Subject: [CAMARIPO] Some Newspaper info related to mariposa coming... Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 12:59:56 PDT From: white@mae.engr.ucdavis.edu Mike - Thank you for posting the information - even if there might not be an item of personal interest to someone on the list, the historic value of these tidbits of history add to the Mariposa "story". Each morsal of information gives us a bit of info, to picture the daily lives and events of by-gone times. Thank you!! Mary ASHWORTH Phelan

[Here are some references to Mariposa (and Merced) folks I ran across in a couple of Visalia (Tulare County) newspapers while looking for information on some others of my lines - MW] -------------------------------- Visalia Weekly Delta, Dec 24, 1874 Married: At Hornitos, Mariposa county, December 6, 1874 by S. W. Oarr, J. P., Joseph Bauer to Miss Anna Biedman Died: In Merced, December 9, 1874, Lizzie F., wife of Judge Alexander Deering. -------------------------------- Visalia Weekly Delta, Dec 24, 1874 Married: Near Snelling, Merced county, December 13, 1874 by Rev. F. M. Stanton, L. P. Wilson to Miss Martha A. Fields. Died: At Mariposa, December 12, 1874, Robert W., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Higman, aged 5 years two months and nine days. -------------------------------- Visalia Weekly Delta, Fri, Aug 16, 1878 Born: In Mariposa county on Pea Ridge, Aug. 4, 1878, to the wife of J. M. Pratt, a daughter. DIED: On Maxwell's Creek, Mariposa county, July 27, 1878, T. F. Howeth, aged 27 years and 11 months. [P.S. Actually, this is the last of my info from Bancroft. Hope it was worth something to someone. -MW]

