Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 81

GAUES AIID HEGnEATIOn LETTERS TO TOE FODOQ s- FBhT inwMi (Miitni miiM Hnitmii VOL CLXIY OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1956 Gl NO. 120 NEWS FEATURES PAGE AUNT ELsirSE'OTIDtf IT 1 l-Tr lighter. It was nearly dark when we reached the junction of the East Fork and the North Fork (of the Trinity). Our mules were nearly given out, and ourselves not much better. I told the boys-that if they would camp here that I would try to find the Trading Post.

'From the directions we had it' couldn't be far off. I started down the North Fork, arid just as it was getting dark, I saw a. light across the stream ahead of me. Following the trail, I crossed the stream on a log and soon came to the light It was in a. large" tent stretched" over four large logs.

As I entered the tent there were four men playing cards. kins St A grove of tall trees shaded the entire area, which made it an ideal spot -for" church camp meetings. During such events a big tent was pitched in the middle of the park, with other tents scattered about for dining halls and sleeping quarters. Outsiders -could attend, so we young people seeking entertainment would go and enjoy the 'singing and the crowds. We downtowners would take the streetcar from the railroad station at the foot of 13th Ave.

The car ran out 13th Ave. and approximately- at East -20thSt cut -through- the middle of the block and on to 14th then out to Hopkins St. and Beulah Park. Sometimes we'd ride the car on past the park to the end of the line at the foot of the hills. Right across the way was Canyon which was the entrance to Dimond Canyon.

This was a beautiful walk along the banks of Soquel Creek, leading on into the woods. As we walked along we could see the old Dimond home acroBs the creek. IT is significant, the Knave is told, that Democratic legislators who have seen him In operation at Sacramento have failed, or declined, to endorse Los Angeles, Sen. Richard Richards for their party's nomination for the U.S. Senate.

Some may, of course, between now and the June 5 primary, but the fact remains that this year's session of the Legislature came and went with no show of sol-' idarity on the part of the Democrats. We hear now that at one point during the session Richards Jbad22Democraticgisla tors signed up in his behalf but that he withdrew the list, when 12'. of his fellow lawmakers had, a change of heart and with- drew their names. Even if Richards had been able to hold all 22 in line, he might not have wanted to release the list because it would not have been very impressive to those who know that there are more than 50 Democrats in the Legislature. If you are only able to convince less than half of your fellow solons, how can you be expected to win a majority of the rank and file of your party? Observers at Sacra-- mentp haven't come up with an explana- -tion for the defections.

They can't figure whether those who withdrew their names -did so because they didn't like Richards' "operation, or felt that he would not be a 'vote-getter in a statewide race, or were Motivated by some other reason. Incidentally, Richards has been giving his Demo-. era tic opponent, Sam Yorty, the silent treatment, but observers in the South are beginning to wonder how long he can continue to ignore the barbs Yorty is tossing his wav In rprpnt Hav Ynrt aAAaA luncheon of hot rice and sugar, and i dessert of jam on crackers. The women squatted around the water-spring, eating and chatting and laughing. This was for them a great 'pleasure.

Mr. Burke, estate manager for Colonel Fremont, came up often with horses so the campers could have a pleasant ride along the ridge." And there was the beauty of sunrise and sunset in varying colors, and many nights were bright with the light' of the moon. On the walls of the tent Jessie had pinned maps of the current German-Austria war," and the concluding battle of Sadowa in which Austrians were defeated. The strife and carnage seemed so far from their peaceful hill-top. But in late summer there was an outbreak of violence between white miners and several Indian tribes.

Miners had invaded Indian ground and made an unprovoked attack on some Indian workmen. The Indian tribes immediately prepared for war. But the young chief of one of the tribes had a great respect for Colonel Fremont, who always been kind to the Indians. He did not want any harm to come to any of "Don Flemon's" family. Stray, Indians might cross the ridge and murder the campers.

