Placer County Historical Society

Benton Welty Class Room Celebrating Auburn’s 125th 1913-Income Tax Poem from a 1913 Newspaper 1913 fun: The First Crossword Exploring 1913 Relive History Ophir Plaque stolen Ophir Plaque restored Stealing Our Past Relive History Heritage Trail - 7 Aug 3-4, 2014 Gene Markley, The Old Buffalo Auburn, My Home Town Holsclaw Feed & Fuel Safe (pdf) Reagan Plaque dedicated

Articles by Michael Otten

Stealing our past July 2013 The plaque bandits have struck again. Last year it was the 1950 Ophir plaque. This year it is the Virginiatown plaque, State Registered Landmark No. 400, dedicated by the Placer County Historical Society on Sept. 28, 1952. It was my sad duty in June to report the theft of one of the last vestige of this once famous Wild West gold rush town to the Placer County sheriff. What remains is the huge granite rock base along bucolic Virginiatown Road less than a quarter mile southeast of Fowler Road. This is what the marker says: “VIRGINIATOWN - Founded June 1851, the town was commonly called 'Virginia.' Over 2,000 miners worked rich deposits here. In 1852 Captain John Brislow built California's first railroad to carry pay dirt one mile, to Auburn Ravine. It was the site of Philip Armour's and George Aldrich's butcher shop, said to have led to founding of the famous Chicago Armour meatpacking company. State Registered Landmark No. 400. Marker placed by California Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Placer County Historical Society and the County of Placer. Dedicated September 28, 1952.” I was alerted to the theft by Kris Grasberger of E Clampus Vitus after a member noted it missing and wanted the organization to put the plaque restoration on its list of projects. He said because it must meet state requirements for its distinctive design (including a grizzly bear and two star logo) the cost of a new marker only will be more than $3,000. The colorful fun loving Clampers have played an important role in working with the state in marking history. Kris in ECV terms is known as Mr. Kristian "Stilts" Grasberger, the vice noble grand humbug of Lord Cholto Douglas Chapter 3, of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. ° ° °

