HISTORY OF YUBA  COUNTY  CALIFORNIA 

by Thompson & West, 1879, with illustrations

Chapter XII - Yuba County in 1850

The era of growth and progress had now come, and the city, which before this time had been seen only in dreams, was to become a reality.  The possibility of uninterrupted navigation to its landings, gave it superiority over the towns on the lower parts of the river.  The distance to the mines was so small that the cargoes of the steamers and sailing vessels could easily be transferred to the camps on the north and east.  The mines were in active operation along the Yuba river and its tributaries, from ten miles above its mouth to the higher ranges of the Sierra Nevada mountains.  The growth of the town had just commenced, but it started full fledged.  Lots sold rapidly, for the first object of the merchant on arriving was to purchase or lease a suitable location for erecting his store.  This wonderful increase in the number of business houses was simply the outgrowth of necessity.  The mines were yielding millions of dollars, and miners must have some place to dispose of their gold dust, and to purchase their food, clothes, and supplies.  This was the only available point, and it became the business center.  It is estimated, that on the first of January, there were about three hundred inhabitants in the town.  The following tabulated statement will show the population of California at the commencement of the years 1849 and 1850, and the increase during the intervening time:

Illustrative of the unsettled state of opinion regarding the location of the principal town of the region, the following may be mentioned.  About the tenth of February, Messrs. J.H. Jewett and Horace Beach arrived at Yuba City with a train of pack mules from Sacramento.  The important question of settlement then presented itself to them.  Being undecided, they remained in Yuba City about a week, when, fully convinced that the town across the river was to be the fortunate one, they crossed in a canoe, swimming their mules.  The result showed their opinion and decision to be correct.  During the first part of January, the second steamer on the river arrived.  This was the "Lawrence," commanded by E.C.M. Chadwick, and she was quickly followed by others.  There were no warehouses in which to store the abundant supplies of goods and merchandise, that were being landed from the steamers and sailing vessels, and so they were deposited at the Plaza.  The tent stores were filled to their utmost capacity.  The only means of transportation to the mountain camps was by the pack trains.  In the valleys the immense freight wagons could be used.  Saturday, January 19, 1850, the following advertisement appeared in the Placer Times:

"NOTICE - The undersigned take this method of informing the public that the new town of Marysville, at the mouth of the Yuba river, formerly known as Nye's ranch, is now undergoing survey, and the lots will be offered for sale as soon as the map can be prepared.  Persons desirous of visiting this place, will find a road passable at all seasons of the year from Sacramento city, by way of Norris Johnson's old ranch (now Gillespie's), thence to the town.  The steamers 'Lawrence' and 'Linda' are also making regular trips twice a week.  For further information, inquire of Messrs. Covillaud, Fajard & Co.   Chas. Covillaud & Co., Proprietors.  Marysville, January 8, 1850."

On the fifteenth of January, there arrived in the city a young lawyer from New York, who was destined to become a power among the citizens of the new town.  This was Mr. Stephen J. Field.  On his arrival he visited the old adobe house and witnessed the sale of lots which was taking place every evening.  While there, the salesman, in his endeavor to dispose of the land in the new town of Yubaville, as the place was called, directed his attention to Mr. Field, and attempted to secure his patronage.  That gentleman, upon learning the price and the time allowed for payment, subscribed for a large number of lots.  The impression immediately went out that he was a capitalist, and the proprietors of the land, especially Mr. Covillaud, were most friendly.  This interest was deepened when it was found that Mr. Field could speak the French language.  Being versed in  the law, the services of the young attorney were immediately called into requisition, and within a day or two he was busily engaged in drawing up the legal papers necessary in the transfer of lands.  Now that there was a lawyer in their midst capable of framing correctly the documents for a transfer of the land, and placing a quietus on the title, Captain Sutter was sent for, and signed a deed, written by Mr. Field, which conveyed to Messsrs. Covillaud, Ramirez, Sicard, and Sampson, all his right and title in the tract settled upon by Cordua, and described as follows: - "Bounded southwardly by a small stream emptying into Feather river, called Yuba river; westwardly by Feather river, and northwardly by a line forming the northern boundary of the property of the party of the first part, which line is in latitude 39 degrees 33 minutes and 45 seconds, and which line commences at Feather river, at the rancharia <sic> of Honcut, and extends to the lands of Theodore Cordua's ranch;  eastwardly by a straight line running from the lands of said Cordua's ranch, at right angles to the above mentioned northwardly line to the Yuba river."