So the chief had come to. urge Jessie, to go down to thf protection of the Colonel's headquarters in Bear Valley: Thus it was: that their cool, -refreshing days and nights at the mountain camp came 'quickly to a close. To escape the heat Jn Bear Valley, the family went on down to the Fremont home in San Francisco. At least they had enjoyed six weeks of lovely camping. Some years ago I climbed with my Scout Troop front "the town to the top of Mt.

Bullion where Jessie's camp had stood, enjoying the outlook, as she had described it.John W. Winkley. to a tree and given his 40 lashes. The Miners 'Law was vindicated. But this did rot seem -to have made' an honest man of him.

He was later hanged for murder in Shasta. The next breach of peace was when a man struck another with a pick. Let us hear this case in Carr's own words, for it is indicative of, the manner of jurisprudence on these times: The roan was arrested and brought to town, Carr wrote; "Likewise, the wounded man. This time the case was. to be tried before the alcalde, whom the boys had elected to try- minor cases.

The man whom the boys hid elected was an old man named Sevier, from Tennessee. He was very fond of whisky and weighed about 300 pounds, and he and work did not agree. He took good care not to find The trial was set for 9 o'clock in the morning. The constable was on hand with his prisoner but the court was not yet out of his slumbers. He had been engaged in a poker game most of the night, and had gotten pretty well full of miners' whisky and was sleeping it off.

After the constable had pounded on the door for awhile the Court was awakened, and came' to the door demanding, 'What in heck do you was told it was time for' the triaL The trial be he replied. Til try no one. until I've had my breakfast' The Court went back inside to prepare his meal, while we stood around outside and waited. In due time the Court finished breakfast and came out with sleeves rolled up and hands covered with dough. His hair was white with flour as he had to scratch his head while mixing the flapjacks.

The jury was chosen and sat on a log. The plaintiff was a Dutchman, and the attacker was an Irishman. The fellow who volunteered to defend the case told the Irishman to. keep quiet, not say a word. The defense was that it was necessary to hit a Dutchman on the head, and that his client, an honorable American, was trying to make a good miner out of the feJtdWrHe made a long speech, lauding the defendant as a loyal, upright American.

The jury brought" in a verdict of 'not Honoring Josiah Royce Things will be buzzing, in Grass Valley and its neighboring Nevada City next month when members and friends of the Harvard Club of San Francisco trek to Nevada County for a three-day Centennial commemorating the birth of Josiah Royce. Those who plan to attend should make reservations early by writing Bourn Hayne, Box 368, Kentfield, Calif. The Centennial fete has been set for May 25, 28 and 27. It will be a sort of delayed celebration inasmuch as Professor Royce was born in Grass 7 Valley on Nov. 20, 1855; first seeing the light of day during the epoch-making Gold Rush days.

But good weather in the Sierra Nevada foothills is much more assured in May than In November, and planned festivities call for out-of-doors ceremonies. It was in 1933 that the Harvard Club of San Francisco first journeyed to Grass Valley to honor Royce. On that, occasion a bronze plaque was placed in the town library, building erected on the site where "the Royce home stood in the 1850s. The May 25, 26 and 27 observance will also be held at the Grass Valley library, on the very ground where Josiah played as a boy and received his earliest impressions of life and living. At noon on May 26 Prof.

George Adams of the University of California will speak; and "officials of the Harvard Club will plan the Josiah Royce tree. Following the ceremony the celebrants will adjourn to the famous gardens of the Empire-Star Gold Mine fot luncheon, and a visit to the workings of the mine Itself a fabulous gold producer throughout its nearly 100 years of operation The greatest depths of its shafts extend two miles into the earth. Next on the program are visits to" near by ghost to wns, and to such' Nevada City points of interest as the old National Hotel where the 49er Museum ia housed, then to the Nevada County Historical Museum, and the Artist Work Shop and Gallery. A gala Saturday night dinner will be held, and Sunday will be free for visitors to. browse.

