YUBA COUNTY
GENEALOGICAL NUGGETS
TWOGOOD DIARY AND NOTES
1856 - 1858 - letters - 1867/69 - 1870-72 - 1873-75 - 1876-1878 - 1879 - 1880 - [1881 through 1899 diary missing] - 1900-04 - 1905-07 - 1908-09
[The transcription below is from papers belonging to James Lague, Historian, kindly shared by Rosemarie Mossinger, Challenge, CA.]
1900
Jan. 1- Rain falls steady. Ball tonight in the Odd Fellow's
Hall. Sold 42 tickets. Harveys provides supper.
Jan. 2 - Rain continues. Dance breaks up at 7:30 a.m. I have nap in P.M.
Jan. 12 - Clear and not so cold. Ribbel came down to get posted on P.O.
business. Eve., looks like rain.
Jan. 13 - Still clear. Eve., have Lodge. Dick Johnson and Hod Clark were up.
Jan. 16 - Morn. I feel badly. Call on Dr. Karsuer. He tells me not to get
excited, on account of my heart. Eve., cloudy.
Feb. 22 - Warm like spring. Cleared up nice for the White House Dance. crowned
at dance. I write Sister Juliette Sharp.
Feb. 28 - Clear and chilly. George Beik was killed in mine cave in.
Mar. 19 - This morn. rains very gently. Ed goes after lumber at Bett's Mill.
Apr. 8 - This morn. I am Grandpop. Ed and Annie have a daughter. Born about one
a.m. Weather fine.
Apr. 9 - Is clear, but windy. P.M. I ride to N. Y. House in the cart. I go to
see the baby first. Its doing fine, and Annie also.
Apr. 14 - Morn. a slight frost. This is the Anniversary of Maud Conwell's
birthday; also G. L. Alberts.
May 2 - Today five road hands work all day. Tom Miller and M. C. Steel married
in church. Signs of a storm.
June 1 - Is cool. Ed started for Marysville with Forbes. Is going to buy
Woodford's Store in Forbestown. (Gaylord and his son Ed own a store in
Brownsville.)
June 2 - This morn is pleasant. G. L. Albert's wife and boy came up on Stage.
P.M. Ed comes home and he is now owner of two stores. G. L. folks go home to
N.Y. House.
June 5 - We commence using the Holcomb horses. Ed drives them to our store in
Forbestown. I go to Challenge and N. Y. House. Pearl goes with me to stay with
Undine in George's (Alberts) absence.
June 15 - This morn is not good for hay making. Eve., Mr. Klos passes away about
9 o'clock.
June 18 - Today I go to Compton's with flour, etc. P.M. I take stove to G. L.
Albert. Eve. warm.
June 28 - This morn is warm. Thirty years ago today the knot was tied which made
G. S. W. Twogood and S. M. Varney one. We have an Anniversary dinner today.
July 5 - This morn the Ball group returned from the Woodville Ball. Eve is fine
after a hot day. Mr. Lopes died, will be buried tomorrow.
July 21 - This morn Skinner's moved to Forbestown. Eve. we have Lodge.
July 26 - This morn is cool. Ed goes to Forbestown. The ball folks are coming in
early for the Ball this eve. Tend a large gathering at the ball. Supper fine.
Aug. 21 - Taking account of stock on. They find lots of stock on hand. Nat Rowe
was on the Stage. Just returned from Dawson City.
Aug. 24 - Today I go to Harvey's and Leal's in Portagesetown. I get some money
of Cassie Ruff to send off for Mrs. Fernandez. Very warm.
Aug. 31 - Today is fine. This eve, there is a nice little party for Mrs. Wicket
and her daughter and Mr. and Mrs. Reed.
Sept. 27 - Mr. and Mrs. Bristow are persuaded to stay till tomorrow. I attend
the funeral of Dave Merian, an old acquaintance. Eve., we visit.
Oct. 20 - Clear again. Trial of Conwell vis McCrank comes off. Judgement
rendered in favor of Plaintiff.
Nov. 25 - Today is cloudy. Maggie Becker came over to work for Laura Klos in
Hotel.
Nov. 30 - Rained a little this a.m. They had a fine dance, but not a money
making affair. I had a telephone from J. A. Maber that C. L. Foss is dead. Mrs.
Conneghen died today.
