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.]
1876
Jan. 1 - Is raining on about 4 inches of snow.
We have a quiet New Year. This is the Day commencing the Centienial, so much
talked about the last two years. It is hopeful there will be, in the next
hundred years, an improvement in the state of Society, especially as regards
Temperance.
Jan. 13 - I am quite lame - I go to Clipper. Eve. I have the Needles applied by
my Wife. I got them of Mrs. Parsons.
Jan. 15 - The neddles has some effect upon me, but the punctures did not come
out in every shot with the instrument. Eve, my wife puts mustard on my leg,
which warms up.
Jan. 16 - I am quite sore and lame, but think I am on the mend. James Doherty
milks the cow for me and brings water for my wife, which kindness is duly
appreciated by us both.
Jan. 20 - Is cold and snow falls by fits and starts. I walked to the old barn
down to the old Barker (Elliot) place.
Jan. 24 - Josh Varney went to meet Morse (the Stage). There is no road through
the snow till Josh passed down on his way to Forbestown. Eve., the stage gets to
Woodville about dark, and Morse stops here all night. The hog drovers stop here,
Woodville, all night with 200 hogs.
Jan. 29 - The stage went up today, when it should have gone down. Mr.
Butterfield and Miss Ida Pratt called on us. Miss Caddie Pratt also. I hurt my
nose very severely with a stick of stove-wood. I read from the Life of Christ,
which I have been reading of late, during the storm.
Feb. 19 - Is plesant - I go to Strawberry - took my first trip on snowshoes.
Harvey Clark loaned me his. Eve., we meet in Lodge.
Mar. 10 - Is snowing while the sun shines. I get to Oro Lewa and find there is a
girl baby in the Adams family. I return home with the handsled, which Mr. Worden
and I have been repairing. Kimball came down with Stage-sleigh and Hileman came
up with Stage wagon.
Mar. 19 - Sleigh got to Strawberry - could not get to La Porte, this trip. Snow
has been 9 - 10 feet deep here in Strawberry. Wife and boy and I dine at
Emerson's.
Apr. 13 - Is cool. I make brakeblocks - 8 pair. The Wilsons left the
neighborhood and Gus Bean followed his wife to get his child.
Apr. 15 - Wife and I with our child, walk over to Mt. Hope (now Sam Grubbs
place) on our way to Forbestown. We get to Cartlands about noon.
Apr. 17 - I write up the Records of the Cartland family in a beautiful fifteen
dollar bible. P.m. I bid adeau to my folks and return to Woodville.
Apr. 30 - Pat Cunningham informed me that "Puss" the cow I took to Beever Ranch
has a calf, but they can not find it.
May 1 - I start for Beever Ranch after the cow. I got to the Picnic ground near
the Monitor Mill where I find many Willow Glen neighbors. P.M. I start for
Brownsville with cow and no calf. Eve., after many sore trials driving the beast
I reach Brownsville very tired.
May 2 - I take the cow home. P.M. I am very tired. Eve. when I go to milk the
cow I find she is gone.
May 3 - I take a thorough hunt for the cow, but do not find her. P.M. I go to
Brownsville, and on my way back find her within a mile of home. Eve I'm very
tired.
May 8 - Toll collecting commences - wife tends the gate while I work at my
blocks south of the house.
May 23 - Is windy. Eve, I go up to see Mr. Worden, who got hurt by the running
away with him of his horses. Probably, owing to his advanced age, it will be the
cause of his death.
May 25 - Today is fine. Eve I watch with Mr. Worden - he is very seriously hurt.
Wife went to Sharrer's to do some dress fitting.
Jun. 3 - Mr. Worden is some better. Mrs. Cartland has been with him. She is a
good friend and a No. 1 nurse.
Jun. 9 - People in Forbestown and vicinity are going to the Circus at Oroville
by the wagon-load.
Jun. 30 - We clean house. Very warm. We sleep on the floor.
Jul. 1 - Very warm again. We are putting things right again in the house.
Jul. 4 - The Centennial Year of our Lord 1876. Eve, we are celebrating at
Schultz's Hotel in Clipper Mills, by dancing.
Jul. 24 - I attend the funeral of John Johnson of Forbestown. A large attendance
was there. Sermon by Rev. Rhodes.
Jul. 27 - We attend the Centennial Entertainment at Brownsville, for the benefit
of the Parsonage of that place.
Aug. 28 - We hear that "Cap" Smith is dead. P.M. we hold an inquest on the case.
I. E. Brown, J. P. acting Coroner. I act in the capacity as clerk. Deceased has
probably been dead over a week. He has no relatives in this State. He is
supposed to have been 65 years of age.
