Sierra County Courthouse
Completed 1854
On November 26, 1885, local carpenters erected wooden gallows in a yard adjacent to this courthouse for the execution of a 19-year-old Irish immigrant convicted of murder. The next day, the gallows was dismantled and stored in the attic of the courthouse until 1927, when startled county employees discovered it. Despite complaints that it was "not conducive to happy thoughts," the gallows was reerected adjacent to the courthouse and survived the 1947 fire that destroyed the building. Restored in 1988, the gallows is recognized as a California Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places |
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A Memorial and Biographical History of SIERRA COUNTY - Chicago, Lewis Publ. Co., 1891
The word "sierra" is Spanish for saw. This term was first applied to the great mountain range in allusion to its series of regular peaks presenting the appearance of the teeth of a huge saw, while "nevada" signifies snowy. The county derives its name from the mountains, which occupy the whole of its upper or eastern half. The lowest point is at least 2,000 feet above the sea. Downieville, the lowest town in the county, is 3,000 feet above sea-level. Most of the mining towns are situated far above the snow line of winter,—from 300 to 600 feet. The isolated peaks of this county are Table Rock, Saddle Rock, Mount Fillmore, Fir Cap, Mount Lola and the Sierra Buttes. Mount Lola, the highest, is 9,200 feet in altitude. Table Mountain, in the western part of the county, is 6,000 feet high. The face of the country is everywhere eroded by cañons, some of them more than 2,000 feet deep. Not more than one acre is suitable for the plow.
The county is bounded by Plumas and Lassen counties on the north, the State of Nevada on the east, Nevada County on the south, and by Yuba and Plumas counties on the west. The greatest length of the county is sixty miles, and its greatest breadth thirty miles.
The principal streams in Sierra County consist of the North and Middle Forks of the Yuba River, the former running centrally through the county, and the latter forming in part its southern boundary. The numerous confluents of these streams and of the Feather River, which has its principal sources in Sierra County, make this one of the best watered counties in the State. On or near the summit of the Sierra, where the range spreads out into flats and valleys, occur numerous small lakes, most of them circular in form. These lakes vary from one-eighth of a mile to three or four miles in length, most of them, considering their small size, remarkable for their great depth. One of these bodies of water, known as Gold Lake, is notable as having been the locality of a gold excitement as early as the summer of 1849. While the rumor of rich diggings having been found on the borders of this lake obtained currency at the period mentioned, the stampede that made the event memorable did not occur until the following year. Gold Lake, which is about four miles long and two wide, is the source of the Middle Fork of the Feather River.
Sierra, like Plumas County adjoining it on the north, is covered with magnificent forests of yellow pine, red spruce, fir, cedar, and sugar pine, intermixed with oak of several varieties at lower altitudes. These forests are somewhat scattered in the western part of the county, but increase in density as altitude is gained, the trees standing tall and thick on the very summit of the Sierra.
Along the cañon of the North Yuba men were mining as early as the summer of 1849. Claims were posted on Big Rich Bar by Hedgepath & Co. Hedgepath located on Little Rich Bar, and was joined by Francis Anderson, who, September 14, 1849, made the first gold discovery in the neighborhood of Downieville. Several camps became populous. "Jim" Kane and his party rushed in one day near Downieville where Anderson was at work and in a few hours cleaned up all the gold that could be obtained at the surface, amounting to $300 to the man. Discovery after discovery was made of gold, amid exciting circumstances.
One gold nugget was found above Downieville on the banks of the Yuba in 1851 that weighed twenty-six and one half pounds; value, $8,000. In 1853 another piece was found in French Ravine which is said to have weighed fifty-one pounds! But the most remarkable ore produced by this county was that which was taken from the Monumental mine at Sierra City, in September, 1869, weighing 106 pounds avoirdupois, being the second in size ever found in California, and the fourth in the world. After smelting, it brought the owners about $20,000. Before this process was performed it was exhibited in Woodward. The richest company working on the bars was the Steamboat Company, on Steamboat Bar, which for some weeks in 1851 averaged $5,000 a day. The floods caused great loss to the miners.
Sierra was at first a part of Yuba County. As the population became denser they began in two or three years to feel like supporting a county-seat nearer home than Marysville. The county was authorized by the Legislature, April 16, 1852, to be set apart, and organized, and the election on the second Monday of June that year resulted in the choice of Ferdinand J. McCann for Judge; Thaddeus Purdy, District Attorney; William J. Ford, Sheriff; J. Webb Nicholson, Clerk; T. M. Ramsdell, Treasurer; E. Frazer, Assessor; Cyrus D. Aiken, Coroner; and William G. Still, Surveyor,—all Democrats except Nicholson, who was a Whig.
