Jacqueline.. MOTHER LODE…The Story of California’s Gold Rush by Louis J. Stellman written 1934. Colonel William McClure "Some dispute exists as to where and how the hydraulic principle was first employed. Bancroft, a careful historian, gives the credit to "Frenchy" Chabot of Buckeye Hill, Nevada County, California. Bancroft states that there was a similiar experiment at Yankee Jim's. Both are dated in the spring of 1852. Stewart is convinced from his researches that Colonel William McClure built the first hydraulic rig at Yankee Jim's. It was an uncovered flume mounted on a trestle set on a steep grade. The water rushing down this flume was directed against the bank which McClure was mining for gold. It was at first a stationary apparatus. Later McClure equipped the end section with hinges. This made it possible to shift the stream. Chabot had a rig like McClure's, says Stewart, except that the flume was covered and fastened down with iron clamps. But, instead of discharging its waters directly from the sluicebox, the apparatus terminated in a section of hose which not only concentrated the pressure but gave wide flexibility to the stream direction. Whether Chabot saw McClure's rig before making his own, history does not record." J.M. Moss In regard to the Arroyo Seco Grant..."some of the settlers paid the sums demanded, but most of them did not. Both they and Pico had spent large sums in litigation, and the latter, impoverished and discouraged, unloaded the whole Arroyo Seco problem on a group of land manipulators : J.M. Moss, H.W. Carpenter, E.F. Beals, and Herman Wohler". Jackie in California [email protected]

Arroyo Seco Grant One of the extraordinary events in the history of California's gold era was the sudden revelation of a hitherto unsuspected Spanish grant, known as the Arroyo Seco grant. It appeared out of a clear sky in 1853 and purported to convey eleven leagues of the richest mining and agricultural land in northern California to Teodocio Yerba (or Yorba), an illiterate Mexican. This grant which was dated May 8, 1840, was made by Juan Alvarado, then governor of California under Mexican rule. It included all of the rich Ione Valley, which, in the early fifties, was rapidly being taken up by settlers as homestead land, the sites of half a dozen towns, and many of the richest mines on the Mother Lode. The first record of this huge grant so far as Americans were concerned was in 1852, when Teodocio Yerba and his wife, Maria Antonio, conveyed their right, title, and interest therein to Andres Pico for 500 head of cattle. Why the Yerbas had concealed their title for twelve years, during which they must have known it was being settled and developed by thousands of persons, is a mystery. It is possible, of course, that they considered it more or less worthless property until after the discovery of gold, and then deliberately bided their time for five years before reaping the cumulative values of their secret ownership. But it is much more probable that the grant was fraudulent. Many of them were, as the expose of a ring of expert forgers and deed counterfeiters later disclosed. No record of the transaction could be found in the archives of Mexico City, and the claim, after being examined and investigated by the United States Land Commission, was rejected as worthless in 1855. An appeal was made from this decision, however, and in 1856 the United States Circuit Court confirmed the grant, Judge Hoffman holding that Pico was entitled to the eleven leagues conferred to Yerba, allegedly, by Alavarado. Jacqueline... MOTHER LODE…The Story of California’s Gold Rush by Louis J. Stellman written 1934. Francisco Lopez Rumors came from California that the Jesuits had dicovered gold mines and were working them. But the country was full of wild tales and nobody gave them much heed until Francisco Lopez made his gold discovery in the San Fernando Valley, March 1, 1842. According to available records, he was employed as a vaquero on the rancho of Ignacio del Valle, about twenty miles from San Fernando Mission. With two friends he was resting on a hillside after a long search for strayed cattle. While digging up wild onion roots with his case-knife he was attracted by shining particles adhering to the soil about the roots, but none of the trio was impressed by the happening. They discussed it and decided that the bits of metal must be copper. They were not imaginative, it appears. At the suggestion of his companion, however, Lopez tied up some of the glittering soil in his neckerchief and showed it to a couple of Sonorian friends at the cantina. They at once proclaimed it was gold. A camp was established around the point of Lopez's discovery. Jackie in California [email protected]

