Volume 026-4 - October 1972 (5 pages)

corner of Broad and Pine Streets), and from then on became a very influential and successful lawyer, a leader, andone of the most prominent of men. A list of his sccomplishments are as follows: 1872 Appointed Notary Public of the County by Governor Booth; 1877 Elected State Senator; 1885 Appointed to the State Supreme Court; 1887 Named Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. A civic-minded person, he headed many worth-while committees, and being a speaker of power and elegance, inaugurated the Nevada Fire Department in November, 1860, andthe Nevada County Narrow Guage Railroad on May 20, 1876. Staunch in his friendships anda social favorite with all who knew him, he enjoyed community gatherings. The following humorous description of Searls at a costumed Leap Year’s Ball in Nevada City appeared in an 1872 Union. ‘‘His Honor, Judge Niles Searls, never appeared to better advantage, bewitching in manner, seductive in conversation, and elegant in the Polka; hair combed back and gracefully falling in ambrosial curls upon his coat collar, gear well fitting and peculiarly adapted to his blond complexion. Faultless in every respect except he powdered too much.’’ Niles Searls represented the California Miners Association in Washington D. C. before a Congressional Committee on Mines, in 1892, to acquaint them with the need for the restoration of hydraulic mining. His untiring efforts assisted Senator Caminette in the passing of his bill which caused a resurgence of hydraulic mining, provided storage dams were used to control the flow of ‘‘slickens.” On his return from Washington, he and his wife were met at Colfax by the Native Sons, and Alf Tregidgo, President of the County Miner’s Association. The next evening, a formal reception held in the Nevada Theater was a testimonial of the appreciation of the citizens and miners for his valuable services at Washington. One last pioneering experience occurred for the Judge in 1905. He was held up by a highwayman! The Downieville stage nearing Selby Flat, within rifle shot of Nevada City, was stopped by 4. an armed bandit, and the passengers ordered out. ‘‘If it’s all the same to you, Mr. Robber,’’ said the Judge, ‘‘I wish you would turn that gun a trifte to one side. The hole in it looks as big as a barrel and I don’t like the appearance of the heavy load you have in there. The pesky thing might go off}?? “‘All right, Judge,’’ answered the road agent, who recognized the passenger, ‘‘anything to be accommodating,’’ and he swerved the weapon a trifle. “‘Thanks,’’ answered Judge Searls, ‘*Have I anything you want?’ “Of course not,’? was the reply, “Yawyers have to work too hard for what they get, same as we do, and I always pass them by. Driver, chuck out that treasure box!”’ The declining years of Mary and Niles Searls were spent in Berkeley. Their Golden Wedding Anniversary was celebrated by family members only, on May 19, 1903, due to the ill-health of Mrs, Searls. Niles preceeded her in death by three years when he died in 1907, Their graves are in the family plot in Pine Grove Cemetery, Nevada City, and it seems appropriate that they should have been laid to rest in the town which shared their beginnings together. t& te Lal Ly FRED SEARLS 1654-1929 Fred Searls was eight years old when he traveled East with his mother and Niles Jr. in 1862. Here in New York State, he enrolled in Rensselaerville and Gilbertsville Academies until the age of fifteen, when the family returned West. His schooling continued at Nevada City High (corner of Main and Cottage Streets) and in the University of California. He enrolled in 1872 when U. C. was located in Oakland, and his was the last class to be graduated before the school moved to its present site in Berkeley in July, 1876, After graduation, he returned home to study law with his father, and spent many long hours pouring over voluminous materials at the long leather-topped table still in use in the Searl’s Historical Library. He passed the California State bar in 1879, and began practicing law with his father, Judge Niles Searls, and Addison Niles, his mother’s brother. The firm of Searls, Niles and Searls lasted until 1883, and then it became Searls and Searls until 1885, This was a memorable year for the family. Fred married Helen Pond, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Pond of Downieville, and Judge Niles Searls was appointed to the State Supreme Court. This meant a change of residence, andas a wedding gift to the young couple, Mary and Niles gave them their home at 545 Main Street which they had purchased in 1871. The austere New England house was erected in 1866 by Edward F. Spence, a Nevada City druggist, after purchasing three lots and making them into one. The building and spacious grounds are greatly admired by passersby today, especially when the maple trees, planted by the Judge and his son, are in full autumn colors. It is a home that has known much kindness, love, warmth and happiness. Five sons and a daughter were born to Helen and Fred Searls within its sheltered walls. Their childhood was filled with family gatherings, parties and picnics, besides the hiking, camping, hunting and fishing trips with their father, an ardent sportsman and an expert with rod and gun, who reveled in the out-ofdoors. In November, 1914, when the sons were away from home, he wrote, “T had a trip to the Plumbago Mine last week and enjoyed it immensely, although I got caught in the rain androdemiles on horseback, getting pretty wet; took no cold and enjoyed the experience; went across to Moores Flat and had a hunt with the Buck boys one day; sawnodeer, but enjoyed the outing.’’ The Niles Searls home on Durant Street in Berkeley, two blocks from the University of California, became the home of the Fred Searls’ sons during their college days. (Loaned by Mrs. Arthur Gelston granddaughter of Niles Searls Jr.) SUESVESVESVESVESUSUASUZSIZSIZSUASVZSIZSIZSNG The house and grounds were so full of loving memories, that the sons in later years would not allow any changes, hence the boardwalk fronting the place, which has become a novelty to today’s youth. One may see busses loaded with children being deposited at one end of the walk so that they may have the experience of crossing it. Following in the footsteps of an illustrious father. would not have been c oO.