The boundaries of Sierra County are: Beginning at a point in time middle of the middle branch of the Yuba River ten miles from its mouth, running thence in a northwesterly direction to a point on the north branch of Yuba River known as Cut-Eye Foster's Bar; thence westerly to a point on the dividing ridge between the waters of Feather and Yuba rivers known as the Lexington House, leaving said house in Yuba County; thence northerly, following out said ridge; thence easterly in a straight line to the boundary line of the State; thence south along said boundary line to a point east of the middle branch of the Yuba River and the northeast corner of Nevada County; thence west, following the northerly line of Nevada County to the place of beginning. The seat of justice to be at Downieville.
These lines have not been changed, but the north line was more clearly described in 1863 and 1866. Still uncertainty existed as to the source of the south fork of the Middle Yuba. In 1868 each county made a survey; but, as the initial point was not the same for both, neither one adopted the work of the other. By agreement, the two boards met on the disputed territory, but could come to no understanding. Sierra County brought suit against the Eureka company on the disputed ground for the payment of taxes after it had already paid them to Nevada County. The latter county instructed its district attorney to defend the Eureka company. The question was settled in the Supreme Court in 1869, giving to Sierra the disputed ground. The service and litigation cost each county more than the land in controversy was worth to either of them.
The first session of the District Court was held in Downieville July 5, 1853, with Judge William T. Barbour on the bench. In 1855 Hon. Niles Searles became Judge; next Peter Vanelief was appointed by the Governor; and in 1859 Robert H. Taylor was elected.
The politics of the county have been pretty strongly Republican since the beginning of the civil war.
The Assemblymen from Sierra County, have been:—S. H. Alley, 1863–'64, 1869–'72; F. Anderson, 1854; T. S. Battelle, 1867–'78; Lewis Byington, 1877–'78; J. A. Clark, 1858; B. J. Coil, 1857; J. Crawford, 1863; N. C. Cunningham, 1855; John Doherty, 1861; J. W. Downer, 1867–'68; M. Farley, 1883; Wm. T. Ferguson, 1855; H. A. Gaston, 1856; Thomas J. Haliday, 1860; R. D. Bill, 1858; A. A. Hoover, 1856; J. C. James, 1854; James A. Johnson, 1859–'60; John Koutz, 1869–'70, 1875–'76; Josiah Lefever, 1859; David Love, 1862; G. Meredith, 1865–'66; S. M. Miles, 1857; W. R. Morgan, 1873-'74; James Nelson, 1880; B. J. Sammons, 1869–'72; M. A. Singleton, 1865–'66; E. B. Smith, 1862–'63; R. S. Weston, 1863–'64; D. L. Whitney, 1871–'72; G. Winchell, 1873–'74; Thomas Wright, 1861.
The first newspaper was the Mountain Echo, in June, 1852, published by William T. Giles. The Gibsonville Herald first made its appearance in the winter of 1853–'54, established by Mr. Head. He was succeeded by Alfred Helm in 1854, who issued a supplementary edition, calling the entire paper the Gibsonville Herald and St. Louis News, It was delivered by a special messenger in St. Louis. It was soon changed to the Mountain Messenger, which is now owned and successfully managed by E. K. Downer and A. J. Vaughn. The Sierra Democrat was started June 21, 1856.
Sierra Woodall was the first white child born in the county, in 1851, at Snake Bar, two miles below Downieville.
DOWNIEVILLE.
Major Downie and party reached the forks of the Yuba here in November, 1849. John Potter cut the first tree for building a cabin, which was erected about the last of December, with the assistance of Kelly and others, at the mouth of the ravine, on the north side of the town. Another log cabin was immediately built on Jersey Flat, by a man named Lord. In January, 1850, Frank Anderson, previously mentioned, brought to the place B. F. Parks and six others. At this time, although the snow was deep, some of the men continued mining underneath it and were repaid at the rate of $1 to $100 a day; but presently the snow became so deep as to stop even this profitable work. In February a town was laid out by James Vineyard, and a meeting held to give it a name. It was difficult for them to agree upon this subject, but when Mr. Parks proposed Downieville unanimity soon prevailed. On the same evening the south side was christened Washingtonville, and the flat above, on the south side, Murraysville.
In the fall of 1850 James Durgan built the first saw-mill in Sierra County, on the south side, and soon that part of the town was called Durgan Flat instead of Washingtonville. The name Murraysville did not prove popular, and the Jersey company, owning the river claim at that point invested it during the year with the title of Jersey Flat.
