Fresno Bee, Thursday, March 15, 1923
OFFICERS FIND GIANT STILL AT COULTERVILLE
Mountain Retreat In Mariposa County Yields Big Booze Cache-
Coulterville (Mariposa Co) A still claimed by Sheriff A B TUrner to be in the biggest ever located in the history of Mariposa County, and ten barrels of "white mule" were confiscated by the sheriff and Constable W S Fiske of Coulterville, when they raided the secluded mountain saw-mills in the Red Cloud district six miles from here by Blaine Selvage and John Johnson.
A three-day investigation led to the location of the huge still, which was capable, Turner says , of turning out 100 gallons of liquor daily, and when found, was cleverly concealed under the floor of the old mill shed.
According to District Attorney Louis Milburn who accompanied the raiding party into the mountain retreat, of the two alleged moon-shiners, the liquor manufactured by them had been sold almost entirely in Tuolumne County, being hauled across the line and wholesaled to leading bootleggers in that county.
Selvage and Johnson were brought into the court of Justice of the Peace John Endean at Coulterville yesterday, where they were fined $600 each.
---------------------------------------------
Fresno
Bee, June 21, 1924
FINED $300 FOR SELLING LIQUOR
Mariposa (Mariposa Co) June 21- ALex McAdams of Hazel Green paid $300
in the court of Justice of the Peace Peterson here on a charge of
selling liquor. McAdams was arrested by Under-sheriff D E Bertken.-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rum Law Violators Trapped By Sloughs in Mariposa Raids
Fresno Bee, July 22, 1925
One Thousand Pints of Beer Seized in Woman's Brewery; Cliff House Annex at Merced Falls Found Scene of Liquor
Mariposa (Mariposa Co) July 22- Interruption of an alleged wholesale and retail beer business marked the return of J C Willams, special prohibition agent to valley counties. Raiding the "plant" of Mr. I M Hawley, near Hayward, Mariposa County, described by officers as a "young brewery," the corps of dry officials, including Sheriff A Turner, Mariposa, unearthed 1000 pints of beer , 1,400 additional bottles ready to be filled, and vats in full operation.
Mrs. Hawley, it was said, was getting 30 cents a pint for beer; retail quotations. She paid a fine of $500 before Justice Tuthill at Exchequer.
At the Cliff House Annex at Merced Falls, Gus Johnson was arrested while serving a drink to a customer. He is in jail at Mariposa, charged with possession of jackass brandy.
ANIMAL
ENCOUNTERS
Mr. Ashworth- kills lion,
1854-Mariposa Chronicle
ANOTHER
FATAL GRIZZLY ENCOUNTER
Daily
Evening Bulletin,
(San
Francisco,
CA)
Friday,
October 22, 1858; Issue 13; col C
The Mariposa Gazette says that a man named Kenny, who reside on the
Stanislaus, was last week so badly injured by a grizzly, which he had
wounded and followed into the thicket, that he cannot possibly
recover. Two of his ribs were torn out, and one arm and one leg
badly crushed.
Stockton Daily
Independent
August
8, 1862
THROWN FROM a HORSE -- The Mariposa ‘Gazette’
says J.G. BELL, formerly a resident of that place, was thrown from his horse on the Lower
Mariposa, Friday, the 1st instant, and had his collar bone broken, beside sustaining other injuries.
--------------------------------------
Stockton Daily Independent
TUESDAY, 13 NOV 1866
FATAL ACCIDENT -- Jonathan ROSS, familiarly known as "Grizzly ROSS," and for many years a resident of Mariposa and Fresno counties, was killed Nov. 3d at the BACHMAN Ranch, Fresno county, by being run over by a 2 horse team. Dee S.
Stockton Daily Independent
MONDAY, 22 JUL 1867
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING - A young lady named Emma REUTER, of Mariposa, has a narrow escape from drowning on Friday of last week, says the 'Gazette,' while crossing the ferry at Split Rock, on the Merced river. The animal she was riding
backed over the boat and threw her off. Her foot, however, hung in the stirrup, while her head was under water, and in this position she was rescued by Deputy Sheriff AMES, who was accompanying her and Miss BEHAM to this place [Mariposa], to attend the school teachers' examination. transcribed by Dee S
Cow
for sale Mariposa Gazette May 14, 1887
Bill NYE's Cow.
Bill Nye, it seems, has a cow which he offers to sell- in the following
language: " Owing to ill health, I will sell at my residence
in township 29, range 18 west according to government survey, one
crushed raspberry colored cow, aged six years. She is a good milkster,
and not afraid of cars or anything else. She is a cow of
undaunted courage, and gives milk frequently. To a man who does
not fear death in any form, she would be a great boon. She is very much
attached to her home at present, by means of a trace-chain, but she
will be sold to any one who will agree to treat her right. She is one
forth shorthorn and three-fourths hyena. Purchaser need not be
identified. I will also through in a double barrel shotgun, which goes
with her. In May she generally goes away for a week or two, and returns
with a tall, red calf, with long, wobbly legs. Her name is Rose. I
would prefer to sell her to a non-resident. submitted by Bill Disbro
---------------------------------------
GEORGE LEIDIG- A
hair raising bear story, 1892
Thomas
Price - gored by Bull-1884
Man Eats Dog------1905
L. J. West-thrown from horse- 1872
John Kellett- dragged by horse- 1873
MARIPOSA FARMER IS HURT AS MOUNT FALLS
Fresno Bee, Wed April 2, 1924
Mariposa (Mariposa Co) April 2- John B Trabucco, farmer and
stockraiser, suffered a a broken shoulder and severe bruises when his
horse fell under him while he was driving stock near the Mt.
Gaines
Mine.
The accident occurred near the home of William Thomas and
Trabucco was
taken to a Merced hospital. He was accompanied by his daughter,
Mrs. Mildred Williams , a nurse.
-----------------------------------
Fresno Bee, June 3, 1925
Bear 'Strike" Brought to End At Yosemite
Yosemite- (Mariposa Co)
The bear strike that has tied up Yosemite National Park is over. The bears are back on the job at the bear pits, seeing folks and being
seen.
Both bears and officials claim to have won the strike, or walk-out, or whatever it was, when the bears hid out because Superintendent W H Lewis replaced the park garbage dump with a new incinerator. "We won," claim the bear Brotherhood leaders, "there's food down at the garbage dumps again."
"The incinerator's still on the job, and it's going to stay on the job," declare Yosemite Park officials.
Jack (last name unreadable) , who has charge of stages for the Yosemite Park and Curry Company, is the fellow who ended the strike.
(last name of the above Jack still unreadable) got a couple five gallon cans, which he filled with honey and syrup. He took a brush and painted everything in the neighborhood of the bear pits with honey. He painted trunks of trees, boards, tin cans, and every little thing that was in the way. That "busted" the Yosemite bear strike- c feroben
-----------------------------
Fresno Bee, June 2, 1929
TWO HELD FOR STEALING CALF- Madera (Madera Co) Feb 3
Roy Phels and James Sturlock, the former under two years probation in this county, were arrested yesterday by Sheriff W C Phodes, Deputy Sheriff Irwin Schnoor of Madera County, and Sheriff James Castagnetto of Mariposa County, on the Gill ranch on the Mariposa side of the Chowchilla River, for stealing and killing a calf on the ranch.
The dressed calf and its hide were found in a deserted cabin on the Madera side of the river. Indications were that the animal was killed on the Mariposa side. It is expected that the men will be brought to Madera County to answer to the charge of stealing the calf. transcribed by c feroben
-------------------------------
GIRL RATTLED BY RATTLER? NO, SHE GETS HIS RATTLES
MARIPOSA (Mariposa Co)
Fresno Bee, July 21, 1934
Finding a rattlesnake wrapped around her ankle would frighten many a
young woman out of her wits, but not so Miss Rebekah Fournier of Mount
Bullion.
To Miss Fournier it was just another opportunity to get a novel souvenir.
Her foot descended on the snake while she was walking along the street. She look (sic) down to see the reptile twisting itself around her ankle. She killed the snake and detached its two rattles and buttons which she now carries in her purse. c feroben
HUGE RATTLER KILLED
Fresno Bee, Thursday, Aug 11, 1927
MARIPOSA (Mariposa Co)- Aug 11- A rattlesnake five and one-half feet in length was killed by C F Ramsden at Hites Cove. Ramsden, who was doing some mining in that section found the "old timer" coiled up and ready for action near the cabin door. A welll-aimed rock brought a speedy victory over the reptiles, which was found to have twelve large rattles and evidence of twice that many having been worn off by being dragged over the rock hills at Hites Cove.- c feroben
Fresno
Bee-November 29, 1929
HUNTER KILLS FOUR LIONS
Mariposa (Mariposa Co. Nov. 29-Jay Bruce, California State lion hunter,
was in Mariposa today on his return from a mountain lion hunting
expedition to the Wawona vicinity where he slew a male lion weighing
140 pounds, a female lion and her two half-grown cubs. The lion
was killed on Panoche Mountain and lioness and cubs on Bishop Creek.