The controversy and discussion relative to the title of the town being ended, a new impetus was given to the sale of the lots.  Locators and their tents multiplied, stores became more numerous, and business in every line improved.  In this rapid development, it became apparent that some governing power was necessary, and that there should be a legal officer before whom the acknowledgments could be taken, and an office in which documents could be recorded.   The steamer, from which Mr. Field had landed at Yubaville, had brought the materials for a frame building belonging to Dr. Ayers and Mr. Colby.  The sections were united and in a day or two the building was in place, at the corner of D and First streets, ready for occupancy;  the only other structures in the place being the adobe house and a frame tent. 

An assemblage of the prominent citizens was called to meet in this edifice, and it was decided to lay this matter before the people on the next day, January 18th, and, if it met with their approval, to hold an election for First and Second Alcaldes and a Sheriff, immediately.  The public favored the idea and the voting commenced in the afternoon.  There were two candidates in the contest for First Alcalde, one of which was Mr. Field, the other being Mr. Dobson.  The principal objection to the first was that he had only been three days in the place;  his opponent had been a resident for about one week, and hence was supposed to have become more identified with the interests of the town.  Two hundred and thirty-one votes were cast;  Mr. Field receiving a majority of nine votes was declared duly elected.  Mr. J.B. Wadleigh was elected Second Alcalde, and Mr. T.M. Twitchel, Sheriff.  The first found no duties to perform, and appears never to have accepted the office.  The Sheriff-elect declined serving, and his position was filled by Judge Field, who appointed Mr. Robert B. Buchanan.  An Ayuntamiento, or Town Council, was also selected, but had not work to perform, the administration of all affairs being left in the hands of the First Alcalde.  At that day the office sought the man, and it was difficult to find those who would accept the public positions, for the prospective emoluments were small, and the time occupied large.  The duties devolving upon them would interfere greatly with other business and no equivalent in salary could be furnished.  The position secured, Mr. Field at his first opportunity gained from the State authorities a recognition of his election as Alcalde of Yubaville.  Soon afterwards he opened his office and Court in a frame building owned by himself, at the corner of E and First streets.

In the evening, after the result of the election had been declared, the people assembled in the frame house to congratulate the successful candidates and to participate in the usual festivities attending such occasions, but more particularly to celebrate the quieting of the title to the tract of land.  In the midst of the hilarity the subject of naming the town was broached, the name Yubaville being thought too similar to Yuba City.  Various were the suggestions, including the words Norwich, Sicardora, Yubafield, and Sircumdoro, but none seemed to meet the popular desire.   Finally a gentleman, probably Rev. Mr. Wadsworth, arose, and in a neat little speech, proposed that the town be called Marysville, in honor of "the most beautiful lady in the place," Mrs. Mary Covillaud.  At that time she was the only lady in the place, and her husband being one of the owners and the principal projector of the town, the name seemed peculiarly appropriate.  The proposition was favorably received by the people, and the permanent application of the name was made.  The turbulent element finding that a tribunal had been established which could legally punish any criminal or lawless acts, used great discretion, and the better class of citizens felt the protection afforded.  This served as another pillar to hold up the city in its rapid march to pre-eminence.  Gambling was an evil with which the law was incapable of dealing; it had become a mania, and policy required that the eyes of justice should be turned away from its scene.  Hotels were established to accommodate the citizens and travelers.  The rates charged were large, yet commensurate with the price of provisions and labor.  The free and easy morals at this time frequently tended to the commission of criminal acts, the favorite being the stealing of the horses and cattle roaming on the wide unfenced tracts.  The following is an account of the proceedings to force the discontinuance of this custom, published in the Placer Times of Saturday, February 2, 1850.

