Shasta County History
A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern
California-Chicago, Lewis Publ. Co., 1891
SHASTA COUNTY
The records and papers of the Alcalde of
Shasta County were destroyed by fire June 14, 1853, and thus many
important points of history are lost.
The word "shasta" is derived from the
Russian language. Many years ago, and among the first travelers
who visited that portion of the coast, were a party of Russians,
who passed through California, going from the north to the south.
They gave a name to many of the more prominent landmarks which
they encountered on their journey. To the peak now called Shasta
Butte, a mountain clothed with eternal snow, they gave the name of
Tcheste, signifying white, pure, chaste, clear. Subsequent
travelers and geographers changed the name to "Tchasta."
The early Americans adopted the name, and spelled and pronounced
it "Chasta," but time has changed the spelling as at present. The
name was also applied to the valley that lies at the northern base
of the mountain, to the river that pours its cold snow-waters into
the Klamath, and to the tribe of Indians in that vicinity. When
the counties of the State were first organized, Mount Shasta was
in Shasta County. Afterward a new county was created (Siskiyou),
which embraces this lofty mountain within its borders.
Shasta, despite such curtailment of its original proportions,
remains a very large county, its area comprising 3,765 square
miles. As at present organized, this county is bounded on the
north by Siskiyou County, on the east by Lassen, on the south by
Tehama, and on the west by Trinity.
The whole of this county is more or less
mountainous, the Sierra Nevada striking across its eastern border,
and a branch of the Coast Range striking the western side, the
crest of the latter forming the boundary line between this and
Trinity County. Aside from these more prominent ranges, the face
of the country here is diversified by many short straggling chains
of mountains and irregular masses of hills. Standing in the Sierra
Nevada, within the limits of this county, are several high peaks.
The principal one of these, Lassen, has four distinct summits, the
highest being 10,577 feet above the sea level. These summits are
the fragments of what was once a great crater rim, formed when
this was an active volcano.
Through this county flows the Sacramento
River, and the McCloud and Pit rivers, tributaries from the
northeast. Many smaller streams are also in the county. This
region also abounds in mineral springs, many of them "thermals,"
and some of these boil fiercely, with a loud noise.
The western part of the county, and also the
greater portion of the Sierra Nevada lying to the east, are
covered with forests of pine, spruce and fir. The remainder of the
county is but poorly timbered, much of the northeastern part being
nearly treeless. In the southern portion of Shasta there is found
along the Sacramento River a considerable extent of good farming
land. Most of the tillable land elsewhere in the county is
confined to the creek bottoms and small mountain valleys.
Besides gold and silver, Shasta contains the
useful metals and minerals in great variety. Her deposits of gold,
iron and copper, though not much developed, are no doubt valuable.
From the earliest day the county has been a prominent mining
region, and we regret that we have not space to enumerate the many
notorious mines of the past, as well as the successful ones of the
present day. We depend upon the biographical sketches in a
subsequent portion of this volume for most of the important
details.
The northern regions of Shasta County were
entered by miners in 1850 by way of Trinity and Klamath rivers,
and rich diggings were found, notably in Scott's Valley, named
after J. W. Scott, who located himself on Scott's Bar in July or
August, 1850. Governor Joseph Lane, of Oregon, was probably the
first regular prospector near Yreka, while Rufus Johnson's party,
which penetrated from Trinity to Yreka Creek in August, 1850,
following in his tracks, had been prospecting the eastern
districts during July. So large an immigration set in that winter,
from the south as well as from Oregon, that the section was in
March, 1852, formed into a separate county by the name of
Siskiyou. The seat, of government was assigned to Yreka, whose
exceedingly remunerative flat deposits, opened in March, 1851,
within a few weeks transformed the first tents into an important
town, first known as Thompson's Dry Diggings, then with a slight
change in location as Shasta Butte; and this, clashing with the
Lower Shasta, Yreka was adopted, together with the county-seat,
the name being a corruption of Wyeka, whiteness, the Indian term
for the adjacent snow-crowned Shasta. Lockhart was prominent in
formally laying out the town in August, 1851. Some ascribed the
first house to Boles and Dane. The town was incorporated in 1854,
illegally, but legally in 1857. Although the place somewhat
declined with the mines, it still held a leading place in the
county.