Bruce will leave tomorrow for Jerseydale where he will hunt five or six
days for lions reported in that vicinity. From there he will go to the
north side of the Merced River in the Hazel Green country to do more
hunting. transcribed by c feroben
____________________________________________________
RATTLESNAKE
KILLS BOY
Hayward Review- Hayward, California, July 25, 1944
MARIPOSA-Arthur Chapman, 11 died Sunday as the result of a rattlesnake
bite suffered while visiting on a ranch near here. His home was in El
Monte.. c feroben
Modesto Bee and News -Herald, Saturday, June 25, 1949
MARAUDING BEARS BRING WILD WEST TO COULTERVILLE
by Claire K Wheeler
COULTERVILLE,
June 25. All over California, people are making an all out effort
to
bring back the days of 1849-that is every place but in Coulterville.
Here a few brown bears, uninvited, brought back those bygone days
without help two weeks ago
TERROR REIGNS
Their reign of terror has gone unabated ever since.
Ranchers, miners, and vactionists in this sparsely inhabited mountain
area cannot leave their homes without fear of depredations. Even
staying home does not always help. One bear entered the opened door of
Martin Glover's cabin at the Argo
mine while Glover was away.
On his return in a jeep, the bear leaped through a window and ran
under the jeep. Colliding with the hot exhaust tailpipe, the bear took
off over the
mountain. Glover has driven off the bear with shots on several
other occasions.
ENTERS SHED
A
bear, possibly the some one, entered a shed at Westmoreland Brothers
store here and tore open sacks of feed late one night. Arlo
Westmoreland investigated. The bear charged
Westmoreland as it sought a path of escape then crashed into a corral
fence. Westmoreland headed in another direction, collided with a
garbage can. The store is about a mile from the Glover cabin.
Further up Smith Creek, a bear entered the apple house on the Walter
McLean ranch through a window five feet off the ground. Attempts
to break in a door had failed.
A bear also entered the vacant Lloyd Carter home on Jordan Creek, doing
considerable damage.
The McCleans and Lyle Converse saw a small bear near the McLean gate
early on that evening but the animal escaped.
The
National Park Service doubted the bear or bears causing trouble in this
area were any of those released from the Yosemite National Park.
They
state the bears were released at a distant point and would work their
way back toward the park. transcribed by cferoben
-------------------------------
BUSINESS
VENTURES
HASKELL- Dec. 16, 1863 , Stockton
Daily
Independent
FOUNDRY – N. HASKELL is about to build a new iron foundry in the town of Mariposa.
--------------------------
Stockton Daily Independent Journal
Tuesday, March 24, 1863
TOBACCO -- A man named DeLONG, residing near Mariposa, informs the ‘Gazette’ that he will this year raise 2 tons of tobacco.
---------------------------
Stockton Daily Independent- FRIDAY, 3 JUNE 1864
WOOL FROM MARIPOSA – Mr. George MAY brought 76 bales of wool to this city yesterday from Mariposa county. It will be sent to San Francisco today on the schooner Kate Blakiston. transcribed by Dee S
-----------------------------------------------
Mariposa Gazette dated July 10, 1897:
County Map. George E. Washburn,
the gentleman who has the contract to furnish a map of Mariposa county was in
Mariposa during the week. He has the drafting of the map practically
completed. The Supervisors accepted it and Mr. Washburn says that he will have
the maps completed and for sale in about a month. The maps will be published by
the Dakin Publishing Co., 320 Sansome Street, San Francisco. They will be sold
for $10 each." transcribed by Zelda Dubel
---------------------------
SOLARI-Feb
10, 1910-Mariposa Gazette
V. A. Solari of
Jamestown, son of N. Solari of Indian Gulch, this county, has taken
charge of the Willow hotel in Jamestown and will conduct the same on a
first class basis.
------------------------------------------
ALAIRD- Feb. 10,
1910- Mariposa Gazette
The restaurant of M. S. Alaird in the Capital saloon building, will be
open only on Wednesday and Saturday until further notice.
------------------------------
HORNITOS SLATE QUARRY TO BE WORKED AGAIN-
Fresno Bee, May 23, 1923
MARIPOSA- Mariposa Co- Supervisor J W COLLINS and W A HILDRETH of
Hornitos were visitors at Maripsoa recently.
Hildreth has taken over the slate quarries in the civinity of Hornitos
and is planning to do some extensive development work there. He has
recently patented a process by which the slated is ground and recasted
into blackboard slate and house shingles.
Hildreth has taken over the slate quarry here for many months hopping
to uncover a slate of finer quality, but he found most of it too badly
shaken up to be of great commercial value. It was this
latter fact that caused him to develop the idea of pulverizing the
slate and recasting it into slabs.
Hildreth proposes to begin operatoins on a large scale.- transcribed by
cdf
----------------------------------------------
PLASKETT-
November 11, 1926-Modesto News-Herald
Housing Conditions In Mariposa Acute
MARIPOSA- Nov. 10 (Special)
The housing conditions in Mariposa has become very acute during the
past year since the completion of the all-year highway into
Yosemite. L. L. Plaskett, local merchant, has erected several
cabins on his vacant lots in Mariposa.
So great has been the demand that Plaskett has been forced to construct
more of these little two room building to accommodate others who have
made application for homes or temporary stopping quarters at the county
seat.
------------------
MARIPOSA WILL HAVE MODERN CAMP GROUND- 1926- unidentified news article
L L
Plaskett, the progressive merchant of Mariposa, is making preparations
for the establishment of a camp ground on property in the rear of his
store. When completed, the camp will be fully equipped with all
conveniences for the modern motoring camper. submitted by Tom
Phillips
-----------------------------
TRABUCCO-
November 11, 1926 Modesto News-Herald
OLD HOSPITAL SOLD FOR $550
Judge J J Trabucco highest Bidder at Auction; to Remove Building
MARIPOSA, Nov. 10 (Special)- When the old Mariposa County hospital
building went under the hammer of the auctioneer at two-thirty o'clock
today, there was considerable competitive bidding for a few minutes and
the town's population was in doubt for a while as to who the new owner
might be.
When Chairman J C Grosjean of the board of Supervisors, acting in the
capacity of county auctioneer, called the time, bids started out
briskly at $200. With Superior Judge J J TRABUCCO and
Assessor-elect E W Bagby (unreadable) against each other for
possession,
the price gradually mounted to $550, and on the sound of the gavel was
sold to Judge Trabucco at that price.
It is understood that Trabucco will have the building taken down in the
spring and removed to some of his valuable land holdings in the
Hornitos district. c feroben
-------------------------------------------------------
Valuable Mariposa Property Has Changed Hands
Mariposa Gazette, July 15, 1927
A business transfer of considerable importance was made in Mariposa
last week, whereby Mr. and Mrs. James Dulcich purchased the store and
telephone office of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Gann. The new owners took
possession on Saturday morning.
Considerable improvement has been made in the building and the new
owners expect to make it a very attractive business place by the
addition of new and up-to-date equipment.
Mr. and Mrs. Gann have not made any definite plans for the future.
Mr. and Mrs. Dulcich are both natives of Mariposa county, they are in
industrious and progressive young couple, recently married have lots of
friends and their success in the recently acquired business is assured.
The transfer of property also includes the telephone exchange, which
alone is a very profitable business.
The good wishes of the public go with Mr. and Mrs. Gann upon their
retirement from Business, which has been developed from a very
unimportant little stand to one of the best business places in Mariposa.
see the MARIPOSA TELEPHONE EXCHANGE- 1931
-----------------------------
A business transaction of considerable importance transpired in
Mariposa the past week, whereby F. T. Schlageter has taken over the
well known Huls Grocery.
Mr Schlageter is a young man, born and raised in this community,
and has a wide circle of friends who will be glad to see him make a
success in this new venture.
transcribed by Tom Hilk
Fresno
Bee, Sat, Feb. 2, 1929
HUGE TUOLUMNE, MARIPOSA TIMBER DEAL FORECAST
Mariposa (Mariposa Co) Feb 2- An agreement filed with the recorder at
Mariposa a few days back at the request of Arthur H Fleming shows
that the White and Friant Lumber Company of Los Angeles agree to sell
to Robert C Gillis of Los
Angeles and to Arthur H Fleming of Pasadena
all of the immense timber holdings in Mariposa and Tuolumne Counteis,
consisting of over 11,000 acres.
Much of this timber is adjoining the timber lands held by the Yosemite
Lumber Company, but which of late, it is understood have been
transferred to the Sugar Pine Lumber Company of Fresno.
It is reported that the Sugar Pine Lumber Company will begin operations
in the woods near Hazel Green just as soon as weather conditions will
permit and that more than a thousand men will be employed in the mill
at Merced Falls and the woods during the coming season.
transcribed by c feroben
Fresno Bee
October 4, 1929
POWER COMPANY BUILDS STATION IN MARIPOSA
Mariposa-Mariposa CO- Oct 4- The San Joaquin Light and Power
Corporation is spending in the neighborhood of $30,000 in the
construction of buildings a sub-station on the Summit between Bear
Valley and Bagby. Included in the improvements is a four-room
modern dwelling equipped with hot and cold water, electric power, a
stable for the employee who will have to keep a horse to ride the
lines, a garage and the substation and building. F O Scott is the
foreman in charge of the work. From this point the service of
Coulterville, Bagby, Mt. Bullion, Mariposa and the mines and highway
resorts will be cared for.
HORNITOS
RANCHER GETS $45,500 Federal Loan
Fresno Bee
Republican, October 14, 1934
Mariposa (Mariposa
Co), Oct. 13-
Records filed here this week with County Recorder J W
PRATT show that George D TURNER of Hornitos, has been granted a $45,500
Federal Land Bank loan.