Hi. I want to thank you and the others who are going that extra mile to provide such colorfol material from the Amador Dispatch of yore. I have made numerous notes concerning people I believe could either descend or ascend from many of my Amador County ancestors. A case in point: My John William Forbes did, indeed, marry a Mrs. Sara Lee in Apr of 1905. You just listed their names as having appeared in the 14 Apr 1905 edition: "John W. Forbes and Sarah A. Lee both of Drytown." John William was a son of Christopher Columbus and Mary Jane (Bell) Forbes, and a brother of my grandmother, Lily Bell (Forbes) Cushman. If there is more to that article, I would love to have it. Many thanks for your splendid effort. Kind regards, Carla in Ohio [email protected]

Great job Donna. Don't you find yourself getting caught up in the stories of the times? One week you'll copy down a birth announcement & the next week the obit on the baby. And all the miners that were killed or hurt in the mines. Some only in the county a matter of days. My heart ached for so many of our ancestors that were in these articles. Keep up the good work. Jackie in California [email protected]

So far I have read from 2/3 ( January is missing) to 4/21 and it has taken me 6 hrs. I still haven't posted it to the data base. I plan on going 2 or 3 days next week. Have a nice weekend. Donna Caltrlrdr

Mr. Gates, father of George and Vernon Gates, believed killed by posse in New Mexico, states he does not believe it was his sons. He believes they are alive and well. MARRIAGE - James Jory, a native of England, aged 23 and Elsa Schnerbly, native of California, aged 20 both of Sutter Creek on Wednesday afternoon. Wedding Invitations sent by ex Senator & Mrs. E.G. Voorheis of Sutter Creek for daughter Gertrude and Bayliss Coleman Clark, formally of New York, for wedding on next Wednesday. DEATH - Elena Giovannoni, early on Monday 4/17 died of pneumonia. Native of Italy, aged 59. She is survived by sons, Carlo, Pietro, Luigi, Ernino and daughter Caterina. DEATH - John Christian Allen died early last Sunday am. Native of Breman, Germany, born August 1830. (no relatives listed). DEATH - David Stower died on 4/15 at county hospital. Native of Mo., aged 78. (no relatives listed). DEATH - Ah Sing, at county hospital. A native of China, aged 65 (no date of death or relatives). BORN - to Mrs. & Mrs. Flagg (no first name) in Jackson on 4/16, a daughter. W. E. Downs and wife of Sutter Creek visited Jackson on Monday last. D.W. Crigler of Sutter Creek, photographer, visited Jackson on Wednesday. DEATH - Mary A. Hall, formerly of Volcano died in San Andreas Saturday last. (no relatives listed). W.G. Snyder, Attorney for Dr. F. N. Staples visited Jackson from Sutter Creek on Wednesday afternoon. (Dr. Staples must have two attorneys) Mrs. Jallelich fell in her yard on Sunday PM. She cut her ear severely. Dr. Endicott stitched the wounded member in place.

Marriage License issued to Josie C. Garibaldi of Amador City and Madeline Carallero of Drytown. John W. Forbes and Sarah A. Lee both of Drytown. George and Vernon Gates formerly of Jackson were shot and killed by a sheriff's possee after a bank hold up in New Mexico in the later part of March. SUICIDE - William Becker, a native of Germany, aged 58 committed suicide near Volcano on last Sunday by putting a revolver to his head and blowing his brains out (no relatives listed). DEATH - Marcus Jargensen was killed on Saturday in a fatal accident at the east shaft of Kennedy Mine. He was a native of Denmark aged 57 (no relatives listed). F.A. Voorhies, wife and son visited Stockton on Monday and returned on Tuesday. Clint Radcliffe, watchman at Kennedy Mine returned last PM from a visit to San Francisco. BORN - to Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Coombs in Jackson on 4/3, a son.

