HISTORY OF YUBA COUNTY CALIFORNIA
by Thompson & West, 1879, with illustrations
Chapter XXX - New York Township
The Court of Sessions laid out the county in fifteen townships, August 24, 1850, including the territory now belonging to this township in the town of Long Bar. The Court again divided the county into ten townships, August 7, 1851, and this time placed the western portion of this township in Dry Creek Township and the eastern portion in Foster Bar. October 7, 1852, the county was again cut up into eleven divisions and this territory was given to Long Bar west of a line due north from Oregon House and east of that line to Keystone township. October 10, 1856, the Board of Supervisors remodeled the townships, creating New York Township with nearly the same area as at present, except that there was a little difference in the line between this and Foster Bar Township. The present boundaries are: - Beginning at the northwest corner of section thirty, township eighteen N., R. 6 east; thence east six miles and eleven chains to the northeast corner of Parks Bar Township; thence north five degrees east, three miles and thirty-six chains; thence north fifty-six and three-fourths degrees east, seventy-six chains; thence north thirteen and one-half degrees east, two miles and twenty-nine chains; thence north fifteen degrees east to a point directly south of a point on Butte county line one-half mile west of the Woodville House; thence north to the Butte county line; thence down the line between Butte and Yuba counties to a point in the middle of Honcut creek fifty-one chains and twenty-five links west of the place of beginning; thence east to the place of beginning.
NATCHEZ
One of the first mining points in the township was this little town on the Natchez branch of the Honcut creek. In 1850, Major Brown came alone to this point, bringing some stock and blankets with him, with which he gained the good-will of the Indians. He worked for some time and the Indians say he "got heap gold." The diggings were very rich, and the Major guarded them jealously. One day a miner from below followed up the stream, being attracted by the dirty water, until he came upon Brown at work. "How far does your claim extend?" asked the new-comer. The Major took up his rifle and, pointing it up the stream, calmly remarked "up this way as far as she will carry a bullet," and, pointing down stream, "down this way about the same distance." The stranger although he thought it was a pretty large claim, concluded not to express his opinion. He told Brown that he was without anything and wanted to go to work. Brown pointed him to a spot where he made fifty dollars per day for awhile, but soon abandoned it to go elsewhere. The place where Brown worked was named Brown's ravine. In 1851, there were a great many miners on the creek and the little town of Natchez sprang up. A man named Jackson built a store here that year. B.D. Rodman came in 1852 and opened a store, in which he kept no bar, an exceedingly rare occurrence in those days. There was also a hotel, blacksmith shop, and saloons. A great deal of gambling and fighting was done, and near the place is a graveyard containing twenty-five mounds, none of the occupants of which died a natural death. The mining ravines there, Brown's, Steward's, Grub, Slug, Jackass, Jennie, Hovey, and Dicksburg, were all very rich and paid well until worked out. B.D. Rodman moved his store to the hill above the remains of the old town in 1866, where he still keeps it. The town of Natchez was the height of its prosperity in 1852-3. There was a revival in 1858-60, but after that it soon became fairly deserted.
DICKSBURG QUARTZ MILL
A man called "Dick" settled at this point on Natchez Honcut about 1850. A ravine there was called Dicksburg ravine, after this man. In 1851, Sir Henry Huntley built a quartz mill there at an expense of five thousand dollars. This mill was called Dicksburg Quartz Mill. Sir Henry was acting as agent for and English company, the Anglo-American Gold and Silver Company. He lost about forty thousand dollars in this vicinity, and abandoned the mill in 1852, which has since gone to decay. B.D. Rodman is the present owner of the property.
NEW YORK HOUSE
William Leedom, William Ramsdell, Philip Flannigan, and Daniel McClusker built this hotel on the Rice road, late in 1850. The place from 1860 was mined by Chamberlain & Kruser, and called Union Flat. James Albert bought it in 1878.
NEW YORK RANCH OR FLAT
The same men who built the New York House also took up this ranch and a small meadow near Sharon valley. Mining was commenced here about 1850. There was a race-track here in 1855-6, and a great many races were run and a great deal of money changed hands on bets. In 1852-3-4, religious services were held at irregular intervals by Rev. Mr. Derrick, a Methodist. In 1857, the Nevada Company commenced work here, and are still pursuing it. Kyle & Cleveland had cattle on the Honcut in 1850-1, with which they supplied this and other mining camps with meat.