The decline of the diggings is compensated
for by the fertility of Shasta Valley. In the adjoining Scott
Valley, Fort Jones acquired the supremacy. This place was founded
in 1851 as Wheelock's Trading Station, and later called
Scottsburg, and incorporated in 1872. In the upper part of the
county Etna rose around the flour and saw mills erected in
1853­'54 and absorbed Rough and Ready.
The southern part of Shasta was in 1856
segregated for the formation of Tehama County. Although occupied
by several settlers before 1848, the district received for some
time little addition to its occupants, owing to the strange lack
of gold, although bordering on three sides by productive mining
districts. It became evident, however, that traffic must pass this
way for the mines east and north of it, and in 1849 three towns
were founded, two on Deer Creek, which survived only on paper,
Danville and Benton. Thus Tehama received a decided impulse as the
proclaimed head of navigation. It became a lively stage town, and
a fine farming district sustained it until the railroad came. Its
prosperity was for a time checked by the ascent of a steamboat
(the Jack Hays) to Red Bluff, which began to rise in 1850.
In October, 1849, Shasta, then known as
Reading's Springs, because of the fine springs at that point, was
a busy village of tents and nearly as many people lived on the
hill as in the town under the same, where most of the buildings
now are. Among those who spent the memorable winter of 1848–'49
there were R. J. Walsh and John S. Follansbee. Dick Chadman, a
native of Tennessee, camped on the hill in January. Several
Oregonians settled on the hill as soon as the trails were passable
in the spring of 1849, and engaged in mining on Rock, Middle and
Salt creeks. In October several log cabins were started up but
none completed, and several hundred people arriving that fall were
obliged to live in tents that winter and even sleep in the open
air in blankets. The rainy season set in November 2, and from that
time it rained quite steady, and sometimes very hard, through
November, December and the greater part of January. As might be
expected it produced great discomfort and a panic. Some sold their
provisions at ruinous prices and hurried off to Sacramento and San
Francisco. Though freights had been forty and fifty cents per
pound between Sacramento and Shasta, they sold their flour as low
as twenty cents per pound, and other things equally as low. R. J.
Walsh was the only man having money who dared to invest. He bought
largely, and when travel was cut off by the impassability of the
Sycamore slough, he made a corner on every article of merchandise
in his store, and, within thirty days after he had purchased flour
at twenty cents per pound, was selling it at $2.00, $2.25 and as
high as $2.50 per pound. He was known to sell many a sack of
flour, cash down in glittering gold dust for $225, or at the rate
of $450 per barrel! In those flush days the price of a sack of
flour was no more thought of than now. Dr. Benj. Shurtleff, his
cousin Harrison J. Shurtleff, Dr. Hall, from Vermont, and Mr.
Belcher, from Massachusetts, were living and messing together, and
occasionally indulged in the luxury of a peach pie, which cost
$1.50 each. The pioneer pie factory was run by Benj. F.
Washington, Vincent E. Geiger and William S. Lacy. Geiger cut the
wood, Washington made the pies, and Lacy was the salesman.
Early in 1851 the first white child was
born, a girl, to Mrs. and Mr. John Carthy, but she lived only a
few weeks. The first white male child born in the county was at
French Gulch, April 24, 1851, namely, C. F. Montgomery, afterward
a resident of Arizona and business manager of the Daily and Weekly
Nugget, published at Tombstone.
Pierson B. Reading, a native of New Jersey,
came to California overland as a member of the Chiles-Walker
party. Becoming clerk and chief of trappers for Sutter, he made
wide explorations in 1844–'45; commanded the Fort during Sutter's
absence in the Micheltorena campaign; obtained in 1844 a grant of
the San Buenaventura rancho; in 1846 he was active from the first
in promoting the settlers' revolt, and served in 1846–'47 in the
California Battalion as pay­master, with rank of major.
Afterward he settled on his Shasta County rancho, but in 1848—'49
engaged extensively in mining on the Trinity River, where Reading
Bar bore his name. In 1849 he had a store at Sacramento, in
company with Hensley & Snyder, besides taking a part in
political affairs. In 1851 he was candidate for State Governor,
barely missing election. Subsequently he devoted himself to
agriculture in Northern California. He died in 1868, at the age of
fifty-two years, leaving a widow and five children. Major Reading
was a man of a well-balanced mind, honorable, energetic and
courteous.