"CRIMINAL COURT OF SACRAMENTO DISTRICT. - At a term of this Court held for the District of Sacramento, at Marysville, upon the Yuba, this twenty-eighth day of January, 1855, present R.A. Wilson, Judge of the Criminal Court of said District.  It having been made to appear to this Court that there was a combination of cattle thieves, with extensive ramifications through this District;  and it farther appearing to this Court that certain evil disposed persons have industriously circulated the report that it is lawful to kill unmarked cattle upon the ranches, as well as upon the public lands, and that thereby many misguided persons have been led to the commission of felony;  and the Grand Jury of said District having upon their oaths found true bills for grand larceny against Samuel Hicks, Michael Watson, Nelson Gill, and James Nicholson for cattle stealing:  It is ordered by the Court, that the Clerk give public notice warning all persons that may have been misled by such misrepresentations, of the consequence of the farther commission of such crime - that the stealing of beef cattle, whether branded or unbranded, is an infamous offense, with the meaning of the Constitution, and any person convicted of said offense is deprived of all the rights of citizenship in California, and liable to a sentence to two years' confinement in the chain-gang; and that in conducting the administration of justice, when necessary, the Court is authorized to call upon the Commandment of the United States troops stationed at Johnson's Ranch.   Stephen J. Field.  Clerk of said Court, and Alcalde of Marysville."

In the Placer Times of Saturday, February 16, 1850, first appears a notice by Nicolaus Allgeier, dated January 17, 1850, appointing Charles Berghoff his agent.  Then a notice oppointing <sic> Joseph Grant agent to sell lots in Nicholaus, signed "Nicolaus Allgeier - by Carl Berghoff, his agent."  Then the following appeared: -

"Sacramento City, 9th Feb., 1850.  The subscriber having a few lots undisposed of in the new town of 'Nicolaus,' will offer them to this community for a few days longer, when those remaining will be offered to the citizens of San Francisco.  'The terms are easy and the burden light.'  Strike while the iron is hot.  Joseph Grant.  Cor. I and Front sts., over Stevens & Co."

The first Legislature met in San Jose on the fifteenth of December, 1849, and February 8, 1850, passed an act segregating the Territory into twenty-seven counties, among which were Yuba and Sutter.  General Vallejo, as Chairman of a Committee on Derivation and Meaning of the Names of the Counties, made a lengthy and elaborate report, in which he stated that Yuba was a mispelling <sic> of Uva , a name given to the stream by an exploring party in 1824, on account of the large quantities of wild grape vines found growing on the banks.   General Bidwell disagrees with General Vallejo in regard to the derivation of the word Yuba.  It is more probable that the name was of Indian origin, and that the similarity between it and the Spanish word was mere coincidence.  Sutter county, of course, was named after Captain Sutter, who at that time owned a flourishing ranch and stock farm  within its limits.  The name of the Feather river may have been of French origin, Rivere de la Plume, which, translated into Spanish becomes Rio de los Plumas.

