Plumas County CA Archives History - Books .....Indian Valley 1882
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Book Title: Illustrated History Of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

INDIAN VALLEY.

   Indian township, containing in 1880 a population of 1,680, is, in respect to
the number of its inhabitants and in many other particulars, the most important
in the county. Three towns, Taylorville, Greenville, and Crescent, lie within
its borders, and many valuable mines and fertile farms give occupation to its
people and reward for their labors.

   During the summer of 1850, when prospecting parties were scouring the county
in all directions, Indian valley was frequently visited, and still more
frequently observed from some distant elevation, by these little bands of
gold-hunters. They were in search of gold, not land; and they came and went,
leaving the valley as quiet and undisturbed as before. To Peter Lassen, the old
pioneer of Tehama county, and Isadore Meyerwitz, is ascribed the honor of first
visiting the valley with the intention of making a. settlement. They were here
for a brief while in the summer or fall of 1850, and bestowed the name of Cache
valley upon the place where they decided to establish themselves. In 1851 Lassen
and a man named Burton built the square of a log cabin, covered it with brush,
and opened a trading post. Prospecting parties were frequently passing through,
the mountains to the south and west were full of miners working claims or
seeking new diggings, and the little trading post did quite a business during
the summer. One of the parties passing through the valley in April, 1851,
bestowed the name of "Indian" upon it, because of the large number of natives
they observed when first entering it from the mountains. This name soon became
the most common one, and it was not long before "Cache" disappeared entirely.
Eighty men composed this company, which was known as Noble's party. No
settlement was made in the valley that year, except by Lassen and his companions.

   On the twelfth of February, 1852, Jobe T. Taylor and Warren Meeker came to
the valley from Nelson creek, and posted up a notice claiming the land now
occupied by Taylorville and the Taylor ranch. To this notice were affixed the
names of Jobe T. Taylor, Warren Meeker, Jonathan Meeker, R. D. Smyth, Albert
Galbreath, Barnardott Littel, ------Powell, and George Tilly. They moved upon
the land in March, leaving Jonathan Meeker and George Tilly on Nelson creek.
There was no one living in the valley at that time, but in about three weeks
Peter Lassen, Isadore Meyerwitz, and George Edward St. Felix came in and took
possession of their old location again. This place was what is now called the
Hickerson ranch, about three miles north of Greenville. That spring they
replaced the brush covering of their log house with a good roof, and the first
house in Indian valley then stood completed. The settlers at the Taylor ranch
also built a house that summer. No other settlements were made in the valley
until the fall, when a number of emigrants made locations and put up cabins.
These emigrants, for the most part accompanied by their families, came in by the
way of Beckwourth pass and American valley. Meyerwitz was drowned in Honey lake
in 1856, and Lassen was killed in the mountains north of Pyramid lake in 1859,
his death being laid at the door of Indians, though doubted by some.

   The first attempt at cultivation had been made the year before by Lassen and
his companions at their settlement on the Hickerson place. They raised turnips,
beets, lettuce, and other vegetables, products which were in great demand, and
brought exceedingly high prices from the miners, who were seldom able to procure
such luxuries. In the summer of 1852, also, Lassen, Meyerwitz, and St. Felix
raised a great quantity of vegetables, having a larger assortment than the
season before. None were raised by Taylor and his associates, but they purchased
potatoes, turnips, cabbages, beets, etc., from the others at a uniform price of
fifteen cents per pound, to which they also added their own labor in harvesting
the crop. Mr. Taylor, prior to his death, wrote the following incident of that
harvesting time: "An emigrant came to where we were sacking turnips, and said to
his little girl, 'Give your money to Mr. Taylor and get some turnips.' She gave
me ten cents, and I-told her to go to the sack and help herself. She took one
that weighed at least eight pounds, and which had cost us $1.20, the emigrant no
doubt thinking at the same time that ten cents was a big price for one turnip."

   During the fall of 1852 a great many emigrants came through Beckwourth pass,
and a number of them stopped in Indian valley and took up land claims. That fall
a voting precinct was established at Taylor's house, and the people of the
valley were permitted to participate in the presidential election. In August,
1852, Mrs. Dr. Cory gave birth to a little girl, the first white child born in
the valley. They were simply residing here temporarily, and departed before the
child was named. In February, 1853, Jobe L. Chipman was born. He is now a
resident of San Jose, and has held the position there of superintendent of
public schools. The winter of 1852-53 was a most severe one, and the new
emigrants, especially those with families, suffered severely for want of food,
but all survived. In the spring of 1853 Taylor, Meeker, and the others built a
frame barn on their place, the first frame building in the county, except the
saw-mill at Rich bar on the east branch. The building is still standing. They
also put in a crop of wheat and barley, the first ever raised in the valley.