The late Chief Justice, Royal T. Sprague,
came to Shasta in. September, 1849. He with others came overland
from Ohio, forded the Sacramento River at Moore's rancho and built
a log house just north of the Potter place, where they spent the
winter, and in the spring and summer of 1850 he moved on Clear
Creek at Grizzly Gulch.
The late General Joseph Lane was also a
Shasta County miner. He mined in the vicinity of Olney Creek and
Oregon Gulch. He was an agreeable and intelligent man, with
strong, practical common sense. He returned to Oregon in the fall
of 1850.
The Mexican land grant in Shasta County was
that of San Buenaventura, 26,632 acres, patented to E. D. Reading
in 1857.
WEBB AND THE DUNCAN BROTHERS.
In 1852 Colonel A. H. Webb was living in
Harristown, in Shasta County, where he kept a store. He shrewdly
preserved the good people from Indian depredations. During that
period three brothers named Duncan, apparently of the Caucasian
race but really one-quarter Indian blood and identified with the
Cherokee nation, were causing much trouble in the community. They
were large and stout, and very rough in manners and morals. One
day two of these brothers, mounted upon half-broken mustangs, rode
into and out of every house in the village, apparently on a wager,
but making an exception of Mr. Webb's store, as the proprietor
said he could not afford to have his goods damaged. They respected
him. But the next day, having been taunted by a boon companion
with the failure to fully complete the stipulations of the bet,
the two men determined to do so, come what would. Mr. Webb gave no
more thought to the matter and was upon the second day busy about
the store, when with a clatter and crash the younger of the two
Duncans forced his foaming and struggling mustang directly into
the store. Mr. Webb turned toward the intruder in astonishment and
anger, and Duncan, noticing his indignation and immediately giving
rein to his natural insolence, exclaimed with an oath, "Perhaps
you do not like my riding in here?" Irritated beyond endurance,
Webb stepped rapidly behind the desk, snatched a loaded revolver
and covered the desperado in an instant, while he answered with
stern emphasis, "No, I don't like it; and you have just twenty
seconds to ride out of here before you get this bullet in your
brain. Go!" Duncan saw the merchant's deadly purpose, and,
wheeling his horse, dashed out of the store in an instant..
The news that Mr. Webb had driven one of the
Duncans out of the store at the muzzle of a pistol soon spread
about, and while it increased his popularity with a majority of
the inhabitants it changed the feeling of careless friendliness
with which the desperado brothers had hitherto regarded him to one
of bitter hatred, which every one predicted would speedily
culminate in a tragedy. But more than a year elapsed without
anything of that nature happening, and Webb moved to Bald Hill, in
the same county, where he continued in the same business. The
Duncans were as frequently seen there as at Harristown. At a local
election soon held at that place the three Duncans were, as usual,
making themselves the most conspicuous figures in the large
assemblage, drinking and carousing. The polls were across the
street from Webb's store, and Webb, being one of the judges of the
election, left the store in charge of his partner. He saw young
Duncan in the store, but paid no special attention to it, as it
had been so long since the trouble they had had.
Suddenly Webb felt his long hair seized from
behind and saw a bowie knife coming in the other hand of the
villain toward him; when a young man named Kit seized the would-be
murderer's arm and arrested the blow at the very instant when the
point of the weapon was against Webb's breast. Foiled in his
immediate purpose, but still retaining his hold both upon the
knife and his intended victim, Duncan turned to the latter, saying
tauntingly, while he savagely struggled to free his right arm for
a second blow, "Why don't you beg for your life?" " No, I will
not," was the answer: " the sooner you let me go the better it
will be for yourself." " Let you go ?" shrieked the desperado as
he struggled in vain to free his arm, "let you go! I will kill you
first."
The crowd separated the men. Webb remained
in his room, his enemy being forced out into the street, and,
being unarmed, looked around for a weapon: Several rifles were
lying about, but as he picked up one after another, the owners
told him that they were not loaded. It struck him finally that the
statements were not true, being made through the fear which most
of the people had of Duncan and his gang, and examination of one
of the rifles confirmed his suspicions. At this moment some one
called out, "Duncan is in your store; he has attacked your
partner." Webb sprang across the street and into the store, found
the report true and raised the rifle; but Duncan let go, sprang
into the back door, and as he put his hand into his hip-pocket to
get a revolver Webb fired upon him and shattered the hand while in
the pocket, and the bullet also entered the body. Duncan did not
fall, but fired the weapon with his left hand, missing his mark.