Dec. 4 - About 10 o'clock Odd Fellows assemble in the Hall to perform the last
sad rites upon our deceased brother, C. L. Foss. A large gathering follows to
the Cemetery at N.Y. Flat.
Dec. 10 - The Auction sales commence in Forbestown. Ed attends and canvasses for
a ??.
Dec. 12 - Ed goes to Forbestown again. He reports horses and wagon sold to
Merian of Dobbins.
Dec. 16 - This morn rain falls in torrents for awhile. Mrs. Packard died
suddenly about 6 a.m. One by one they are going.
Dec. 19 - This morn Henry Foss with his niece, Lizzie C. P. Foss started for
Leland, Ore. Ed starts for Camptonville in his canvasing trip.
Dec. 24 - Some frost. Christmas goods are passing through the Mails. Lizzie and
Maggie Becker went to the ball with Klos and wife and Martin Tufford at
Forbestown.
Dec. 25 - This morn dawns fair. The ball folks get home about 11 o'clock. For
Christmas I get 1 doz. handkerchiefs. The rest of family get numerous presents.
Dec. 27 - This morn plenty frost. The Albert reunion proved a success. Eighteen
were present. I am feeling pretty well - aged 72 years today.
Dec. 31 - This morn is cold again, but sun shines. Eve., we sit up till the old
year is entirely gone, then retire.
1901
Jan. 1 - Apr. 30 missing
Brownsville
May 2 - We hear that a boy baby was born to Charlie and Kate Brown about 9 o'clk
last night.
May 16 - Is pleasant. I take a walk in search of our cow which I failed to
corral last night. We hear of the death of old Mrs. Holcomb who died suddenly at
the age of 86 yrs. 7 mos. & 15 days. I drive to Woodleaf and commence collecting
toll. Eve., I return to Brownsville.
June 7 - The great School meeting in Brownsville today. Weather fine. J. F.
Schultz has Mr. Powell arrested for threats to bodily injury.
June 26 - Ed tries his rubber shoe heels and finds them easy. Lizzie rode up to
Orolewa to see Mrs. Brundage with Mrs. Sharrer, in her buggy.
July 4 - This is a fine day. Not too hot to celebrate. The ball game resulted in
the defeat of the "Upham Nine" by the "Gold Bank Kid Nine" of Forbestown, as
they style themselves. Eve., C. B. Townsend's folks are at the dance. Mrs.
McIntosh is also here with here daughter and Son-in-law Dorsen. Mrs. Brundage
and her friend, Miss Walker are also in attendance.
Aug. 9 - Is cool in morn. Old Mrs. Burroughs died yesterday morn at Challenge.
Sept. 18 - I take a ride to Strawberry and take lunch with Birmingham's after
which I return home by the Butchers Express.
Oct. 8 - Sunshine this morn. Seven teams left here this morning including Falcks.
Colored Minstrel Show at Clipper Mills tonight.
Nov. 25 - Rain falls lively from early morn till noon. Wife and I commence
making preparations to move to our home in Brownsville.
Nov. 28 - This is Thanksgiving Day, and we certainly have reason to feel
thankful for all favors so bountiful bestowed upon us. We all partake of roast
chicken and accompanying good things. Rain fell heavily all night ending with
thunder.
Dec. 4 - John Blanchard Jr. and our friend Adella Crossman came to get their
Pension Vouchers executed. Mrs. August Robinson, who died on Thanksgiving Day
was buried on the 30th.
Dec. 5 - We hear that Mr. John C. Falck died at 10 a.m. yesterday. Weather rainy
and windy.
Dec. 13 - Is clear and cold. Ed returns from Mr. Scott's, who died at ten
minutes to eight o'clock a.m. Eve., Mrs. Crossman came in after an afternoon at
Cranes.
Dec. 27 - This is the 73 anniversary of my birthday. I can not realize that I am
so aged. I read and write without spectacles, in the day time, and I'm straight.
Wm. Eggleston, who was born on the same day of the month happened in today. A
present of a pair of slippers came to me through the mail. We hear of the birth
of a son to the wife of J. H. McCrank. Wind north.
1902
Jan. 1 - We sat up to watch the old year out and the New
Year in. Warm for January.
Jan. 16 - 7 a.m. raining but sun comes out before noon. Inspector L. Culver
inspected the post office. He seemed to be well pleased that things were running
allright. Eve., is real cold and clear.