Sept. 18 - I make blocks till noon - then I put in 5 pairs for different
teamsters.
Oct. 30 - Frost this morning. We hear of the drowning of Mr. Ramsdell on Feather
River last Friday. Peace to his ashes - he was a good man and neighbor. We
sympatize with the bereave wife and son.
Nov. 8 - My Wife and boy go up to Strawberry with Horton. Wife goes to sew for
Mrs. Emerson on her new machine. I commence laying tongue and groove lumber for
floor.
Nov. 29 - Is fine. Got my Beef for the winter, yesterday.
End of 1876 Diary.
1877
Woodville Toll Gate
Jan. 4 - Is fine. I get lumber for building a decent privy. Lyman Howes, is
helping me some.
Jan. 7 - Is warm. Wife, Eddie and myself go to the funeral of little Ralph
Schultz. Eve, we are visiting at Mrs. Parsons, Clipper Mills.
Jan. 12 - Is very windy all day, nearly a gale, and the dust flies; no rain
having fallen for about two months.
Jan. 17 - Is snowing quite fast. Octavia Pratt called on us this morn. McIntosh
came down with cattle - paid me $10.00 interest on mony loaned him last Dec., a
year ago.
Jan. 25 - Is pleasant. I approach the Death-bed of father Varney the first time
and I find him considerably emaciated. Mary (J. A. Varney's wife) is doing all
she can for the poor old man. He has lived over his allotted time - three score
years and ten.
Jan. 28 - Has appearance of an approaching storm. Rain has been falling slowly
ever since my return from Forbestown, where I took the first Degree in Masonry.
Jan. 29 - P.M., we have all witnessed the final dissolution - father Varney is
no more. He expired at 11 1/2 o'clock a.m. today - passed away very easily to
the realms above. I offer terms in regard to the settlement of our past
difficulties, between the Twogood and the Varney families which I hope may be
accepted at this solemn time.
Feb. 21 - Clear again. Eve., I go up to Josh's and do the chores, first in a
long while. Susie and Eddie go with me. Dr. Mansfield left here this morn. Sat
up with Lillie Wetmore who had a severe spell yesterday.
Mar. 13 - I work at my blocks (making brake-blocks for wagons). Eve., I milk
cows for Mary. Josh is gone to haul lumber for chinaman.
Mar. 19 - Is warm. The Schultz's baby was buried at the Strawberry burying
ground. Eve., fine. The Emersons, Prindles and Twogoods call at the Columbus
House. Miss Myra is suffering from a toothache and could not play for us.
Mar. 25 - Is fine. My wife and Eddie are at her Brother's where she is keeping
house while Mary is away. We slept at J. A. Varney's all night - first time
since the reconciliation.
Mar. 27 - I work for Josh in forenoon. About 1 o'clock we hear that "Old Dick"
Richard Tennyson, Kelly's cook has kill himself by cutting his throat with a
razor. Eve is all excitement with Maggie Kelly. I. E. Brown the J. P. was sent
for but was absent from home. Yowler was sent for, who came, and the following
men were chosen as Jury to sit on the case of Old Dick; J. D. Worden, Edwin
Adams, Samuel Thurston, Joseph Kirby, John Willy and G. S. W. Twogood.
Mar. 28 - Is cooler. We put the suicide in his coffin and the acting Coroner
takes charge of it for burial in the Strawberry Valley cemetery.
April 1 - Is Easter and "All Fool's Day". Josh's wife, Miss Wetmore and Lyman
Howes were here to dine, and we had a good visit.
Apr. 23 - Cold and disagreeable north wind. This afternoon wife made a barrel of
soft soap from concentrated Lye and grease. Eve. Eddie has severe cold.
Apr. 30 - Josh goes up to D. S. Mill for lumber to haul to the River for J.
Pratt. I am gardening or getting ready. P.M. I went to Clipper. I subscribed
$10.00 to the construction of a Telegraph line from Oroville to La Porte. Boyce
Bros. came out from Scales with their gold dust for the S.F. Mint. I rode home
with Leach.
May 6 - Is cool. Wind blows from the south for the first time in many days. Al
Horton, Mrs. Emerson and Lizzie Beckham went to Forbestown. I got a hat there by
them. I went to church but the minister did not come to fill his appointment.
Toney Leibhauser was buried today in Forbestown.
May 14 - Is cloudy. I chore about. About 4 p.m. Charlie Adams comes down and
informs us of the injury of his Grandfather Worden by the running away of his
team. Eve., Packard and I stop with Mr. Worden, to do what we can to alleviate
his sufferings.
May 15 - About 5 o'clock Packard and I carried the old gentleman over to Adams.