Webb rushed back to the polling place, got another gun, and as he
merged into the street again Duncan came out of the store and fell
on his face. The crowd urged Webb to finish killing him and rid
the community of a desperado. A stalwart miner named Ridge, who
was an educated Indian, also urged Webb to finish killing Duncan.
Webb would not be persuaded to attack a fallen foe, and the latter
was carried away by his friends. Webb was then warned that he did
the most injudicious thing for the safety both of himself and of
the community. Sure enough, he was soon informed that threats of
vengeance by the savages had been made. Seeing one of the Duncans
passing one day, he said, "I have nothing to say to you
personally, sir, but you will take this message to the young
Duncan and his brother, tell them that if I hear of another word
of threat being uttered against me, I will shoot young Duncan in
his bed. Will you carry that message?" The man promised compliance
and probably fulfilled his promise, for no other threats were
heard from them afterward.
Webb, shortly afterward visiting the
county-seat, was surrounded by the citizens, who asked him whether
he wanted a trial or not. He said he did not care—only the time
attending one interfered with his business. The crowd immediately
voted not to try him and gave him a banquet in the evening.
During the following year, 1854, Webb passed
through the Cherokee. Nation on a trip to the East. He stopped
overnight on a fine plantation kept by a middle-aged Cherokee of
mixed blood, though to all appearance a polished Southern
gentleman. During the evening the following conversation ensued:
Host—"By the way, Mr. Webb, were you ever in
a county in California which I think they call Shasta?"
Webb—"Certainly, I have lived there for
several years past, and am very well acquainted there."
"Indeed! then you must know my nephews,
young Duncan and his brothers?"
"Oh, yes; I know them quite well. Are they
your nephews, indeed?"
"Yes; my sister's children; but tell me,
since you knew them so well, is it true that young Duncan was shot
last year in a quarrel with some desperado or other?"
Webb repressed a strange mixture of feelings
and answered calmly, "It is said that he was shot; though why the
man who did it can be justly termed a cut-throat or desperado, I
must say is by no means certain."
"Oh, well," said the Cherokee, "it is quite
possible I may have heard it incorrectly; it was only a very
indifferent account that reached me.. Please tell me all the
particulars."
Webb told them all, skillfully suppressing
the name of the store-keeper in the affair, which his host did not
notice.
"What became of the villain?" he finally
asked; "is he still there?"
"I believe not. In fact, I know that he went
away some months since, and I have reason to think he left the
State."
"Well, it doesn't matter; I dare say it was
young Duncan's fault, as you have suggested; he was always a wild
youth, and when he drinks there is no holding him in."
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast,
host and guest parted in a friendly manner. Some time after Webb
returned to the coast someone asked him, "Colonel, suppose the
planter had asked you the name of the man who shot his nephew,
what would you have said ?" " I would have told him that his name
was Webb, but don't know that I should have taken any particular
pains to impress him with the thought that I was that particular
Webb." "Suppose he discovered the truth: what would you have
done?" "I can't say with any certainty, of course, but I think he
would have entertained me just as hospitably, and the next morning
he would have mounted his horse and ridden out on the prairie with
me until we were out of sight of the house, drawn a pistol and
told me to defend myself." " What became of young Duncan?" "Oh, he
flourished for several years afterward, but finally had a quarrel
with some one else and got a bullet between the eyes."
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
The name Shasta was given the town by a
meeting of its citizens held June 8, 1850, in the front of the
store of R. J. Walsh, where Army Hall was afterward built.
The St. Charles Hotel, built by James Macly
& Co., and the Trinity House, built by W. S. Bonfield and
David Casanant, were the first frame buildings in the town. The
lumber from which they were built was whipsawed by Jonathan Otis
and his partner; and cost $1 per foot, or at the rate of $1,000
per 1,000 feet. These buildings were erected in the summer of
1850. Macly was a man of great energy and enterprise. He
subsequently went East and while on his second trip across the
plains to California, was killed by Indians in Honey Lake Valley.
His remains were brought to Shasta and buried in the old cemetery.