corner of Broad and Pine Streets), and from then on became a very influential and successful lawyer, a leader, andone of the most prominent of men. A list of his sccomplishments are as follows: 1872 Appointed Notary Public of the County by Governor Booth; 1877 Elected State Senator; 1885 Appointed to the State Supreme Court; 1887 Named Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court. A civic-minded person, he headed many worth-while committees, and being a speaker of power and elegance, inaugurated the Nevada Fire Department in November, 1860, andthe Nevada County Narrow Guage Railroad on May 20, 1876. Staunch in his friendships anda social favorite with all who knew him, he enjoyed community gatherings. The following humorous description of Searls at a costumed Leap Year’s Ball in Nevada City appeared in an 1872 Union. ‘‘His Honor, Judge Niles Searls, never appeared to better advantage, bewitching in manner, seductive in conversation, and elegant in the Polka; hair combed back and gracefully falling in ambrosial curls upon his coat collar, gear well fitting and peculiarly adapted to his blond complexion. Faultless in every respect except he powdered too much.’’ Niles Searls represented the California Miners Association in Washington D. C. before a Congressional Committee on Mines, in 1892, to acquaint them with the need for the restoration of hydraulic mining. His untiring efforts assisted Senator Caminette in the passing of his bill which caused a resurgence of hydraulic mining, provided storage dams were used to control the flow of ‘‘slickens.” On his return from Washington, he and his wife were met at Colfax by the Native Sons, and Alf Tregidgo, President of the County Miner’s Association. The next evening, a formal reception held in the Nevada Theater was a testimonial of the appreciation of the citizens and miners for his valuable services at Washington. One last pioneering experience occurred for the Judge in 1905. He was held up by a highwayman! The Downieville stage nearing Selby Flat, within rifle shot of Nevada City, was stopped by 4. an armed bandit, and the passengers ordered out. ‘‘If it’s all the same to you, Mr. Robber,’’ said the Judge, ‘‘I wish you would turn that gun a trifte to one side. The hole in it looks as big as a barrel and I don’t like the appearance of the heavy load you have in there. The pesky thing might go off}?? “‘All right, Judge,’’ answered the road agent, who recognized the passenger, ‘‘anything to be accommodating,’’ and he swerved the weapon a trifle. “‘Thanks,’’ answered Judge Searls, ‘*Have I anything you want?’ “Of course not,’? was the reply, “Yawyers have to work too hard for what they get, same as we do, and I always pass them by. Driver, chuck out that treasure box!”’ The declining years of Mary and Niles Searls were spent in Berkeley. Their Golden Wedding Anniversary was celebrated by family members only, on May 19, 1903, due to the ill-health of Mrs, Searls. Niles preceeded her in death by three years when he died in 1907, Their graves are in the family plot in Pine Grove Cemetery, Nevada City, and it seems appropriate that they should have been laid to rest in the town which shared their beginnings together. t& te Lal Ly FRED SEARLS 1654-1929

Fred Searls was eight years old when he traveled East with his mother and Niles Jr. in 1862. Here in New York State, he enrolled in Rensselaerville and Gilbertsville Academies until the age of fifteen, when the family returned West. His schooling continued at Nevada City High (corner of Main and Cottage Streets) and in the University of California. He enrolled in 1872 when U. C. was located in Oakland, and his was the last class to be graduated before the school moved to its present site in Berkeley in July, 1876, After graduation, he returned home to study law with his father, and spent many long hours pouring over voluminous materials at the long leather-topped table still in use in the Searl’s Historical Library. He passed the California State bar in 1879, and began practicing law with his father, Judge Niles Searls, and Addison Niles, his mother’s brother. The firm of Searls, Niles and Searls lasted until 1883, and then it became Searls and Searls until 1885, This was a memorable year for the family. Fred married Helen Pond, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Pond of Downieville, and Judge Niles Searls was appointed to the State Supreme Court. This meant a change of residence, andas a wedding gift to the young couple, Mary and Niles gave them their home at 545 Main Street which they had purchased in 1871. The austere New England house was erected in 1866 by Edward F. Spence, a Nevada City druggist, after purchasing three lots and making them into one. The building and spacious grounds are greatly admired by passersby today, especially when the maple trees, planted by the Judge and his son, are in full autumn colors. It is a home that has known much kindness, love, warmth and happiness. Five sons and a daughter were born to Helen and Fred Searls within its sheltered walls. Their childhood was filled with family gatherings, parties and picnics, besides the hiking, camping, hunting and fishing trips with their father, an ardent sportsman and an expert with rod and gun, who reveled in the out-ofdoors. In November, 1914, when the sons were away from home, he wrote, “T had a trip to the Plumbago Mine last week and enjoyed it immensely, although I got caught in the rain androdemiles on horseback, getting pretty wet; took no cold and enjoyed the experience; went across to Moores Flat and had a hunt with the Buck boys one day; sawnodeer, but enjoyed the outing.’’ The Niles Searls home on Durant Street in Berkeley, two blocks from the University of California, became the home of the Fred Searls’ sons during their college days. (Loaned by Mrs. Arthur Gelston granddaughter of Niles Searls Jr.) SUESVESVESVESVESUSUASUZSIZSIZSUASVZSIZSIZSNG The house and grounds were so full of loving memories, that the sons in later years would not allow any changes, hence the boardwalk fronting the place, which has become a novelty to today’s youth. One may see busses loaded with children being deposited at one end of the walk so that they may have the experience of crossing it. Following in the footsteps of an illustrious father. would not have been c oO.