   During the year 1853, and for the next few years thereafter, the emigration
was quite large, and Indian valley became settled up, and a large portion of it
began to be cultivated. A saw-mill was built in 1855, and a grist-mill a year
later, both by Mr. Taylor. A private school was taught in 1859 by a Mr.
Partridge, and the first public school in 1863 by G. W. Meylert. By energy and
industry, the settlers of Indian valley have improved their farms, and brought
the land, a large portion of which was swampy and required draining, under a
high state of cultivation. There are half a hundred farms in the valley, with a
total area of some 14,000 acres, of which 10,000 acres are good tillable land.
Of this, some 3,000 acres are sowed to grain, while the remainder are used for
pasture and hay, dairying being one of the leading industries of the valley.
Many more acres of land lying among the hills adjacent to the valley are used
for stock-ranges, and are quite valuable. Quartz-mining near Greenville and
Crescent is a great industry, and furnishes a good home market for farm produce.
Up Indian creek, east of Taylorville, lies Genesee valley, in which are several
good ranches, school, and post-office, and through which runs the road to Reno,
passing Flournoy's ranch and through Red Clover valley.

   The manner in which the settlers of Indian valley dealt with the native
proprietors of the soil has been related on another page, to which the reader is
referred. The first marriage occurred in the spring of 1853. There being no
minister or magistrate, the two contracting parties, Robert Ross and Mrs.
Catherine Deitch, solemnly declared themselves to be man and wife, in the
presence of witnesses. They then removed to Rush creek, where they were informed
that their marriage was illegal, and where a ceremony was performed by John R.
Buckbee, after which a grand jubilee was held. Buckbee was simply a lawyer and
miner, and the couple were soon convinced that their road of true love was not
yet smooth. Thomas D. Bonner, the perambulating justice, happening to visit this
region from his seat of dominion and power in Onion valley, the much-married
couple had another ceremony performed by that gentleman. This was the third and
last time, and was followed once more by a season of relaxation by the boys.

   TAYLORVILLE.—The details of the settlement of Taylorville have already been
given. Jobe T. Taylor maintained from the first a place of entertainment for
travelers, and his house became the central point for that end of the valley.
His place was burned in June, 1855, and in April, 1859, and was rebuilt each
time. Being the center of business, a town gradually grew up around it, founded
on the prosperity and permanence of the agricultural section, which forms its
chief support. The town of Taylorville contains two hotels, John Hardgrave
keeping the Vernon House in excellent style, four stores, two stables, saloons,
blacksmiths, shoemakers, saddlers, upholsterers, flour-mill, church, public
school, telegraph office, post-office, express office, and I. O. O. F. and
Masonic lodges.

   INDIAN VALLEY LODGE NO. 136, I. O. O. F.—Grand Master Charles N. Fox, of
Oakland, instituted this lodge at Taylorville, June 20, 1867. The charter
members were Noble C. Cunningham, William L. Moore, Samuel S. Grass, C. A.
Leistner, N. B. Forgay, S. Wellington, and S. N. Copeland. The first officers
were: William L. Moore, N. G.; Samuel S. Grass, V. G.; Noble C. Cunningham, S.;
C. A. Leistner, T. The lodge owns a fine hall in the upper story of a brick
building, and has a membership of thirty-nine. The offices in December, 1881,
were: Jacob Rosenbaum, N. G.; Duskin Hedrick, V. G.; E. M. Prime, S.; and Harris
Goodman, T.

   SINCERITY LODGE NO. 132, F. & A. M.—This lodge was instituted at Rich bar,
east branch, January 18, 1859. The charter was given it May 14, 1859. The first
officers were: John S. Sims, W. M.; A. S. Paul, S. W.; Robert Blakemore, J. W.;
T. J. McCormic, T.; Richard Hart, S.; Charles Rawson, S. D.; W. A. Crampton, J.
D.; J. S. Boynton, Tyler. In a few years the membership became much reduced
because of the decline in mining on the river, and the lodge was removed to
Taylorville May 10, 1865, where it is now located. It has a membership of
twenty-nine. The officers in December, 1881, were: Cyrus Laufman, W. M.; George
W. Boyden, S. W.; Erastus P. Smith, J. W.; Frank Kruger, T.; Andrew J. Ford, S.;
J. F. Laufman, S. D.; James P. Burge, J. D.; William S. Price, Tyler.