DEATH - Pietro Fravega fell 1200 ft. down the shaft of Zella Mine last Monday. His body was shipped to relatives in San Francisco (no names). MURDER Trial of Dr. Staples has been postponed from 4/10 to 5/10. The Hon. A. Caminitti has been employed to defend Dr. Staples. DEATH - Andrea Arata of Clinton district died Monday am. Native of Italy, aged 78. Leaves 2 son and 2 daughters (no names). Amador Dispatch 4/7 WEDDING - Miss Agnes Mack of Ione, daughter of George F. Mack and wife married Robert Flather of Oakland last Monday am. April Fool Party was given by Carrie Anthony on Saturday 4/1. Games, contests, music and prices. Guests attending were Grace Folger, Maud Vaudamient, Dana Rice, Mamie Delahide, Emma Boarman, Ester Breese, Messars. William Boydaton, James Jay Wright, William Penry, Jr., Walter Folger, George Folger and Frank Eudey. David Basso an employee of Kennedy Mine fell 60 ft. and broke his leg on Saturday. Fire Commissioner election on Monday. The people of Sutter Creek elected 3 Fire Commissioners - Clarence Jarvis, Frank Soracco and Frank Werner. Grandma Gordon celebrated her 87th birthday. Amber Meek fell from a scaffold while painting the Catholic church at Plymouth. He appears to be allright. DIED - Albert Donnelly at county hospital on 4/2. Native of Ireland, aged 74 (no relatives listed). BORN - Mrs. & Mrs. Sherman Clark in Jackson on 4/2, a daughter. L.F. Stinson of Sutter Creek visited Jackson last Sunday. S.S. Pratt of Sutter Creek visited the Dispatch office in Jackson last Monday. Ellsworth Huey, sick with Typhoid Fever was visited by his brother P.L. Jones of Volcano on Tuesday.

I forgot to add this to previous. William Bawden was killed instantly in Idaho-Mary Mine in Grass Valley. Two of his brothers and a son have also been killed in mining accidents. (I had a great uncle who was a Bawden).

DEATH - John H. Campbell of this county died Tuesday in county hospital. Native of Scotland, aged 66. Leaves wife and one child (no names). DEATH - Calvin S. Still died yesterday. Born in Benerly, O (I assume Ohio). Survived by widow (no name listed). Daughter, Mrs. Jefferson, Son, Monroe Still, 2 sisters, Mrs. Monroe Ayres and Mrs. Richard Ketchum. WEDDING - Charles Williams and Miss Grace Williams both of Murphys. Bride is the daughter of Price Williams and the groom is the son of S.E. Williams of Jackson (they are not related). WEDDING - Mich Hammer and Miss Gladys McCauly both of Ione were married in San Francisco (no date). DEATH - Samuel Nunn Walker of Ione valley died on 3/16/05. Native of Tenn., aged 76. He leaves several nieces and nephews (no names). MARRIAGE - Thomas Sheridan of Lancha Plana and Miss Emily Sherwood of Stockton were married on Monday afternoon. Mrs. Etta Conlon was appointed school census monitor for Jackson district.

DEATH - J.A. Vance, Superintendent of Starlite Mine died at county hospital on Wednesday night. He leaves a widow Lucy (Drew) Vance and 2 small children. DEATH - William Muller, former resident died in Oakland on Sunday. He is survived by sister Mrs. John Murphy of Chico, and Mrs. Harry Burres of Jackson valley. Mel Ford and Fred Coler formed a co-partnership in blacksmithing. Mr. Coler bought out George Lucot in the firm of Lucot and Ford. BORN - to Mr. & Mrs. Paul Beauchemien in Jackson on 3/11/05 a son. Hon. A. Caminetti went to Sacramento last Friday on business for the U.S. Land Office. R. Tadich went to visit his wife at Stockton State Hospital and took his little son with him. Mrs. James E. Dye is ill with grippe, however she is improving. MURDER - Dr. F.N. Staples was arraigned in Superior Court last Saturday on charges of murdering his wife. He plead "Not Guilty." The trial is set for 4/10. Dr. Staples is represented by Attorney William G. Snyder of Sutter Creek. (I didn't see any previous articles on this. I would have thought it would have made the headlines. I plan on going back a couple of weeks to double check). Anfonso Ginocchio, President of Bank of Amador county and head of the firm of E. Ginocchio and Bro. left for San Francisco on a business tip yesterday am.