The law authorizing the organization of
Shasta fixed the county-seat at Reading's ranch, but power was
vested in the Court of Sessions to remove the county-seat to such
point in the county as public convenience might require. February
10, 1851, Judge Harrison and County Clerk Robinson, with justices
of the peace enough to form a quorum, went to the residence of
Major Reading and organized the Court of Sessions by electing two
of the justices of the peace associate justices. The court then
removed the county-seat to Shasta, taking it borne with them that
night.
The first court-house was a log building.
Later a double brick store was purchased and fitted up for a
court-house, which served the purpose until the county-seat was
removed.
When the railroad was projected through the
State the citizens of Shasta took hold with commendable zeal to
have it built to Shasta, and spent both money and time freely, but
failed in securing it. The road was built in 1872, and the town of
Reading started. Many of the enterprising: citizens of Shasta sold
out at heavy losses and went to the new town, and since then
Shasta has made no advancement; and the place that was once the
most rushing business town in the county is now very quiet. It is
very pleasantly located.
The following are some of the leading
business men of the place: Colonel William Magee, John V. Scott,
Frank Litsch, general merchandise; A. W. Pryor, druggist; Judge G.
R Knox, C. H. Beherns, dealers in grain and hay and proprietors of
the Empire Hotel, and Joseph E. Bell. The town has excellent
schools. Mrs. D. M. Coleman is principal. The town has the honor
of having the oldest Masonic Lodge in the State,—Western Star, No.
2. The lodge at San Francisco was organized the same month, and
the brethren at Shasta waived their claim to No. 1 and took 2.
There is also in the town a lodge of the I. O. O. F., Encampment
No. 14, and Shasta Lodge, No. 57; and there is Shasta Lodge A. O.
U. W., No. 71.
COUNTY OFFICERS FROM 1854 TO 1881
INCLUSIVE.
1854-1856
Sheriff ---W. A. Nunnally
County Clerk ---T. W. Dawson
District Attorney --- Joseph Ward
Treasurer --- J. R. Gilbert
Coroner --- E. G. Goodwin
Public Auditor --- D. D. Harrill
Assessor --- S. E. Jack
Surveyor --- E. C. Gillette
Superintendent of Schools --- Paul K. Hubs
Assemblyman --- John A. Ring
State Senator --- R T. Sprague
County Judge --- J. C. Hinkley
Another election was held September 5, 1854, when the following
officers were elected:
Surveyor ---William Magee
Assessor --- William S. Hughes
District Judge ---William P. Daingerfield
Assemblyman --- Henry Baten
1856-1858.
Sheriff --- John A. Dubelbis
County Clerk ---William S. Jenkins
Deputy Clerk ---H. L. Van Horn
Under Sheriff ---William Magee
Deputy Sheriff ---John Hale
Treasurer --- G. C. Farquhar
Assessor --- James Hayburn
District Attorney ---E. Garter
Public Administrator ---B. Swasey
County Surveyor --- A. H. Stout
County Physician ---J. E. Pelham
District Judge ---William P. Daingerfield
County Judge --- J. C. Hinkley
Associate Judge --- E. K. Shed, J. W. Greevey
School Commissioner --- J W. Chappel
Supervisors --- L. H. Tower, William H. Dennison
At the November 4 election in 1856 the following were elected to
fill short terms:
Superintendent of Schools ---H. A. Curtis
Surveyor ---William Magee
Assessor --- R. B. Snee
Assemblyman ---Isaac Hare
1858-1860.
Sheriff --- Clay Stockton
County Clerk --- H. I. Van Horn
Public Administrator --- B. Swasey
Treasurer --- James Hayburn
Assessor ---William H. Angel
Coroner --- Doctor Gutman
Surveyor --- E Linn
Superintendent of Schools --- Peter Sherman
County Judge --- Joel T. Landrum
Assemblyman --- Charles R. Street
District Judge ---William P. Daingerfield
State Senator --- E. Garter
1860-1862.
District Judge ---William P. Daingerfield
County Judge --- Joel T. Landrum
Associate Justices --- C C. Bush, G. H Brooks
County Treasurer --- James Hayburn
Recorder --- J R. Durick
County Clerk --- John Anderson
Sheriff --- John S. Follansbee
Under Sheriff ---William H. Angel
Tax Collector --- A. S. Killman
Deputy Tax Collector --- Ben D. Anderson
Assessor --- B. Gartland
Public Administrator ---Dennis H. Dunn
Surveyor --- A. J. Quait
District Attorney ---James D. Mix
Superintendent of Public Instruction --- G. K. Godfrey
Supervisors --- John V. Scott, J. W. Romer, A. J. Reid
1862-1864.