[From: MARIPOSA DEMOCRAT, THURS. JULY 2 1857, pg. 2] ------------- BIRTH At Smith's Ferry, July 17th, the Wife of Mr. J. Slinkard, of a Daughter. ----------- NOTICE THE MAIL will close at this Post Office for the Atlantic States and Europe on MONDAY, August 3 at 9 o'clock P. M. W. G. GOSS. P.M. [Post Master?] HORNITOS, July 23, 1857 ------------- [Some Ads:] ------------- For Sale THE HOUSE AND LOT NOW OCCUPIED AS A DRINKING Saloon and Restaurant, situated next door to the office of the Mariposa Democrat, and formerly occupied by Adam Yates. For further particulars, Enquire of Mr. Linnebacker, at Wells Fargo & Co. Express or ADAM YATES, Hornitos, July 23, 1857. ------------- Nicholas Clear, ATTORNEY & COUNSELLOR AT LAW, MARIPOSA, CAL - Office-East side of Main street, between Fourth and Fifth streets ------------- AMERICAN RESTAURANT MAIN STREET, HORNITOS - ROBERT BOURBIN,...........................................Proprietor. THE PROPRIETOR INFORMS THE PUBLIC OF HORNITOS and vicinity, that he has opened a Restaurant next door to the Mariposa Democrat office, and nearly opposite Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express office where will be found at all hours all the delicacies that the market affords. His prices are as follows: BOARD per Week (without lodging)...................$8,00 do per Day .....................................$1,25 ..........MEALS BY THE PLATE........... By strict attention to the wants of his customers, he hopes to merit liberal patronage. -> Mr. John Geddes[*?], otherwise called "RED JACK" will assist in the culinary department. [* note: the "dd" in Geddes above is hard to read on the copy, either one (or both) of the d's might be l's, but I do not think so. -MW] ------------- [Some items from: MARIPOSA DEMOCRAT, THURS. JULY 2 1857, pg. 3] ------------- THE GEM-This nice little retreat in the town of Mariposa sent us a fine sample of its refreshments for which the proprietor, Mr. James Torney, has our thanks. "Jim" is always behind the bar to accommodate his smiling customers. ------------- LA GRANGE-This place is fast improving. We learn that among other buildings now nearly finished, are two large fire-proof houses, erected by Messrs. Goldsmith & Co. and by Messrs. Pache & Co. The river claims in the vicinity are being worked quite successfully, also a number of hydraulic claims. ------------- BOTTLED BEER- Our friend "Charley" of the Lager Beer Saloon, next door to our office handed to us for "our opinion" a few bottles of this excellent beverage. We have tried it for the last two or three days, and after mature reflection, pronounce it "splendid." Those in want of a healthy, genuine article can always procure it from Charley. ------------- ROBBERY AND ATTEMPT AT RAPE.-Mr. Petty passed through our Town on Tuesday with a Mission Indian, who is charged with attempting by force of arms, to commit a rape upon Mrs. Warner, of this County, and with having stolen a pistol from the house, which he fired several times at Mrs. Warner, but without effect. We was captured on an island on the San Joaquin River. He is now in jail. ------------- NUGGETS-Our Mexican population were thrown into a great state of excitement on last Tuesday week, by the arrival in town of a Mexican with a lump of pure gold weighing 150 ounces, said to have been taken out of the diggings near Agua Frio. Every day we hear of large lumps being found in the vicinity of Hornitos. Last Saturday some Mexicans within stone's throw of our office, took out a nugget weighing over fourteen ounces. ------------- THE CANDIDATES-The candidates are busily at work visiting the various sections and rallying their forces for the coming contest on the 1st of August. During the week Gen. Harrison, a candidate for the County Judgeship; Mr. Pool and Mr. Crippen, candidates for the Sheriffalty, have