As a result of the loan, the county treasury is enriched to the extent
of $3,200 in delinquent taxes.
F A BONDSHU, who represents the land bank, reported that no other loan
in the county had exceeded $20,000. Bondshu has been able to get
more than $250,000 in government loans for Mariposa County farmers and
stockmen.
Turner's holdings consist of 6,088 acres near Hornitos and Indian
Gulch- transcribed by cferoben
---------------------------------
COVERED WAGON
MAKER DOES A THRIVING BUSINESS
Modesto Bee, Sunday March 22, 1959
by Nadine Wharton
HORNITOS, Mariposa Co- Reconditioning a wagon is just part of the
day's work for Al, senior citizen of this community. And the
market for covered wagons, in a day of sleek chrome loaded automobiles,
is "pretty good," Daugherty says.
Daugherty found himself in the "used covered wagon business the day
someone wanted to buy the picturesque wagon he used for advertising
purposes. He has reconditioned and sold three wagons since that
time, and is planning to start work on another very soon.Who buys
covered wagons today? Contractors and motel owners who use them to
attract business. Daugherty says he sold one wagon to a man who
wanted to "fix up his yard."
Just Found Himself in Business
Daugherty sells antiques and relics of the west from his rambling house
and ground just outside Hornitos. He "found himself" in the antique
business in much the same way he one day found himself making covered
wagons.
During the depression, and until recently when he recently retired,
Daugherty sold household supplies in Mariposa County. In the
tight days of the depression, a housewife who was short of funds would
pay in goods rather than cash when Daugherty delivered her order.
Daugherty soon found himself accepting everything from pigs to iron
stoves as payment, and he discovered many people were interested in
buying old relics.
Buys and Sells and Reconditions
Daugherty combs the hills of Mariposa County in search of the old
wagons which he later covers and reconditions. And if someone has an
old harness making outfit, or a wagon wheel, or some antique glass,
knows Daugherty will take it off his hands.
Today, Al and May Daugherty live and work at their Hornitos home. Part
of the Daugherty property once was mined extensively, but today grass
covers the diggings. Neat outbuildings shelter the wagons and the many
relics daugherty has collected.
For these two senior citizens, the years of retirement are busy and
productive, and certainly do not mean retirement from life. cdf
-------------------------------------
CATHEY's VALLEY NEWS
Fresno Bee
Republican, December 13,
1963
POSTOFFICE NAME AGAIN WILL BE CATHEY's VALLEY
Cathey's Valley-Mariposa Co- Cathey's Valley again will be the offical
name for this postoffice in Mariposa County, nestling in the lower
foothills, effective January 1st.
The change in name from Cathay to Cathey's Valley followed a petition
to
the US Postal Department by nearly 100 per cent of the residents in
that area.
Cathey's Valley is named for the Cathey family who originally settled
in this agricultural area and filled the bread basket for the miners
during the Gold Rush. They particularly provided grain and meat for the
entire area.
Said one Cathey descendent: "The women were almost too religious, and
the men loved to gamble and race horses." The Cathey's Valley Methodist
Church was started by this family, and the Mariposa Methodist Church
was supported by the Cathey's Valley Church for many years.
Descendent of the original Cathey, Wills, and Rowland families still
live in this picturesque valley and recall the stories handled down of
the wagon train days across the plains and mountains.
Gloria Palmer, postmistress of Cathey's Valley, announced the zip code
number of 95306 will remain the same after the name change. c feroben
CHINESE
Daily Evening
Bulletin, San Francisco, CA June 23, 1858
ANTI-CHINESE DEMONSTRATION AT MARIPOSA
On 16th June, a meeting of the citizens of the town of Mariposa was
held there, when on a preamble that Chinese residents had caused the
late fire in Mariposa, the following resolution was unanimously passed:
That the inhabitants and real estate proprietors in Mariposa, or any of
them will not in future lease, sell, or permit to be occupied by any
Chinese population, any real estate or buildings between 1st and 9th
streets, and between the summit of the east side of the town, and the
summit of the hill on the southwest side of the town.
An agreement in terms of this resolution was in cirulation, for
signature by the citizens.- transcribed by cferoben
Daily Evening
Bulletin, San Francisco, CA, June 04, 1859
THE CHINESE EXPELLED FROM HORNITOS
The Chinese expelled From Hornitos- A fire broke out in the Chinese
quarter of the town of Hornitos on the morning of 24th May, which was
fortunately extinguished without doing much damage. The citizens having
about three weeks before warned them to leave immediately, held a
meeting and ordered them to leave at 3 o'clock, P.M., that day. Not
heeding this second warning , they were driven out by force. There was
but little excitement about it, and a portion of the citizens took no
part in it. They intend building a town on the hill between El
Dorado creek and Hornitos- Mariposa
Star
Mariposa Gazette, April 1
1862
Saturday last a fight took place
between two companies of Chinese on
the
Lower Agua Fria, in which a Chinaman named Ty was seriously if not
mortally
wounded by a countryman named Tin SEE. The difficulty occurred about
a water ditch
and division of water. An examination of the affair took place before
Justice
BRUCE, who, in default of a $500 bond, committed the said Tin
See to prison to await
the action of the Grand Jury.
submitted by Harriet Sturk- Jan 2003
Daily
Evening Bulletin,
(San
Francisco,
CA)
Monday,
March 29, 1858; Issue 145; col A
ATTEMPT TO GET RID OF THE
CHINESE IN MARIPOSA
The following manifesto, says the Gatees is now being circulated for
signature in the town of Mariposa:
We, the undersigned citizens and property holders in the town of
Mariposa, Mariposa county, California, hereby agree and bind ourselves
not to rent, sell, nor permit Chinese to occupy any of our possessions
within our town limits.
2. We who now have Chinese tenants in or on our processions, do hereby
further agree not to renew any lease to said Chinese after the
expiration of such time as we have received rents in advance.
3. The signing of this article shall not be considered binding on
anyone who may have signed, unless agreed to and signed by all the
property-holders within our town limits.
4. The town limits shall be considered to extend from Chicken Gulch, on
the Mariposa Creek, up to Missouri Gulch.
Be if further agreed, That
we will consider the citizen who would tolerate their presence, or act
contrarywise to the above expressed determination of those whose names
are hereunto affixed, to hold the welfare and safety of the community
in light consideration.
Daily Evening Bulletin,
(San Francisco, CA) Saturday, April 24, 1858, Issue 14 Col B
A CHINESE TOWN PROJECTED-
The Mariposa Gazette says that it is the intention of the Chinese
population in its county to build a permanent town near the garden of
Allison & Powell, about two miles from the town of Mariposa. Lots
have been already staked off, and other preparations made for found a
Celestial city, where they can sit under their own canvass, and smoke
opium to their heart's content, without being interfered with by
"outside barbarians." Judging from the crowd already in and near
Mariposa town, and the numbers daily arriving, it may become a place of
note. It is estimated that the Orientals already in the
county,outnumber the white population about two to one. To supply
this people with amusements, a Chinese theatrical troupe has taken up
its quarters in the locality. The company number some twenty-five
actors, one actress and a full quota of ___(unreadable).
Their engagement is said to be for the "season."
Daily
Evening Bulletin,
(San Francisco,
CA)
Wednesday,
June 09, 1858; Issue 53; col A
THE CHINESE AND THE RECENT
BURNINGS- The recent terrible news from our neighbors of San
Andreas and Mariposa again compels us to call attention to the reckless
disregard of the consequences of the careless use of fire among our
Chinese population. For some days past, we are informed, that for
some religious purposes, unknown to outsiders, they have scattered fire
about in a manner which has in the highest degree endangered the safety
of Stockton. If we should suffer from such a calamity as has visited
our sister towns and cities, we have no hesitation in expressing
the opinion that a Chinese house will be the origin of it- San Joaquin
Republican
Stockton Daily Independent
WEDNESDAY, 26 SEPT 1866
DESPERATE COMBAT in HORNITOS -- E.G. HALL, of Hornitos, killed a Chinaman on Friday night last week, says the Mariposa 'Gazette,' under very peculiar circumstances. He heard a noise in his hen house, and got up and went there, when he met a Chinaman in the very act of stealing chickens. In attempting to seize the fellow, HALL accidentally got one hand in the Chinaman's mouth. With the other he seized hold of his cue, and twisted it around his neck, and hung on. The severe biting of his hand caused HALL to faint. Mrs. HALL thinking her husband was gone rather longer than was necessary, and fearing that something had happened, went to the chicken house where she found HALL and the Chinaman on the ground, the former had fainted, the latter was choked to death. It required considerable of an effort to pry open the dead Chinaman's mouth to relieve HALL's hand. This was one of the strangest deadly encounters we ever heard of. transcribed by Dee S
CHURCH
NOTES
New
Catholic Church
Stockton Daily Independent
FRIDAY, 23 JAN 1863
MARIPOSA NEWS -- During the last year, says the ‘Gazette,’ many improvements have been made in Mariposa -- many of them being of special
importance, as indicating the growth and prosperity of that place; but there has been erected no structure deserving so much credit, or
adding so much to the beauty of the place as the new Catholic church. The enterprising citizens who have labored and worked and accomplished this are deserving of all credit. It exhibits an energy -- a religious devotion -- truly admirable and worthy the commendation of all good people.
