1800's Life in the Yuba- Sutter, and Beyond
When we hear about the "Wild, Wild West", many don't realize that we live where the wildest of the west was. When many came over the summit in 1849- 1850's Grass Valley, Nevada City and Marysville where the main stop off points. This is why we have so many of the Donner Party buried here in our own Historic Marysville Cemetery.
It didn't take long for miners who worked in the mountains and hills, to realize that there was a plethora of gold in the Yuba River. Having mild winters after many endure the brutality of both the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Sierras, they realized the temperament of the weather in what is now known as Yuba and Sutter Counties, was perfect for farming and living. This made Marysville a prime area for settling and raising their families.
It was once said that Marysville was on the most perfect piece of land that any man could dream of with everything in close reach. Not only was Marysville well sought after as "the promise land", this made our area extremely dangerous.
Here are some newspaper clippings I've found through archives that show the darker side of our region in the 1800's.
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| Marysville Township, lithograph created by looking from the east towards the west from the Simpson Lane area. |
** NOTE: These entries were taken straight from California Digital Newspaper Collection and contain many grammatical and spelling errors. I didn't feel right changing them as it shows the painstaking work that newspaper editors had in bringing news to a large region quickly and without the aid of modern technology. I will leave these entries as they are for historical purposes. - Anna
Daily Alta California, Volume 1, Number 143, 14 June 1850
[Correspondence of the Alta California.] The Murder of Samuel H. Holt. Marysville, 7th May, 1850
Messrs. Editors : I saw in your paper of the 5th inst., some particulars of the murder of S.H. Holt by the Indians, and presume the following may be of interest. Mr. Levi C. Wilson, who keeps a boarding house at Rose's Bar, has arrived in town, and brought with him the back of a gold watch, engraved with Holt's name in full. It was obtained from a Bear River indian by Mr. Wm. Cooper, who is trading in company with Mr. Wilson. The Indian stated to Mr. C. that he picked up the case on the bank of the Juba, above a rancheria to which a portion of the Bear River Indians had retreated at the time of the troubles. He gave the case to Mr. Cooper voluntarily, but in answer to questions put to him by Mr. C. said he knew nothing in reference to the murder. It is probable that he was sincere, as there would have been no likelihood of his giving up the watch case, or mentoning the matter in any way, had he been concerned in the murder. The watch-case is now in possession of Mr. Wilson, who will be happy to forward it to Mr. Holt's friends, and if any of them should see this communication, and will address Mr. W. at Rose's Bar, he will give them any information it may in the meantime be in his power to glean in his intercourse with persons on the Juba, concerning this melancholy affair. Yours truly, R. H. Taylor.
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 1, Number 96, 9 July 1851
Two English sailors playing with fire eras in Marysville, one of them was severely wounded in the thorax, lie is likely to recover.
Squatters arc locating upon city lots in Marysville.
Marysville Daily Herald, Number 15, 24 August 1853
JOAQUIN.—lt is a great pity, after all that has been done and said, that the death and decapitation of Joaquin should still remain a "vexed question." There was, it seems, a triplet of Joaquins—to wit: Joaquin Muriatta, Joaquin Corillo, and Joaquin Valenquela. Though not related by the ties of blood, they were, nevertheless, brothers in crime. The death of any one of this tripartite affiliation is a blessing to society, for which all honest and peaceful people should be devoutly grateful. The last, and, apparently, the most reliable information, relative to this affair, is, that the head, which Capt. Love severed from a dead Mexican and which is now on exhibition in San Francisco, was once the property of Joaquin Valenquela. Muriatta and Corillo, according to this, are still alive, and busy in their terrible work of robbery and murder. A large reward was offered for the head of Joaquin. The question now arises:—"As there are or were, three Joaquins—will the head of any one of the trio be sufficent to claim the reward, or will all the heads be required?" This may prove a very pretty nut for the logicians and metaphysicians to orack and they may crack it to their hearts' content—we shall have nothing to do with it.
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 6, Number 930, 17 March 1854
The Murder.