all been in Town, conversing with our good citizens in regard to various topics of conversation, peculiarly interesting to candidates only. [...] ------------- TANNERY-Mr. L. de Blainville is gradually enlarging the precincts of his Tannery near Agua Frio. We call attention to his advertisement in this weeks paper. It will be seen by reference to it, that he is ready to exchange harness leather and saddles for all kinds of produce. Mr. deBlainville is one of our oldest friends, having come to this country with us around Cape Horn. We can answer for his being a gentleman who will give satisfaction to all doing business with him. He was reared under the immediate eye of Louis Philippe but was compelled to leave France on account of republican views of government. The industry and energy he has displayed while struggling against the hardships of life, would do credit to any man of a more robust constitution. He well deserves the patronage of the public, and we trust he may receive it. ------------- AFFRAY ON BULL CREEK-We learn from a credible source that an affray of a very serious character resulting in the death of one and possibly, two persons, occurred at the store of E. F. Schradler, on Bull Creek, in this County. It appears from the testimony as given before a Court of Examination held by Justice Courts, that about one o'clock on the 6th inst., Alex Black, Ira Goodsall and a man called "Kentuck," and some others, sat down to play a game of cards for the liquors. After the game was played and the liquors drunk, Black and Kentuck sat down to play a game and soon got into a dispute as to who played low. The lie was given by Kentuck and returned by Black. Kentuck rose up from his seat and either struck, or endeavored to strike Black. Black rose to his feet. Kentuck then stepped back and took a pistol from the belt of Ira Goodsall, who was standing near and looking on, and who at the time had two pistols in his belt. Kentuck then struck Black on the head with the pistol, which was at the same time discharged and fell from his hands on the floor. When he stooped to pick it up, Black drew his knife and commenced cutting him.- A few seconds after, two other shots were fired. Black retreated through the door and Goodsall went in pursuit of him with a drawn pistol and as Black commenced running towards his own house, Goodsall fired at him again, but missed him. Goodsall interference in the matter in a hostile manner caused Black to inflict a wound on him of which he died a few days after. Kentuck is in a precarious condition, and is taken care of by Black. [Some ads on pg. 3 of same:] SPRING VALLEY RANCH ON THE ROAD FROM HORNITOS TO MILLERTON. - ARNOLD & SONS - - - - - - - - PROPRIETORS - THIS RANCH HAS FINE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR TRAV- elers and Teamsters, and is located on the main road to Millerton 17 miles from McDermot's ranch, 4 miles from Fresno River, 8 miles from Cru__shank's Ranch and 18 miles from Millerton. SPLENDID SPRING WATER always pure and cold, to satisfy the thirsty, GOOD GRAZING RANGES, and plenty of Feed of the best quality. The proprietors solicits the patronage of the traveling community. [Some other ads - out of county - abstracted] The Oak Hotel - Millerton, Fresno County. McRae & Rivercomb -- Proprietors The Eagle Hotel - Visalia, Tulare County. Taggio, Burrough & Co., Proprietors Bowling Saloon, Visalia, Tulare County. L. R. KETCHAM, Proprietor. [with a Bowling Alley?!] B. C. Turnbull, House Sign and Wagon Painter service to citizens of Visalia and the surrounding county. [Note: These are only the bits of information that were on the parts of the paper that I made copies of. There were of course many more ads in the paper (and possibly more local stories as well) - sorry that the information is not more complete - MW]