In December, 1849, Mr. H.W. Parks sold his store at Rose Bar, with the intention of going to the North Fork of the North Fork of Yuba river, as the location of the present town of Downieville was called, which was then within the limits of Yuba county.  From a  person who had returned from that locality, he had heard of its wonderful diggings, and immediately saw the benefits to be derived from a location in this comparatively new mining region.  Quite a large party was organized to undertake the trip.  Provided with a small pack train of nine mules, they set out for the Fork.  The journey was continued till Slate Range was reached, but at this place the snow was so deep as to make it impossible for them to proceed.  Mr. Parks left the party there, expecting to return in a short time when the snow had melted.  He increased the number of mules, and "packed" between Marysville and Foster Bar until about February, when the snow having frozen sufficiently to be traveled over, he proceeded to Sleighville and disposed of his mules to Messrs. Daniels and Whitcomb.  The party then started forward, carrying the provisions on their backs to Goodyear's Bar, several trips being required to complete the removal of the goods.  From the Bar they journeyed to their destination, arriving in the latter part of February.  At that time it was thought an impossibility to take a mule as far as the Fork, and that all provisions must be brought by men.  Upon arriving, they found there Mr. Marey with his company of eight men, and Mr. John Downie with a party of three men. The discovery of gold at this locality had been made in 1849.  Mr. Parks and party and been induced to go to the place by the narrative and solicitation of a Mr. Anderson, but when they arrived, the latter, owing to the snow, could not find the spot about which he had talked so much.  While the most of the members were idly awaiting the clearance of the snow, Mr. Parks went out and made from two hundred to two hundred and fifty dollars a day with a pan, knife and spoon, by searching the crevices.  From the last of February to the middle of March, the snow fell and covered up all this kind of diggings.  As the party had no bank claims opened, they were compelled to cease work altogether.  Not knowing the length of time they would be obliged to wait for a fresh supply of provisions, the men were put on rations.  Before the food was entirely consumed, they were relieved by the arrival of a large number of miners fully supplied.  The news of the rich diggings in that vicinity spread rapidly, and miners came in promptly.  In the first part of April, James Hawkins, the first person having goods to dispose of, arrived.  The prices were enormous, whisky being sold for sixteen dollars a bottle.  Enough locators having arrived it was proposed that the place be named.  Considerable rivalry existed relative to the selection of the title.  Some favored Mareyville, in honor of one of the first inhabitants.  It was left for Mr. Parks to propose the name which was fully accepted - Downieville.  John Downie was a Scotchman who had gone to Ohio, and was afterwards employed as a captain of a steamer on Lake Erie.  During the gold excitement he left his vessel and came around the Horn to California.  Following the naming of the place, Downieville became very much crowded, and it was with difficulty that the hundreds of miners could secure their board.  Of course, all the lazy, worthless fellows, who by a little labor could have made fifty dollars a day, protested that all the paying claims were taken and that the dimensions were too large.  Too indolent to perform the labor that others had done, and discover new mines,  these malcontents demanded a division of the claims already found and located.  But it was not long until the state of affairs was changed by the "Gold Lake" excitement, when hundreds left diggings which were paying fifty dollars per day, to join in the throng in the vain search for the wonderful sheet of water.

In the middle of February, the appearance of Marysville was that of a huge camp.  The United States Hotel, a canvas structure on the east side of D street, between First and Second streets, where Selby's old store is located, was kept by John G. Smith.  In the latter part of this month and the first of the following, it was replaced by a board house.  The City Hotel, another canvas edifice, was on the north-east corner of First and D streets.  Facing the Plaza, on E street and south of First street were four canvas houses, one of which had a board front.  They were all occupied as wholesale and retail establishments.  On the north side of First, between F and E streets, there were about four canvas houses.  John C. Fall's establishment was on F street.  Residence tents were scattered around between Second street and the river, most of the people boarding in the two hotels.  Old dry-goods or grocery boxes were sold for two or three dollars.  When torn apart and placed on the ground in the tents they formed excellent floors.  At this time it is estimated that the population was as follows:  Number of permanent inhabitants, five hundred;  floating population, including travelers, teamsters, packers, etc., one thousand;  total, one thousand five hundred.  On the nineteenth of February, Theodore Sicard sold to R. B. Buchanan and Gabriel N. Swezy, for twelve thousand five hundred dollars, a large number of lots in Marysville, also the unidivided one fourth of the land deeded by Captain Sutter, January 18, 1850, to Messrs. Covillaud, Ramirez, Sicard and Sampson, and the same interest in the Cordua Grant.  Two days afterwards, February 21, Captain Sutter conveyed by deed to Messrs.  Covillaud, Ramirez, Sampson and Sicard the tract on the south side of the Yuba described as follows:  "All that piece or parcel of land included in the territory granted to Captain John Sutter, or Hock Farm, California, by the Government of California and situated on the south side of the river Yuba or Juba, bounded as follows:  Northwardly by the river Juba or Yuba, eastwardly by a line commencing at said Yuba river and running one mile and a half in length, whose course is south of the magnetic pole and serves as the boundary of the Memal Ranch, westwardly by Feather river and southwardly by a straight line one mile and a half in length, commencing at Feather river and running east of the magnetic pole until it joins the eastern boundary at right angles, and measuring in all one thousand and two hundred square acres."  This quieted the title to this tract and Sicard completed the transfer of his property to Messrs. Buchanan and Swezy by deeding this tract to them on the following day, February 22nd, the consideration being two thousand dollars.