Feb. 16 - Ida Ruff is going home today. She has been stopping at Kloss'. Bruce
Miller circulated a petition for her retention as teacher of the New York Flat
School. Petition was almost unanimous signed. Eve., it rains again.
Mar. 29 - Is lovely, like Spring. Mrs. Birmingham came on the Stage. She says it
rests with me as to whether I shall be toll collector at Woodville Gate this
summer. Eve., we hold Lodge with the regulation attendance of five.
April 1 - "All Fools Day". Weather doubtful. Eve., it pours lively for awhile.
We wrote the children long letters.
May 22 - Is rather pleasant. Lizzie went to Woodleaf on stage, will open gate at
once. She will remain till I can relieve her.
June 10 - This morn is lovely. The Adams-Brundage wedding takes place today.
About three o'clock we get ready and start to the wedding. About 4:30 p.m. the
pair, Robb Lincoln Adams and Nellie Brundage were united in the holy bonds of
matrimony by Rev. F. Deal of Forbestown; after which, the many guests partook of
a sumptuous Wedding Dinner and had a jolly good time.
June 16 - Is cool. Lizzie writes me that she cannot come up today, that Grandma
Hedge died on Saturday night and will be buried in Brownsville. Another aged
pioneer has passed to the other side. Mrs. Rippy and two little daughters came
up to stay awhile, to be clear of the heat of Oroville.
July 4 - Weather is cold for this time of the year. Everybody going to the dance
at Brownsville. About 6:30 p.m., C. L. Falck, wife and baby, Mrs. Rippy and her
two little daughters and myself start from Woodleaf to the dance and find a
perfect jam. We run all night. The dancing people divide and some take the Odd
Fellow's Hall and some the temporary platform. R. L. Adams starts home soon
after 6 a.m. with Edwards, Eli H. and myself as passengers. I get some
breakfast, then devote my time trying to keep awake. We left Brownsville
comparatively quiet, not very many drunks.
Aug. 1 - Neilus Couneghan was married to Miss Jennie Dolan, 29th. Lizzie goes to
Adams via Townsend's Mill, with Ben Brown. I go up later and we spend a pleasant
evening.
Sept. 29 - Wind blew nearly all night, which fanned the forest fires in good
shape. Challenge was in danger at one time last night. People got many things
packed ready to go. Eve. calm.
Nov. 10 - Cloudy this morning. Grace Bean came up home Saturday and has not
returned to her school yet at 9 a.m. I learn later that she was in a buggy, as
it rained too hard for an open wagon yesterday.
Dec. 25 - Christmas is warm. I wrote C. T. Prindle a short letter. P.M. we dine
on turkey and other good things. Our guests are: B. H. Brown, J. D. Wetmore and
George W. Edwards. Eve., it commences to rain.
Dec. 29 - Is the coldest morning of the season. J. W. Albert executed his
voucher here for a pension draft - $6.00 per month. Mr. McShane died last night.
1903
Jan. 1 - In the early morning it was foggy. We had chicken
dinner. Geo. W. Edwards dined with us. Our Christmas box from Ed and his wife
failed to arrive for the New Year.
Jan. 5 - Rather cold early. The girls drive Pet and go to Townsend's funeral. It
is announced in the Appeal that Ed. G. Twogood has been appointed Governor Elect
Pardee's Official Stenographer, so I suppose he will remain in Sacramento for
the next four years.
Jan. 8 - Nearly clear. Our package which went astray to Brownsville, Ore. came
today in which was a suit of clothes for his father, from his son in Sacramento.
His Mama and sisters got nice presents too. We very much appreciate all the
articles sent.
Mar. 2 - Cloudy. P.M. Pauley had a runaway. Smashed up his stage and seriously
hurt two horses and himself more slightly.
Apr. 6 - McShane takes several of us over to Forbestown to attend the funeral of
our late brother, Wm. Dale, whose remains are followed by a small number of his
brother Odd Fellows and quite a concourse of people to Evergreen Cemetery in
Brownsville. The weather continued splendid during the entire day.
Apr. 13 - Is clear and cold north wind blowing. Katie Ribbel Leach went up on
the stage yesterday. Ribbel quite poorly again. We get letter from Lizzie and
one from Prindle.
May 1 - A beautiful day. I get M. O. Statement ready for tomorrow's mail. Mrs.