The new church has been erected between 1st and 2nd streets, fronting on Main street, on a little eminence, and its steeple rises high over the
town. 2 blocks will embrace the entire grounds; the one on Main street containing the church and grounds, and the block in the rear -- 250 feet by
125 -- being intended for a cemetery. The selection of the site is well made; and it is capable of being rendered even more beautiful
than at present. The church is not entirely finished, but near enough to have been consecrated, in accordance with the rites of the
Catholic persuasion, on Sunday last.
Stockton Daily Independent- Mar 16, 1864
MINISTER "SURPRISED" – The congregation of Rev. J.C. PENDERGAST, of Mariposa, on the 11th instant surprised that gentleman by the presentation of $285.
Oakland Tribune,
March
3, 1939
Pope
Has Second Cousin in Mariposa County
Merced,
March 3- Father M J Stack of Merced said today that Ernest
Misio of White Rock, Mariposa County, was a second cousin of the newly
elected Pope Pius X11 and believed to be one of his closest living
relatives. Father Stack went to White Rock yesterday to notify
Misio of the election. He said Misio was in correspondence with Pius
X11 when he was Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli.
COURT
HOUSE ITEMS OF INTEREST
(ed note- The Mariposa County Courthouse is NOT
the oldest courthouse in continuous use west of the Mississippi-
It is the oldest courthouse in continuous use west of the Rockies.)
Mariposa Gazette July 25th, 1891
exert from,
Monday, July 20, 1891
The Board of Supervisors met according to adjournment. Present- the
full Board. J. J. WESTFALL in the chair.
Bids for the construction of an addition to the Vault of the Court
House were opened, and the contract for its construction was awarded to
Chas. S. PEEK of Merced, with certain alterations and additions,
provided for in the contract, for $1,860, on condition of his furnishing
a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $1,000.
Supervisor Thomas HODGSON was appointed a committee of one to
supervise the construction of said Vault according to specifications,
and the auditor was authorized to draw his warrant in payment of amounts
as they fall due on such fund as will hereafter be designated.
(Thomas Hodgson was my g g grandfather)
Mary Ashworth Phelan
Alpine, Az
Fresno Bee, August 11, 1925
Mariposa-(Mariposa County)
Aug. 11- After seventy-one years the old Mariposa County Courthouse has
been fitted with water pipes. No more will court be recessed
while judge and jury descend stairs and cross the street to quench a
Midsummer thirst.
Incidentally the improvements
afford the first fire protection to the building since its erection in
1854, and progressive residents are in hopes that shrubbery and lawns
will soon adorn the spacious courthouse grounds.
MARIPOSANS FIGHT ALTERATIONS IN OLD COURTHOUSE
SERA Plan to Make Changes in Historic Building Hits Snag
Fresno Bee Republican, Sunday March 3, 1935
Mariposa (Mariposa Co) March 2- Agitation has been started by leading
citizens of Mariposa County against the projected alterations to the
Mariposa County Courthouse under an SERA program which calls for
rearrangement of partitions and offices in the historic building.
Recently, the SERA allotted $4,899 for remodeling work in the old
building, which was erected in 1852 (sic-the
courthouse was erected in 1854) , and for the constructin of
another story on the courthouse annex.
FAVOR ANNEX ADDITION
No objections are being raised, according to John L Dexter, local
publisher, against the addition to the annex but Mariposans are up in
arms agains the alterations i nthe old building.
Dexter contends that, if the situation were brought to the attentino of
the native sons and daughers and others interested in hisoric
California, enough money could be raised not only to presere the old
building in its original form but also to construct a new building.
WANT RELICS PRESERVED
"It seem sridiculous," says Dexter, "for the SERA on the one hand to be
allotting $10,000 for the study of old Mariposa County architecture,
with a view of preserving it, and on the other hand to be appropriated
money for the militaltion of the most famouns and historic old building
in the county. We have no objectin to the addition to be made to
the annex and we contend the annex can be improved and remodeled to
accomodate the business for which the proposed alterations in the
old building are designed."
All SERA work in Mariposa County was stopped temporarily yesterday
because lack of funds and the local opponents of the alterations in the
old courthouse hope in the interim to marshal enough oppositin to the
project to prevent its realization.
DOMESTIC
TROUBLES
Sacramento
Daily Union
,Tuesday Morning
,January 1, 1867
STATISTICS OF CALIFORNIA - 1866
THE STATE
June 26th=Mrs.
GREEN left her husband and child, at Mariposa, and eloped with James
BORDEN.
DUELS
Stockton Daily Argus
Monday, 27 May 1861
FATAL DUEL -- A duel took place in Marin county on Saturday between Hon. Chas. W. PIERCEY, from San Bernardino, and Hon. Dan SHOWALTER, from Mariposa, both members of the late Assembly. The weapons used were rifles and the distance 40 paces. PIERCEY was shot dead on the 2nd fire. The difficulty originated in a debate on the Union resolutions which passed the Assembly on the 17th inst., in which personal remarks were made by SHOWALTER. On account of this language, after the adjournment of the Legislature, Mr. PIERCEY sent a challenge to Mr. SHOWALTER. H.P. WATKINS, Senator form Yuba, and Sam. SMITH of the same county, acted as friends of Mr. PIERCEY; and F. SORREL, Assemblyman from Siskiyou, and Thos. LASPEYRE of San Joaquin, filled the same office for Mr. SHOWALTER.
Mr. PIERCEY was a young man, single, a farmer, and lived at Gorgonia Pass in San Bernardino. He was from Illinois, 26 years of age, and a Douglas Democrat. Mr. SHOWALTER is also single, 30 years of age, a resident of Horse Shoe Bend, a miner, a Breckinridge Democrat, and hails from Pennsylvania. transcribed by Dee S
EARTHQUAKES
Fresno Bee Republican, March
17, 1933
Kin of Mariposan
Killed in Earthquake
Mariposa (Mariposa Co)
March 17- Mrs. Edna Greenamyer, sister-in law of C. E. Greenamyer of
Bridgeport inn, Mariposa County, was numbered among the list of killed
in the recent earthquake in Southern California. She was a resident of
Huntington Park. Greenamyer went South for the funeral
MARIPOSA
IS ROCKED BY SEVERE
EARTHQUAKE
Modest Bee and News- Herald
Friday Nov. 12, 1948
Mariposa, Nov.12- The historic mining
community of Mariposa rocked Wednesday evening during what old timers
described as the worst earthquake in their memory.
The quake hit the town at
approximately 6:30 o'clock and most residents
rushed outdoors to see what blew up. Many thought it was the
neighbors' gas tanks or hot water heaters.
No damage was reported to
the various historic buildings in the
community. The quake lasted a few seconds.- c feroben
EDITORIAL
JABS
Stockton Daily Argus
Thursday, 20 Sept. 1860
*************************
THE MARIPOSA 'GAZETTE,' a paper which long since forfeited the respect
of the decent portion of the people of Mariposa, and which, in this
city, is better known as the Mariposa 'Varieties,' attempts to pass
judgment upon the "tone and respectability" of the 'Argus.' That's
refreshing!
FIRES
THERE ARE SO MANY ARTICLES ON MARIPOSA COUNTY FIRES
THEY HAVE BEEN MOVED TO A SEPARATE PAGE:
See Mariposa County Fires
Mariposa Town- 1858
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arson-Tuesday,
9 Apr 1861-
Stockton Daily Argus
FROM MARIPOSA -- James HENRY, convicted of arson, and sentenced to the State Prison for 3 years, and James THOMAS, negro, partner of James HENRY, convicted of the same crime, but having pleaded guilty was sentenced for 1 year, passed through this city yesterday under charge of Deputy Sheriff Thos. R. HOWELL, on their way to San Quentin, from Mariposa.
--------------------------------------------------------
Bear Valley Fire-
August 16, 1862
Mariposa Gazette
Tuesday,
August 16, 1862: " A
destructive fire occurred
in Bear Valley Saturday night last, about 11:0'clock; entirely
destroying
the southern portion of the town. The fire originated in the St.
Charles
Hotel. It appears to have first caught fire, between the kitchen
and main building adjoining. From the hotel the fire spread to
the
office and store of the Fremont Estate, destroying both buildings and a
large amount of goods; it also crossed the street and burned the livery
stable and blacksmith shop of R. W. HAMMATT.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stockton
Daily Independent
Bear Valley Fire-
August 16, 1862
TUESDAY, 19 AUG. 1862
FIRE at BEAR VALLEY -- A fire broke out at Bear Valley, Mariposa county, on Saturday night. It started in SHEPPARD's Hotel, and spread rapidly to PARK's store and assay office, to HAMMATT's stable and blacksmith shop, and to CASTAGNATTI's frame building. The Oso House was saved by the great exertions of friends of Mr. BATES, its proprietor. The losses incurred are as follows:
Mr. SHEPPARD (Hotel), $5000
PARK's (store, assay office, &c.), $45,000
HAMMATT (stable, hay, grain, &c.), $3000
CASTAGNATTI, $1500
Mr. T.S. BATES lost 40 tons of hay & 10,000 pounds of barley. transcribed by Dee S
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September , 1862
FIRE!