DEATH - Clyde Turner, son of Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Turner died from diphtheria on Saturday last. Election - The Miner's Union elected the following on Wednesday 3/1. Herbert Greigg, President. Joseph Rogers, Vice President. S.T. Harris, Secretary-Treasurer. Phil Roberts, Trustee. Sam Radovich, Inside Warden. James Maddero, Outside Warden. William Tylack, Delegate to the general convention in Salt Lake City in May. E.H. Harrington, Bookkeeper and Assayer at Kennedy Mine was elected Superintendent at Bunker Hill Mine In Amador City. C.R. Downs had resigned. DEATH - Byron Downey died on 2/26/05. He was married to the former Julia Wheeler (widow) and leaves a son Berthal A. Downey. DEATH - Edward Hallam was killed in the east shaft of Kennedy Mine on Monday. He leaves a brother in Saginaw, Mich., and a mother in Ontario, Canada (no names of either brother or mother). DEATH - Pietro Noce died suddenly of apoplexy. He was a native of Italy, aged 70. (no date of death or relatives). There was a burglary at A. McWayne's store in Drytown onTuesday. The safe was blown open and between $700.00 to $900.00 in coin was taken. Mr. McWayne is also the postmaster at Drytown and some of the money taken belongs to Uncle Same. Deputy Kay is investigating. DEATH - Frank Arata on 3/3/05 in Clinton. A native of Calif. aged 33 years (no relatives listed). Misses Edna and Evelyn Rust came from Ione to visit their father on Saturday. W.B. Horr left for Willows on the Ione stage on Monday am to attend district convention of W.O.W. Deputy Sheriff Kay went to Napa last Saturday taking Julius Froelick, who was judged insane by Drs. Endicott and Gail and ordered committed to the State Hospital by Judge Rust. Marriage License - Bernard Napei and Mary Leonosio, both of Jackson. Clayton Dart and Molly Gilchrist, both of Ione. DEATH - Mrs. W.F. Keeny, former resident of Amador City died in Lodi last Monday. She is survived by her aunt W.E. Kent of Amador City (no other relatives listed).

Okay, which one of you is related to this Lucas lady? Go ahead. Admit it to us . . . . Steve -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, July 15, 1999 11:36 PM Subject: [CAAMADOR-L] Amador Dispatch 3/3/05 >Irene Lucas was arrested and put in jail last Saturday. She had hired C.W. >Paine's trotting mare, Toots and forgot to return her. She was drunk when >she drove into Ione. >A miner, B. Lencioni had his leg broken at 2450 level of Kennedy mine by >falling gouge last Monday. >DEATH - John Courtright died last Tuesday. >DEATH - Mrs. James (Wolf) Allen of Amador City died on 2/26/05 at the home of >daughter Mrs. E. W. Whitehead. >Birthday - Jacob Vanater, father of Mrs. C. Richtmyer and Mrs. Blair >celebrated his 101st birthday on Saturday. >WEDDING - Miss Angelina White married Robert D. Culbert in Amador City on >Wednesday at 9:00 am. >DEATH - Byron Downey of Plymouth died last Sunday am of Bright's Diease. His >widow is the former Julia Wheeler. He was 61 years old. >MARRIED - Bernard Napie and Mary Leonesia in Jackson on 3/1 >DIED - Giovanna Sturla died in San Francisco. She was the mother of Mrs. >Francisco Podesta of Jackson, Mrs. Peter Musto, Mrs. Joseph Musto and >Caroline and Dora Stula. She was a native of Italy, aged 80 years. (no date >of death). > > >==== CAAMADOR Mailing List ==== >Amador County, California CAGenWeb >http://www.rootsweb.com/~caamador/ >