"Sarah Royce, mother of Josiah, opened one of the first private schools in the embryo mining camp of Grass Valley," points out Sven Skaar, president of the Nevada County Historical, "little did she then know that her son and pupil was 'to become one of the world's outstanding educators. Josiah Royce developed into a philosopher and historian of universal re- -nown, and for more than 40 years gave from his keen mind to the Nation considerable knowledge and direction. From the faculty- of the University of California he went east to Harvard, where he held important professorships for many years." THE KNAVE A Bit of Teasing "In one corner of the tent there were some sale goods and a keg of whisky on a log with a tin cup under the spiggot. Stranger, where did you come the four sang out. I said; 'From Salmon 1 They offered me a drink, which was good for, me in the exhausted condition I was in, and I bought some flour and bacon and a few, other things for supper and breakfast, i to' take to camp.

Before starting I made a miner's lantern. This is done by holding a bottle partlyfilled with water over the fire i until the bottom breaks off, and then dropping a lighted candle in it which then gives one a good light to travel by. I reached camp alright. The boys had started a fire and pitched the tent. The first question.

Dave Young asked Was if I had brought any whisky. I told him I had, and that it was in my stomach. There were some lively cuss words until I had teased tbem enough, and produced the bottle. Our tent was pitched on a side hill and it rained in the night The boys had neglected to dig a ditch above the tent to carry the water away. When we would turn over we could hear and feel the -water squash under us.

But we slept the night through as-we were dead tired. The next morning we packed and went down to the North Fork. The day was bright and warm and we soon had our blankets dry and we felt much better. It turned out that we had a narrow escape. The Spence broth- era, who were a few miles behind us, were caught on the mountain in a very deep fall of snow.

They lost a train of 40 mules and were in such bad shape that one died a short time later from exposure. Weaverville The Salmon River district" continues Carr, "suffered a great deal as there was a shortage of food. They lived on deer meat and even salt gave out. It was worth an ounce of gold for a pound of salt. We were fortunate to be where there were supplies in plentyAfter resting a few days we went on overTa small luntam to Weaver! I i went on got on the wrong and became lost.

It, was getting dark and I was pretty worried when I saw a light. It turned out to be a tent saloon and gambling place. I went in and sat by the stove, which was an improvement from laying out in the cold. Later a man came to me and asked if I was a stranger, and asked me to have a drink. He took me to his cabin for supper and to sleep.

The early miners seldom failed in their hospitality for strangers who were in need of food or lodging. They would divide their last dollar or flap-jack with a needy prospector. A great many of the prospectors were wild and reckless, but generosity was their redeeming quality. The next morning the storm had abated and I got my first view of Weaverville, where I spent the best part of my life. The town consisted otthe aforementioned saloon tent and four log cabins.

One of the cabins was used as a store and a sort of hotel, kept by Stanmore and Horton. Another was a store kept by Mathew Stuart and son, Bob. Tb other two were miners' cabinst This was the Weaverville of February, 1851." Blake picks up here to relate that the party decided to settle down in Weaverville, except D. Young, who decided to go back home. He had fully recovered his health, and that was the reason for his taking the venture.

Carr, being a blacksmith, decided that Weaverville was a good place to start a shop. The nearest smithy with 40 miles away in Shasta 'Early Jurisprudence Just before the Carr party arrived in Weaverville there had been a public whip-pmg" Blake relates. "There were only three punishments for crime, whipping, hanging or banishment from the district This last alternative was for those who were just undesirable. The case to which we refer was for the theft of a mule, The culprit was tried before a jury of miners and found guilty and sentenced to 49 lashes. After being lectured on honesty he was stripped and tied There was a small platform built about in the center of the canyon and here weld eat -v our lunch.