[From: MARIPOSA DEMOCRAT, THURS. JULY 2 1857, pg. 2] CANDIDATES NOTICES P. B. Tulley, IS A CANDIDATE FOR MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention. Wm. A. Guard, announces himself as a Candidate for Re-election to the office of COUNTY CLERK of Mariposa County, at the election in September next. John W. Ross, announces himself as a Candidate for PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, of Mariposa County, subject to the decision of the people at the election in September next. James M. Van Dyke, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for COUNTY TREASURER, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. J. W. Huey, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for COUNTY ASSESSOR subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. Robert S. Miller is a Candidate for Re-Election to the office of RECORDER of Mariposa County at the election in September next. Alex. McElroy, of Hornitos, is a Candidate for COUNTY JUDGE, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. B. B. Harris, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for DISTRICT ATTORNEY, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. D. M. Pool, of Quartzburg, is a Candidate for SHERIFF, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. Thomas Early announces himself as a Candidate for Re-election to the office of SHERIFF of Mariposa County, subject to the decision of the People in September next. J. A. McVicar, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for COUNTY TREASURER, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. Chas. S. Peck, of Mormon Bar, is a Candidate for COUNTY CLERK, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. James A. Morton, of Indian Gulch, is a Candidate for the office of ASSESSOR, at the election in September next. James W. Torney, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for the office of PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. J. M. Bondurant, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for Re-election to the office of COUNTY JUDGE, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. John S. Watts, Sen., of Mariposa, is a Candidate for COUNTY TREASURER, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. S. B. Thomas, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for COUNTY RECORDER, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. G. B. Able, of Mariposa, is announced as a Candidate for COUNTY TREASURER, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. J. B. Condon, of Mariposa, is announced as a Candidate for COUNTY TREASURER, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. Joshua D. Crippen, of Mariposa, is a Candidate for SHERIFF, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. Joseph F. Meyers, of Mariposa, announces himself as a Candidate for the office of COUNTY ASSESSOR, at the ensuing election, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. Nicholas Moritz, of Quartzburg, will be a Candidate for the office of COUNTY CLERK; subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. George R. Baker, of Horse Shoe Bend, will be a Candidate for the office of COUNTY CLERK, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. Robert F. Williams, of Flyaway, is a Candidate for the office of COUNTY CLERK, subject to the decision of the Democratic County Convention of Mariposa County. -------------------------------- [From: MARIPOSA DEMOCRAT, THURS. JULY 2 1857, pg. 3] DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CONVENTION - At a meeting of the Democratic Central Committee of Mariposa county, held at the office of Alison & Harris in Mariposa on Wednesday, July 1st, 1857. present: A. Powell, Chairman, B. B. Harris, Sec'y. H. G. Worthington, Rob't. F. Williams, Daniel Showalter, and D. M. Pool; on motion of H. G. Worthington, the following Resolutions were adopted, viz: 1st Resolved, That the Democratic County Convention for the purpose of nominating Members of the Assembly and County Officers, be held in MARIPOSA at ASSEMBLY HALL on SATURDAY, AUGUST 1st, 1857. 2d. Resolved, That for the purpose of constituting said convention, there shall be 1 Delegate for each 20 Democratic votes and 1 for each fraction of 10 or more Democratic votes cast at each Precinct at the last general election-taking as a basis the highest number of votes cast at each Precinct for Senator and Assemblymen and that the following apportionment of Delegates be and is hereby made. viz: Precinct Delegates Precinct Delegates Agua Frio................. 4 Old Hornitos.............. 2 Bridgeport................ 3 Indian Gulch.............. 5 Guadalupe................. 2 Cathay's Ranch............ 2 Mariposa..................12 Lewis' Ranch.............. 3 Mormon Bar................ 2 Corbitt's................. 2 Whiskey Flat.............. 3 Millville................. 1 Sherlock's Flat........... 2 Horse Shoe Bend........... 3 Bond's Store.............. 4 Split Rock................ 1 Bear Valley............... 2 Coulterville.............. 4 Mt. Ophir................. 2 Smith's Ferry............. 2 Brown's Store............. 2 Phillips' Flat............ 3 Reynold's & McNeill's Mill 2 Jones' Flat............... 3 Sherlok's above the Falls 3 Flyaway................... 2 Colorado.................. 5 Wyatt's Store............. 2 Whitlock's................ 2 Bull Creek................ 2 Quartzburg................ 5 Coward's Store............ 1 Hornitos.................. 5 North Form................ 2 Pleasant Valley........... 1 3d. Resolved, That the Democracy of the various precincts of Mariposa County be recommended to hold Primary meetings for electing Delegates to said County Convention on SATURDAY, JULY 25th, 1857. 4th Resolved, That for the purpose of nominating Candidates for the Assembly the Democracy of Merced County are invited to cooperate in the said Convention, and are hereby recommended to adopt the above basis of representation. 5th Resolved. That the proceedings of this meeting be advertised by the posters, and be published in the Mariposa DEMOCRAT, until August 1st. 1857. A. POWELL, Chairman. B. B. HARRIS, Sec'y, Mariposa Co. Dem. Central Com. Mariposa, July 1st, 1857

