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  

324 HISTORY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. Ohio, and there he was brought up and educated. In 1850 he determined to come to California, choosing his route across the plains, and arriving at Nevada City September 17 of that year. He went at once to mining at Coyotevile, sinking shafts and drifting trom the bottom for the gold-bearing gravel. This gravel was then carted to Deer Creek, $5 per load being paid for hauling if, and an ounce of gold per day being paid for the use of the long tom to wash it out. Early in 1851 he sold out his claim and went over to the Middle Yuba River, at Rattlesnake Bar, below Woolsey’s Camp. He and his company then set to work to turn about 400 feet in length of the river from its channel, constructing an immense flume to carry the water. When at last, after almost the whole summer’s work, the task was completed, they were disappointed to make only about wages for their trouble, or something like $8 a day per man. After that they went to Kanaka Creek, in Sierra County, and, packing on their backs over the rough hills the lumber they used in their flume, they proceeded to repeat the operation and flume the river. This time fortune favoured thein, and they did well. Mr. Caldwell remained there until the spring of 1852, when he returned to the Middle Yuba at a puint just below the site of the first flume. They flumed again, getting their lumber from a saw-mill near by, and laying bare no less than 700 feet of the river bottom. This proved an utter failure. In December, 1852, the Judge went to Moore’s Flat and mined there until 1857. In partnership with three others he worked the Furney clain—a hydraulic gravel claim on the east side . of the Flat. In 1854, on the creation of Eureka Township out of Bridgeport Township, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace, and after that he did not personally engage in mining, employing others to do the work. In 1855 he was a candidate fur the same office, but was defeated. Having read law for a short time before coming to California, he meanwhile continued his legal studies while acting in the position of Justice of the Peace. In 1856 he was elected a Justice again, and he again pursued his legal studies. In the fall of 1857 the Judge was elected a member of the Legislature, the term being then for but one year. In 1858 he was re-elected and served two years. Immediately at the close of his term he was admitted to practice before the District Court of the county, and at once opened an office at Moore’s Flat and the adjoining towns, Orleans Flat and Woolsey’s Flat, then populous and prosperous places. In the fail of 1865 Judge Caldwell was elected District Attorney, and accordingly removed on the first day of the fullowing year to Nevada City to take charge of the office. In the fall of 1869 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Nevada City and township, and after serving a year was elected County Judge, holding the office for one term. In 1875 he was reelected, holding the office two terms. In 1879 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court, and the same year was chosen Superior Judge of the county by the suffrage of the people, and served the full term of his tive years. Since then until his re-election to the same post in 1890, as ulready stated, the Judgo has practiced his profession at Nevada City. It will be thus seen that Judge Caldwell las known a long, bury and successful career. As a Judge he has shown 1igid impartiality, wide learning and a comprehensive grasp of legal principles. As a lawyer he has proved himself an acute pleader and careful watcher for the interests of his clients. One of the noted eases in which he has acted as attorney was the famous Westerfield case. William Weste:field died at Mooney Flat in 1888, leaving a considerable estate, but neither wife nor lawful issue. There were rival claimants anda hard fight, the court deciding at last in favor of the Eastern claimants. Theclaimanta, residents of this State, represented by Judge Caldwell, appealed the case to the Supreme Court, where it is now pending. The Judge has always been active in aiding public interests, and especially in promoting mining. He is still intercsted in many mining proper-