As yet, religious services had not been held in the town.  No missionaries had visited this portion of the county.  The American river was the line beyond which they did not dare to extend their operations.  The foreigners in the north were mostly Americans, and the Indians were of a more savage and independent nature.  They wanted no missionaries.  In the spring, Rev. Mr. Washburn inaugurated the religious movement by assembling a meeting on a flat boat near the Plaza.  Mr. Washburn went from Maine to New Bedford, and came to this coast on the May-flower, one of three vessels starting at about the same time from that port, the other two being the American, and the Obed Mitchell.  Soon after his arrival in Marysville he opened a store, adjoining which was a saloon, kept by his son.  The old gentleman was very much opposed to the business carried out by his offspring.  From this circumstance has been heralded the statement that the pioneer minister in Marysville was a saloon keeper, a charge evidently without foundation.  There was a person, however, who had served in the ministry in the Eastern states, and who upon arriving here in the midst of the mixed state of morals, entered into business in the capacity of a monte-dealer.  When called to account by his friends from the East, he replied that he had "struck a better thing," and in truth he was quite lucky at gaming.  The scene in the little town was one of unusual activity;  every person was busy building tents, selling goods, unloading freight, or in one of the hundred other occupations incident to pioneer life.  No regard was paid to the Sabbath either as a day of rest or devotion.  The following is illustrative of the respect shown to the day.  One Sunday a ferry-boat was being constructed near the river bank and the men were busily calking the seams.  A steamer lay at the wharf near by, the deck hands industriously transferring the freight to the landing.  It was a scene of bustle and noise, yet in the midst of all this confusion, a chaplain connected with one of the mining companies, desiring to preach, selected as his stand and pulpit the ferry boat.  A few men quit their occupations, and with the idle persons gathered around the minister.  The remainder continued their pursuits.  Amid all this noise and confusion, and with frequent interruptions from a drunken sailor, the minister delivered his discourse.  By March over three hundred and fifty lots had been sold and most of them had been located upon.  Lumber was selling at from two hundred and twenty-five to three hundred dollars per thousand feet, a price too high for the ordinary purchaser.  Among the principal business houses were:  John C. Fall & Co.;  Babb & Eaton;  Cook, Baker & Co.;  A.T. Farish;  Ford & Goodwin;  Eaton & Green;  S. Sartwell;  Packard & Woodruff;  Low & Brothers;  Charles Lambert;  J.H. Adams;   Treadwell & Co.;  John H. Jewett;  M. Cheeseman;  Wm. B. Thornburg;  George H. Beach;  Harrington & Hazeltine, and others.