DIED On Friday 24th ult., of typhoid Pnewmonia, on McBride's Gulch, after an illness of nine days, Mr. S. D. SCALES, formerly a resident of Fayette county, Tenn., aged about 33 years. Mr. S. emigrated to California from the State of Arkansas, where he had been engaged in literary pursuits during his stay in that country, and had attained a high position in the effections and esteem of those with whom he was connected. During his residence in California he has been engaged in a mining capacity, where he has endeared to himself the esteem and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The family of Mr. S. in Tennessee, though bereaved of one of their brightest ornaments, may be assured that during his illness, he received the most unremitting attention, both of his friends and physician, each of whom mingle their sympathies with his family. Memphis papers please copy. Mariposa Chronicle, Friday April 7, 1854 [P.S. I also got part of an Administrator's notice on the same page. William S. Snelling is listed as the Administrator of Benjamin Snelling, deceased, late of Mariposa county. The notice gave "his residence" [Ben's? Wm.'s?] as Snelling's Ranch, on the Merced river, Mariposa county. This may now be in Merced Co (which was created from Mariposa in 1855). Well this is the end of my info. Hope it was helpful to someone. -MW]

Hey folks, I recently returned from a brief trip to CA where I finally managed to spend a day at the Bancroft Library. (Only one though... not enough time!) Anyway, I ran across some early Mariposa newspaper information which I will pass along in a couple of posts. I also found they had a microfilm copy of the "Mountain View House Register" (June 1870-Oct. 1874) with additional entries (June 1878) of the Mountain View House, Yosemite Road, Mariposa Co. which was owned by Charles E. Peregoy in 1953. Now, I believe that this register is now in the Mariposa Museum - does anyone know if this is correct? If the Museum does now own this register, then perhaps they can give the Bancroft library permission to make copies from the microfilm up there. (The Bancroft library will not let copies to be made because they need permission from the current owners of the book). Anyway, that is all for now. - Mike White

Carolyn wrote---. .......while looking at trrial transcripts for the case WALSH vs STANDART , 1913, I saw that J B ASHWORTH was called for the defenence to testify . THANKS FOR KEEPING US IN MIND CAROLYN!!! Mary (J.B.'s granddaughter)

........while looking at trrial transcripts for the case WALSH vs STANDART , 1913, I saw that J B ASHWORTH was called for the defenence to testify . Thought that some of the information may be interesting to you ASHWORTH researchers............. J B was asked where he lived- he said about 16 miles southeast (of Mariposa) Hea was asked how long a resident---he answered about 56 years- just about his age He was asked what business he was in- he said logging-about 36 years. He was asked who he had worked for---he answered J W SNYDER, John HITE, CLARK Brothers, Mr BALL & Miami and Pine City, and one year in the Santa Cruz mountains. J B was working for STANDART Bros since July 8, 1911. Looks like STANDART property may have also been called Signal Peak Lumber. Just a bit to add to your files------never know when you are going to find something.! Best, Carolyn