We find in the Marysville Herald the following particulars of the murder announced by us under the telegraphic head yesterday :
A Mexican named Charles Guiteras, a native of New Mexico, was shot about 4 o'clock p. m. yesterday, with a Colt's revolver, in a Mexican Fonda, on First street, near the corner of Virgin Alley. The ball passed through the left breast, killing him almost instantly. The murderer is known as#tho Yankee, and was waiter in the Fonda. A coroner's inquest was held by Justice Fowler on the body ofthe deceased, and the following verdict returned by the jury. "That the deceased came to his death by a pistol shot wound, inflicted by a person known sb Yankee, in the city of Marysville, on the loth of March, 1854, under circumstances • not
justifiable by law.'.'T^.'L * : A post mortem examination was made by Dr. | J. T. McLean, who reports that tho ball passed through the left breast, penetrating the left lobe of the lungs, and also the pericardium and the pulmonary artery, and lodging in the region of the spine. The murderer is still at large. He is dcscribed as a young man, about 20 years of age, low in stature, with long, dark, curly hair and rather light complexion. The officers are on the alert for him, and hopes are entertained that he will be arrested. Tho Express says "a trivial dispute arose between them, when Yankee used an epithet towards his adversary, whicii bo j exasperated him that he rushed upon him with a knife. Yankee, retreating towards the door, drew a a pistol, and discharged it just as Guiteas was stepping out."
Daily Alta California, Volume 5, Number 299, 28 October 1854
Another Murder.
MARYSVILLE, Oct. 21, 8½ P. M
The young man, Peter Godfrey, who was stabbed a few evenings since, in a Spanish dance house, by W K. Sherwood, died this morning. Sherwood was out on bail and has fled.
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 12, Number 1762, 18 November 1856
Marysville Correspondence.
The Exodus of Prisoners— Murder in Colusi County—Description of Supposed Murderers.
Marysville, Nov. I6th, 1856.
Editors Union:— There is but little news here of importance, except in the criminal line. You have the full account of the exodus of prisoners j from the county jail on Saturday night. The two horse thieves are a pair of preciou3 scoundrels, and well -iiirit Lynch law. The others, though criminal, and would have been undoubtedly sentenced to the State Prison, still had the sympathy of the citizens.
Our neighboring counties have also had their share. In Colusi, a man named Rusk was murdered for his money, about $700, last week. His body has not been foiled, but traces of blood and hair were discovered, and marks as if a body had been dragged to tbe river. The men supposed to be guilty give as their names Peirson and H. C. Roberts. The former is about 6 feet 9 inches, 23 years of age, weight 150 pounds ; has a scar on the .lett cheek about •_" , inches long— says he formerly resided at Coon Hollow, El Dorado County. He was committed, after an examination. The latter is about 5 feet 7 inches, aged 22, black hair, smooth features, has a Yankee brogue— supposed to be affected. He has been shot through the wrist, which causes the natural position of the hand to be reversed—that is, the palm is turned backwards— and he has but little use of it. He has also a lump on the right side of the stomach, somewhat larger than a hen's egg.
The reason of my giving a description of them is, if any of your numerous readers should know them, and ill- charge of murder cannot be sustained, that they may be brought to justice. We have had so for but a small sprinkle of rain, which has hardly been sufficient to by the dust. Should any thing occur worth relating, I wil endeavor to keen you posted.
Yours, Quentin.
Found Dead on the Road. — On Saturday, Nov. 15th, a man by the name of Scott, who has been working at Mayhew's Ranch, about thirteen miles from Marysville, was found dead in the road, just this side of Board Ranch. He was driving a team, and it is supposed he fell from the wagon and was run over.
Attempted Suicide. — On Friday, Nov. 11 th, a German, named Andrew, attempted to commit suicide at' Sonora by cutting his throat with a penknife. He merely inflicted a severe wound, which was sewed up.
A Mexican named Charles Guiteras, a native of New Mexico, was shot about 4 o'clock p. m. yesterday, with a Colt's revolver, in a Mexican Fonda, on First street, near the corner of Virgin Alley. The ball passed through the left breast, killing him almost instantly. The murderer is known as#tho Yankee, and was waiter in the Fonda. A coroner's inquest was held by Justice Fowler on the body ofthe deceased, and the following verdict returned by the jury. "That the deceased came to his death by a pistol shot wound, inflicted by a person known sb Yankee, in the city of Marysville, on the loth of March, 1854, under circumstances • not
justifiable by law.'.'T^.'L * : A post mortem examination was made by Dr. | J. T. McLean, who reports that tho ball passed through the left breast, penetrating the left lobe of the lungs, and also the pericardium and the pulmonary artery, and lodging in the region of the spine. The murderer is still at large. He is dcscribed as a young man, about 20 years of age, low in stature, with long, dark, curly hair and rather light complexion. The officers are on the alert for him, and hopes are entertained that he will be arrested. Tho Express says "a trivial dispute arose between them, when Yankee used an epithet towards his adversary, whicii bo j exasperated him that he rushed upon him with a knife. Yankee, retreating towards the door, drew a a pistol, and discharged it just as Guiteas was stepping out."
Daily Alta California, Volume 5, Number 299, 28 October 1854
Another Murder.