Eight o'clock the old gentleman died as easy as possible for any person to do.
He is at rest from all worldly care and toil. Peace to his ashes. He was over
four score years old.
May 28 - Is raining. I drove to Challenge Mill and Souths, for Horton, with
beef, he not being well. Eve. still stormy.
Jun. 5 - Is warm. Mr. Knox was up to Strawberry; and Mrs. Peter Knox, who
accompanied, called with him.
June 11 - The Sun scorching hot and the wind northerly.
June 14 - Is pleasant. My Insurance Company, the St. Louis Mutual, has become
insolvent and is in the hands of the Receivers.
July 2 - I make brake-blocks and do the chores for Mary, as her girls are both
gone.
July 4 - Is cool and cloudy. Boyce and family came out from Scales yesterday.
Lyman Howes came and dined with us and goes to attend a dance at Columbus House
tonight. We have enjoyed the day in a quiet way at home.
July 10 - Tuesday, wash day with us this week.
July 21 - Is showery. Eve., Capt. Emerson and myself ride over to Forbestown to
Lodge. Return about one o'clock.
Aug. 3 - Quite a number go to the Ball at Feeney's.
Aug. 20 - Is warm. Eddie is very feverish. Eve., I get uneasy and send for Dr.
Mansfield. Mary is sick too. Eleven o'clock Mansfield arrives. We did nothing
out of the way in the treatment of Eddie's case, so the Dr. says.
Sept. 2 - Is very warm. Eve., Mary came down to stay with us for the night.
Eddie rests very nicely.
Sept. 7 - Is warm again. We are nearly worn out, but its alright if
----------[cut off] are well.
Sept. 10 - I send for the Doctor for my wife, as she has a clear case of
Erysipelas. Mary comes down and stops with us, is very kind.
Sept. 14 - Is rather warm. Eddie is dressed for the first time in about 4 weeks.
Wife is more comfortable today.
Sept. 24 - Pleasant. I send a blanket to LaPorte for Ice to be used on the
occasion of a little affair which comes off at Madison House. We wash and air
some of the bed clothing used while Eddie was sick.
Oct. 13 - I return home, leaving wife and boy at Strawberry. The Concert and
Ball was no humbug, on the contrary it was well worth all it cost.
Oct. 16 - Is fine. The day on which Mr. Butterfield and Miss Ida Pratt are to be
made one. Eve., my wife burned her hand severely with hot lard.
Oct. 24 - Is pleasant. I am informed of my Policy of Insurance being at Clipper
Mills. Expected sooner but there was some delay on account of my examination by
a Physician who had no diploma; Dr. Mansfield.
Oct. 28 - Is cold and windy. My wife and boy and Lizzie Beckham have gone to
dine at Varney's Ranch. I stay at home to collect tolls.
Nov. 4 - I go to Clipper after fixing the fence against hogs. I get a new hat
for Eddie and myself of Harvey Clark, the new Merchant.
Dec. 22 - Snow falls enough to make the roofs of buildings white. Toll
collecting ceases today for the season. Eve. we are getting all our presents in
readiness for the Christmas Tree at Pine Grove House. We have over 50 presents
all told.
Dec. 24 - Is cloudy with some snow. Eve. I am at the Pine Grove House, where I
see the first Christmas Tree with the presents on, during my life.
Dec. 25 - Is cloudy. We feel sleepy after a good time at Santa Claus'
Entertainment last night, where the old fellow dealt out presents quite
lavishly; and he did not slight the Twogood family as we had 41 presents all
told. Pretty good for one family of three.
1878 Woodville Toll Gate
Jan. 2 - Is fine. I go to the pounding barrel and help
wash. Eve. cold.
Jan. 10 - Is fine after a stormy night of wind and rain. I go to the Challenge
Mill with J. A. Varney after Hay.
Jan. 12 - I go to Challenge Mill according to an agreement with Mr. Hankins made
on Thursday. I dine at Challenge, where I take a good look at the immense
quantities of lumber by the side of a Balloon shaped railroad track one third of
a mile in length. P.M. I return home on foot having left my horse for Mr.
Hankins to ride up.
Feb. 14 - Storming very fast and snow accumulating. McClain came up from
Forbestown via Challenge Mill. P.M. J. Varney came to Kelly's after hay with
sleigh.
Mar. 6 - Is rainy after a rainy night. I work at ceiling with Varney. Eve., I
return home. While we are eating supper the rain ceases and it is starry, and
the moon, now three days old lies on its back.
Apr. 11 - Is pleasant. I feel rather better but not well. Morse brought me hair
dressing from Oroville. I hear of the burning of Chinatown in Clipper Mills.