Senator --- Benjamin Shurtleff
Sheriff --- J. S. Follansbee
County Clerk --- John Anderson
County Treasurer ---Felix Tracy
County Recorder ---J. S. Durick
District Attorney ---W. S. Knox
Assessor ---Caleb Watkins
Public Administrator ---D. H. Dunn
Superintendent of Schools --- Grose K. Godfrey
Surveyor --- E. Linn
Coroner ---Joseph Simpson
Tax Collector --- A. S. Killman
County Judge ---C. C. Bush
Assemblyman --- George Woodman
District Judge --- E. Garter
At an election held September 15, 1862, J. N. Chappell was
elected Assemblyman.
1864-1866.
Sheriff --- William E. Hopping
Tax Collector --- J W. Garden
Under Sheriff --- Joseph Burrows
County Clerk --- Charles McDonald
District Attorney --- Homer A. Curtiss
County Recorder --- George D. Forbes
Treasurer --- Felix Tracy
Assessor --- A P. Ladd
Superintendent of Schools ---John J. Conmy
Coroner and Administrator ---D. H. Dunn
Surveyor --- J. F. Winsell
County Judge four years --- C. C. Bush
District Judge six years --- E. Garter
Assemblyman --- J. N. Chappell
1866-1868.
Sheriff ---William E. Hopping
Tax Collector --- J W. Garden
County Clerk --- Charles McDonald
Treasurer --- Fred B. Chandler
District Attorney --- John S. Follansbee
Recorder and Auditor --- George D. Forbes
Coroner and Administrator --- D. Lynch
Superintendent of Schools --- W. L. Carter
Surveyor --- S. P. Hicks
Assemblyman --- J N. Chappell
Assessor --- A P. Ladd
In 1867 George D. Forbes, Recorder and Auditor, died, and Samuel
Cooper was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1868-1870.
Sheriff and Tax Collector --- Thomas Green
County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder ---G. L. Taggart
Treasurer --- Fred B. Chandler
District Attorney --- John S. Follansbee
Surveyor --- George Silverthorn
Coroner and Administrator --- Daniel Lynch
Assessor --- A P. Ladd
Superintendent of Schools --- W. L. Carter
Member of Assembly --- Perry Dryer
Senator --- J. N. Chappell
County Judge --- C. C. Bush
District Judge --- E. Garter
1870-1872.
Sheriff and Tax Collector --- Thomas Greene
County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder --- G. I. Taggert
Treasurer --- Samuel Cooper
District Attorney --- Clay W. Taylor
County Surveyor --- Q. N. Atkins
Coroner and Administrator --- John Schuler
Assessor --- A. P. Ladd
Superintendent of Schools --- W. L. Carter
Member of Assembly --- A. R. Andrews
District Judge --- A M. Roseborough
A. P. Ladd, County Assessor, died in 1869. Charles W. Taylor was
appointed to fill the vacancy.
1872-1874.
Sheriff and Tax Collector --- Sylvester Hull
Clerk, Auditor and Recorder ---William H. Bickford
Treasurer --- Samuel Cooper
District Attorney --- Clay W. Taylor
Surveyor --- George Silverthorn
Coroner and Administrator --- John Schuler
Assessor --- D. O. Osborn
Superintendent of Schools --- W. L. Carter
Assemblyman --- A. R. Andrews
Senator --- John McMurray
County Judge ---William E. Hopping
District Judge --- A M. Roseborough
1874-1876.
Sheriff and Tax Collector --- S. Hull
Clerk, Auditor and Recorder --- William H. Bickford
Treasurer --- J. Van Schaick
District Attorney --- Clay W. Taylor
Surveyor --- Q. N. Atkins
Coroner and Administrator --- William P. Hartman
Assessor --- D. C. Osborn
Superintendent of Schools --- L. K. Grim
Member of Assembly --- R. Klotz
State Senator --- W. J. Tinnin
County Judge --- William E. Hopping
District Judge --- A. M. Roseborough
1876-1878.