In a message dated 6/23/2001 12:00:47 PM Pacific Daylight Time, CAMARIPO-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: > Subject: [CAMARIPO] WHERE ARE THE ARCHIVES > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Hi folks- > > >From what I have found when I try to search/retrieve any rootsweb list > archives, the messages seem to have stopped on or about June > 12.............. > http://archiver.rootsweb.com/. > > If you have noticed the GenConnect boards are now gone........there is a > mega search engine instead........ > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=main&r=rw > > Hello listers, On the 12th of June the Archiver ran out of space. The messages between June 12 and June 22 were put into storage. The Archiver has been fixed/added to/ or whatever and new messages are going into the archives again. The messages that are in storage may have to stay there while the staff works on the *New* boards (see next paragraph). ALL messages are available in the interactive archives. Each list has two archives...... one is threaded and the other is searchable (interactive). Only the threaded archives were affected. As for the GenConnect boards......... They have been merged with the MyFamily boards. The staff has been working on this project for some time now and the new boards were released about two days ago. Things are just slightly confused right now and a large helping of patience will make life easier. As with anything new, there are bugs to be worked out. Also, every board administrator has had to *reclaim* his or her board and that alone has been unbelievably difficult for many. So, right now the staff is focusing their energy on smoothing out the bugs and getting administrators connected back up to their respective boards. Then, of course, the admins have to learn how to work these new boards. I think that once the new boards are up and running more smoothly the staff will be free to address the archives and get the stored messages out of storage and into the archives. Sharon <--- who is trying to keep up with things!! CAMARIPO List step-mom

Hi folks- >From what I have found when I try to search/retrieve any rootsweb list archives, the messages seem to have stopped on or about June 12.............. http://archiver.rootsweb.com/. If you have noticed the GenConnect boards are now gone........there is a mega search engine instead........ http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=main&r=rw But, all I want to know is where are the list archives and when and where will they resurface. If you ever see something go through the list that you want- grab it and keep it! Hot and cranky in Mariposa, :-))! Carolyn

I noticed these on NORCAL-posted by RAOGK volunteer ford31@webtv.net (Jeanne) Sonoma County Tribune Healdsburg, Ca. <<<<<< Jan. 5, 1889 issue: >>>>>>>> J.B. APPLILNG and Maggie W. HOUGHTON were married at Fresno last Tuesday, in APPLING'S room where he lay ill in bed. <<<<<< Jan. 12, 1889 issue: >>>>>>> A snowslide killed William GARBER, a miner at the Mount Raymond Mine in Mariposa co., last week. Carolyn

Carolyn & Ben - At least you can harvest the fruits of your labors. I lost my garden last week - it froze Wed & Thur nights - IN ARIZONA - and it's been 105 + at the lower elevations. (I'm at 8500 ft) Carolyn - I don't know how I can help you with your loses but let me know if there is a way. Mary - in chilly ALPINE, AZ. CAMARIPO-D-request@rootsweb.com wrote: > Subject: > > CAMARIPO-D Digest Volume 01 : Issue 104 > > Today's Topics: > #1 [CAMARIPO] Re: CAMARIPO-D Digest V [benrpierce@att.net] > > Administrivia: > To unsubscribe from CAMARIPO-D, send a message to > > CAMARIPO-D-request@rootsweb.com > > that contains in the body of the message the command > > unsubscribe > > and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software > requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. > > ______________________________ > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Subject: [CAMARIPO] Re: CAMARIPO-D Digest V01 #103 > Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2001 16:20:49 +0000 > From: benrpierce@att.net > To: CAMARIPO-L@rootsweb.com > > Carolyn, Please let me know if I can be of any > assistance at all? Sounds like your farm is really > starting to take off. I am harvesting apricots, > boysenberries, garlic, peppers etc right now down here > in sunny San Diego at Wass Ranch South :<) > > Content-Type: text/plain > > > > CAMARIPO-D Digest Volume 01 : Issue 103 > > > > Today's Topics: > > #1 [CAMARIPO] GROUND ZERO! [Carolyn Feroben <sweetwater@sierra] > > > > Administrivia: > > To unsubscribe from CAMARIPO-D, send a message to > > > > CAMARIPO-D-request@rootsweb.com > > > > that contains in the body of the message the command > > > > unsubscribe > > > > and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software > > requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. > > > ______________________________> X-Message: #1 > > Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 05:52:37 -0700 > > From: Carolyn Feroben <sweetwater@sierratel.com> > > To: CAMARIPO-L@rootsweb.com > > Message-ID: <3B2CA815.9D3D320A@sierratel.com> > > Subject: [CAMARIPO] GROUND ZERO! > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > > > Hi folks, just want you to know that I am operating at ground zero! > > > > I have lost all my email file folders...........anything that you had > > sent me to post to the website is lost- , any questions or lookups I > > was to do for you are also lost. I am sorry , but would you please > > resubmit any bios, obits, etc that you would like to have posted to the > > Mariposa Gen Web site.........No hurry- my website files are missing > > also(YIKES) and I am going to have to figure out how to get them off > > the net and recreate them here on my computer.................... > > > > This is a real mess......... > > > > Thanks for your patience and understanding. > > > > Meanwhile back at the ranch.......the snakes are out, the tomatoes are > > in, the deer are back, the bats are flying, a new burro will soon be > > born, it's time to dig the potatoes, ...........life is to be enjoyed, > > even after a fatal computer crash! > > > > Best, > > Carolyn

