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From: "Sue Silver" <>
Subject: Re: [CASANFRA] Re: CASANFRA-D Digest V02 #93 (Mormon Tavern)
Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2002 10:51:53 -0700
References: <200204131400.g3DE0C917632@lists2.rootsweb.com> <3CB85059.BEA897AF@mlode.com>


Hello,

Having performed an in-depth property title tracking, including deeds and
other official instruments dating to early 1849, I would have to say that
Debi's article is merely a combination of previously published sources. She
did not do original research for the article, or attempt to verify any of
the previously published "facts."

The information that a Mr. Morgan* originated the place just simply cannot
be verified. To the contrary, the earliest owner of the Mormon Tavern
identified in our research was that of Asahel Lathrop and his wife in late
1849 and early 1850. Early death notes found in a published diary or
journal speaks about the Mormon Tavern and two men who died during the
Cholera Epidemic of the Fall of 1850.

* We may have a lead to identifying a Mr. Morgan, but have not gotten
around to researching that further. If we can at least provide a given name
and history to this so-far fictitious person, we will be most pleased!

According to all other published accounts regarding the Clarksville area,
the town of Clarksville was purportedly named after two brothers named
Clark. We believe we may have identified at least one of them, Luther Brown
Clark, as his obituary notice states the town was named after him. Why that
would be when we find no record of his ever having owned any real property
there, is a total mystery to us!

Nonetheless, another man, Harry Clark, may have been Luther Clark's brother.
We believe that fills in some gaps, but it does not act as a final
verification.

The best previously published source we have found, in terms of in-depth
identification of the Mormons living in this county, is J. Kenneth Davies'
Mormon Gold. Norma Rickett's book on the Mormon Battalion also attempted to
identify which of the Battalion boys spent time in El Dorado County.

Through our research we have tracked some of the Battalion men that the LDS
church had been unable to locate any further information on.

This research was done to prove the connection between the earliest
"communities" (i.e., the roadhouses with their "hotels", taverns, stables,
blacksmith shops, and stores) and the county's oldest cemeteries. The
majority of the roadhouses became agricultural ranch properties, but the
cemeteries are still there.

We hope to publish our research in the not too distant future.

Sue Silver
El Dorado County Pioneer Cemeteries Commission


P.S. Other counties should also review their early roadhouse properties as
we believe the same theory that you have a cemetery associated with their
establishment will prove out throughout California.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Emerson" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2002 8:35 AM
Subject: [CASANFRA] Re: CASANFRA-D Digest V02 #93 (Mormon Tavern)


> For a good history of Mormon Tavern (which was originally started by a Mr.
Morgan) and other Mormons in the area, this website may be of assistance:
> http://www.sierrafoothillmagazine.com/eldohist.html
>
> Linda
>
>
>

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