Sheriff and Tax Collector --- S. Hull
Clerk, Auditor and Recorder ---William H. Bickford
Treasurer --- J. Van Schaick
District Attorney --- Clay W. Taylor
Assessor --- Q. N. Atkins
Superintendent of Schools --- Mrs. D. M. Coleman
Surveyor --- George Silverthorn
Coroner and Administrator --- William P. Hartman
County Judge --- William E. Hopping
District Judge --- A. M. Roseborough
1878-1880.
Sheriff and Tax Collector --- S. Hull
Clerk, Auditor and Recorder --- F. C. Tiffin
Treasurer --- J. Van Schaick
District Attorney --- Clay W. Taylor
Surveyor --- J. E. Stockton
Coroner and administrator --- C. Lenz
Assessor --- Q. N. Atkins
Superintendent of Schools --- Mrs. D. M. Coleman
Assemblyman --- J. C. Montague
Senator --- D. Ream
County Judge ---William E. Hopping
District Judge --- A. M. Roseborough
Treasurer John Van Schaick died during the term, and Charles
McDonald was appointed to fill the vacancy. Coroner and
Administrator C. Lenz resigned during the term, and William
Hartman was appointed to fill the vacancy. Hartman resigned, and
D. P. Bystle was appointed to fill the unexpired term.
1880-1881.
Superior Judge --- Aaron Bell
Sheriff and Tax Collector --- S. Hull
Clerk, Recorder and Auditor --- F. C. Tiffin
Treasurer --- R. Ripley
District Attorney --- Clay W. Taylor
Surveyor --- J. E. Stockton
Coroner and Administrator --- J. D. Bystle
Assessor --- William S. Kidder
Superintendent of Schools --- Mrs. D. M. Coleman
Assemblyman --- J S. P. Bass
Senator --- A. B. Garlock
1881-1882.
Assemblyman --- John McMurray
Senator --- A. B. Garlock
Superior Judge --- Aaron Bell
Sheriff --- S. Hull
Under Sheriff --- R. Kennedy
Deputy Sheriff --- William Whiting
County Clerk --- F C. Tiffin
Assistant County Clerk --- William Jackson
District Attorney --- Clay W. Taylor
Treasurer --- Richard Ripley
Assessor --- W. S. Kidder
Assistant Assessor --- T. B. Smith
Assistant Assessor --- Benjamin Swasey
Superintendent of Schools --- Mrs. D. M. Coleman
Public Administrator and Coroner --- D. P. Bystle
Surveyor --- J. E. Stockton
Supervisors --- J. W. Gorden, J. D. Blair, Wm. Davidson.
REDDING,
the seat of government and metropolis of the county, is a
beautiful place and an enterprising commercial center, being on
both the Sacramento River and the California & Oregon
Railroad, and having its complement of schools, churches,
fraternal societies, business houses, factories, and all that
conduce to the wealth and refinement of an inland city.
MILLVILLE
is pleasantly situated on the east side of the Sacramento River
near the junction of Cow and Clover Creeks. The first inhabitants
here were Samuel E. and Nathaniel T. Stroud, brothers, who located
the site in 1853. In 1856 Mr. Harold built the flour-mill now
owned by Wilkinson & Ross. The first merchant was Joseph
Smith, in 1857. The next year Mr. Hazelrig became his partner. It
has since changed hands several times. In 1860 the second business
house was started by John Hilderbrant; and this also has changed
proprietorship a number of times.
The leading business men at present are: Joseph C. Harris &
Co., general merchandise; E. E. Rawlings, druggist; L. W. Kidd,
editor and proprietor of the East-Side Times; Wilkinson
& Ross, mill owners, etc.
The village is also blessed with lodges of Masons, Eastern Star,
Odd Fellows, Daughters of Rebekah and Native Sons of the Golden
West.
THE ASSEMBLYMEN
from Shasta County have been: A. R. Andrews, 1856, 1869–'72; J.
S. P. Bass, 1880; Henry Bates, 1855; J. M. Briceland, 1875–'76; T.
T. Cabiness, 1853; J. N. Chappell, 1863–'66; Perry Dryer,
1867–'68; Samuel Flemming, 1852; I. Hare, 1857; Rudolph Klotz,
1873–'74; A. G. McCandless, 1851; E. D. Pearce, 1852; John A.
Ring, 1854; Chas. R. Street, 1858–'59; John White, 1860–'61;
George W. Woodman, 1862.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.