Clayton Guest has created an **excellent** site. http://yosemitevalleyrailroad.com/YosemiteValleyRwy.html Enjoy, Carolyn

Unfortuantely, this address is no longer working http://yosemitevalleyrailroad.com/YV.Essay2.html but here is the original article: The YOSEMITE TERMINAL COMPANY Clayton J. Guest Articles1 of incorporation for the Yosemite Terminal Company were filed with W. E. Gallison, county clerk of Mariposa county on May 4, 1907. These articles were essentially the same as most articles of incorporation, that is: the name of company, the place of business, the projected duration of the company and the stockholders and the selected directors. The second article declared the purpose of the corporation was to "carry on and conduct a general hotel, livery, transportation and express business." The second article went on to state that the company would raise, graze, buy and sell live stock such as cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. Also, to construct dams and impound water for the purpose of generating electrical power and irrigation purposes. Even mining and warehousing was a part of the second article. The initial board of directors of the Yosemite Terminal Company was three. The stockholders choose Messrs. C. F. Neumann, W. Casad, and V. H. Gerard all of Merced to fill these director's seats. These men along with O. W. Lehmer, Charles H. Wright, Bert Young, Grant Nickerson, F. L. Higgins (all important Yosemite Valley Railroad employes), Thomas Prather, Frank Drum, (both capitalists on the board of directors of Yosemite Valley Railroad Company, Drum the president) and Mr. William M. Sell, an Innkeeper from Yosemite Valley, were the principal originators and stockholders of the corporation. Also, Mr. D. K. Stoddard, one of the founders and president of the Yosemite Transportation Company was a major stockholder. Interestingly, each of the directors only owned a single share. The other investors each held 33 or 167 shares apiece. On May 4, 1907, just eleven days before the first Yosemite Valley Railroad train left Merced, the Mariposa Gazette2 reported Mr. W. M. Sell, who was in charge of accommodations at El Portal had returned from San Francisco, where he had been making arrangements for a camp at El Portal. The camp was considered "a high class camp." It had comfortable tents and sanitary facilities. The camp at El Portal served as an interim solution until the hotel, noted in the articles incorporation was constructed and made ready for occupants. The early YVRR passenger train would leave Merced at two o'clock in the afternoon and arrive at Camp El Portal about six o'clock that evening. The travelers would have dinner, lodging and breakfast at the camp before leaving by horse drawn stage early the next day. The travelers would have the same routine, except in reverse, on the return to Merced and other locations. Mr. O. W. Lehmer, advised the local newspaper3 ground would be broken for the hotel the second week of August 1907. He reported that the plans for the hotel were complete and accepted. An unnamed San Francisco contractor supervised the construction. He also declared, the construction would probably be completed by November 1, 1907. The main reason to rush the hotel to completion was for the winter travel to the Yosemite Valley, was because the accommodations in the Valley did not have heating appliances (this would make winter travel unsuitable). The following excerpt of a letter dated September 1, 1907, appeared in the Merced County Sun4: "The hotel, to be called Hotel at El Portal, will be rather a pretentious structure of three stories, or four with the attic. The main part will be 173 feet long, with two wings running back nearly a hundred feet. The hotel will face the river. In the rear, between the two wings, will be a court with a fountain in the center. It is planned to make this court very attractive with flowers, shrubbery, etc. There will be 100 rooms for guests, and about thirty will be en suite with bath. There will be hot and cold water for every room. The hotel will be strictly modern and will cost about $50,000, exclusive of the furniture. W. M. Sell will be in charge, and his experience and ability in catering to the wants of Yosemite tourists assure the successful management of the hotel. Any of you Merced people who want to experience the novelty of first-class hotel accommodations can do so after December 1st by taking a run to the terminus of the Y. V." The hotel was on a plateau above, but not far from the YVRR depot. It had wide verandahs on three sides and it must have been a very impressive structure in the narrow Merced River canyon. It was from the hotel that stages departed for the Yosemite Valley. It advertised superb dining and accommodations for travelers. Also, angling was highlighted by those preparing ads, considering the short distance to the Merced river with its cold and fast flowing water the trout must have been a fisherman's dream. Of coarse there was hiking and horse back riding available to the tourist. Across "the merry, mad Merced" River the tourist could gaze up at the 2000 foot spray of silvery water of Chinquapin Falls. It brochures refereed to the hotel as: "The Hotel of the Gateway to Yosemite. Open the Year Round, A place of Quite Beauty for Rest Seekers, Nature Lovers and Sportsmen."5 They failed to mention that during the summer months there were many rattle snakes in the canyon! The name of the hotel changed to Hotel del Portal some time shortly after its opening. In September 1908, Frank Drum and Thomas Prather, the two heaviest investors, in the hotel and Merced river canyon developments, decided to divide their holdings. Frank Drum took over the hotel interest. In Early September 1913, there was a major cloudburst over El Portal. Three inches of rain fell within an hour. There was considerable damage to property and the railroad tracks covered with mud for over one-half mile. The trains did not have any problems and were able to deliver inbound and pickup outbound passengers. The del Portal Hotel was not that fortunate, it had torrential water rushed through its basement and leaving a massive mess to be cleaned. In early 1915 David Curry6, owner and operator of Camp Curry in Yosemite Valley, filed a law-suit with the California State Railroad Commission against the YVRR, Yosemite Transportation Company, Southern Pacific and AT&SF. Curry claimed that those companies conspired, by their schedules, to cause visitors to Yosemite National Park to stay at the del Portal Hotel and giving the hotel an unfair advantage for patrons. The Railroad Commission ordered the defendants to implement new schedules so as not to be unfair to the Curry interests. Obviously, this reduced the number guests spending time at the del Portal Hotel. The Desmond Park Service Company leased the hostelry from the Yosemite Terminal Company in September 1916. At the same time Desmond took over the transportation of passengers to and from the Valley from the Yosemite Transportation Company. At this point, for all practical purposes, the Yosemite Terminal Company ceased to exist. Within a year of the Desmond people leasing the del Portal the hotel would burn to the ground. The fire ended the luxury accommodations at El Portal. It appraised at $100,000.00 at the time. The hotel was 'replaced' with a much smaller and more modest structure with a lunch counter. On November 5, 1920, the Yosemite Terminal Company filed an Application for Voluntary Dissolution7. The normal procedures were followed and the application was granted December 13, 1920, in San Francisco. Hence, the Yosemite Terminal Company ended its existence after only 13 years, some of which was the epitome of luxury. 1.California Department of State (Corporations). 2.Mariposa Gazette, May 4, 1907. 3.Merced County Sun, August 2, 1907. 4.Merced County Sun, September 6, 1907. 5.Hotel Del Portal Brochure. 6.California State Railroad Commission, Decision number 2306. 1915 7.California Department of Corporations. © Clayton J. Guest, November 1, 1998

