Sierra County CA Archives History - Books .....Historical Reminiscences 1882
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com January 20, 2006, 10:05 pm

Book Title: Illustrated History Of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

HISTORICAL REMINISCENCES.

   A period corresponding in length of time to the average of human existence
has elapsed since Sierra county became peopled with the Caucasian race. During
that time much has occurred worthy of a place in the written chronicles of the
past, and much that were best forgotten. Of the former, "the pruning-knife of
time" has trimmed and lopped off the branches of vivid recollection, leaving
only the roots or trunk—the bare foundation of many a pleasing and instructive
tale. Dozens of excellent stories are entirely lost through dumb forgetfulness,
or through the death or removal of those who could tell them best; and the eager
chronicler feels, as he scans his meager pages, that perhaps he has unwittingly
at times passed by the richest lead to delve in barren, unproductive ground.

   The early courts of Sierra county have furnished a few amusing circumstances
not yet swallowed up in the lethean floods. In the fall of 1850, when Richard
Galloway was alcalde of Downieville, a suit was brought before his court for
adjustment. The parties to the suit were a couple of darkies on the one side and
several white men on the other. The negroes had located a claim a mile above
town on the south fork, and being industrious, were soon amassing considerable
of this world's goods. Their good fortune excited the cupidity of some men, who
failed to perceive that a negro had any rights which a white man was bound to
respect. So they claimed to have made a prior location of the mining ground, and
endeavored to oust the sable miners from their position. Through the spirit and
determination of the darkies they failed in their designs, and finally, as a
last resort, the matter was brought into court for adjudication. The court-room
was the space included by a spacious canvas tent. Judge Rowe, for a liberal
yellow fee, undertook the cause of the oppressed black men. A jury was called,
and the trial began. The evidence adduced was rather damaging to the cause of
the white plaintiffs, who, having been obliged to furnish substantial sacks of
dust as security for costs, began to perceive that unless something were done to
turn the tide of affairs their wealth would soon swell the plethoric purses of
the alcalde and jury. Kind fortune gave them an opportunity, ere all was lost,
to retrieve themselves. A full hour had passed since the learned judge had
partaken of alcoholic stimulants, and believing that the cause of justice would
be furthered by a brief recess, he adjourned the court for a drink—a proceeding
not uncommon in those days. So judge, jury, and audience rushed out at the
welcome sound, leaving the negroes alone. After reassembling, the plaintiffs
brought in a sack of flour, which they proceeded to empty over the heads of
their black opponents, who were sweating in anxious expectancy for the result of
the trial, filling their eyes, nostrils, and wool, and changing the color given
them by nature to a paleness never attained by darky before. Amidst shouts of
laughter they left the court-room, and could not be induced to return; in
consequence of which, the case was decided against them.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

San Francisco: Fariss & Smith
(1882)

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sierra/history/1882/illustra/historic288ms.txt

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