SNELLING
About
two-thirds of the population of Snelling was reportedly
made homeless and "pennyless" as a result of a fire that broke out
about
1:00 a.m. on September 16, 1862. The fire started in the
rear
of
the carpenter shop and sash and blind factory owned by Frank PECK,
spreading
to PRINCE's Hotel and the GOLDSMITH Store and ultimately the entire
principal
business block in town. The fire was believed to have been of
incendiary
origin.
Mariposa
Gazette Centennial Edition- 1954
Cferoben-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 2, 1862
Stockton Daily Independent
FIRE --
-The house of Louis HADLICK, a mile from Hornitos, Mariposa county,
was destroyed by fire on Tuesday evening. The flames spread with such
rapidity that everything in the way of furniture within the house
except the 2 trunks of clothing, was destroyed. An infant was taken
from a burning bed only in time to save its life after receiving a
severe burn in the arm. The property was estimated to be worth $3000
and was insured by McLean & Fowler, San Francisco, for $2000. transcribed by Dee S
MONDAY, 26 OCT 1863
Stockton Daily Independent
FIRE at HORNITOS – On the morning of the 23d instant a fire broke out next door to the wooden hotel of E.G. HALL, in a stable, owned by D. GHIRADELLI. The hotel and stable were both destroyed. Mr. HALL saved none of his furniture, and his loss is severe, as none of the property was covered by insurance. Incendiaries is thought to have been the cause of the fire.
TUESDAY, 3 NOV. 1863
Stockton Daily Independent
INCENDIARYISM – No doubt, says the Mariposa 'Press,' exists in the minds of the people of Hornitos, that the recent fire there was the work of an incendiary. On the Tuesday night previous to the fire, an attempt was made to fire the building occupied by R.R. GIVENS as a meat market. Some kindling wood was placed between the building (which is of wood) and the brick wall of a store adjoining and ignited. It had burned a hole through the former when it was discovered accidentally by some person who happened to be up and about at an unusually late hour. The object of the rascals who are at this work, is probably plunder – at which they would be enabled, during the consequent excitement, to do a pretty fair business.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mariposa
1866
Agua
Fria 1866
Sacramento Daily Union Friday Morning, January 1, 1869,Page 1
STATISTICS OF CALIFORNIA - 1868 STATE RECORD
Noticeable Events During the Year
August 27th
The largest part
of the town of Hornitos, Mariposa county, was destroyed by fire. Loss, over
$60,000. transcribed by Betty Loose
Stockton
Daily
Independent-Monday, 24 July 1871
THE RESIDENCE of J. ADAIR of Bear Valley,
Mariposa county, was
destroyed by fire on Tuesday last.
Hornitos
Fires, 1870, 1873
Thomas Truitt- burns in Mariposa County
Jail- 1882
Gallison
Hotel 1887
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEAR
VALLEY ON FIRE
San Joaquin Valley Argus
July 21, 1888
From
Monday's daily
Yesterday
( Sunday) morning a fire started in the Oso
House at Bear
Valley. The flames spread rapidly and in
a few moments
the fine hotel
the large stables, and all the saloons
were on fire,
and there is but
little of the thriving little mountain
town left. The
fire is supposed
to be purely accidental. The loss will
amount to something
over twenty
thousand dollars. The government store
and a few private
dwellings are
still standing.
submitted by Tom Hilk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coulterville-1899
The
Louvre Hotel 1896
MARIPOSA FIRE
Merced Express, September 16, 1922
The town of Mariposa narrowly escaped possible destruction by fire Thursday when the forest fire, which had been raging for several days, burned up to the local county hospital in town, threatening it and the section of town on the west side of Mariposa creek. The schools were closed, and the high school boys aided residents in fighting the blaze, while the school girls carried water. The fire was about four miles wide and burned over 30,000 acres of dry feed. submitted by Tom Hilk
Fresno Bee
July 28, 1924
Woods Fire Rages Uncontrolled in Mariposa County
Whitlock District, Near Briceburg Prison Camp, Devastated by Blaze; Big
Timber is Eaten into by Conflagration To-day; Fifty Fighters Busy
MARIPOSA (Mariposa Co.) July 28- a brush and timber fire which started
in the Whitlock district six miles north of here at noon yesterday, is
still raging uncontrolled to-day, in spite o the efforts of fifty men,
twnety-five of whom were recruited in this community.
The fire at present is sweeping south up Mt. Bullion and north toward
Merced River, where Briceburg and the convict state highway labor camp
are located. These places are not yet threatened by the
blaze it is said.
An area of ten or twelve square miles has already been burned over;
mostly grass, brush and white oak and white pine. The "big
timber" is being burned into to-day and the damage will probably mount
much higher during the day.
Two homes in Whitlock have been destroyed. One was known as the
HELM house and occupied by William P HOSSTETTER. The other house,
occupied by an unidentified man, was also destroyed, and $100 in bills
burned with it.
The fire started on the farm of A E BENJAMIN, from undetermined
causes. The Whitlock district lies a few miles west of the state
highway, which runs north from Mariposa to Briceburg.
Fresno
Bee, August 11, 1925
FIRE DESTROYS LUMBER. BUILDINGS AT BAGBY
Bagby (Merced Co) Aug 11- Fire ealy yesterday destroyed lumber valued
at $700 and an old-time saloon and barn here.
C R Thompson, Merced contractor, owner of the lumber to be used in
construction of the new Bagby station for the YV Railroad line,
decared the fire began in the barn in an unknown manner. Neighbors and
carpetners assisted in extinguishing the flames.
Fresno
Bee, August 22, 1927
MARIPOSA SAVED FROM ONRUSHING FIRE BY 100 MEN
Blast of Powder Rock Mine As Flames Pass Through Mt. Bullion District
Mariposa (Mariposa Co) Aug. 22- Mariposa, the historic mining town in
the gold rush days, which was threatened by destruction by fire, was
saved by a number of volunteer firemen after a desperate battle last
night. By backfiring the residents prevented the blaze from igniting
the buildings, and reports from the scene of the raging fire aid that
over 10,000 acre have been burned.
The conflagration started last Wednesday on he Thomas homestead
near
Hornitos, and has spread to gigantic proportions. It is estimated
that the fire is burning on a twenty-five-mile front consuming trees,
brush, and range grass.
Word from the fire line at 10 o'clock this morning said that the fire
was eating its way to Raymond. John J Castagnetto of Mariposa, who is
in charge of the fire fighters, is centering the battle at this point.
100 Men In Battle
Over 100 men under direction of Postmaster J P Galgliardo and Constable
Richard Morrisey succeeded in brining the fire under control at the
north west end of Hornitos last night about 6 o'clock. The area
was covered with a low haze of smoke to-day. The wall of flames
stretched from Hornitos to five miles below Mariposa in the White Rock
district, a distance of about twenty-five mils. before it was
controlled by Hornitos residents.
The blaze destroyed the carpenter shop on the new Princeton Mine, a
mile east of Mt. Bullion, and caused a loss estimated at $2,000.
The old assay building also went up in flames and caused a $2,000 loss.
Rocks were blown high into the air when 750 pounds of giant powder and
9,000 caps exploded in the powder house near the mine. ON one was
injured here, but Dr. J. Rutland , company physician, was rescued from
the powder house by Sheriff Castagnetto, Herbert Ellingham, Stanley
Pearl and Bart Johnstone when the fire swept close by. A number
of men working within a half mile of the powder house escaped injury.
MARIPOSA IN DARKNESS
Mariposa has been in darkness since Saturday when _________(unreadalbe)
carrying the power lines of the San Joaquin Light and Power
Corporation were destroyed. The residents used candles and
lamps. Telephone communication was also hindered.
Wire fences were cut in the burning area in order that the cattle
might escape. They are pouring down the moun tain sides to
escape the best they can. Ranchers are making attempts to
herd the cattle into groups. Already a number have been killed.
RANCHED BURNED OVER
The Wass and DeMoss ranches, near here, were burned over by the
creeping flames, but the buildings were saved.
Homes in the Mount Bullion community were saved by women who formed
bucket brigades, but cabins on the Mount Bullion gold mine property
were destroyed.
Several ranches in Cathey Valley are reported to have been burned over,
but no buildings were destroyed in this section.
The Long Mary quartz mill near Mariposa was also destroyed by the fire
and the loss is estimated at several thousand dollars. It is
owned by the Mariposa Commercial Mining Company.
transcribed by c ferobn
Mariposa
Gazette
August 26, 1927
100,000 Acres Are
Burned In
Co. Fire
After eight days
of continuous burning, in which more that 150,000 acres of land were
left a blackened waste, the largest and most destructive fire in the
history of Mariposa county was brought under control 10 miles east of
Mariposa last Monday night. The loss will run well into six
figures.
The fire started
Wednesday, August 11, near the Mt. Gaines mine in the Quartzburg
district although various reports as to the cause of the fire have been
given out, such as the burning of brush and smoking of ground squirrels
from their dens, the real origin of the fire is unknown.
Owing to the
high grass and the favorable wind, the flames spread rapidly in several
directions, making its way over the mountains toward Bear Valley and
Mt. Bullion, crossing the Bear Valley road and onto the Mt.
Bullion. A large force of men were fighting the flames and
practically had the fire under control by Friday. It jumped the
fire line at Green's Gulch on Saturday and for several hours threatened
the town of Mt. Bullion. A number of houses, including the
Trengove and Tedrow homes and the dance hall took fire but were saved
by the heroic work of the fighters.