DEATH - John McCurry on 2/26/05 at County Hospital. Native of Tenn., aged 73. DEATH - John Courtright on 2/28 at County Hospital. Native of Pa., aged 7l Ethel Fullen went to San Francisco to purchase spring millenary goods. John Gubbins is building a six room cottage at Kennedy Flat. Attorney, R.C. Bole returned on Sunday from San Francisco. Mabel Williams, daughter of S.E. Williams went to Oakland to go to school. She is staying with Mrs. Groom. Miss Carrie Anthony went to work for the Recorder's Office on Wednesday. John Peek returned to work on Wednesday as a hostler at the stage barn. He was sick for 2 months. Marriage License issued to: John Winter, Sutter Creek and Ida E. Randolph, Ione. Marriage License issued to: Robert D. Culbert and Angelina Bianchetti, both of Amador City. DEATH - John Buich died in San Francisco on Tuesday

Irene Lucas was arrested and put in jail last Saturday. She had hired C.W. Paine's trotting mare, Toots and forgot to return her. She was drunk when she drove into Ione. A miner, B. Lencioni had his leg broken at 2450 level of Kennedy mine by falling gouge last Monday. DEATH - John Courtright died last Tuesday. DEATH - Mrs. James (Wolf) Allen of Amador City died on 2/26/05 at the home of daughter Mrs. E. W. Whitehead. Birthday - Jacob Vanater, father of Mrs. C. Richtmyer and Mrs. Blair celebrated his 101st birthday on Saturday. WEDDING - Miss Angelina White married Robert D. Culbert in Amador City on Wednesday at 9:00 am. DEATH - Byron Downey of Plymouth died last Sunday am of Bright's Diease. His widow is the former Julia Wheeler. He was 61 years old. MARRIED - Bernard Napie and Mary Leonesia in Jackson on 3/1 DIED - Giovanna Sturla died in San Francisco. She was the mother of Mrs. Francisco Podesta of Jackson, Mrs. Peter Musto, Mrs. Joseph Musto and Caroline and Dora Stula. She was a native of Italy, aged 80 years. (no date of death).

DEATH - Miss Lizzy Jeffrey of Amador City was operated on Tuesday for Appendicitis. She died yesterday at noon. Gangrene had already set in. DEATH - Ruby, 11 month old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Gallager died in San Francisco on 2/17 of pneumonia. She was buried in Amador City DEATH - Batista Giacardi was killed in a Keystone Mine cave in accident yesterday. He was 26 years old and not married Mrs. & Mrs Leesley of Volcano were called to Ione High School because of their son's illness. BORN - a daughter to Mrs. and Mrs. J.B. Washburn in Jackson on 2/19 FrankCaldematori is very ill and is convalescing. Max Lador returned on Wednesday from a business trip to San Francisco. A.B. Goldenberg, a clerk at Red Front store returned from a 10 day trip to San Francisco and Holster DEATH - Infant child of Mr. & Mrs. Phil Gebbhardt died on Wednesday afternoon.

Jeff Schrack of Foseria was married to Clara Whiting of Ione on 2/15. BORN in Jackson to Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Mello on 2/13/05 a son BORN in Jackson to Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Dalo on 2/14/05 a 9 lb. son Tom Francis of Argonaut Mine was injured Tuesday by a timber rolling on his leg. SUICIDE Thomas Blatzer was chopping wood for George Yager on his ranch near Buena Vista. He shot himself in the head with a shotgun. Volcano - one of the little White twins is ill with bronchitis.

A boy named King, son of Mr. & Mrs. M. King who live at Coalmine #3 near Carbondale waskilled by lightning at 700 PM last Sat. Grillo Brothers pruchased a general merchandise store owned by J.F. Clute in Volcano. Constable Kelly brought in a half-breed Indian named Janison from Ione on Tuesday. He got 90 days for stealing from Mr. Lucas who resides on the river near Lancha Plana. Mr. Joe Garibaldi of Volcano was a business visitor at Jackson on Monday. George P. Murphy returned by stage on Monday evening. J. Nardini of Woodland visited his very sick brother-in-law George Raggio who lives east of the Onieda mine. Mrs. Guerard has been quite ill at home in Broadway Heights. She was visited by son Gus of Sacramento. Mrs. Schwartz gave a tea on Thursday afternoon, 36 guests attended. Mrs. A. Caminetti, Grand President of the N.D.G.W. visited Parlor at Woodland last Saturday. Then she visited the Sacramento Parlor on Monday. Len Borland of Paloma sold his blacksmith business to Joseph of Jackson.