Sometimes we'd have an impromptu dance. If we felt like hiking far-. ther'we'd go on up the canyon to 'what is -now Lincoln then hike back' to the streetcar a distance that seemed miles to all the and interlocking streets in this area today, old Dimond Can-V yon and Beulah Park are mere memories." Before Prohibition Photographic mementoes published by The Tribune showing the Native Sons Hall at San Jose when it was wrecked by the 1906 earthquake revived many memories for Joseph D. Cappa of Walnut Creek. "The building that housed the Native Sons Hall was the Cappa Building, named for my father," hereports.

"It was also well known as the Santa Clara Wine Depot. My father worked as a laborer on this building when -he first came to this country in the late 1800s. It was built for the AC Ham Company, and evidence of their big brine-curing vats are still in the basement concrete. They also had a brick smokehouse built in the -basement, and an artesian well. On the roof of the building was a water tank which was kTpt full by this basement wel.

Water was furnished, for all business establishments within a radius of, several the ham people went out of hjasiness a saloon and wholesale liquor house was-operated in their old quarters by Captain Merrithew. My father and Frank Gardiol were employed by Captain Merrithew, and everitually bought his business. These two operated the Santa Clara Wine Frank Gardiol retired in 1912 and my father carried on until prohibition arrived. The Native Sons, rented the upper -floor -from my father. The building remained in our possession until about 1945 when we sold.

Liquor packaging was somewhat dif ferent in the old days. My father bought his stock in bulk. I. remember going on wine-buying expeditions to-the' Uvas and. Ever-, green districts with My brother and I.

would hunt and fish while he. talked business. My mother would visit with the women of the vintner's household. Our wine supplies totaled around 50,000 to 100,000 gallons a year. They were deliverbd in horse-drawn drays and then siphoned into our basement tanks for storage and aging.

Whisky was purchased in 50-gallon-barrels of 100 proof, and cut to 85 proof and bottled when needed. There was quite a stock left ove" when prohibition became effective. Under the new law we couldn't dis- pose of it in any fashion. You should have heard the moans when his friends suddenly found prohibition a reality. 'J Camppn Mt Bullion The Knave: During one summer of Jessie Benton Fremont's residence in Bear Valley the heat was very Oppressive.

Colonel Fremont had a camp established for Mrs. Fre- -mont atop Mt Bullion. In order to reach the campground with equipment and. supplies it was necessary to haul them over a rough trail three miles north to a low gap in the ridge, then follow up the ridge to a point opposite the town of Bear Valley. There workmen built a board floor for the tent as a safety measure against snakes and other small animals.

Oak trees made a shady area for the 'outdoor living. Supplies and mail were brought up daily. Here Jessie, her maid, Hannah, and the qhildren, spent the hot days of the summe in comfort. Cool winds blew across the mountain top, and a vast panorama of mountains and valleys unfolded to theview Service berries were ripe on the nearby wishes, to the delight of the children. Indian women came daily, tp gather the berries on the lower mountainside, and Jessie would have them come to her camp at soon and eat an impromptu I to his claim that Richards is the "hand-.

picked" candidate of party "bosses," the allegation that Richards is refusing to dis- close his views on important issues and re-i fusing to meet him in face-to-face debate I even though offered free TV time. i MacKee vers Hill i Plans for demolishing Don Victor Castro's i old home in El Cerrito to make way for a super market brings Mrs. Anna C. Loomer before Knave readers once more. She urges that such early-California landmarks be preserved for posterity, and then allows her memories to drift to the big hill facing the old Castro adobe.

For many years this hill was known as EI Cerrito Hill, then Cerrito Hill, and more recently as Albany Hill. But Mrs. Loomer tells us it was first known as MacKeevers Hill. "A family by. that name built a house on the northwest slope of the hill many years ago," "We lived for four years just west of the hill and its slopes were a keen enjoyment to we children of the district from 1885 to 1889.