   RESCUE LODGE NO. 215, I. O. G. T.—This lodge was organized at Taylorville,
July 19, 1876, with the following twenty-five charter members: Edwin Taylor,
Robert Thompson, Theodore Light. George Willis, George Young, Isaac Hutton,
James Cottingham, J. C. Young, James Taylor, Mamie Taylor, Mrs. E. W. Taylor,
Mrs. "William Foreman, Mrs. A. Garvin, Mrs. F. M. Willis, Mary Mowdell, Mrs. R.
Thompson, Ella Cottingham, Hattie Kingsbury, Mary Thompson, Mrs. Belle Young,
Mrs. Burge, Susie Bransford, Eva Roberts, Mrs. J. T. Taylor, S. A. Hardgrave.
The membership in December, 1881, was forty-seven; officers at the same time
were: Robert Thompson, W. C. T.; Martha Gentry, W. V. T.; S. A. Hardgrave, W.
S.; Mary Thompson, W. F. S.; Mrs. C. E. Harvey, W. T.; J. C. Young, P. W. C. T.

   GREENVILLE.—This is one of the most thriving and important towns in Plumas
county. It is the product of the large quartz-mining operations carried on in
this vicinity, and has grown up within the past twenty years. Busy, prosperous,
and rapidly growing, it gives promise of being one of the best towns in the
whole Sierra chain.

   The Bullion ledge, near Greenville, was discovered by John Cornelison, in
1851, but was not worked to any extent. In 1856 J. W. Ellis relocated the ledge
and began working the surface with considerable profit. The Lone Star, near the
Bullion, was first worked in 1857 by John Freeman and John Gibbons. The third
mine was the Ellis, at Round valley, a few miles distant. The success obtained
in working these ledges attracted a great many people to this locality, and
Greenville owes its existence to these operations in quartz.

   The first house in Greenville was built in 1862 by Alfred McCargar, who also
erected a four-stamp mill for the purpose of working ore from the Bullion mine.
Business gradually centered at this spot, buildings and residences were erected,
and a town grew up. The telegraph line was brought in by the W. U. T. Co. in
1874. A telephone line connects the town with Bidwell's bridge at Big Meadows,
and with the leading mines of this region. Mr. H. C. Bidwell has been the
leading citizen of Greenville; and to him, in a large measure, is due the rapid
progress made by the town. His sudden death was the cause of general mourning in
the valley. [See his biography.] Greenville suffered the loss of property to the
value of $60,000 by a conflagration that nearly destroyed the whole town, April
23, 1881.

   The town has now a population of about 500, and contains one large hotel,
three stores, restaurants, saloons, foundry, flour-mill, saw-mill, livery
stable, blacksmiths, shoemaker, wagon maker, market, barbers, boarding-house,
soda factory, dentist, physician, water-works, M. E. church, school, telegraph,
express and post offices, newspaper, and fraternal societies.

   GREENVILLE LODGE No. 252, I. O. O. F.—This lodge was organized September 15,
1878, with the following charter members and officers: J. W. McCartney, N. G.;
George Proctor, V. G.; George H. McPherson, S.; E. L. McGill, T.; Thomas
Corckle, H. W. Jarvis, A. D. McIntyre, I. C. Patch, and J. S. Hall. The
membership in December, 1881, was forty-one, and the officers at that time were:
N. Stamfli, KG.; Finley McLennon, V. G.; H. Williams, S.; A. D. McMillan, T.

   GREENVILLE LODGE, F. & A. M.—The first meeting of this lodge under its
dispensation, which was granted March 5, 1878, was held March 30, 1878; first
meeting under the charter, November 23, 1878. The charter members and first
officers were: Alexander. Thorn, W. M.; E. W. Young, S. W.; D. M. Duprey, J. W.;
T. F. Emmons, S.; George Proctor, T.; K. L. McGill, H. J. Hathaway, George
Standart, Alexander Grant, Henry Launder, and H. C. Whitney. The officers for
the current year are: H. C. Whitney, W. M.; D. M. Duprey, S. W.; G. W. Gulliver,
J. W.; Charles Mulholland, S.;  R. L. McGill, T.