M. A. Leach started home, Lamains, Siskyou co.
May 12 - Brown and I attend the funeral of A. F. Roberts at Forbestown. We reach
home about 6:40 p.m. We hear of the death of George Clemons at Pike county
House. A child of Boviens died of diphtheria in Forbestown. Eve., Brown is a
little late with his milking.
May 13 - Is hazy. The funeral of Geo. Clemons is well attended at the church and
cemetery. Henry Ermatinger, Brown and I go up to the White House to view the
premises. E. is satisfied with finding it more than he expected. He is almost
sure to take it.
May 16 - Quite cold. I board stage and bid adieu to wife and daughter Pearl and
start for Woodleaf to open the Toll gate. I dine at Ribbel's on a very sparse
meal. Arrive at Woodleaf at 1:35. Find Hilma Falck Heeney here from Eureka.
Eve., Simmons comes with cattle - first victim for toll. Spits snow for awhile.
June 27 - I arrived in Brownsville about 8:30 a.m. We proceed with our funeral
service at the Hall on the arrival of the remains of our Bro. John McShane.
After funeral, we have picture of the inside of our Hall taken by Mr. ?? of
Roseville Jct. Eve., we have lodge.
July 4 - Crowd collects and the dance goes on. Eve., is beautiful. Good Ice
cream sale.
July 5 - We all feel rocky. I gave up my room, so had no sleep. Is getting
cooler this P.M.
Aug. 16 - Warm. Miss Walker goes home. Adams and wife took her to Bullards Bar.
Martin comes up on foot from home. He thought it was too hot for any one to
bring him in the buggy.
Oct. 18 - Wife and I ride to Woodleaf. I throw out lots of rocks out of the
road. Eve., wife and Pearl leave for home.
Nov. 18 - Is rather hazy. I take stage for home in Brownsville. We attend
funeral of our dear old friend, Mary Johnson. Eve., we call upon our friend
Eugene Johnson, his sister Gertrude, his son Ray and Juan Wetmore at Mrs.
Horton's.
Nov. 24 - Clear this morning. Etta Gee died yesterday at her Uncle George's at
Empire Hill, very suddenly. We are packing up for moving back to Brownsville.
Dec. 24 - Clear and cold. Ball and Entertainment at Mrs. Kumle's, Willow Glen.
1904
Jan. 2 - Is rather cold. Wife and I start for Honcut about
7 a.m. and reach Honcut about 12 noon, where Mrs. Winterstein and Erwin Thompson
give us welcome till the cars for Sacramento arrive, when my wife takes the
train for the city. Eve., I reach Rackerby at 6 o'clock where I find plenty for
the inner man and feed for Pet. I stay overnight.
Feb. 1 - Is quite warm but when the sun sets it is chilly. Got my P. O.
Statement ready to mail. There was a fight between our two peace officers;
Justice Harvey and Constable Beever. The Judge got worsted, but no bones broken.
Feb. 19 - Is cloudy. Pearl takes leave with Boone (stage driver) for Marysville
where she will remain overnight with Mrs. R. L. Adams. Thence she will proceed
to Sacramento where she expects to stand at the altar with George W. Edwards of
Chico. The ceremony will be performed at her brother Ed's, 2227 P St. God be
with them.
Feb. 23 - The Edwards-Twogood nuptials celebrated on Sat. 20th at the residence
of E. G. Twogood, Sacramento. Water high about Marysville.
Mar. 5 - Cloudy. We had J. T. Birmingham at lunch with us yesterday. Came to see
about the Golden Needle Mining operations across his toll road. Eve., we have
Lodge. Five members.
Mar. 17 - Rain comes down in earnest after an all night's down pour. P.M. still
pours - high water will surely be in evidence in the valley country. Eve., still
raining.
Mar. 19 - Thunder shower about 6:30 a.m. There will be a terrible flood below if
this continues much longer. I failed to note receipt of a letter from L. D.
Lockwood on the 16th and the forwarding of his letters to Surigas, Philippines.
April 7 - I go down to Purdy's - thence to J. H. McCrank's assessing. Eve.
clear.
April 8 - I ride to Rackerby with Boone and commence assessing - go to the old
Rodman place and to Worth Bainbridge, and to the old Bainbridge place. Warm.
