charles F. McGlashan, 1885; Thomas Mein, 1881; N. C. Miller, 1861; Philip Moore,
1853, 1857, 1859-'60; B. C. Northup, 1873-'74; S. T. Oates, 1869-'70; M. P.
O'Conner, 1860; J. B. Patterson, 1881; John Pattison, 1865-'66; A. J. Phelan,
1873-'74; J. Phelps, 1855; Parker H. Pierce, 1857; G. A. F. Reynolds, 1856; H.
G. Rollins, 1867-'68; J. W. Rule, 1863-'64; Wm. H. Sears, 1862-'64; Josiah Sims,
1887; T. A. Slicer, 1869-'70; A. A. Smith, 1863-'64; C. F. Smith, 1860; James K.
Smith, 1858; E. F. Spence, 1861; H. P. Sweetland, 1854; J. O. Sweetland, 1880,
1883; J. I. Sykes, 1887; J. N. Turner, 1852; E. G. Waite, 1855; A. M. Walker,
1863-'64, 1871-'72; Austin Walrath, 1883-'85; J. B. Warfield, 1858; James D.
White, 1867-'68; W. C. Wood, 1857; George A. Young, 1858-'59.

RESOURCES AND PRESENT CONDITION.

  It has been the fashion these many years for the writer about Nevada County,
newspaper or other kind, to proceed to what at first sight seem extravagant
terms. Witness this, culled from the Recorder Union of Sacramento, on the
occasion of a late State Fair. The article is headed "Grand Old Nevada."

  "Nevada, the mother of the mineral counties, the foremost of all the gold
sections of the world, the historic, inexhaustible Nevada, not making a great
display of minerals as yet because she has done that before in a manner to defy
rivalry, comes to the front this year with the largest fruit, grain, vine and
vegetable exhibit in the pavilion, or that has been made by any county heretofore."

  The peculiarity is, that the further one examines the better she seems
entitled to all that can be said for her. Nevada is a mountain county,
possessing, among others, the richest quartz mine in America, if not the world,
the Idaho mine at Grass Valley, and until the stoppage of hydraulic mining by
judicial edict, producing the greatest output of gold of all counties in
California. That decision has had a very depressing effect upon the county, but
yet only temporarily, for so large and varied are the natural resources of
Nevada and so energetically are they being developed that no sign remains of the
depression save the gigantic cuts or banks washed down by the "monitors" with
their head of water. The Idaho mine has paid its owners $11,000,000 since it
began operations. Other considerable mines are the North Star, the Omaha, Yuba,
Washington and Diamond Creek, The last three are in the Washington mining district.

  Nevada is one of the imperial mining counties of California, contesting with
Amador the honor of being the largest bullion producing county in the State. The
annual output of gold, amounting now to nearly $3,000,000 for each county, would
have been much larger but for the suppression of hydraulic mining. The bullion
product of Nevada has suffered the largest curtailment from this cause. Every
form of gold mining elsewhere pursued is represented in this county, gravel
washing by the hydraulic process alone excepted; this, after reaching here its
greatest expansion, having been prohibited by the courts. In Nevada County,
California, gold quartz mining had its origin; the business having begun at
Grass Valley as early as 1850, in which year the first quartz mill in the State
was erected. In Nevada, also, auriferous gravel washing by the hydraulic method
was invented and first practiced, the process having afterward in this county
seen its most extensive application. Here are found the longest and most
extensive water ditches and the most capacious reservoirs, constructed in this
or, perhaps, in any other country. The record made by some of the quartz mines
of this county is remarkable, both as regards large, long continued and steady
production. The ores here are for the most part of good grade and free milling,
carrying usually not over two per cent, of sulphurets. The concentrates yield on
an average about $100 per ton. The ore is chiefly gold-bearing quartz, while the
veins are not apt to be large, ranging generally from two to three feet in
thickness.