Searching for any information on Anna SHORTELL. She was born in Sutter Creek on May 22, 1868. Her father was from Canada and her mother was from Ireland. She married John SLEIGHT in Portland, Oregon. Anna was my gggrandmother. They had no children. Anna died on December 4, 1910 in Portland. Thanks, Julie Hendrix

I just started reading the microfilm for 1905 on microfilm. I will go in and list the birth, death, marriage and notable events in the data base, however, I did find some articles I thought were interesting. These are from the Amador Dispatch of 2/3/05. Native Daughters Install. The officers of the Ursula Parlor #1 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West installed at their regular meeting held on Thursday evening by Mrs. Rose Podesta: Mrs. Carrie Calvin, President. Miss Loretta Meehan 1st Vice President. Miss Margaret Devan 2nd Vice President. Miss Alma Francis 3d Vice President. Mrs. Lena Podesta, Marshall. Miss Emma Boarman, Recording Secretary. Mrs. Margaret Muldoon, Financial Secretary. Mesdames Ida Peek, Elizabeth Laughton, and Rose Carley, Trustees. Mrs. Flora Gilbert, Inside Sentinel. Miss Annie Pierovich, Outside Sentinel. Mrs. Nellie Fontenrose, Organist. Dr. Frank Chaffe and his bride, recently married in San Francisco, returned home to Paloma after a honeymoon in southern California. Mrs. Chaffee is the Postmistress at Paloma. Amador City Items Jan 26, 1905 - Mr. Duncan Gilchrist married Mrs. Emily Jeffrey. Born at Martell on 1/26/05 to Mr. and Mrs. T.M. Ryan, a daughter. Born at Woodland on 1/30/05 to Mr. and Mrs. McClutchen (of Jackson) a son Died on 1/28/05 Mrs. Elizabeth Petty, near Clinton, aged 69 years, formally of MO. Died on 1/30/05 Mrs. Etta (Vincent) Walsh in San Francisco, wife of Thomas J. Walsh, a native of Albany, NY. Survived by children: Mrs. H.W. Ford, John W. Petty of Slabtown,George Petty of Lodi, James G. Petty of Buena Vista, Charles H. Petty of Oxnard, and Mrs. S.F. Hopkins of Sanger. Michael Buich returned from a 2 week trip to San Francisco. Hugh Gobish left yesterday morning for a trip to San Francisco. J.O. Spinney(former resident) of Paloma was a visitor in Jackson this week. Frederick Eudey, cashier of Bank of Amador County left yesterday on the stage for San Francisco. Julius Kremmel returned on Sunday from a trip to his old home in MO. Lawrence Cuneo purchased the tin and hardware store of W.M. Tucker in Sutter Creek. Dr. Endicott of Poloma assisted Dr. Chaffe. The little son of D. A. Nuner dislocated his right elbow when he was thrown off a donkey. D.A. Vincini returned last Sunday from a business trip to Sacramento. "500" Party - A 500 party was given last Monday evening by Mrs. Albina Dutton at Volcano for her guest Mrs. Frank Podesta of Jackson. Progressive 500 was played. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT 500 IS? Fred Jahn was tried and convicted of murder in San Andreas- he received life imprisonment. ADVERTISEMENT - A.T. Stuart - Vet. Surgeon and Dentist. He is practicing at M. Newman's Livery Stable. IS HE A HUMAN DENTIST? Steve or Art or anyone with a scanner. I did copy some school records from Feb. 1905 at Amador School, however I don't have scanner to put them on line. If someone is interested let me know and I can mail them to you. Donna