Exploring 1913, a Placer Perspective What a difference a century makes. Look back to 1913. For me, it was the year Dad was born. It was at home on a ranch on land where the Maidu once flourished. The ranch became known as El MoVoJo, my grandparents' novel way of honoring their three children, Marjorie, Virginia and John Otten. The ranch, now part of the Sierra Gardens subdivision off Douglas Boulevard in Roseville, then was a buggy ride outside of town off a narrow lane known as Rocky Ridge Road. If any of the Ottens then were able to take a look today, they would be dumbfounded at what they would see just as I might be if able to take a look at what Placer County might look like in 2113 compared to today. By my reckoning of various state reports, Placer County's population grew from about 18,335 to more than 355,000 in the last century. Auburn's population grew from less than 2,400 in 1913 to 13,468 as of last year; Roseville had shot from some 3,000 residents to more than 122,000, Colfax went from less than 600 to 1,977, Rocklin, from under 800 to 58,296, and Lincoln, from less than 1,400 to 43,572. In 1913 Placer County seemed like train and agricultural county USA. In Auburn there were six passenger trains passing through daily both east and west bound. There was seemingly unbounded growth in the Southern Pacific yards in Roseville, still accused by some in Rocklin of stealing its roundhouse in 1909. Yet 1913 was still an era of horse and buggy for most, stagecoaches continued to operate and fire, like now, was a major danger. Auburn City Trustees were pushed to install service phones in the city's three hose houses. Auburn's sewage plant was described as inadequate and Trustees were pushed to hold a bond election to erect a new one. W. B. Lardner, a primary founder of the Placer County Historical Society and one of Auburn's leading lights, wrote glowingly of the county seat in 1913. "We have a fine water system, under heavy pressure, a good sanitary sewer plant, and plenty of electric lights, wrote Lardner for the Placer County Republican. "The last and greatest satisfaction is to know that Auburn and Placer County are on the great inter ocean Lincoln Highway" that was dedicated that year. Lincoln Way was then called Railroad Street. Gambling was prohibited wherever liquor was served with the City Marshal warning Auburn saloon keepers they could lose their license. An Auburn Taxpayers League was organized to assist in opposing prohibition on moral and financial grounds. The city and county continued the $5 poll tax: $2 went to the state, $2 for the hospital poll tax and $1 for the road poll tax. Banks were paying 4 percent interest on savings, a princely sum compared to today's rates. City Clerk L. F. Morgan salary was $30 a month. For City Attorney William Lardner, it was $25. The (Women's) Improvement Club of Auburn not only placed garbage cans all over the city, took care of Sierra park and planted a rose garden at the train depot, they installed a drinking fountain in the plaza in front of the Shanghai Restaurant dedicated "To the memory of Placer County Pioneers: Lest we Forget, 1848-1913." It was torn down in 1950. Can you find the plaque today? A. W. Kenison Co., Placer County agents for the Buffalo Brewing Co. of Sacramento, ran this ad "Good Advice to those who are tired or run down or who are affected with 'that tired feeling' is to try Buffalo Lager Beer. There is nothing so bracing, so appetizing, so healthful as a glass of BUFFALO LAGER BEER." Next to it was an ad for "Hall's Family Pills for Constipation," sold by all druggists for 75 cents. Senator E. S. Birdsall and Assemblyman William A. Dower introduced legislation to construct an approximate 130-mile scenic bridle trail to connect Lake Tahoe and Yosemite with strong support from the Native Sons of the Golden West Auburn Parlor 59. There was a joint meeting of the Placer and El Dorado Boards of Supervisors on a permanent boundary line between the counties. District attorney L. L. Chamberlain died from spinal meningitis. George W. Hamilton appointed to take his place on a 3-2 vote of Board of Supervisors. John Henry Robie, who organized the Auburn Lumber Co. and Auburn Savings Bank, died after a long paralytic illness. Survivors included son E.T. Robie and grandchildren Wendell and Edwina Robie. Considerable improvements were made to the County Hospital with the old jail building moved nearby to "accommodate insane persons when necessary." Birdsall Shoe Co. on Central Square advertised Grover's handmade shoes for $4. The Auburn Restaurant, A. M. Sather, prop., phone Red 57, boasted the "best restaurant in the county for oysters prepared any way." Placer County Coroner J. G. Bisbee reported a prolific year for death in 1913, requiring 67 inquests, including 15 on Southern Pacific tracks and another on the Mt. Quarries railroad. Five involved suicides and 11 homicides by gunshot. One touching death was that of Florence White, 6, who appeared to have been slightly injured when bitten by a dog while with her father, Edward White, the Wells Fargo agent at Bowman. She died about three weeks later at the home of her grandparents, the Walter Connelleys, in Newcastle. Lake Spaulding Dam was put in operation with the Drum Powerhouse activating "Pacific Service" that included completion of carrying electrical energy from the summit to Cordelia Junction. Yes dad, 1913 was quite a year. We planted a new Mr. Lincoln rose. For a broader look elsewhere in 1913 explore our website and try your wit at the first newspaper crossword puzzle that was printed that year. You can reach me at: otten@ssctv.net ° ° °

Relive History circa 1852, 1952 and 2013 Time: 12:03 pm Date: Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 Place: 4725 Virginiatown Road, east of Lincoln off Highway 193. Circa 1852: Virginia, likely named by some Gold Rushers from the state of Virginia, was among a series of communities established along the Auburn Ravine below Auburn where the first reported gold discovery was made in May 1848 by Frenchman Claude Chana. Claim to fame: First Placer railroad, possibly state. 1952: The Placer County Historical Society, County of Placer join forces with the State Department of Natural Resources in putting up the plaque denoting State Registered Landmark No. 400, one of the last of the Centennial plaques denoting the anniversary of California becoming the 31st State in 1850. The Virginiatown plaque on Virginiatown Road was formally dedicated Sept. 28,1952, with only two crumbling buildings left of the ghost town now remembered as Virginiatown. 2012: Plaque stolen. Only the granite base remains. 2013: An identical shiny new plaque put in place. The rededication is made possible by the Placer County Historical Society and E Clampus Vitus, Lord Sholto Douglas Chapter 3, Newcastle. Contact: Michael Otten, PCHS president. otten@ssctv.net 530 888-7837 ° ° °

Clampers Patrick Bryant and Kurt Hexberg ready new Virginiatown Plaque for Sept. 20 dedication