In the early spring a gentleman named Parton opened a store at Jersey Flat, while James Hawkins brought a stock of goods and sold them at Downieville. Here was a case where money "was more plentiful than the necessaries of life," and prices were enormously high. The town grew as if by magic. It was estimated that in April, 1850, there were not less than 5,000 people at Downieville, constantly coming and going. Tent structures prevailed. A miners' government was adopted, set forth in thirteen resolutions. Claims were fixed at thirty feet to the man. Indeed, the place was overcrowded for a short time, and then exciting rumors of great finds elsewhere scattered many of them away, especially the lazy ones.
In 1851 Downieville polled 1,132 votes.
February 19, 1853, the town was entirely destroyed by fire; loss about $150,000. The town was soon rebuilt, with more substantial structures. Two days after the fire McNulty opened the St. Charles Hotel. On Washington's birthday he took in for meals alone $2,600.
Downieville was made a postoffice in 1852, Edward Haskell being the first postmaster.
The first municipal election was held April 27, 1863; J. N. Flandreau was chosen President.
Several eminent men have resided here Hon. Joseph McKibben, afterward Colonel in the war, was here several years, as also Colonel E. D. Baker, the great orator from Illinois, who died at Edward's Ferry on the Potomac River, October 21, 1861. John Mackey, the great millionaire, lived in Sierra County when comparatively a poor man. J. Neely Johnson left his law practice here to take the gubernatorial chair at Sacramento.
One of the most remarkable events that ever occurred at Downieville was the lynching of a young Spanish woman July 5, 1851, for the killing of Jack Cannon, a popular Scotchman of the place who had insulted the lady with a foul epithet. The affair created great excitement throughout the country, even reaching the London Times in England, which, with the press of the country generally condemned the hasty act of the miners. The woman, slender and rather petit, must have exhibited remarkable physical strength to have fatally stabbed a large man to death with one blow of her knife; and after her condemnation by the mob she passed the time allotted her, one hour, in a peculiarly serene manner without doing anything, and then went smiling and chatting to the gallows as sweetly as if nothing extraordinary had happened. She was executed in the presence of an excited multitude of about 3,000. In behalf of the miners, however, it is claimed that the Spanish woman was of low character.
COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL.
At a special term of the Court of Sessions, held March 14, 1854, to discuss the matter of building a court-house and jail, H. B. Cossitt, Benj. Hall, Alanson Smith and D. G. Webber were appointed a committee on plans and specifications. In answer to an advertisement, published one month, four bids were received. Structure dimensions: court-house, 35 x 51 feet in size; jail, 36 x 13; jailor's house, 36 x 20. The contract was awarded to D. G. Webber for $12,975. The names of the unsuccessful bidders are: Wm. W. Robinson, Cornelius Day and J. F. Day. An order of court, April 7, appropriated sufficient land on Durgan Flat, owned by Wm J. Ford, for which $315 was paid December 18, same year; $1,500 was appropriated to furnish new court-house. Not deeming the specifications followed sufficiently, the board of supervisors did not accept the buildings until May 6, 1855, since which time they have been used for the purposes designed, having many times narrowly escaped being destroyed by fire.
COUNTY HOSPITAL.
The first official provision for the care of the invalid poor was made in 1854, when the Court of Sessions appointed Drs. T. R. Kibbe and C. D. Aiken as physicians. In May, 1855, the board appointed a resident physician in each of the supervisor districts. Changes were made each year in the appointment of physicians until 1858, when the district system was dropped and one physician for the whole county appointed.
In November 1858, the old Felter House, Jersey Flat, was fitted up for a county hospital, by order of the board of supervisors, and Dr. E. J. Bryant, who later married the daughter of Samuel Hungerford, now the world-famed Mrs. Mackey, was appointed county physician, holding the position until 1862, when he was succeeded by Dr. T. R. Kibbe, who served two years. After him came Dr. Alemby Jump, for six years; Dr. G. C. Chase, three years; when Jump was re-appointed in the fall of 1873, and Chase, again in 1875, serving two years; since when Jump has most satisfactorily filled the position. A new hospital was built in the autumn of 1880, and occupied near the close of the year. Dimensions of main building, 24 x 46 feet in size—two stories; dining-room, 24 x 14; there is also a commodious kitchen. Expense of each patient averages eighty cents a day. In 1881 there were forty-nine patients. There are a receiving ward, bathroom and a place for confining disobedient patients. In the second story are two wards and a steward's room.