A half-ton of
giant powder was exploded in the powder magazine at the Mt. Bullion
mine, completely demolishing the house and hurling tons of stone and
debris into the air, near where the men were battling the flames; the
assay office, Fournier mine buildings and carpenter shop at the Mt.
Bullion mine were destroyed with several thousand dollar loss.
The buildings and timbers in the shaft at the new Princeton mine took
fire in several places and it looked for a time that the property must
be destroyed as the fire-fighters were forced to leave the scene on
account of the intense heat.
Again the flames
were almost under control but at Agua Fria creek the higher winds swept
the flames on toward Mariposa and Cathay Valley. On Sunday a
thousand men were on a forty-mile fire line fighting to save dozens of
ranch homes and the towns of Mariposa and Mt. Bullion which latter
place was again threatened by the approach of the fire from the north.
Near Mt. View
the fire crossed the Yosemite highway and burned its way south toward
White Rock destroying the Robert DeMoss and James Ward ranch buildings,
also it burned east toward Bootjack and Pea Ridge over the several
thousand acres of fine feed and destroyed hundreds of cords of wood
that have been cut for the trade.
The fire
threatened the town of Mariposa again on Monday when it broke out again
near the top of Mariposa hill, four miles north of Mariposa. This
was brought under control that evening by running the backfire line
down the county road and into the old fire line about a mile for
Mariposa.
On Tuesday the
fire started again near the Peterson Ranch. This was the last out
break of the fire and was under control by evening.
Mariposa was in
darkness from Saturday until Wednesday night, the electric power line
having been badly damaged.
A Fire was
reported to be burning on the Locke ranch near Cold springs last
Tuesday. It was placed under control before doing great
damage. transcribed by Tom Phillips
Mariposa Gazette
September 2, 1927
Heavy losers in the recent fire were Mr. And Mrs. A.I. Burns who lost
their house and other buildings. The home was built only a few
years ago, with all modern conveniences. Although they were not
living here at present, they return often to this mountain home and are
most loyal to Mariposa county interests.
Mr. S. Dunnaway
was here on Monday looking after his ranch, which was entirely burned
over. He found two horses so badly burned that it was necessary
to kill them, and he had been unable to locate several other
horses. transcribed by Tom Phillips
THREE DEAD
IN MARIPOSA CO BRUSH FIRE
San Mateo Times, August 20, 1931
MARIPOSA-Aug
20- A crew of fire fighters today was toiling
over a rough mountain trail above here, bearing homeward the the
bodies of three companions burned to death while fighting a brush fire
late yesterday.
The bodies were those of Arnold Love, 26, Mt. Bullion; Frank Smith, 22,
Mormon Bar, and James Worley 18, of near Boot Jack. All were
Mariposa county men and experienced in fighting mountain fires.
Love was married and the father of two children.
Although the fire they were helping to fight was spread over a large
area, it was only in brush and a small amount of timber, and was not
considered dangerous. National forest service authorities and
companions of the unfortunate youths were at a loss ot explain the
tragedy. transcribed by c feroben
Fresno
Bee Republican, July 1, 1933
TWO FIRES IN MARIPOSA
MARIPOSA (Mariposa Co.) July 1- Small fires were reported this week on
the George Ashworth place near Mormon Bar where a few acres of brush
was
burned and near the Nelson place on the outskirts of Mariposa where two
buildings and a tank house were destroyed.
MARIPOSA RANCHER's LIGHTING PLANT BURNED
Fresno Bee, November 23, 1934
Mariposa (Mariposa Co) Nov 23- A fire of undetermined origin destroyed
a shed that housed a lighting plant o the E S Day ranch, fourteen miles
south of here, Wednesday night, causing $800 damage, according to Day,
who is president of the Mariposa High School Board of Trustees.
The damage was not covered by insurance. Prompt action on the
part of the family saved their home from destruction when the flames
spread rapidly. transcribed by c feroben
Fresno Conviction is Hailed By Forest Men
May 8, 1936 Fresno Bee
San Francisco, May 8, The conviction of George Nutter and Denny Jacobs
in Fresno on charges of setting a forest fire in the Sierra National
Forest was hailed to-day by Regional United States Forester S. B. Snow
as only the beginning of a campaign to stamp out incendiary practices
in the national forests.
Show commended the work of the forest service investigators who spent
nearly two years gathering the evidence which led to the conviction of
Nutter in Madera and Madera County ranchers Jacobs, one of his
employees.
The forest officials declared the forest service intends to make
every effort to stamp out all incediarism in the national forest,
adding:
When it is possible for a person to be so heedless of the rights and
priviliges of others as wantonly to destroy 31,000,000 board feet of
conmmercial timber by a fire which cost $4,700 of the taxpayers' money
to supress and which caused far reaching losses to the local community
and the whole state, it is time for drastic action.
NUTTER JACOBS ARE GIVEN JAIL TERMS FOR FIRES
May 8, 1936 , Fresno Bee
Judge Assers Forest Must be Protected; Motion for New Trail Denied
Ferderal Judge Albert Lee Stephens to-day sentenced George Nutter,
Mariposa County cattleman, to serve a year in jail or in a federal road
camp and his alleged ____(cannot read), Denny Jacobs, Indian laborer,
to sixty days in jail, on charges they set a forest fire which did
extensive damage and destroyed 4,300 acres of forest lands near
Yosemite National Park in August 1934.
Serious Offense Cited
"This is a serious offense," he said. "I think this Indian was under
the influence of Nutter as the thing would not have been of any benefit
to him exepting perhaps to curry the favor of Nutter.
"The fact that he had been drinking may have sort of lulled his idea of
right or wrong."
Turning to the Indian defendant he said: "Denny, you are in trouble
because you drank liquor that you can not handle."
Nutter is Assailed
To Nutter, he said: "Your case is different. The forest must be
protected. Had it not been that the fire started on private property I
would have been moved to give you a longer term."
In Jacob's behalf Attorney Joseph Barcroft of Madera said:
"For centuries the Indians owned the forests and their method of
clearing the lands was by burning. It was not until the administration
of Theodore Roosevelt that conservation became law. It is still a
subject of study whether burning does not prove beneficial. This
is a law, but moral turpitude is not involved."
Long Injury Told
M. A. Benedict, forest supervisor, said the arrest of Nutter and Jacobs
came after two years' investigation to demonstrate to the citizens that
the deliberate burning of forest lands "will not be tolerated.
Forestry officials say the loss from the fire can not be estimated, if
the prosective value of the timer is included. They say control
efforts resulting from the fire alone cost $115,000 and that it will be
150 years before the timber growth destroyed by the flames can be
restored. transcribed by c feroben
Fresno Bee, Wed. July 26, 1939
this is is a portion of a larger article on fires throughout the
state of California.
State division of forestry officals at Mariposa revealed today a series
of fires in that county outside the confines of the Sierra National
forrest had balckened 70,000 acres in the last two days.
Two of the fires are still burning out of control. One is the
Guadalupe fire, ten miles wet of Mariposa, between the old and new
yosemite highways, covering the territory from Guadalupe Mountain west
to Cathey Valley. The blaze was reported partly controlled
this morning after blackeing 20,000 acres of brush and scrub
timber land.
The other uncontrolled fire is in the Bagby country oin the Merced
River, covereing the territory north of the river to thenortheast of
Coulterville. Upwards of 6,000 acres are blackened in that area
and the _____ is still uncontrolled.
The fires are being fought by a force of 275 men, including state
division of forestry crews and CCC enrollees from Strawberry Camp.
The Hunters Valley fire in the Hornitos district has been controlled
after covering 8,000 acres, and the Bootjack and Mount Bullion fires
also are under control after burning 19,000 and 10,000 fires,
respectively.- transcribed by c feroben
Mariposa Gazette, Thursday,
July 20, 1939
One of the worst fires of the season in Mariposa County was brought
under control Tuesday morning after raging over 500 acres and
threatening the destruction of a saw mill, scattered farm homes and
livestock.
The fire began about a mile west of the Bootjack store Monday evening
and swept fanwise towards Mormon Bar aided by a breeze.
Flames jumped the Wawona raod near the Merrill Lumber Co's saw mill and
for a time threatened to wipe out the buildings and cut lumber.
The fire raced through manzanita brush and pines along the road, making
travel impossible for a time. It then spread along the Raymond road.
Crews of fire fighters from the Bootjack CCC Camp and other stations
fought the blaze all night. transcribed by T Phillips
Thursday, July 27, 1939
Mariposa Gazette
Fires Blacken
Mariposa County
BRUSH AND TIMBER BLAZE SWEEPS OVER 100,000 ACRES
Officials Believe Fires Of Incendiary Origin
With 30 of more
fires raging in the hills the past 10 days, it is estimated that
100,000 acres of field, brush and forest land in Mariposa County has
been left blackened and almost bare of vegetation.
On Thursday a
fire starting on the Peg-Leg Creek in Bootjack burned until Monday
morning, covering an area of 25,000 acres in Bootjack, Darrah, Usona
and Indian Peak districts. Hundreds of men
were on the fireline, many them 24 hours a day, working until exhausted. One house, that of Ralph Phelps, in the
Bootjack district was destroyed. Thousands
of acres of pasture land was burned and many miles of fence was damaged.
On Friday, fire
started at Cow and Calf on the Mt. Bullion-Hornitos road, burned over
more than 10,000 acres between this road and the Whitlock road before
being controlled. Most of this land was
pasture land rented to stockmen by the Grant. All
of the burned area was on the Grant.
