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Letter from Yuba, Empire Ranch (1855) (4 pages)
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Page: of 4
1855 :
Daily Alta California 4/20/1855
Letter From Yuba Empire Ranch, Yuba Co., April 17.Mr. Editor: And still it rains this eighth day since the storm commenced, with but one
day's cessation, and then the clouds looked threateningly. But the Yuba River, rising and
falling alternately, has not been so high by several feet as in the storm four weeks ago,
so gently have the clouds descended, in snow upon the mountains, and, with brief
exceptions, in quiet showers in the valleys. Three days ago report said, "There are three
feet of snow in Forest City, and it is snowing still; also, "The trail into St. Louis is
impassable. A week ago it was in finest order. For a storm like this the mountain miners
have long been asking, latterly almost against hope, water has been so long delayed; but
with the snow the summer of their joys has come, and the autumn of their husbandry.
This snow has fallen on the earth cooled by the snow of the week previous, so that it
will melt but slowly in the warm sunshine, and send the water gradually into the sluices.
Nor need the Marysvilleans or Sacramentans fear a freshet by a warm falling rain on the
snow, as it will probably be melted before another storm comes on. The rain fell on old
snow in the May freshet of 1852. Will the readers of the Alta care for this speculation
on the probabilities of the weather? Aye; they have not for nothing suffered from the
winter's drouth suffered because the miners’ business suffered to be regardless of
this interest; but by the wise law of Heaven that teaches duty by the retribution
consequent on the neglect of it, the closest communion of interest between the denizen
and the miner will be better realized. So is ever Heaven's plan to bring good out of evil.
Nebuchadnezer did not for nothing feed on grass, like oxen and the Digger Indians. .
have not had so good an opportunity before to learn the character of this specimen of
humanity. Empire Ranch has long been a centre for the tribe this side the Yubas; and
the treatment the indians have received at the hand of the landlords here and their
employees, has induced a friendly relationship with them. Mine hostess, too, has the
affectionate regard of the Indians living near her, because she treats them well, and has
never once deceived them. From her . have learned much concerning their character
and customs. There are several divisions in what once composed the tribe in this
vicinity, each division under its respective leader (or capitan) while all till very recently
acknowledged allegiance to a king, who exercised supreme control over the whole.
Since this ranch was taken, four years ago, often has King Weimer, whose clan is in
Grass Valley, come over with his men and commanded gold dust from any of the Empire
Ranch (or Poodledum) Indians who might have it. But now the petty chiefs have thrown
off this allegiance, and King Weimer is only Capitan Weimer, like Capitan Cole, here,
Capitan Yolo, at Long Bar, Capitan Lute, etc., each having authority over only his own
clan. King Weimer has induced the revolt of his provinces has brought himself into
disrepute by advocating the removal of his tribe to the Reservation at Tulare Valley.
These Indians have no inclination to leave the broad acres on the Yuba which they have
so long called their own, each tribe and clan having the exclusive possession against all