Apr. 21 - Is cloudy in morn, but pleasant toward noon. P.M. we consign to the
Tomb all that is mortal of Samuel Thurston Jr., at the age of 16 yrs. 6 mos. and
9 days. He was a promising young man to die of Pneumonia.
Apr. 30 - Tomorrow is the first of May, a day many are looking forward to with
anticipation of a gay time; at the Ball at the Challenge Mill. I commence the
toll collecting today, but my receipts are blank.
May 1 - The day comes in beautiful, and our little boy is very anxious to go to
his Aunt Mary's, where he will spend the time while we are at the Ball. P.M.
Horton and Mrs. Prindle and daughter come down to go in company with us to the
Ball.
May 3 - Is beautiful. Wife is feeling better after a good nights sleep. Mrs.
Perry and Stickum go below. Welcome Snow came along after a thief who robbed him
of his clothes, money and other things.
May 20 - Is rainy. We hear of the death of Miss Maggie McCarty - to be buried in
the Forbestown Cemetery tomorrow. The Faus family were also visited by the grive
Messenger and Mrs. Charlie Faus who has been blind for 2 or 3 years died
suddenly on Saturday last.
June 11 - Is pleasant summer weather. Washing is the order. Joe Payton married
to Miss Falkner last night in Forbestown.
June 12 - Is fine but warm. Stage driver brot me a hat.
July 1 - Is quite warm. P.M. I go to Clipper. I bring Lizzie Sharrer's
canary-bird, hoping it may improve the song of Mrs. Twogood's. Mr. McGinty is
here, I put in brake blocks for him.
July 3 - Is a fine cool day. Tomorrow the great 4th of July, is to be
appropriately observed by the people of Forbestown, where there is to be a Pic-Nic
in the afternoon and two dances at night. There is to be a Ball at Feeney's and
one at Kingdon's, Dry Creek.
July 18 - We hear the sad news of Sierra McNair's death. How sad for the aged
parents, who lose their only child. But we must submit to the call when ever it
comes.
July 30 - Is warm again. Stage was robbed near American House. D. E. Berry,
driver. Amount taken supposed to be $3000.
Aug. 6 - Is fine. We wash. The Robbers of Chinamen and the Stage have been sent
to Quincy for trial.
Aug. 11 - Is very warm. I attend the funeral of an old and esteemed friend -
father Albert of Brownsville. He was in his 76 year.
Sept. 6 - Is warm during the day. Eve we all go to the Exhibition and Ball at
Schultz's Pine Grove House.
Sept. 10 - My wife received hair switch from LaPorte - Mrs. Rixon. Horton went
to Brownsville to get a tooth extracted - he took two ladies with him to hold
his head, I suppose, and why not?
Sept. 21 - Pleasant. Emanuel Gomez who was killed by a saw-log Thursday was
buried today at Brownsville. Mrs. Shroder died near Ryant's Mill night before
last.
Sept. 22 - Is fine. We hear of the death of Mrs. Taylor at Sugar Loaf, on the
night of the 20th inst. Death is doing its work.
Sept. 28 - Clear and frosty in the morn. P.M. is rainy and prevents our
attending a surprise party at Adams', gotten up for Gulick the teacher, as he
leaves this school, just closed, for one on the Honcut.
Oct. 2 - Is pleasant. Mrs. Prindle came down with Horton on her way to
Brownsville to see Mrs. Knox regarding her daughters living with Mrs. Knox while
going to the Knoxdale Institute.
Oct. 7 - Is fine. I made blocks. Mr. Falck is to be the Proprietor of the
Woodville House - the purchase is made.
Oct. 8 - Is warm but pleasant. Mr. & Mrs. Knox and Mr. and Mrs. Birmingham go
over to Jamison City to see the new road - to accept the job.
Oct. 24 - Is rather windy. Mr. Falck left here for Sawpit Flat this morn. We are
anxiously waiting for him to assume command of the big Brick (Ship).
Nov. 21 - Is the day we long have sang. Mr. Falck has peaceable possession of
the Woodville property. We were invited and accepted an invitation to dine at
the Woodville House and we had a fine dinner.
Nov. 30 - Cloudy part of the time. I go to Lodge at Strawberry Valley. We
initiate Miss Lizzie Sharrer and she is a Templar worth having too.
Dec. 4 - Signs of rain in the near future. The Surprise Party for Falcks at
Woodville has come and we have a nice time. All Strawberry, Clipper and Mt. Hope
are present.
Dec. 12 - Is clear and cold. We hear of the terrible fate of Mrs. Alzina Jones,
wife of Wm. Jones of Empire Hill. She was burned in the house which was reduced
to ashes.
Dec. 15-31 - missing.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.