Collection: Books and Periodicals

About This Item:

Title: A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California (1891) Collection Type: Books and Periodicals Publisher: Lewis Publishing Company Published: 1891 Copyright: In the public domain or published before 1925 Source(s): Google Books # of Pages: 713 Download PDF: User Login Required Download OCR Text: User Login Required

Date Scanned: 2024-07-22 00:25:09 Item Sourced From: PDF First Created: 2025-03-17 03:11:29 Last Updated: 2025-03-17 06:30:36

Original Held At: Searls Historical Library Location: 161 Nevada City Hwy, Nevada City, CA 95959

Page: of 713  

174 HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. Alfred Lawton, Recorder; R. B. Buchanan, Sheriff; L. W. Taylor, Treasurer; James RB. Cushing, Surveyor; S. C. Tompkins, Assessor; and S. T. Brewster, Coroner. Very few changes have been made in the judiciary, and the usual number in the other offices. By the time the next Legtelature met, Nevada City had become a town of considerable importance, and both Grass Valley and Rough and Ready were coming into prominence; the latter was also an aspirant for the seat of government. A re-division of the State into counties was therefore made by a Legislative act April 25, 1851, by which, among others, the new county of Nevada was created. The county derived its name from Nevada City, at which point the seat of justice was located. The word “ Nevada” is Spanish for snowy. At the first election, thereafter, in May, about 2,900 votes were cast, resulting in the choice of the following officers: Thomas H. Caswell, Judge; John R. McConnell, District Attorney; Theodore Miller, Clerk; John Gallagher, Sheriff; Charles Marsh, Surveyor; H. C. Dodge, Treasurer; and T. G. Williams, Assessor. The boundaries given to the county by the above act were as follows; Beginning at a point in the Yuba River opposite the mouth of Deer Creek, and running thence up the middle of Yuba River to a point opposite the mouth of the middle branch of the Yuba; thence up the middle of said middle branch ten miles from its mouth; thence easterly in a straight line to the boundary of the State; thence south along the boundary line of the State to the northeast corner of Placer County; thence westerly on the northerly line of Placer County to the source of Bear Creek; thence down Bear Creek to a point due south of the junction of Deer Creek and Yuba River; thence north to the place of beginning. But April 19, 1856, the line on the Sierra County side was changed thus: Commencing at a point in the Main Yuba opposite the mouth of Deer Creck, and running thence up Main Yuba to the mouth of Middle Yuba; thence up Middle Yuba to the south fork of the same; thence up said fork to its source; thence east to the State line; then south on the State line to the northeast corner of Placer County; thence west on the north line of Placer County to the source of Bear River; thence down Bear River to a point due south of the place of beginning; thence north to the place of beginning. February 2, 1857, the boundary lines were again described by a detailed delineation of the respective townships. By the burning of the court-house July 19, 1856, some of the county records were destroyed, thus cutting off some of the sources of early history. THE INDIAN WAR in the Washoe country in 1860 is of special interest to Nevada County on account of the prominent part taken in it by her citizens. On the evening of May 7, that year, intelligence of the massacre of seven white men by Indians was brought to Nevada City. Two companies, one commanded by Major Ormsby and the other by Captain McDonald, in all over 100 men, proceeded toward the scene of the massacre, below the great bend of the Truckee River. They followed the trail until on the 12th, near Pyramid Lake, when they were ambushed by a band of Piutesina pass. Themen fought desperately until their ammunition became exhausted and then sought to escape by flight. Many were killed in the action, while many more were shot in their attempt to escape. Henry Meredith, a gentleman well and favorably known in thie vicinity and Sacramento, was killed while fighting after many had fled. The news reached Nevada City on Snnday. The alarm bells were rung, and the peuple assembled in the theatre and made arrangements to send aid to the terrified settlers. All that night men were busy making cartridges and preparing ammunition. Early in the morning a. volunteer company of thirty men, under Captain Van Hagan of the Nevada City Rifles, started for the scene of action, having a great amount of ammunition and about sixty muskets. At