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From: Su Jacobsen <>
Subject: [CASANFRA-L] Mokelumne Hill - Hutchings' Magazine
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 12:18:16 -0800

>The following is an extract of an article on Mokelumne HIll found in
>Hutchings' California Magazine of November, 1856:
>
>However much one mining town in California may be said to resemble another,
>Mokelumne HIll must certainly be considered an exception. If a stranger
>enters wotn, whether by Stockton or Sacramento roads, the impression is
>almost invariably the same, " what an oddly situated and singularly
>constructed town this seems to be?"
>
>This in a great measure was unavoidable as the rich diggings discovered here
>in the fall of 1849 created the necessity of a settlement, and as the town
>was located upon the most eligible spot that could be found, its buildrers
>were left but little choice in the manner; yet, standing as it does upon an
>elevated bench of the mountain, some 1800 feet above the Mokelumne River,
>its position is very commanding, especially from the trail between Jackson
>and the Hill.
>
>The rich gulch claims worked here in the winter of 1849 and '50 attracted a
>numerous population, many of whom were Mexican and Chilian. In teh spring
>of 1851, diggings of almost fabulous richness were discovered and worked in
>Negro, French, and Stockton Hills. From one claim on the former, of only 15
>feet square, over $78,000.00 were taken out.
>
>Many will recall the "French War" which took place in 1851 under the
>following circumstances: A Frenchman sunk a shaft on a spot which since
>then has been known as French Hill. and struck diggings of extraordinary
>richness which excited him to such a degree that he shot off several rounds
>from an old musket. This drew a crowd. Several others, including
>Americans, staked claims adjoining the Frenchman's. One of these, whose
>name was Blankenship, having struck the same lead as the Frenchman, was not
>content with the product of his own claim, but must "follow the lead" into
>Frenchy's. When this was discovered, the latter complained in broken
>Englaish and his countrymen flocked around him and would not allow
>Blankenship to remain there.
>
>He immediately went to town and by unfair representation, influenced a large
>group of Americans to go and "clean out" the Frenchmen. They burned their
>tents and tools and they left. They went to Happy Valley, San Andres and
>oher places, and obtained reinforcements of their countryment, who
>threatened to destroy the town of Mokelumne Hill and lay violent hands upon
>its people.
>
>By this time, the followers of Blankenship learned the truth and they
>allowed the Frenchmen to discharge their chivalrous valor in their own way
>and reinstate their countryman to his rightful claims. Blankenship was
>forced to take his pick and pan, his shovel and blankets and go prospecting.
>
>The construction of the Mokelumne Hill Canal to the north fork of the river
>in 1852-4 at a cost of $600,000 was a sorry investment of the stockholders,
>but attracted several thousand miners to the area.
>
>On the night of Aug 20, 1854 the whole town with the exception fo a few
>buildings on Lafayette street, was reduced to ashes. It was rebuilt in a
>more substantial manner.
>
>Its resident population is about 1100, with fewer families in proportion,
>perhaps than any other town of the state. There are three churches -
>Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic, and one public schol-house. A weekly
>paper, the Calaveras Chronical is published by John Shannon. It is a
>political rag.
>
>Mokelumne Hill is the county seat of Calaveras, and the business center for
>Jesus Maria, West Point, Rich Gulch, Poison Gulch, El Dorado Canon,
>Independence, Esperanza, Buckeye, Big Bar, Middle Bar and several mining camps.
>
>Besides in addition to its hill and gulch mining, it has numerous quartz
>leads that are among the richest in the State. Large blocks of excellent
>building material are easily hewn with an axe (freestone) which hardens when
>exposed to the are. Unaffected by heat, it can be made to supercede
fire-brick.
>
>In 1855 the flume of the Mokelumne Hill Canal was extended to Campo Seco and
>other mining localities between the Calaveras and Mokelumne rivers.
>
>On one occasion, a merry company of travelers who had been to Columbia,
>Tuolumne County, to witness some combative entertainment - whether political
>or pugilistic is not stated, and on returning to Vallecito, Calaveras
>County, via Abbey's Ferry, while descending the hill, the driver, having
>imbibed a little too freely, and formed a habit of seeing double, mistook
>the side hill for the road, and the horses, coach and passengers were
>furiously hurried over the embankment. Two horses were killed, and a third
>badly injured. The coach was reduced to fragments and yet only one person
>was seriously injured. The driver escaped with scarcely a scratch, which
>seem to endorse the correctness of the old adage-
> " A fool and a drunken man for luck"
>
>Extracted by Su Jacobsen
>
>

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