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Volume 3 (1858-1859) (592 pages)
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Page: of 592
348 HUTCHINGS’ CALIFORNIA MAGAZINE.
the then almost exclusive business of stock
raising. In 1846 population began slowly to increase, when he cultivated a portion of the land, opened a trading post,
and run a barge between New Mecklenburg and San Francisco. In 1848 this
enterprising German exported a considerable amount of valuable produce to the
Sandwich Islands.
In the fall of 1848, Mr. Cordua sold
out one half of his interest to C. Covillaud; and in the spring of 1849, his other half to M. C. Nye and W. Foster, when
it generally became known among Americans as Nye’s Ranch; but in the same
year they disposed of their interest to
Covillaud ; who, a few months later, sold
three fourths of his interest to Messrs. J.
M. Ramirez, J. Sampson, and T. Ricard;
these four having equal interests in the
whole, which was then considered to be
worth about $60,000,
As the gold discoveries were attracting
large numbers of persons to that quarter,
these gentlemen saw the commercial advantages of the position, and decided upon laying out a city. Accordingly, in
December, 1849, Mons. A. Le Plongeon
was employed to survey and divide it into squares, streets, and lots; that, afterwards, were disposed of at almost fabulous prices: and the city was named
Yubaville. At a public meeting, afterwards, it was proposed to change it to
Norwich, then to Sicardo; but that of
Marysville was finally adopted, in honor
of Mrs. Covillaud, whose Christian name
was Mary.
Almost before the survey was completed, the lease title began to be questioned ;
when the lessees purchased from General’
Sutter the whole of his grant, north of
the Yuba River. A good, valid title being thus given to the land, the growth of
the new city was very rapid.
In the month of January, 1850, the
first steamer—the ‘“ Lawrence,” commanded by Capt. E. C, M. Chadwick—
ploughed the waters of the Yuba, and
continued making regular and profitable
trips between Marysville and Sacramento. Freight was then eight cents per
pound, and the fare $25 per passenger.
Up to January 18th, 1850, there were
no recognized laws, courts, or officers, but
on that day an election was held for a
first and second alcalde, sheriff, and town
council; when two hundred and thirty
votes were cast in favor of Stephen J.
Field, (the present able Associate Judge
of the Supreme Court of this State, and
brother of Cyrus Field, of Atlantic Telegraph memory,) as first alcalde; I. B.
Wadleigh as second Alcalde; and T. M.
Twitchell as Sheriff, who for some reason
would not serve, when R. B. Buchanan
was chosen in his stead, The council
proved almost entirely useless, as all the
duties of government seemed naturally
to fall upon the alcaldes.
During the legislative session of 1850,
Yuba county was created, and Marysville
selected as the county seat; and on the
first Monday of April of the same year,
an election was first held for county officers, when 700 votes were polled.
At the next session of the Legislature,
the city of Marysville was incorporated,
and Dr. S. M. Miles was chosen first
Mayor.
On the 31st of August, 1850, an extensive conflagration swept away the whole
of the buildings that were standing between D and E streets, and First and
Second streets; and before another week
had elapsed, a second conflagration reduced every building to ashes, south of
First street, between D street and Maiden
Lane; but before the smoking embers
were removed, several brick and adobe
buildings were commenced upon the spot.
The city had but fairly recovered from
her losses by fire, when, in the spring of
1852, a new enemy made its appearance,
in the shape of a flood, completely inundating the business portion of the city ;