  The surface of this county is uneven throughout, the great snowy range
covering its eastern, and the foot-hills its western part. With the exception of
the Truckee River which flows across its southeastern corner, and the South Fork
of the Yuba, flowing centrally through it, there are no large streams wholly in
Nevada, the Middle Yuba separating this from Sierra County on the north, and
Bear River separating it from Placer County on the south. There are several
small lakes in the upper part of the county. Of these, Donner, some two miles
long, and situated east of the main summit of the Sierra, is the principal.
Except a narrow strip along its western border, the county is well timbered.

  Nevada County is known almost the world over for the excellency of her
Bartlett pears. The vicinity of Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Rough and Ready,
once the most typical of mining camps, seems the natural home of that fruit.
Every year a large quantity of the fresh fruit is shipped from the two first
named places, the shipping points of the western end of the county, say a
million pounds from Grass Valley, and half that quantity from its neighbor.
Every year is seeing the increase in the number of trees, while the planting of
other fruits, grapes, and garden stuff is also going forward rapidly. "Chicago
Park" is a Bartlett pear colony from Chicago, a strong and prosperous company
who publish semi-monthly the Chicago Park Horticulturist, having their office
temporarily in the Chicago Opera House building, with C. H. Briot as editor.
Their colony or park is of course in the midst of the pear belt.

  Until the completion of the Nevada County Narrow-gauge Road, May 20, 1876, the
county had practically no outside market, the haul by wagon or stage being too
rough and far for the favorable handling of fruit. The completion of that road,
however, from Colfax, on t*he line of the Central Pacific to Nevada City, a
distance of twenty-two miles, has developed the agricultural and horticultural
interests of the county, and has opened to tourists a series of views of
magnificence and grandeur. Invalids visit the county, also, in great numbers,
seeking relief from the malarial or pulmonary troubles of other parts. John F.
Kidder, of Grass Valley, president of the road, was prime mover in its building.

NEVADA CITY

is the county-seat, and one of the .handsomest cities in the State. Its
buildings are scattered about in a most picturesque way upon a number of
adjoining hills, while in the city and its outskirts are about twenty quartz
mines and mills. It is a place of great trade, being the supply point for much
of the mining country above. Stages leave for all the adjacent camps, there
being no less than five lines centering in the city. It is a thriving and
wide-awake place, possessing a large number of active business houses, two
foundries, excellent hotels, a fine theater, an efficient fire department, and
is lighted by gas and electricity.

  The surrounding country is a strange mingling of quartz mines, abandoned
gravel mines, beautiful gardens and orchards, vineyards and grain farms, the
support of the city being drawn from all these sources. It is said that one of
the best quartz mines in the county was discovered by a man named Schmidt, who
had purchased a piece of land to start a vineyard. He bought the land for $300,
and while digging a post hole struck a rich quartz vein, which he immediately
sold for $15,000. The court-house is a handsome building occupying a splendid
site. The county hospital, a little way from town, is a commodious and well
managed institution. The town has a fine school system and live churches.

  Three miles or less from Nevada City is the city of

GRASS VALLEY,

the twin towns being connected by two lines of busses, in addition to the railroad.

  This beautiful mining city, for a long time the second but now the first in
size and importance in Nevada County, lies in a lovely little valley, surrounded
by gracefully sloping hills whose sides are dotted with the hundreds of quartz
mines that have made the city so famous and prosperous. The first visitors here
were David Stump, Mr. Berry and another man, from the Willamette Valley in
Oregon, during the fall of 1848. Starting northward on a prospecting tour from
Placerville, they discovered on Bear River evidences of crevicing, and continued
their journey still further north in search of a country entirely new. They
found a stream running through a fertile valley whose luxuriant growth of grass
and wild pea-vines refreshed their weary eyes. Here they stopped three weeks and
creviced for gold near where the Eureka and Idaho mines have wrested millions
from the stubborn rock. They found gold in large quantities and heavy pieces;
but when the first indications of approaching winter crossed the sky they
departed for the valley, fearing to spend the winter season in the mountains.
Except these gentlemen, no one is known to have visited this valley until 1849,
when immigrants came here in search of cattle strayed from their camps on Bear
Eiver or Greenhorn Creek. Here the cattle were found contentedly feeding and
fattening upon the tall and juicy grass that billowed before the breeze and
waved in the noonday sun.

