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Page: of 12
6 The Nevada County Nugget Wednesday, May 3, 1972
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"An abundance of rain fell that fall and winter; hence the
company had a favorable time for their mining operation. The
rocker, or cradle, was used, being the best mode then known
for obtaining the precious metal. The company was exceedingly
successful in working the virgin earth. They not unfrequently
realized from three to six hundred dollars per day from the
labor of three men. Sixteen hands were employed in the company;
and in Blue and Red Ravines they averaged, for six weeks, a pund
of gold to the heand. The company for a long time kept their diggings secret, and spread their claims over the neighborhood,
even taking up ravines that did not pay, in order to keep strangers
at a distance. Whenever miners came into the neighborhood
to prospect or work, the company would goand claim the ground,
and thus kept a monopoly of the whole region for several months.
"In the fall of 1849, the famous "Randolph Company,' composed of men chiefly from Randolph and Howard Counties, Mo.,
among whom were William Gambrel and Dr. Lewis, came to
Rough and Ready. This company located a portion of the ground
that the Rough and Ready Company claimed, near the present
town, and for atime it was likely to resutl in serious consequences
between the two parties. But a compromise was finally brought
about, the ground being amicably divided, after which the two
companies were on very friendly terms. The Randolph Company
built their cabins, one of which is still standing, at the head of
the flat, opposite to the site of the present Randolph Exchange.
This company was also very successful in mining operations.
Townsend and Vanmetre, of the Rough and Feady Company,
left for the Atlantic States about the last of February, in 1850,
and arrived safe at home on the 26th of April with $15,000 in
gold dust. They remained at home a short time, but, unsatisfied
with their first venture, made up another company of eight men.
They arrived at Rough and Ready on the 10th of September; but
great was their surprise to discover a town built up where, in
February previous, only three tents, aside from their cabin,
could be seen.
"In the fall of 1849 a Mr. Riddle, a Scotchman who emigrated
from South America to California, came to Rough and Ready,
bringing his wife the first lady in the place. She used 4. bring
the dinner -of her husband and rock the cradle as he ate it, and
it was a common remark that she was far more successful in
getting the gold than he was. As soon as she left, the luck went
with her.
"There were only a few scattering cabins inF ough and Ready
until April, 1850; at that time the town began to grow rapidly,
and in October it was thrice itspresent size. Want of an adequate
supply of water, and partial exhaustion of the diggings, dispersed
many of the people after thattimetoother localities. Many buildings were taken down and removed to the plains, and the place
seemed in danger of total destruction. A nucleus of business
remained, however, and in spite of a subsequent destructive
fire, Rough and Ready is now prosperous, being the third town
in population and business in the county.
Published ir
W.B. Lardner
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"The first frame house was built by Rev. Mr. Dunlevy,
in 1850, and is still standing, occupied by Major Wood. The lumber
was brought from Grass Valley, and cost $200 per thousand at
the mill.
"The first temporary church organization took place in the
fall of 1850, and was called the ‘Christian Association,’ being
composed of members of different denominations. This association numbered about eighty members, and was perfectly harmonious in its operations, the stand being occupied alternately
by preachers of different persuasions. They occupied a building
which stood on a point east of the town, and for which they paid
$800, It was, however, a mere shed, made of rough clapboards,
was 18 by 23 feet, and had neigher door (that was hung), windows
nor floors, save the ground. A few rough puncheons were used
as apologies for seats. Yet the word of God was proclaimed
with as much earnestness as though ‘through long-drawn aisle
and fretted vault.' .
"A church now occupied by the Methodist society was commenced in the fall of 1853, and dedicated in the following March,
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