During the early part of the year, a movement was made to establish the town of Eliza on the Feather rive.  In the previous year, the Kennebec Company purchased of John A. Sutter the Memal ranch occupied by Jack Smith, extending a mile along the river and three miles back, west of Rose's ranch.  In March, 1850, the company removed to Downieville, took up thirteen river claims, dammed and turned the stream out of its channel, and mined until the first of November, when it disorganized.  This act was not caused by any trouble, but was thought to be an expedient measure.  The property was sold at auction, the members being the purchasers.  When it was found that the party were to locate on land in the vicinity of Marysville, the owners of the town offered one-fourth of their lots, if the company would settle there and aid in building up the city.  Before departing on the Downieville trip, Dr. McCullough was appointed their attorney to conclude the bargain.  Before consummating it, the Doctor becoming alarmed, went to Eliza and purchased an interest there.  The advantages claimed for this place were, that boats could always reach it.  The supposed obstructions in the channel below Marysville, and the grounding of several boats in that portion of the river caused quite an alarm.  Eliza never realized the hopes and intentions of its locators.  Judge Phil. W. Keyser, was chosen Alcalde, and a few buildings were erected.  In June the place collapsed and sank out of existence, the residents removing to other parts.  In the middle of March, Charles Vero was born.  His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Luther, came across the plains, arriving here in September, 1847, and was married in June or July, 1848, to Joseph Vero.  It is claimed that this was the first white child born in the county;  there is no doubt but that he was the first white child born of parents married within the present limits of the county.

The first Legislature named the first Monday in April for the election of county officers, and, as the day approached, political matters became lively.  The canvass developed a horde of candidates, and a lively contest ensued.  The election resulted in the selection of the following:

                County Judge                    Henry P. Haun

                County Attorney              Samuel B. Mulford

                County Clerk                    Edward D. Wheeler

                Sheriff                                Robert B. Buchanan

                County Recorder            Alfred Lawton   

                County Surveyor            J.B. Cushing

                County Treasurer            L.W. Taylor

                County Assessor            S.C. Tompkins

                Coroner                            S.T. Brewster

It is stated that about eight hundred votes were cast at the election, seven hundred being in Marysville.

During the last of May, a man named Stoddard came to this region and traveled among the camps, endeavoring to enlist a sufficient number of miners to form a party and take advantage of the wonderful discoveries he had made.  His story was a remarkable one, and well calculated to raise the curiosity and cupidity of the people.  A short time before, while he and four others were prospecting about fifty or sixty miles northwest of Downieville, they lost their way and wandered about for some time.  One day they discovered a lake and went down to the bank to drink.  While stooping over they saw something shining under the moss at the bottom, which, upon investigation, proved to be lumps of gold.  While taking some of these out they were attacked by Indians, and two of the party were killed.  Stoddard and two of his companions succeeded in making their escape in different directions, and were not afterwards united.  Stoddard went down to San Francisco, where there were friends of the two others, that he thought had escaped, to see if any tidings had been received from them.  Not being successful, he went to Nevada City.  He described the lake as containing from three to five acres, and to prove his story, exhibited several lumps of gold, varying in value from eight to twenty-four dollars.  He called the place Gold Lake.  Great excitement was caused by this story, and a select party of twenty-five was immediately formed, of which Mr. G.E. Brittan, South Butte, Sutter County, was a member.  This company were to search for the lake under the guidance of Stoddard.  They had an opportunity to receive five hundred members, who were willing to pay anything for a chance to go with them, but the party was considered of sufficient size without.  They started in May, and were followed by five hundred or a thousand men, who closely watched them to see where they were going.  Upon hearing Stoddard's story and learning of the subsequent organization of his party, the people became wild and almost crazed with excitement.  In many places around the old claims, miners had found pockets where gold to the amount of two or three hundred dollars had been taken out; hence the story that at the lake, in twenty-four hours, they could gather as much of the precious metal as could be carried away, did not seem improbable.  The course of travel was on the divide between the Feather and Yuba rivers.  Some organized into small parties, but as a general thing they went along helter-skelter and pell-mell, striving to see who would accomplish the journey first.  The prices of horse, mules, and oxen went up at a rapid rate.  Some started with wagons, but owing to the  roughness of the region and the lack of roads, this method of traveling had to be abandoned.  Mr. I. E. Brown having disposed of his store at Long Bar on the first of June, was in Marysville when the excitement commenced.  Perceiving an opportunity for trade and speculation, but having no faith in the existence of the Gold Lake, he loaded his wagons with goods and provisions, and started out on the route of travel.  His wagon broke down near the tent owned by Charles Barker, a stopping place for travelers.  Mr. Brown bought out Barker, and erected a store and hotel, called the Barker House (Woodville House).  In the last part of October or first of November, he sold an interest in the business to Amos Hill and Cyrus Jumper and went East.  When the Stoddard party arrived in the vicinity of the place where the leader thought the lake to be, the search was commenced.  They hunted in vain for five or six weeks, their followers keeping on their track all the while, thinking that the party by roaming about, were seeking to throw the others off the track.  The search was finally given up, and the great crowd began prospecting.  The Gold Lake exodus, while it failed to bring about the discovery of the wonderful lake, was of great benefit otherwise.  The participants, after abandoning the search, commenced prospecting.  Mines were found and located, and the rich northern mining district was opened up.  The beds and banks of the streams yielded abundant results, and the rivers were followed up to their sources.  Stoddard tried to get up another party, but was unsuccessful, as most of the people, considering him to be crazy, the lake a creature of his disordered brain, would place no confidence in him.  Mr. Brittan does not consider him to  have been crazy, and thinks that he really did find something, but his excitement made him view his discovery in an exaggerated light.  The lumps of gold were evidence that he had found some kind of a mine.