OHIO AND GARDEN RANCH FLATS
These two mining flats adjoin each other, and were worked as early as 1850. The first house in the vicinity of Ohio Flat was a log one, built by Benjamin Johnston and Joseph Haieser in 1851. This was called Ohio Ranch. Dr. Conduit and Mr. Haney settled on Garden Ranch Flat in 1850 and commenced mining. A.F. Roberts, W.B. Kendall and others did prospecting and mining through the northeastern portion of the township in 1850-51. Roberts, Fry & Co. located a seven hundred foot claim in 1854, and in 1856 did drifting, and found the place to be rich. In 1867, Roberts & Kendall bought the claim they are now working. In 1878, a flume was completed from the Nevada Company's claim, on New York Flat, to this place, and since then Roberts & Kendall have been working night and day. They employ fourteen men. Roberts also owns the Deadwood mine, on Deadwood ravine, located by Cartwright Brothers and Evans Brothers in 1855. Roberts & Co. bought them out in 1857, and have worked the mine occasionally ever since. In 1873, they took out a piece of gold worth two thousand two hundred and thirty-five dollars. An incorporated company was formed in 1875, and a ten-stamp mill erected. Roberts now owns the claim. A store and boarding-house was erected by H.M. Eddy and others, in 1854. They ceased to keep the store in 1857, and in 1864, gave up the boarding-house also. The population of the two Flats is about fifty.
MOUNT HOPE
The diggings at this point were what was called winter diggings, and were worked from 1850 to 1856. There was a population of forty. A quartz ledge was found in 1858, and a five-stamp mill was erected. It shut down in 1867, but afterwards came into the possession of the Nevada Company, who are now working it. Mt. Hope House, formerly the Brother Jonathan, was built in 1853, by I.E. Paun and William Smith. Paun sold out to another man, who, with Smith, opened a store in connection with the house, in 1853. The place has been kept by Samuel Thurston since 1858.
CRANE'S SHARON VALLEY MILL
Comstock, Mullen and Doctor Brayton settled at this place in June, 1851. They took up some land with the intention of raising vegetables. In 1852, they sold to L.T. Crane, William M. Crane and A. Meade, who, in the spring of 1853, completed a saw-mill that had been commenced there. L.T. Crane and brother soon became sole owners of the mill. In 1861, they built a new mill in a better locality, and moved the machinery into it. They are still operating it, and employ eight men. they was out about five hundred thousand feet of lumber annually. There is also a planing machine in connection with the mill. The largest log gotten out was eight and one-half feet in diameter, and computed to be three hundred years old.
WASHINGTON MILL
Near where Branch Turnpike crossed Dry creek, a saw-mill was built by a Mr. McFarland, in 1851. In 1853, it was sold to Rice & Rice, and in 1854, to Mr. Harbough. In 1863, Crozier bought it and ran it one year. It was then abandoned, because the timber had become exhausted.
AMERICAN MILL
This mill on Dry creek, near Branch Turnpike, was built by Gates & Co., in 1854. It was a water-power mill, and was run until 1859, when it was abandoned by its owner, Mr. Jordan. It was afterwards destroyed by fire.
COLUMBIA MILL
This mill was built in 1851, one mile below the American mill, on Dry creek. It was abandoned in 1854.
GNAGGY MILL
This saw-mill, on Dry creek, a little south of the Washington mill, was built by Jacob Gnaggy. It was a water-power mill. After changing hands several times, it was washed away in 1869-70, by a freshet, at which time it was the property of Mr. Frizell.
BEAVER RANCH
This ranch, situated on the road near Doubtful gulch, was settled by Henry Camper and John McGuire, in 1851, at which time it was on the Weeks and Gnaggy trail. In 1854, they sold it to Beaver and Townsend, as a hay ranch. David Beaver sold his interest in 1855, to Townsend, who, in 1860, opened a public house and called it the Beaver Ranch Hotel. Martin Knox bought it in 1877, but sold it again the next year to Samuel Amsler, who still keeps hotel there.
SAW-MILL COTTAGE
This place on Branch Turnpike, near the American saw-mill, was built in 1851, by Joseph Payne. It was kept as a public house. George Hedge bought it in 1853, and sold it to the widow Lewis, in 1864. The Central Turnpike monopolized all the travel in 1863, and the house ceased to be a hotel.