Trucks from
Hornitos, Cathey’s Valley, Coulterville and Mariposa were on the
fireline and nearly 300 men under state officials were fighting the
flames.
E.T. Barron,
assistant state fire chief; Roy Grieves, state forest ranger, and Fred
Darrow, all of Sacramento; Ed Minters of Sonora and Arthur Moberg,
state fire warden of Mariposa County, were in charge of the men and the
various fires.
All available
CCC’s and volunteer fighters were forced into service with 50 CCC’s
from Crane Flat, 81 from Tamarack, 25 from Strawberry and 53 from
Middlefork, all of whom were used at various fires.
The same
afternoon a gas tank explosion at the Campo Mine near Hornitos was
placed under control after destroying one house, a car and about 160
acres of pasture on the old Carmichael ranch. Three
fire trucks were brought onto the scene. Ed
Wildt was severely burned by the explosion.
At Hunter’s
Valley some 16,000 acres of pasture and brush land was burned by a fire
that started Friday night and was continuing to burn up until Tuesday. The stockmen of this district suffered much
from the loss of feed.
The largest fire
started on Saturday at Bridgeport and on Tuesday it was reported that
the fire was under control after having burned an area of approximately
20,000 acres. The fire burned from
Bridgeport to Cathey’s Valley and from Pea Ridge schoolhouse to the
Hogan ranch on Auga Fria.
Two building,
the Jones’ home at Dogville, and a barn full of hay and grain at
Bridgeport were consumed. It was with
difficulty that the Union Oil Station at Bridgeport were saved.
The last of the
series of major fires of the season was brought under control Wednesday
night by the fire fighters on Buckhorn Mountain, north of Bagby, after
the fire had raged for two days burning some 8,000 acres of pasture
land.
Other fires at
Green Mountain on the Chowchilla, and another near Incline burned over
large tracts of pasture land. Some of
these fires were burning at random because every available man was on
other fires.
Many homeowners
and campers along the creeks in the county were forced to flee to
safety and it is fortunate that no casualties have been reported.
There appears to
be no chance of conditions becoming better as the summer advances and
the fire wardens are confronted with a severe situation for the next
two months to come.
Additional fire
trucks were sent here from Madera and Kerns counties on Tuesday to
assist the local exhausted suppression crews in patrolling fire lines
throughout the county. transcribed by T Phillips
Fresno Bee Rebublican,
July 1, 1942
OVER 4,000 ACRES ARE BLACKENED BY FIRE AT HORNITOS
Merced- July 1, More than 230 fire fighters today held under control a
grass and scrub oak fire that burned over between 4,000 and 5,000 acres
between Hornitos and Bagby.
It burned for almost ten hours on a one and one half mile front.
The blaze started around 2 0'clock yesterday afternoon when a power
line to a mine in the Hornitos section fell, sparks igniting the grass.
Fire fighters from the United States Forest Servie and state division
of forestry were called immediately. transcribed by cdf
see more on the Harlow
Fire------------Personal Accounts of the Harlow
Fire 1961
Mariposa
Gazette July 13th, 1961
Nip & Ahwahnee Gone - - Fire Raging Uncontrolled
Two Dead; 50 to 60 Homes Destroyed
Nipinnawasee has gone up in flames, all but the school house and one
home; Ahwahnee has only twelve structures left standing and Dead Wood
has but few home left. No report on many of the home in secluded
areas has yet been made, and the forest fire, which started on
Stumpfield Mountain Monday, in Mariposa County, has spread into Madera
County and is still out of control. Termed the fastest moving
fire in the state, the line still has 70% of open county, with 37,000
acres blackened.
The Fire was reported nearly under control around noon Tuesday, when
high winds of 25 to 35 miles per house came up, causing it to break out
of the control, with flames traveling in dry grass faster than the
ground crews could run. High Temperatures, winds, and low
humidity combined to make "perfect disaster" fire weather, forestry
officials said.
Fifty to sixty structures are known to be burned, Nip and Ahwahnee
burned within an house for the time the first building caught and
Deadwood was gone within 18 minutes. Residents fleeing this way
reported they were barely ahead of and went through flames, some saving
their pets and a few possessions. They said people of the area
were dazed, the fire came on so fast.
Gene Warren, local telephone manager, with Constable Ted Chase, who
assisted with the road most of the domestic livestock block on this end
reported that was lost and the wild life seemed largely to turn and run
back into flames. Numerous newspapermen and other publicity men
flew into the Mt. Bullion airport and were transported to the scene.
Mariposa's district ranger Frank Crossfield, Robert Moran of Madera and
Bob Flynn, U.S. Forestry Fire Control officer have formed a trio of
fire bosses, in a untied effort to control the inferno.
On the fire are 1200 men from all parts of the state, national, state
and county fire crews from as far south as San Diego, Folsom and
Tehachapi prison, the Mt. Bullion Youth Authority, conversation camps
at Miramonts, Mount Home and Murietts and a mobile camp. Crews
are being replaced at near the exhaustion point.
56 fire trucks
are at the scene, 20 dozers and at 5:00pm this afternoon six borate
planes and one bird-dog started operations from Hammerfield in Fresno.
Spraying operations were called off yesterday because of the density of
the smoke.
One Ahwahnee
couple, George Kipp and his wife Edna, both about 60 years of age, were
fleeing in their car when it ran off the Roundhouse road and became
stuck. Kipp was burned to death in the car and his wife was
beside it and still alive, but died a few hours later after being taken
to the Madera hospital.
Several fire
fighters were flown to a Merced hospital and brought into Mariposa when
they collapsed on the fire line.
Youth camps in
Oakhurst, Sugar Pine, Bass Lake and Westfall areas were evacuated as a
precautionary measure as was the Cedarbrook Girls Camp.
Authorities feel
that with proper conditions the fire may be brought under control by
Saturday. Starting Monday at Stumpfield Mountain, it was nearly under
control that evening then breaking to burn to the Miami Lookout, race
across the mounting into Nipinnawasee and Ahwahnee, and destroying
them, on toward Oakhurst, burning most of Deadwood. Traveling
almost to the Morgan ranch out of Ahwahnee in missed it. Area
surrounding Oakhurst has been burned; so far the town is safe.
The fire is within one-half mile of Coarsegold.
As we go to
press the Fresno Division of Forestry reports the main trouble at
present lies near Yosemite Forks and the Sky Ranch, near the Bass Lake
turn-off. transcribed by Tom Phillips
Mariposa GazetteJuly
27th, 1961
41,000 ACRES BURNED IN HARLOW FIRE THAT CONSUMED TWO TOWNS
LOCAL YOUTH ADMITS SETTING $1,500,000 FIRE LEVELING TWO COMMUNITES;
TAKING 2 LIVES
Fredrick Litke,
18 of Mariposa confessed in the Madera district attorneys office last
night of setting the 1½ million dollar fire on the Stumpfield
Mountain road Monday, July10 which leveled two complete communities and
took the lives for George and Edna Kipp of Ahwahnee.
Litke stated in
his confession that he set the brush on fire with book matches in order
to make an impression on his friends in that area when he overheard
them say they were having trouble finding their stock because of the
density of brush.
Lester Gendron,
District Attorney for Madera County, stated that the early arrest of
the arson suspect was due to the cooperation of Orville Jewell, special
investigator from his office, Dick Ford, special investigator for the
Division of Forestry, S. Bates special investigator for fire insurance
underwriters and the personnel of both Mariposa and Madera sheriffs
offices, who worked as a closely knit unit these past two weeks to
determine the cause of the fire and its source.
Litke, who spent
the night in the Madera County Jail, was transported to Mariposa
yesterday to view the scene of the disaster area he caused, from there
he was taken to the Oakhurst Justice Court for arraignment on 1 count
605, arson and tow counts 187, murder.
Frank
Crossfield, District Ranger, State Division of Forestry, announced that
the man-made fire storm consumed 20,000 acres in two hours the
equivalent of 3 acres per second or 1 square mile every four
minutes. He also stated that the fire season is not yet over and
with several of his crew and trucks now fighting fire in adjacent
counties everyone should remain on the alert and minimize the
possibility of another calamity by clearing the areas around home, out
building and business establishment s as well as good housekeeping on
the interior of all structures. transcribed by Tom Phillips
Mariposa Gazette, July
27th, 1961
RED CROSS NEEDS FOR FIRE AREA HAVE BEEN MET SAYS LOCAL HEADS
Stanley Fiske,
chairman of the Red Cross Disaster Committee in Mariposa County and
Mrs. May Kleiman Director of Mariposa County Department of Social
Welfare advise that no further collection of clothing and articles of
household furnishings will be undertaken locally as the immediate needs
of the area have been met. Many truckloads of items collected in
Mariposa County have been delivered to the area and distributed to the
disaster victims.
All the clothing
delivered to Building A of the Fairgounds was sorted, sized and
packaged by Mrs. LaRue Wren and her committee of volunteers before
being transported to the distribution centers at Nipinnawasee and
Ahwahnee.