April 9 - Is warm. I visit people down Honcut Creek and back via Fruit Vale and
Miller Ranch. Eve. I get home. Ride from foot of Hansonville Hill with Boone.
April 11 - Is warm. I assess people in Challenge and make my way to Arbucco's
for the night.
April 12 - Is warm but fair breeze. Called at Mt. Hope, Gomez, Costa, Mrs. E.
Gibson and A. S. Packard's, then home. Find folks sick at Packard's.
April 14 - I start for Day's and other places - get to Roberts at 1 p.m. where
the rain pours in torrents. Eve. am in Forbestown, at Garton's.
April 15 - Clear early but clouds up soon. I go to Liebhauser's and Foss's and
return to Forbestown. After dinner at Garton's I steer for home and reach home
without getting wet much.
April 18 - I start for Marcus Weiss's place, via Frank Taber's to Robinson Mill
- stop some time on account of rain. P.M. return home via Day's. Find Mrs. Adams
and Delphine here.
May 1 - Sunday - May Day. very cool. Sermon by Rev. Beattie. Lizzie attends to
represent our family. Mrs. M. Gomez died Friday evening.
May 3 - I take a trip to Rackerby, Davis Mine and Gildea's. Eve., get home very
tired.
May 20 - This is a fine morning. P.M. I took Lizzie and baby Lawrence up to
Adam's. They will be at the Masquerade Ball tomorrow night at Falck's.
May 22 - Wife and I start for Orolewa. At Adams' we found sleepy people. P.M. we
took a walk out to where the Crist and Weigle Tannery and house used to be.
Revived memories of the past. Eve. we start for home. At Woodleaf, we are
informed by Agnes Falck that supper was just ready and that no would not be
taken as an answer, we yielded. She escorted me from the bar-room to the dining
room. We reach home before dark.
June 2 - Is cool. I prepare to go to Woodleaf to take the Toll-gate. Reach W. at
1:45. Eve., I get settled in the Brick House and my board will include my dinner
today.
July 4 - Is quiet here, but many have gone to LaPorte to celebrate and some are
passing to Bullards Bar to the ball.
Jul 11 - Will Birmingham brings a man to take my place and he and I attend the
funeral of T. M. Hawley at Brownsville. I find my folks well at home. Eve., we
return to Woodleaf. Eve., cool.
Aug. 1 - Is warm. Wes Packard goes up to the "Blue Gravel Mine" (Old Coles
Diggins) to work. There are three drummers here for the night.
Aug. 27 - Is very pleasant. The Fry family and Mrs. Garton passed enroute to the
head dam.
Sept. 8 - Not quite so warm as yesterday. Oregon House burned yesterday. We hear
that Baxter's store burned also.
Oct. 1 - Is a little cloudy part of the day. I ride home to Brownsville with
Martin in the butcher wagon. I hear of the death of Dr. M. W. Wilson my long
time friend, with whom I became acquainted in 1852-3 in El Dorado co. Eve., we
have Lodge.
Oct. 2 - Work on M. O. Statement, count stamps, etc. and make quarterly return.
Weather fine.
Oct. 19 - Is clear. Wind easterly. P.M. Wife, baby Lawrence took a ride over to
old New York House to see the family of G. W. Albert and to see the execution of
his vouchers for increase of pension.
Nov. 6 - Is cold this morning. Wife and I ride to Forbestown, where we visit
Mrs. Garton and her daughter Hattie Cartland.
Nov. 10 - We get news of a perfect landslide for every bodies favorite, Theodore
Roosevelt for President of these United States. California Republicans did
themselves proud on Election Day. Eve is cool.
Dec. 5 - Heavy frost. P. M. I hear with regret, that Dr. Bessac is no more. He
was my good friend and brother of the Mystic Tie.
Dec. 25 - The anniversary of the birth of our Savior should be considered one of
the most sacred holidays. We have an excellent dinner at which our mutual friend
Ben Brown is a guest. I call at McShane's late in the afternoon as also at D. W.
Alberts. Cold and there will be frost.
Dec. 26 - Coldest morning of the season. Frank Shattock, a former resident and
merchant of Clayton Ranch, will be buried in Brownsville Cemetery today.
Dec. 27 - Is cloudy, but clears during the day. I am 76 years of age today, and
have good reason to be thankful to my Maker for these years over the alloted
time on Earth. Although I am so old, I still desire to remain with my dear ones
till God wills that I should go.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.