The winter of 1849-50 was very severe.  Travelers along the line of journey pursued by the Gold Lake adventurers, leading to Laporte and Gibsonville, now wonder how boards which they find nailed to trees twenty or twenty-five feet above their bases, came there, and for what purpose they were used.  These boards were placed there by  the leading parties of the Gold Lake seekers, to serve as guide posts, and the snow was so deep at that time, that these marks were only about five feet from the surface.  The snow in the mountains during that winter was from twenty to thirty feet deep.  Previous to this grand exodus, another, but of less note, had taken place, and may be interesting.  Two men, one of them named Marks, were living with the Indians north of the Yuba.  An Indian came into the camp with some splendid specimens and said that he had found them on a river further north, and that they lay loose in the gravel.  Marks did not understand the Indian tongue as well as the other man, and asked him what had been said.  The man was sick and would not tell him, intending when he recovered, to seek it himself.  However Marks understood enough to know the general direction, and about how far to go.  So he went to Marysville and told a story of how he had been to a certain place and found great quantities of gold on the river bank, and had been driven away by Indians, offering to lead a company there.  A select company of about thirty was formed, and John Rose was admitted as a special favor.  The man led them along the divide nearly on the same route traveled afterwards by the Gold Lake people.  Marks lost his way at the mouth of Nelson creek, and the party came back.  If they had continued a little farther in the same direction, they would have struck Rich Bar, an exceedingly rich place that was afterwards developed.  Mr. Rose thinks this was the place where the Indian obtained his specimen.

The District Court of the Eighth Judicial District, presided over by Judge William R. Turner, held its first session in Marysville on the third of June.  Mr. H.P. Watkins was appointed District Attorney by the Court.  The next day the first Grand Jury was drawn.  In August the squatter movement which was progressing in the lower cities, gained a foothold in Marysville.  A "squatter's meeting" took place in the Court House, and the subject of land titles and occupation was discussed.  The attendants adopted a series of resolutions, deprecating any unlawful acts, and among other things, resolving "that it was wrong to settle upon city property, as it conflicted seriously with the rights of third persons who had purchased for a valuable consideration."  The town had become of such a size, and the surrounding county so developed, that the success of a newspaper became assured.  Accordingly, Colonel Robert H. Taylor, on the sixth of August, issued the first number of the Marysville Herald, the first newspaper north of Sacramento.  The possession of a journal for the dissemination of news gave new dignity to the town and county.  It served to herald their condition and resources through different parts of the Territory and the Eastern States.  The news of the death of President Zachary Taylor, at Washington, July 9, 1850, reached Marysville in September, and the funeral obsequies were appropriately celebrated, Mr. S.H. Miles, who afterwards became the first Mayor, acting as Grand Marshal. 