ROSS RANCH
Jacob Gnaggy settled one-half mile from the Central Turnpike road, in 1851. The Ross Brothers came there later with stock, and the place became known as the Ross Ranch. In 1866, it came into the hands of James Malaley, the present owner.
HANSONVILLE
This once flourishing town was situated on the Hansonville branch of the Honcut, twenty-eight miles from Marysville. It was first settled in 1851, by James H. Hanson, after whom the town was named. A number of miners commenced to work along the creek in the spring of 1851, and more soon followed. R.M. Johnson settled with Hanson, and together they built a house in which they kept the first store and hotel. William Denton and Harry Critcher both opened stores in 1851. In 1852, there were seven stores, eight hotels and a population of one thousand people. Every store had a bar. There was a bowling alley also. Plenty of gambling was indulged in. William Mackayell was the first blacksmith in the town. In 1852, religious services were held in the bar-rooms and private houses, by Rev. Mr. Merchant. One day he was preaching back of a saloon, the gamblers having ceased operations in order to hear the sermon. One of them opened a faro game and won about fifty dollars, which he presented to the preacher at the conclusion of the services. The minister said he would take it as it had been in bad use long enough. From 1864 to 1876, the Methodists held regular services in the Hansonville school house. They are now held on the Butte county side of the Honcut. A Mr. Hill kept a private school in the town in 1853. The school house was built in 1864, at an expense of five hundred dollars. The last store in town was that of James Hanson, and was closed in 1860. A quartz ledge was found in 1851, and located by Russell, Craig & Co., and the Hansonville Mining Company. Russell, Craig & Co. built a stamp mill in 1851, which was abandoned two years later. The Hansonville Mining Company also built an eight-stamp water-power mill, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. It did not pay to work, as labor was eight dollars per day and the quartz worth only sixteen dollars per ton. The mill was washed away in the flood of 1852-53. In 1858, a new company erected a twelve-stamp steam-power mill, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars. It was worked but a short time. In 1864, it was sold and the machinery taken away. In 1871, an arrastra was made and used until 1874, when a small mill was built, which was run for two years. In June, 1878, the Yuba Consolidated Mining Company put in new machinery and again started the mill. In September, it was destroyed by fire, together with the hoisting works. By January 1, 1879, the five stamps were again running. Besides these claims a number of pockets have been found that were quite rich. Most of the mining in this vicinity has been with the pan and sluice box. But little mining is being done now. David Beaver built a hotel at the top of the Hansonville grade in 1853. He sold it to Rice, who gave it up in 1864. A hotel was built by a man named Harrison in 1854, one and one-half miles above Hansonville. He sold it to Dunn, who afterwards abandoned it.
BROWNSVILLE
The promising little town of Brownsville lies on the Central Turnpike, thirty-three miles from Marysville. I.E. Brown, who still lives near by, built a saw-mill here in August, 1851, at a cost of eight thousand dollars. In November, 1852, Martin Knox and P.E. Weeks bought the mill, and ran it under the firm name of Weeks & Knox. The mill was abandoned about 1857. In addition to the mill, Brown and his partner, John Hoyt, kept hotel in a log house. When Weeks & Knox bought them out they named the place Brownsville, in honor of Mr. Brown. In 1853, a store was started in connection with this hotel. In 1855, Weeks & Knox built a large hotel. The first blacksmith came in 1855, a man named Sheets. In 1861, the store was given up. The hotel was burned in 1866, and another built the same year. In 1878, there was quite an impetus given to the town. A large addition was made to the hotel, and educational institution was opened, a hall association formed, a store started and some fifteen thousand dollars expended in improvements. The Knoxdale Institute was founded by Mr. and Mrs. Martin Knox. The school opened September 9, 1878, with Professor E.K. Hill as Principal. There were but five scholars when the school was opened, but this number was increased the second term to seventeen. The young ladies who attend this institute receive the same care and attention from Mrs. Knox that would be bestowed upon them by their mothers at home. The educational advantages offered by this institution, its healthful location and the watchful supervision of Mrs. Knox, will soon render it a favorite and prosperous school for young ladies.
BROWNSVILLE LODGE, NO. 283, I.O.O.F.