We feel that the
residents individually, church groups and other organizations in
Mariposa County deserve a vote of thanks, as the response to the call
was tremendous. transcribed by Tom Phillips
Mariposa
Gazette,
October 5th, 1961
Notice of hearing On Harlow Fire
Chairman Lloyd W. Lowrey of Rumsey today announced a hearing of the
Assembly Interim Committee on Natural Resources, Planning and Public
Works to be held on October 30, 1961, commencing at 10:00 a.m. in the
Assembly Hall State Building, Fresno California.
This hearing was
called at the urgent request of Assemblyman Gordon Winton of Merced in
order to hear testimony relative to the recent "Harlow fire" in Madera
county which burned in excess of 42,000 acres, costing two lives,
destroyed some eighty to ninety homes and business, completely wiped
out the communities of Nipinnawasee and Ahwahnee, and cost somewhere in
the neighborhood of $2,000,000.
All interested
persons and groups are invited to appear at this hearing. Those
persons wishing to present testimony should notify the Committee Office
prior to October 25, 1961 in order that a complete agenda may be
prepared.
Other members of
the Committee are: Jack T. Casey, Vice Chairman, Bakersfield; Lou
Cusanovich, Van Neuys; Louis Francis, San Mateo; William S. Grant, Long
Beach; Vernon Kilpatrick, Lynwood; and Charles W. Meyers, San
Francisco. transcribed by Tom Phillips
Humnboldt Standard,
Eureka, Ca Aug 3, 1962
Death Toll Hits Four From Fire
Mariposa - Four firefighters were fatally burned and two others
critically injured when a 200-acre forest fire took a turn and swept
over them Thursday.
Observers in a borate tanker bombarding the blaze said that the men
were ahead of the fire lines, fighting the flames, when the fire
suddenly engulfed them. The tanker dropped its borate directly on the
spot without success.
The dead men were Martin F. Georgi, 39, of the U S Conservation
Service; Thomas V. Foley, 39, and John V. Rasch, 46, the U S Forest
rangers, all from Mariposa, and Raymond St. Pierre, 23 Merced.
St. Pierre died today in Mercy Hospital in Merced.
Taken to John C. Fremont Hospital in Mariposa with serious burns were
Kent Stoci( hard to read), 24, and Ray C Chapin, 40, both of Mariposa.
The blaze, called the Timberlodge fire, broke out near Midpines , six
miles northeast of Mariposa Thursday afternoon. About 400 state
and federal firefighters, five tankers, 20 tankers and six borate
bombers were used.
Fire crews said the fire was contained and they hoped to have it
completely controlled today. About 250 men remained on the line
battling the blaze which has burned Ponderosa pine and brush in Sierra
National Forest and destroyed a Jerseydale fire tanker. Flames moved to
within 12 miles of Yosemite National Park.
An investigation was underway on the cause of the fire which started
near highway 140. transcribed by c feroben
Independent,
Long Beach, California August 4, 1962
PROBE
FOREST FIRE
Mariposa,
Investigators searched Friday for the cause of a
wild fire which killed four men and burned 280 acres near here Thursday.
The
victims , all experienced firefighters, were Thomas
Foley, 39, foreman of the six-man crew; Jon Vaun Rasch, 37, of
Mariposa; Martin Georgi, 39 of Mariposa, an employee of the U S Soil
and
Conservation Service, and Raymond S Pierre, 23 of Merced.
Two other crew members- Kent Stoel(hard to read), 24, and Roy Chapin,
41 were
hospitalized in Mariposa with critical burns.
(note:per the Foley family this fire was located in Midpines) c feroben
Creek
Fire 2001 (off site)
FLOODS
Sunday, 27 Mar 1859 Weekly Stockton Democrat-transcribed by Dee S.
ANOTHER STAGE AFLOAT -- We learn that one of the Hornitos stages, running between Visalia and Hornitos, was swamped on Tuesday last while attempting to cross Mariposa creek, and 2 of the horses drowned. An effort was made to save the stage, but it had not been recovered up to our latest advice's.
The
Big Flood of Dec 1861
DON PEDRO BAR
Merced Express, October 30, 1936
EARLY DAY TOWN
NOW UNDER LAKE
An old California town, once teeming with life, now lies under 160 feet
of water. This unusual addition to the lore of ghost towns was recently
revealed by members of the WPA writers project, now compiling the
American Guide, a six-volume handbook of the United States.
The town was Don Pedro Bar, famed mining town of the gold rush days.
From Don Pedro Bar, Well Fargo Express shipped over $13,000,000 in raw
gold. In the presidential election of 1865, the old town cast 1,500
votes for president of the United States.
Since 1923, Don Pedro Bar has been under 160 feet of water, backed up by
the $5,000,000 Don Pedro dam. In the Tuolumne river this dam forms the
reservoir from which the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts are
supplied. transcribed by Tom Hilk
THE HERMIT OF HORSESHOE
BEND
Daily Review, Hawyard, CA
December 6, 1965
Hermit
Gets His Christmas Supplies
MARIPOSA- The Hermit of Horseshoe Bend- in the rugged foothills
of
the Sierra Nevada- was visited over the weekend by Mariposa County
welfare workers carrying 400 pounds of canned and dehydrated food.
The 83 year old hermit- Italian born Pedro Anato- welcomed the
supplies and said it looked as if he would have a good Christmas.
Anato, a former gold prospector, has lived on the banks of the Merced
River near Bagby since 1937.
Waters of the Exchequer Dam Project will force him to move from his
remote farm in a few months. The old man admitted his tiny
farm is in danger and indicated me may simply move uphill.
County Supervisor Gene McGregor offered Anato a stone cabin five miles
above Hornitos on the Exchequer Road. Anato did not say if he
would accept.
The Daily
Review, Hawyard, California
December 19, 1970
OLD HERMIT
WILL NOT MOVE
Mariposa-
the old hermit of Horseshoe Bend is nearly deaf
and
almost bland at age 88, but he says he would never leave his mountains.
"He's quite and example of human endurance," Harry Harris, Mariposa
County fish and game warden said Sunday of the old man, who lives in a
shack he built above Lake McClure.
Harris, making his patrol rounds, delivers food to Pietro "Pete" Arata,
"but these are not handouts- they are regular grants he earned from
Social Security through years of hard work in his early days," says
Harris.
Harris has tried to persuade Arata to move to Hornitos, the Mariposa
County town from which bandit Joaquin Murietta operated but the hermit
has refused. "He was offered free quarters but turned them down,
" Harris said.
Arata said he "will never leave" a high bluff where he has lived since
1937, after years of working as a miner.
"I'm all right, but I need wood,' the hermit shouted Sunday through the
cloth-and-paper door of his lean-to shack.
Rising waters of Lake McClure, backed up by the new Exchequer Dam, have
covered his vegetable garden and forced him to move higher up the bluff
six times.
harris said he has tried more than once to convince the old man to go
to town and visit and eye doctor, but he refuses.
"He's never been to a doctor," Harris said. "He remembers when
doctors used to ride 50 miles on a horse to see someone. He
thinks a doctor ought to come see him."
An interviewing newsman reached Arata after a trip up the lake in the
boat of Sam Ruff, a retired Mariposa fireman.
Told about the hermits need for wood, Ruff said, "Tell him I'm going
right back home and get my chain saw. I'll buck him out some
wood."
The old man nodded when he heard a call of "Wood-Sam is going to cut
you some wood."
"Thank you," he cried. Thank you for wood."
Fresno Bee
Republican, April 22, 1971
HERMIT HAS
NEW HOME IN HIS MARIPOSA HILLS
MARIPOSA- The Hermit of Horseshoe Bend has returned to the hills of
Mariposa and to a new home.
Pietro Angelo Arata , 88, whose sight was restored through an operation
in San Francisco, has come back to Mariposa where he is staying at the
Clear Haven Guest House near Midpines.
Arata, who for years lived in solitude near the shores of Lake McClure
below Bagby, gained nationwide attention when he was found Jan 23
dehydrated, almost frozen and nearly unconscious in the woods by his
home. Nearly blind and hard of hearing, he had become last and
went without food or water for almost six days.
He was found, taken to John C. Fremont Hospital in Mariposa and then
to the US Public Service Hospital in San Francisco where surgeons
removed the cataract covering one eye.
Now he is back and apparently adjusting well to his new home. Mr.
and Mrs. Ira Fournier, managers of the home, report Arata is eating
well
and gaining strength.
For the Doctors at the US Public Service Hospital he has nothing but
praise.
"Fine and dandy," he says they are. "When I was at San Francisco
hospital I can't see nothing. Now I can see good."
About the guest home, he says, "I feel better since I come here. Sleep
and fresh air- I like the place find and dandy. I walk by myself-
of course I go slow, but I go along. Soon I expect to be stronger.
Thought Arata has been called a hermit, he is not antisocial. And
he claims he did not move away from civilization, but that it moved
away from him. He said there were about 25 miners living near him
when he settled down. And for many years the yosemite Valley
Railroad ran past his hillside home.
If Arata misses his tumble down shack by the lake, he does not say
so. When he arrived at the guest home last Friday he spotted
some goats in the yard and his eyes lit up. Now he goes for walks
in the yard of the isolated home.
FREMONT NEWS
Stockton Daily Argus
Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA
Friday, 20 July 1860
The Mariposa 'Gazette' learns that Col. FREMONT's family will pass
the remainder of the summer and early autumn, as last year, upon Mt.
Bullion. It is very cool and comfortable up there and very slightly
too, being some 5000 feet above tide water. transcribed by Dee S
NEW
PAPER-Daily E
California