In the first part of September, 1850, there came on three days of the hardest rain that had yet fallen.  It raised the rivers and drove the miners out.  Supposing that another wet season had set in, the men in the mountains laid in a heavy stock of supplies for the winter at enormous prices.  The weather became pleasant again, and there was no rain of any account till the following March.  As a consequence, during the winter these extra quantities of food and supplies were sent back to Marysville, and disposed of at great sacrifices, the regular merchants bein <sic> undersold one-half.  The State election was held in October, and Judge Stephen J. Field was elected to represent Yuba county in the Assembly, receiving a large majority of the votes cast.  It was at this election that Jesse O. Goodwin was chosen District Attorney.  The cholera broke out at about this time and swept over many parts of the State.   Marysville was singularly free from this scourge, as only one case was reported within its limits.  Yuba City had also only one person afflicted.   During the summer of this year, the water in Feather river became so low that it was impossible for steamers to ascend to Marysville.   This interruption nearly suspended business transactions, and threatened to seriously affect the progress of the town, but in November the "Governor Dana" appeared, and as she steamed up the river, the enthusiasm of the people was almost boundless.  It was an occasion which could properly be celebrated with festivities.

A feeling had long been gaining ground relative to the probability of Marysville becoming the principal of the "up-river" towns.  As the population became larger, the citizens decided to avail themselves of the benefits and privileges gained by incorporating.  December 3, a mass-meeting was held at the United States Hotel on D street, of which Mr. Gabriel N. Swezy was chosen Chairman.  A discussion followed as to the practicability of petitioning the Legislature to pass the necessary act to incorporate the town.  This meeting adjourned to meet on the fifth, after appointing a committee to prepare a set of resolutions.  The next meeting, held on the appointed evening, received the report of the committee and instructed them to pursue their labors further, and make a draft for a special act for the City Charter.  The next meeting was held on the fourteenth, but was so slimly attended that action was delayed till the seventeenth, when a large gathering assembled.  The draft of the City Charter was adopted and forwarded to the Legislative representative, Hon. Stephen J. Field, who finally secured the passage of the act.

The Masons celebrated St. Johns day, December 27, Mr. H.H. Mitchell being the orator.  In the evening, a grand ball was given at the United States Hotel.

The town of Linda was started in the spring of 1850.  Following the arrival of the party in the little steamer Linda at Rose's ranch, the members of the company persuaded Mr. Rose to lay out a town.  The land was surveyed and a number of lots sold.  After the survey, the steamer of that name went up to the location with a large party of excursionists to inaugurate the new town.  The party enjoyed themselves greatly, partaking freely of the refreshments provided.  Charles Lupton built a house there;  a few shanties and a small store were also eretted <sic>.  These, with the two old cabins of Smith and Nye, comprised the settlement.  Rose kept a ferry at that point, and at a later date a bridge was built.  In about two years the town was abandoned, and its site now lies about thirty feet below the surface of the tailings, and over where once grew the finest grain in Yuba County are now found the unproductive willows.

The following report of L.W. Taylor, County Treasurer, for the fractional year ending December 31, 1850, was rendered to the Court of Sessions January 11, 1851:

L.W. TAYLOR, IN ACCOUNT WITH YUBA COUNTY

L.W. TAYLOR IN ACCOUNT WITH YUBA COUNTY

In 1850, Mr. Ramirez settled the Quintay Ranch, just east of Marysville, and put a man named Quintay upon the tract to take care of it.  The early comers were all greatly troubled with scurvy and other disorders, many dying from the effects of the diseases.  This was caused by a lack of vegetable and acid food, and to supply this want in 1850 and 1851, vast quantities of lime juice were imported in barrels;  in every saloon the traveler and miner could be found imbibing the precious and healthful drink.

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