MARYSVILLE, Oct. 21, 8½ P. M
The young man, Peter Godfrey, who was stabbed a few evenings since, in a Spanish dance house, by W K. Sherwood, died this morning. Sherwood was out on bail and has fled.
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 12, Number 1762, 18 November 1856
Marysville Correspondence.
The Exodus of Prisoners— Murder in Colusi County—Description of Supposed Murderers.
Marysville, Nov. I6th, 1856.
Editors Union:— There is but little news here of importance, except in the criminal line. You have the full account of the exodus of prisoners j from the county jail on Saturday night. The two horse thieves are a pair of preciou3 scoundrels, and well -iiirit Lynch law. The others, though criminal, and would have been undoubtedly sentenced to the State Prison, still had the sympathy of the citizens.
Our neighboring counties have also had their share. In Colusi, a man named Rusk was murdered for his money, about $700, last week. His body has not been foiled, but traces of blood and hair were discovered, and marks as if a body had been dragged to tbe river. The men supposed to be guilty give as their names Peirson and H. C. Roberts. The former is about 6 feet 9 inches, 23 years of age, weight 150 pounds ; has a scar on the .lett cheek about •_" , inches long— says he formerly resided at Coon Hollow, El Dorado County. He was committed, after an examination. The latter is about 5 feet 7 inches, aged 22, black hair, smooth features, has a Yankee brogue— supposed to be affected. He has been shot through the wrist, which causes the natural position of the hand to be reversed—that is, the palm is turned backwards— and he has but little use of it. He has also a lump on the right side of the stomach, somewhat larger than a hen's egg.
The reason of my giving a description of them is, if any of your numerous readers should know them, and ill- charge of murder cannot be sustained, that they may be brought to justice. We have had so for but a small sprinkle of rain, which has hardly been sufficient to by the dust. Should any thing occur worth relating, I wil endeavor to keen you posted.
Yours, Quentin.
Found Dead on the Road. — On Saturday, Nov. 15th, a man by the name of Scott, who has been working at Mayhew's Ranch, about thirteen miles from Marysville, was found dead in the road, just this side of Board Ranch. He was driving a team, and it is supposed he fell from the wagon and was run over.
Attempted Suicide. — On Friday, Nov. 11 th, a German, named Andrew, attempted to commit suicide at' Sonora by cutting his throat with a penknife. He merely inflicted a severe wound, which was sewed up.
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 15, Number 2202, 17 April 1858
NEWS OF THE MORNING.
Two more Acts have been approved by the Governor, and become laws. They will be found on our fourth page, and are as follows : An Act entitled an Act to incorporate the town of Petaluma; and to amend an Act entitled an Act authorizing the formation of corporations for the construction of plank and turnpike roads, passed May 12th, 1853.
. A debate in the House, yesterday, on the subject of the Anti-Mob army; telegraphic accounts of the executions, yesterday, at Marysville and Jackson, and later intelligence from Carson Valley and Australia, will be found in our columns this morning, with other general and local intelligence of interest.
Attention is directed, also, to a communication from Volcano, in Amador county, in which a representative is called to account by one of his constituents.
From San Francisco, we learn of two or three important arrivals, and other matters of general concernment. It will be seen that John Calvin, who was executed at Marysville yesterday, for the murder of Jacob Bilsby, attributed the act to the iufluence of intoxicating liquors, and said that it was committed without forethought or premeditation.
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 16, Number 2391, 25 November 1858
Murder Trial.— The trial of James Seybert, a former policemen, for the murder of Miguel Reiz with a pistol, August 27 th, at Marysville, is in progress before the District Court now in session in that city.
NEWS OF THE MORNING.
Two more Acts have been approved by the Governor, and become laws. They will be found on our fourth page, and are as follows : An Act entitled an Act to incorporate the town of Petaluma; and to amend an Act entitled an Act authorizing the formation of corporations for the construction of plank and turnpike roads, passed May 12th, 1853.
. A debate in the House, yesterday, on the subject of the Anti-Mob army; telegraphic accounts of the executions, yesterday, at Marysville and Jackson, and later intelligence from Carson Valley and Australia, will be found in our columns this morning, with other general and local intelligence of interest.
Attention is directed, also, to a communication from Volcano, in Amador county, in which a representative is called to account by one of his constituents.
From San Francisco, we learn of two or three important arrivals, and other matters of general concernment. It will be seen that John Calvin, who was executed at Marysville yesterday, for the murder of Jacob Bilsby, attributed the act to the iufluence of intoxicating liquors, and said that it was committed without forethought or premeditation.
Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 16, Number 2391, 25 November 1858
Murder Trial.— The trial of James Seybert, a former policemen, for the murder of Miguel Reiz with a pistol, August 27 th, at Marysville, is in progress before the District Court now in session in that city.
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