   GREENVILLE LODGE, I. O. G. T.—This lodge was organized March 30, 1872, with
twenty-eight charter members. The first officers were: C. W. Poindexter, W. C.
T.; Mrs. Gilla Sherman, W. V. T.; E. B. Preston* W. S.; W. D. Goodfellow, W. F.
S.; Angus McIntyre, W. T. In December, 1881, there were seventy-nine members,
and the officers were: Miss Annie Treleaven, P. W. C. T.; D. H. Lowry, W. C. T.;
Mrs. Amanda Stevens, W. V. T.; Frank E. Lowry, W. S.; Thomas R. Chapin, W. F.
S.;  Moses Bull, W. T.

   CRESCENT MILLS.—Five miles south of Greenville is the little town of Crescent
Mills, which has grown up around the mills from which it derives the name. A
boarding-house, store, saloons, post-office, etc., with quite a number of
miners' cottages, make a busy little town. A good puMic school is maintained. A
lodge of Good Templars was organized July 20, 1876, with the folio wing
officers: Harrison Sain, W. C. T.; Mrs. M. J. Sain, W. V. T.; William E. Taylor,
W. S.; James Underwood, W. F. S.; Mrs. S. J. Underwood, W. T. The membership in
December, 1881, was thirty-two. The officers at that time were: George F.
Taylor, W. C. T.; Martha Becraft, W. V. T.; Warren Kelley, W. S.; Ella Kelley,
W. F. S.;  Mrs. Nancy Taylor, W. T.

   ROUND VALLEY.—In 1862 quartz-mining was inaugurated at this place by E. W.
Judkins and Alex. Tate. The Granite ledge discovered by John W. Ellis was leased
to these parties, who erected a mill and commenced operations in the fall of
that year. Quite a village sprang up here, and among the business firms were N.
C. Cunningham & Co., Miner & Hughes, McQuinn & Compton, merchants; C. H.
Lawrence, livery stable; Hughes & Jordan, Nick Trucks, J. S. Carter, Snyder &
Bro., saloons. There were several others, including a hotel. D. R. Cate built a
sawmill, and furnished the lumber used in constructing the village. As rapid as
was the growth of the town was its decay. It faded away in two or three years.
The next movement in quartz was  made by Judkins & Kellogg in Cherokee ravine,
some mile or so distant. These parties opened and developed what is known as the
Kettle lode, erected and operated successfully a large mill, and finally sold
out to a London company in 1871. Near by was also opened the Caledonia
quartz-mine, by H. C. Bidwell and associates, near which sprang up quite a
settlement. Whiting & Co.'s Feather River Express made weekly visits to all
these points, bringing letters and papers to the citizens, from Marysville.

   RED CLOVER VALLEY.—This valley lies on the stage road between Flournoy's and
Beckwourth, and is in Beckwourth township. It takes its name from the native
clover that grows there in great abundance. It was first settled by Richard
Bagley, a Swede, and an early pioneer of the state. He acquired a possessory
claim there in 1863, where now the Bagley or Chase Hotel stands. Elliott Holmes
settled in the same vicinity about the same time. In 1872 Mr. Bagley erected the
large hotel which still bears his name, though at present owned by Moses Chase.
In 1879 a post-office was established here, with Mr. Bagley as postmaster. In
1871 a wagon road was laid out, and the construction of it commenced by Thomas
E. Hayden, a resident lawyer of Reno, Nevada, the terminus of which was
Flournoy's ranch, there connecting with the Taylorville road. It was completed
in three years. Over it runs a tri-weekly stage carrying the U. S. mail from
Greenville to Reno. Charles Beard, Peter Anderson, Stanley, Harrison Davidson,
S. B. Hinds, J. L. Crow, B. S. Crow, have, subsequently to Bagley, taken up
lands in this valley for dairy ranches. Immense quantities of' fine butter are
here made, and shipped to Reno for the San Francisco market. Sufficient hay is
made to provide for the cows during the winter months. Considerable snow falls
here, sometimes reaching a depth of eight feet. Squaw Queen, Grizzly, and Last
Chance valleys are also dairying points, and all lie within the limits of
Beckwourth township.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

San Francisco: Fariss & Smith
(1882)

File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ca/plumas/history/1882/illustra/indianva276ms.txt

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