'CASSIE HILL' (Con't) Wife, Mother, Telegrapher, Wells Fargo Agent --------------------------------------------------------------------- Woodland is a short distance from Roseville, where Cassie was to eventually settle and become somewhat of a celebrity. In those days wild roses mingled with the other native flora, and this contributed to the naming of this community, which became the home of an enormous railroad roundhouse owned by Southern Pacific Railroad. When Cassie was 22 years old she married George W. Hill. His family had come to California in the 1850s by way of Panama, settling first at Michigan Bluff and later in Auburn. Young Hill worked for the railroad, and shortly after his marriage to Cassie the newlyweds moved to Hanford, where he served as agent and telegrapher. With a family of her own, Cassie spent her days cooking and sewing for the children. She had always loved Roseville, and so when her husband was transferred there in 1881, her dreams must have been satisfied. "I'm sorry we have to make our home in the depot," the tall, slightly built Hill told his young wife, "with the continuous clamor of trains and people. But it's the best I can manage right now. Perhaps later we can have our own home and nice big yard." Cassie smiled brightly. "It's fine with me, George. We're all together here and I do so love Roseville. It's such a bustling community." Already Roseville was becoming an extensive shipping and trading center, having been the favored location for the railroad junction in the heart of southern Placer County's rich agricultural region. With an eye to the future, pioneer O.D. Lombard in August of 1864 drew up plans for a new city, to be called Roseville. But the existing town was already very nice. Recently planted orchards and newly constructed farms laced the surrounding countryside and dotted the prairie. To the eastward, the lofty, lavender Sierra foothills etched the horizon. It was no wonder that Cassie loved Roseville so much. The first building to be erected in Roseville Junction, as it was then called, was the freight depot, built and operated by Cyrus W. Taylor. It was here that George Hill worked, and the family lived in the upper end of the elongated structure. For a time it was the busiest spot in town, with trains and people arriving and leaving daily. But as cruel fate would have it, Cassie's dear husband died after only a few years at his job. She was left with five small children to rear in a railroad depot. The future was uncertain at best. Yet Cassie had that rich pioneer blood flowing in her veins, and she quickly asked to take over her husband's job. There was naturally some doubt expressed by the male members of the town. "But she's so young, and with all the children," one townsman said. "How can she run an express depot?" "And the telegraph -- she doesn't know anything about that," another said. "I know how to tap out the telegraph," Cassie said, speaking up with determination. "I've been helping George these past years. Let me try. I know I can do a fine job." "Well, I don't know," one man said. "You'd work long hours, daybreak to nighttime." But they also realized Cassie's desperate situation, and it was known that several other women had worked for Wells Fargo at other locations. Therefore, it was duly decided that they would try her out. When Wells Fargo agreed, Cassie took over her husband's job. Whatever doubts the residents Roseville had about Cassie were soon quelled by her performance. The impressive Wells Fargo & Company certificate that hung in her office must have given her pride. It carefully spelled out her duties, noting that Mrs. C. Hill was appointed as agent of Wells Farso & Company's express at Roseville on May 14, 1884. In those days, women held few jobs of responsibility. To Be Continued . . . How Wells Fargo & Company became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert September 25, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'