This lodge was instituted July 26, 1879, at which time their first officers were installed. The charter members are: William Howell, N.G.; Daniel Foss, V.G.; T.M. Hawley, S.; H.A. Conwell, T.; Seth Townsend, A.M. Leach, C.A. Parlin, R.M. Johnson, Louis Clark, and E.B. Sparks. Nine new members were initiated at the first meeting. The lodge meets in the new Odd Fellows' Hall. This hall was built in 1878, by an association formed for that purpose, with a capital of three thousand five hundred dollars. A.M. Leach is President; Martin Knox, Treasurer; T.M. Hawley, Secretary.
KNOXDALE LODGE, NO. 108, I.O.G.T.
This lodge was organized October 30, 1878, with eighteen charter members. The first officers were: - Mrs. Martin Knox, W.C.T.; Lizzie Becom, W.F.T.; Eliza Longley, W.S.; Alice Meek, W.T.; Thomas Sharer, W.F.S.; Myra Boynton, W.A.S.; Mary A. Meek, W.C.; William Ruff, M.; Jessie C. Harvey, W.D.; Lizzie V. Birmingham, W.I.G.; Samantha L. Way, W.O.G.; Martin Knox, W.R.H.S.; Jennie Kumle, W.L.H.S.; Mrs. E.K. Hill, P.W.C.T. The lodge has a membership of thirty-six, and meets every Saturday at the hall in Brownsville. The present officers are: - Lena A. Knox, W.C.T.; Lizzie L. Beckham, W.V.T.; Eliza Longley, W.C.; Thomas Sharer, W.S.; Alice Meek, W.A.S; Lizzie V. Birmingham, W.F.S.; Minnie Orken, W.T.; William Dale, W.M.; Jessie C. Harvey, W.D.M.; Ella Dale, W.I.G.; Wm. Ruff, W.O.G.; E.K. Hill, W.R.H.S.; Annie Kinnear, W.L.H.S.; Mrs. E.K. Hill, P.W.C.T.
From 1861 to 1878 the town was without a store, but in the latter year, Hawkins & Hawley opened one with an excellent assortment of goods.
The first religious services were held by a minister of the M.E. denomination, at the residence of Mrs. Foss. A church was built by subscription, at a cost of five hundred dollars, and dedicated October 20, 1866. The pastor in charge was Rev. C.A. Leaman. The attendance upon the services is from thirty to fifty. The Sunday School had been held at Sharon Valley, with William Buckelew and George Batts as Superintendents. After the dedication of the church, Mrs. Knox organized a Sunday School, which met in her parlor for a year, when it moved to the church. It has an attendance of twenty-five scholars. T.J. Rumery is the Superintendent.
The town of Brownsville now consists of one store, one hotel, blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, shoemaker shop, two millinery establishments, post-office, Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express office, church, school house, Knoxdale Institute, fifteen dwelling houses, and a population of about one hundred. It is a temperance town, and no liquor is sold within its limits.
PAIGE'S MILL
P.B. Paige built a water-power saw-mill on Dry creek, one and one-half miles south of Brownsville, in the spring of 1852. It was carried away by the freshet that winter, and rebuilt by Paige the next year. It was abandoned in 1860, after changing hands several times.
UNION MILL
Isaac Allen and G.W. Colby built a steam saw-mill on Rice Turnpike, one mile east of Paige's mill, in 1852. It was destroyed by fire in 1855. It was rebuilt the next year by Allen & Colby, at the New York House. In 1857, it blew up and was repaired. It was abandoned in 1872, at which time it belonged to the Union Lumber Company.
JEFFERSON HOUSE
This house was built for a hotel and bar in 1852, by its present owner, James Evans. It is on the Branch Turnpike and Dry creek, near the south line of the township. He ceased to keep a hotel in 1863.
STEWART'S OR WHITE SULPHUR SPRING HOUSE
This house is situated on the Central Turnpike, one and one-half miles south of Brownsville. The house was built in 1852, and has been kept as a hotel ever since. The present proprietor, John McCrank, has owned it since 1871.
NEW YORK POINT
This was once a flourishing mining place at the head of New York Flat, near Odd Fellows' ravine. The first claim was taken up by N.S. Williams, in the fall of 1853. A store was also opened here in 1853, by two men, whom Williams bought out the next year. In 1855, a hotel was built by Rumery & Moore. Other hotels, stores, saloons, etc., were kept, and the population reached six hundred. It was purely a mining town, and when the miners abandoned it, the stores and hotels were moved away. A few people still live here, and considerable mining is yet being done. A school house was built at the head of Odd Fellows' ravine, in 1853.