SCHOOL-HOUSE.
The new school-house at Downieville is 60x 65 feet in ground area, and has two departments, on one floor, with a basement. The latter contains a hot-air furnace for heating and ventilation. The main floor has two rooms 35 feet square and 14 feet from floor to ceiling. The rooms are separated by a wall well adapted to the deadening of sound. Adjoining each schoolroom are two hat and cloak rooms, 8 x 12 feet, on each floor, for boys and girls; also a main hall. The grammar department has a library room attached.
The school-house is furnished with new furniture and apparatus throughout. There are two patent closets connected with each department, and there are two independent water supplies, one to closets and one to school-rooms, each room being supplied with a sink. A sewer connects with the river, and is furnished with a constant stream of running water, carrying off all the sewer gas to the distance of 150 yards. The building is of modern architecture.
The bonds for its construction were voted almost unanimously, were ordered issued in 1886, and the house completed in November, 1887, at a cost, with furniture, of $5,600. The plan was drawn up by William F. Smith, an architect of San Francisco. S. A. Smith, R. Forbes and F. R. Withe were the trustees of the district at the time, and still constitute the board.
The grammar department is taught by E. L. Case, who is also County Superintendent of Schools; salary, $100 per month. The primary department is conducted by Miss Nina Cowden; salary, $75. The school is continued at least nine months in each year, the average attendance being about 100 in both departments. The grounds, two acres in extent, are planted with walnut, linden, elm, etc.
MINING AT THE PRESENT DAY.
This mountain-town, Downieville, has scarcely any industries except mining; and the little agriculture that is carried on in the valleys of the mountains around is to supply the needs of the people directly engaged in mining and those parties that are indirectly interested in the above industry. All the products of the small ranches
and gardens in the county are not enough to supply the wants of the people even in vegetables and fruits, not counting the flour, grain and other cereals that are needed to supply the wants of about 4,000 people,—which is about the population of Sierra County. Downieville has a population of about 700, and their main support are the mines around, both gravel and quartz.
The gravel mines are the most extensive and are carried on in as scientific manner as that class of mines are in any part of the world. This class of mining—by tunnels—has been in operation for forty years, and some of these mines are thoroughly worked out, especially those around Forest City, seven miles distant; where the Bald Mountain Company on the east of Oregon Creek worked the old river channel for over a mile under ground, and ran their gravel out that distance by a steam locomotive. On the west side the claims were very rich in gold: $2,000,000 was about the amount taken out, but the claims were exhausted some years before the Bald Mountain Company had found the lead on the north end of the channel. The county on that side has gold-bearing gravel underlying the surface in almost every direction, and has been prospected at great expense; but still there are rich paying channels yet to be found. The Bald Mountain Extension Company, adjoining the former company, has been working and prospecting their ground for seventeen years, and are now in the slate rock with their new tunnel, a distance of over 4,000 feet. The new tunnel is some distance ahead of the old one, and that tunnel was worked for a distance underground of nearly two miles. Their expenses have been enormous, but the gold they have taken out has nearly paid for all the work done. There are several old mining grounds that have been worked out on the same lead further south, and others in the vicinity that are worked from the surface down by hydraulic pressure, with banks from one to 200 feet deep before the slate rock is found.
At the northern side of the county immense work has been done,—first by hydraulic mining where the gravel came to the surface and where the gravel disappeared under the lava-capped mountains. The tunnels have followed the channels under, and millions of dollars in gold dust have been extracted from those ancient river beds. There are a number of rich-paying hydraulic mines in the northern part of the county, but they are now lying idle on account of the injunctions brought by the farmers who say that the debris is filling up the rivers.
There are miles and miles of gold-bearing ground in various parts of the county, yet unbroken, that will at some future time be of great account to the mineral wealth of the State. Numbers of quartz mines are scattered all over the county, some that have been very rich, now abandoned; others are in operation and paying good dividends; and perhaps thousands to be discovered, for from east to west and miles in length the mountains are often ribbed by seams of gold-bearing quartz. Of course, they will not every one pay, but where gold crops out on the surface no man can know what is below until it has been tried; and often that takes a great deal of time, capital and labor. To supply the mining industry, especially quartz, there is one foundry in Downieville, that is in operation about eight months in the year, owned by R. Forbes and J. Taylor, who turn out a superior quality of castings and machinery. Within the range of the several branches of the North Yuba rivers there is a water-power which, if thoroughly utilized, would run the most of the machinery in the State, but it, or nearly all of it, is not in harness, seeking its way down uncontrolled to the Pacific Ocean.
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