Carolyn, Please let me know if I can be of any assistance at all? Sounds like your farm is really starting to take off. I am harvesting apricots, boysenberries, garlic, peppers etc right now down here in sunny San Diego at Wass Ranch South :<) > Content-Type: text/plain > > CAMARIPO-D Digest Volume 01 : Issue 103 > > Today's Topics: > #1 [CAMARIPO] GROUND ZERO! [Carolyn Feroben <sweetwater@sierra] > > Administrivia: > To unsubscribe from CAMARIPO-D, send a message to > > CAMARIPO-D-request@rootsweb.com > > that contains in the body of the message the command > > unsubscribe > > and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software > requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. > ______________________________> X-Message: #1 > Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 05:52:37 -0700 > From: Carolyn Feroben <sweetwater@sierratel.com> > To: CAMARIPO-L@rootsweb.com > Message-ID: <3B2CA815.9D3D320A@sierratel.com> > Subject: [CAMARIPO] GROUND ZERO! > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Hi folks, just want you to know that I am operating at ground zero! > > I have lost all my email file folders...........anything that you had > sent me to post to the website is lost- , any questions or lookups I > was to do for you are also lost. I am sorry , but would you please > resubmit any bios, obits, etc that you would like to have posted to the > Mariposa Gen Web site.........No hurry- my website files are missing > also(YIKES) and I am going to have to figure out how to get them off > the net and recreate them here on my computer.................... > > This is a real mess......... > > Thanks for your patience and understanding. > > Meanwhile back at the ranch.......the snakes are out, the tomatoes are > in, the deer are back, the bats are flying, a new burro will soon be > born, it's time to dig the potatoes, ...........life is to be enjoyed, > even after a fatal computer crash! > > Best, > Carolyn

Hi folks, just want you to know that I am operating at ground zero! I have lost all my email file folders...........anything that you had sent me to post to the website is lost- , any questions or lookups I was to do for you are also lost. I am sorry , but would you please resubmit any bios, obits, etc that you would like to have posted to the Mariposa Gen Web site.........No hurry- my website files are missing also(YIKES) and I am going to have to figure out how to get them off the net and recreate them here on my computer.................... This is a real mess......... Thanks for your patience and understanding. Meanwhile back at the ranch.......the snakes are out, the tomatoes are in, the deer are back, the bats are flying, a new burro will soon be born, it's time to dig the potatoes, ...........life is to be enjoyed, even after a fatal computer crash! Best, Carolyn

This site gave me a lift and I just wanted to share it: http://www.reata.org/interview.html

If you haven't visited the Merced County Website recently - here is something I just found. It says it is "new". from the Merced County Gen. Society Found some of my relatives. ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/census/ca/merced/1870/

Carol Joel "Bouie" ASHWORTH was married only to Alice P. HODGSON (Allie). She was raised by Mark & Emma Quick, on the Quick Ranch on Ben Hur Rd. Emma HODGSON Quick was her Aunt. Alice's mother (Henrietta Staneway) died when she was 8 and William Hodgson her father, died when she was about 12. Joel & Alice's children were: 1. Olive Jessina b. 1-20-1894 d. 1939 m. Julius Vignolo 2. Emma Merle b. 5-4-1896 d. 1982 m. 1, Wm McNamara, 2, Chas. Rielly 3. Mabel Irene b. 03-02-1898 d. 1963 m. 1, Ralph Knowles, 2, Ron Johnson, 3, Al Shepherd 4. Ann Elizabeth b. 04-07-1900 d 1989 m. Herbert Reece 5. Elton Jackson b. 04-06-1902 d. 1989 m, Julia Emma Bell 6. Grace Evelyn b. 1904 d. 1953 m. Harold Wallman 7. Charles Walter b. 05-05-1906 d. 1988 m. 1. Nellie Mae Miller 2. Gloria Flores 8. Vera Lorene (Twin) b. 08-19-1908 m. Theodore Stoetzl 9. Velma Lorraine (Twin) b. 08-19-1908 d. 1936 m. William Ellery 10. Mark Warren b. 1910 d. 1956 m. Gladys Frolike In reply to: [CAMARIPO] Re: CAMARIPO-D Digest V01 #100 Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2001 18:55:27 -0700 From: "Carole" <cthomas@mako.com> To: CAMARIPO-L@rootsweb.com to Mary Ashworth Phelan: I am descended from David Marion Ashworth, brother of Joel. Did Joel have a first wife? carole thomas

Hi A lady in the Merced Genealogy society is looking for information on this family, Can anyone help her. In everything I have I don't find this family. She said they lived in Mariposa. Father: Arnold Joseph Sicher b. Nov. 3, 1903 Switzerland; d. Feb. 3, 1942 Mother: Dorthy Crockett, m. abt. 1936 Judith Ann Sicher b. Aug 17, 1938 Heidi Sicher b. Oct 1, 1939 Thanks Tom -- Thomas and Paulette Hilk 1725 Wildwood Ct. Merced, CA. 95340 E-mail address: paulette@elite.net