CLAYTON'S RANCH
J.E. Clayton settled in the fall of 1853, just above the Sharon Valley mill. In 1854, he established a trading-post here. He sold it to W.C. Buckelew and Hall, the same year. A school house was built between the ranch and Crane's mill, in 1860. Miss Woodson was the first teacher. It was removed to Brownsville in 1867.
WASHINGTON MILL HOUSE
This house was built in 1855, near the Washington mill, by Rice Brothers. It was kept as a hotel until 1864.
JACK'S RANCH
This was a hotel built in 1855, by J. South, on Branch Turnpike, between Union hotel and Washington mill. It ceased to be kept as a hotel in 1860. It is now the property of Charles Beever.
UNION HOTEL
One-half mile above Jack's Ranch, Allen & Colby, proprietors of the Union mill, built this hotel in 1855. It ceased to be a public house in 1864. Charles Beever now owns the property.
CHALLENGE MILL
This mill was built in 1856, by Cook & Malory. It is two miles north of the New York House. Its present owner is A.M. Leach, who bought it of the Union Lumber Company, in 1874. It has a capacity of eighteen thousand feet per day, and is now receiving improvements that will increase the capacity to forty thousand feet. Fifty men are employed here by Mr. Leach.
PAULINEVILLE
I.E. Brown first settled here in 1857 and built a store. It is on the Honcut and Marysville road, twenty-six miles from Marysville. Pauline Rauze bought the place and planted a vineyard and orchard here. He kept a store, and engaged largely in wine and raisin making, shipping his product East. He named the place Paulineville. He erected a large brick building with a wine cellar under it. Quite a little town sprang up here, but has since been abandoned, no one living here at the present time. The ruins of the old brick building still stand to mark the spot.
PIKE COUNTY HOUSE
This place was built for a hotel in 1860, on the Rice road, above the New York House, by Mr. Thompson. It ceased to be a hotel in 1864, and is now the property of the Union Lumber Company.
OHIO MILL
This was a saw-mill, built in 1859, by P.P. and James Cain. It was worked until 1873, when it was abandoned, the timber having failed.
SWITZER'S, OR MONITOR MILL
This mill was built in 1860, by Switzer & Rule, on the Beaver ranch, on Central Turnpike. It came into the possession of the Union Lumber Company and was called Monitor Mill. They abandoned it in 1863 because the timber had been exhausted.
WILLOW GLEN
Martin Knox built a toll house and hotel on the Knox Turnpike, in 1860. It is twenty-four miles from Marysville. The present proprietor is T.H. Waistell.
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE
After Jackson South sold Jack's Ranch, he built a hotel in 1860, one-half mile above the New York House. In 1863, he sold it to Woodson Brothers, who built a tannery, which was burned in 1865. The place is now a sheep ranch.
HEDGE'S HOUSE
Joseph Hedge built a hotel, two and one-half miles below Brownsville in 1863, which he still continues to keep.
PLASKETT'S MILL
A new saw-mill was built on the Oroville and La Porte road, three miles from Brownsville, in 1878, by William Plaskett. It commenced operations this year.
WOODVILLE MILL
Mr. A.M. Leach has just completed a mill on the La Porte road, thirty-seven miles from Marysville. It has a capacity of forty thousand feet daily, and will employ about sixty men.
Stock-raising commenced as early as 1850 on a small scale, and later became a great enterprise. Since the depreciation of mining this business has also decreased. Large bands of sheep and cattle are kept on nearly every ranch. Orchards and vineyards have become numerous since 1853, and a great deal of fine fruit and grapes are raised annually. The present road from Marysville to the Woodville House was opened in 1851 by I.E. Brown, then proprietor of the Barker House (Woodville House). It passed then through Natchez, and down the Honcut. In 1860, an incorporated company, with Martin Knox at its head, built the Central Turnpike from Marysville to Woodville, a distance of nearly thirty-seven miles. They bought out the Rice road in 1864. The Rice road or Branch Turnpike runs from the Oregon House to the Woodville House, and was opened by the Rice Brothers in the early days. Prior to 1852, the Indians were quite troublesome, but that year a party killed a few of them in retribution for some depredations, and there has since been no trouble.
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