I recall the porches of the MacKeever home being covered with vines and climbing roses. The entire north end of the hill thrived with wild shrubs, trees and flowers and it was a delight to climb the hillside to gather wildflowers and wild currants. On one occasion a half dozen girls persuaded our teacher, Miss Susie McClure, to go with us on a picnic to MacKeevers HilL It was a grand outing. At that early date the hill was reported to be an Indian, buryin'g ground. We often found arrowheads on our excur- sions there.

It was always the childish dream of my brother and I to some day build a house of gold on the first rise of, the hill for our mother. But other folk have since built on our site and now surely enjoy the grand view of the Bay and surrounding country, a view we often enjoyed in our childish dreams. After the explosion in 1892 that tookrall the buildings of the Giant Pow- der Company at Fleming's Point, the pow- der company moved to El Sobrante. But within a short time another powder com-7 pany located at the north end of MacKee-V vers HilL This plant also exploded. The country was beginning to be settled in that area by that time and no other powder man-; ifacturers were allowed in the hill area, although one firm did build later near the shore of Point Isabelle.

Prior to using Point Isabelle for the site of a powder mill there was a large estate there. The family name was Stege. They raised frogs for the San Francisco markets. After most of the family had expired one of the daughters turned the estate into a recreation park and picnic grounds. -The place became a station for the railroad." Beulah A.Il McPhail is concerned because Beu-, Lah Park seems to be forgotten.

"Hundreds of Oaklanders motor past the old parksite every day and it's safe to say that few know it once existed. Beulah Park was on the west side of 14th Ave. and stretched a far east as 23rd Ave, as well as thur Blvd. oa the north. However, in that day, MacArthur Blvd.

was knows as Hop Squabbletown When John W. Winkley recently wrote in these columns that he had been unable to locate Squabbletown in his journeys through the Mother Lode country, he caught the eye of Dana P. Krauter of Albany. "The maps of Tuolumne County still show its location," Krauter isserts. The road from the Saw Mill Flat Road to Squabbletown is a real experience though.

Espe, cially after a good rain. A new road was started last year, and will be a great im-" provement by this coming winter. However, the new part goes only half way. From this point the road can be described only as a nightmare. But Squabbletown isn't quite dead.

At present the total population, consists of three humans, two cats, one dog, twd pigs and. various wild-type varmits. Goeffry James, late of Oakland; his wife, "Liz" and son, "Bill," are full-fledged residents of Squabbletown. There are at present five buildings standing: The main house; a barn-wine cellar combination that seems to be a sealed-up mine entrance; a small cottage of very ancient vintage which is classified as "Margaret's House;" a very large wood shed, but temporary remains of an old barn down by the creek. A eouple of the buildings were torn down when the James fam-ily took over because of the danger of-them-falling on some innocent bystander.

The town is still without the so-called conveniences oflelectricity but the residents don't seem to regret this lack in the least. Night light is provided by a wonderful type of mantle kerosene lamp, which is in many ways preferable to electric. Cooking is done on a big, old wood and coal burning stove, and the cook turns out some wonderful food. In the heat of the summer small kero-' sene burners take over for. most-cooking needs.

Should Mr. Winkley ever be up So-nora way and manage to find Squabbletown, I'm sure he would be warmly welcomed by the entire population." John Carr Again When J. C. Blake of San Leandro began hi tale last Sunday about John Carr and how he became one of the early settlers of Weaverville, we didn't intend to abandon him under a snow-ladened tent in the Trinity mountains as we did. Consequently, we now return to Carr and his companions at the spot where we left them.

Their food about gone and caught in a snowstorm, the 1850 adventurers crawled out of their blankets to find four eet of snow on the ground and flakes "as big as silver dollars" still falling. "The mules werejiearly covered and shaking as if they had the ague," Carr later wrote. "We built a fire and made some coffee and ate what little we had left Then we packed our shivering mules and made a start down the mountain. It was hard going as we had to break trail for the mules. We were luckjrjhough, as the trail was nlazHrtmarked'jrith an ax scars on the trees), so we were able to follow the traiL i As we got lower down the snow became.

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