  The earliest actual settlers within the limits of the city appear to have been
a party of five immigrants who crossed the plains in 1849 and built a cabin on
Badger Hill, near the east line of the corporation, some time in the month of
August. The party consisted of Benjamin Taylor, Dr. Saunders, Captain Broughton
and his two sons, Greenbury and Alexander. Zenas H. Denman arrived August 12,
and remained nearly twenty years. John Little, John Barry and the Fowler
brothers also built a cabin in the same vicinity. The "Rhode Island Company"
built the Providence store on the summit of Main street. Boston Ravine, the
point that early became of importance and was the chief settlement in this
vicinity for two years, was settled by a Boston company September 23, 1849. Rev.
H. Cummings was the president of the company.

  At the present day the place is a town of substantial, steady-growing advance.
Its future is bright, the quartz ledges, horticultural and agricultural
resources giving assurance of permanent prosperity. The town is situated in and
on the hills bounding what in early days was a small grass-covered valley,
whence was derived the name. On the uncultivated hills about is a thick growth
of fine trees, chiefly pine, giving a peculiar and pleasing aspect to the
vicinity. Orchards, vineyards and gardens abound, and the place is the market
town of a large and thickly-settled region. At Grass Valley are the shops of the
railroad. The town has gas works, electric lights and a most excellent water'
system. There are seven churches, the Roman Catholic having formerly been a
cathedral, Grass Valley being the see of the bishop, now removed to Sacramento.
The school system is perfect, and in addition there is a Roman Catholic convent.
Here are situated some of the largest and richest mines in the country, the
celebrated Idaho mine being the most noteworthy. The business center is well
built up and presents a scene of activity.

ROUGH AND READY

is a mining camp in the lower part of the county, once famous, now devoted
largely to agriculture as well as mining.

TRUCKEE.

  The name Truckee was given to the home of the leaping trout, the beautiful
river that receives its waters from Lake Tahoe and carries them swiftly through
this enchanting valley, by an immigrant party who slaked their thirst in the
cool stream and replenished their nearly exhausted larder from the abundance of
its fish. That party passed up the river in the fall of 1844, guided by an
Indian named Truckee. In 1863, when the Dutch Flat and Donner Lake wagon road
was being constructed across the mountains, Joseph Gray moved here with his
family and built a log house. The next year J. McConnell settled on the site now
occupied by the Truckee Lumber Company's store, the ground being soon after
claimed by a man named Owens. The dispute between the two men resulted in the
shooting of McConnell by Owens. The wounded man recovered, and Owens was
sentenced to two years in the penitentiary.

  The town rapidly improved and was made the end of divisions on the railroad.
Thus it became the principal point between Sacramento and Ogden. During the year
1871 three destructive conflagrations visited Truckee, the last of which
resulted in nearly a total destruction of the place. Serious fires also occurred
in 1873 and 1875.

  The business of Truckee has been confined to three articles,—lumber, wood and
ice. The town is the third of the large towns of Nevada County, is located east
of the Sierra Nevadas, on the line of the Central Pacific. In the vicinity are
six saw-mills, manufacturing about 24,000,000 feet of lumber annually, mostly
yellow pine. Truckee is a favorite stopping place for tourists, being in the
"heart of the Sierras" and connected by stage with all the more interesting
points, such as lakes Tahoe, Webber and Donner.

THE PRESS.

  The Transcript, daily and weekly, established in 1860, and the Herald, a
daily, founded in 1868, are the newspapers of Nevada City. At Grass Valley there
are three papers, the Tidings, the Union and the Evening Telegraph, all dailies
with weekly editions. They were founded respectively in 1877, 1880 and 1889. The
Truckee Republican is published semi-weekly, the first issue being in 1871. The
press of this county is live, earnest and energetic, truly representative of
their great section.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California.

Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast
from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with
Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most
Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of
Prominent Citizens of To-day.

"A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote
descendents." – Macauley.

CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1891.




File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/nevada/history/1891/memorial/nevadaco25nms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/

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