A second marriage generally means you quit celebrating the anniversary of the first one. The City of Auburn is no different. This year marks a century and a quarter since Auburn's two precincts voted overwhelmingly to reincorporate. Placer County Historical Exhibit can be seen through early October. Photographs, articles, and other items give one an idea what the year 1888 was like. There’s even a photograph of Auburn’s first mayor in 1888. 1888 was also the year the Ladies of the Auburn Library Association came out with its first cookbook. See what was cooking then. The main object was to establish a public library in Auburn. The modes of transportation were walking, horseback, horse and buggy, stagecoach and rail. The city's population was about 1,500, one ninth of what it is today. Then about one in 10 of Placer County's residents lived in Auburn, the county seat. Today it is less than one in 27. Mining, agriculture, transportation were major economic driving forces compared to health care and government today. Few, if any, had any idea how California would change in 125 years. In 1888 the state's less than 1.2 million population accounted for less than 2 percent of the nation's population. It was the 22nd most populated state. Today more than a quarter of the nation's 325 million residents live in the Golden State. The City of Sacramento, the seat of state government, had a population of about 25,000 within a county of 40,000. San Francisco with nearly 300,000, or a quarter of the state's population, was the most populated and was the first to crack the top 10 most populated cities in the nation. --Michael Otten ° ° °

Library Exhibit Celebrates Auburn’s 125th

Join the high noon festivities Friday, April 11, at Lozanzos and Bald Hill Roads near the Auburn Ravine Bridge. Parking will be limited so car pool from the Ophir Park and Ride. Arrive early. The bronze plaque replacement dedication will feature the entire award winning historic Ophir School student body, Ophir's rich history, The Ophir Prison Marching Kazoo Band and Temperance Society Inc and so much more. Brought to you by the joint efforts of Ophir Area Property Owners Association, E Clampus Vitus, Chapter 3, the Placer County Historical Society and Ophir principal Mary Zuan. Additional help provided by Supervisor Jim Holmes and the Placer County Board of Supervisors, Parlor 59, Native Sons of the Golden West and others. Taking a biblical name, Ophir quickly became a center of quartz mining, the county's most populous city and nearly became the County seat. Many still regard it as the place at the end of the Rainbow. See why Friday, April 11. ° ° °

The Marker's Coming Back to Ophir Friday April 11

1913--Income Tax, Federal Reserve Begin and Other Things Join us as we step into our time machine for a look at the past In 1913 it was unlikely that anyone could fathom what was ahead, including two World Wars, the Great Depression, the shape of inventions and conveniences to come and a host of other changes, including computers and the digital age. Remember the past. Imagine the future. We all do it. For example, take a look at some of the ways we entertained ourselves. During the Gold Rush folks would travel from miles around for a good hanging or a bear and bull fight. Hundred years ago to bring crowds to the California State Fair, erstwhile promoters had quite a hit on their hands when they fired up two steam engines for a head-on crash. It was a big deal. Families dressed up in their Sunday best. Luckily, we can get a glimpse of how it looked by going on line and viewing a six minute plus video of vintage film. Put http://archive.org/details/Californ1913 in your browser for your peek at the 1913 State Fair. Please watch the entire silent footage. It includes the grand livestock parade, a shot of Gov. Hiram Johnson in his viewing booth in the grandstands, the hot rods of the day going through antics on the dirt track and concluding with the head-on crash. Let's look at some other things in 1913: A State Commission on Immigration and Housing was created to prevent what Gov Johnson called the "dreadful conditions of poverty" that could be found in the immigrant ghettos on the East Coast. Its job was to examine farm labor camps and promote housing standards for migratory workers. The California Alien Land law was enacted banning Japanese from owning land. The Raker Act was enacted to grant San Francisco the right to dam Hetch Hetchy for its water supply. California became the first state to make the use of marijuana illegal. Two future California baseballs meet in the 10th World Series with the Philadelphia A's beating the New York Giants 4 games to 1. Two future presidents were born: Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. William Howard Taft finished his term as president. He was the nation's the first president to own a car and the only one to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Taft was succeeded by Woodrow Wilson who was inaugurated as the 28th President on March 4, and 11 days later became the first president to hold a press conference. By the end of 1913 Wilson signed the Owen-Glass Act, creating the Federal Reserve, the first major banking reform following the Civil War. Taft and John F. Kennedy are the only two presidents to be buried at Arlington. The 16th Amendment, the federal income tax, was ratified on Feb. 3 with the first personal income tax year starting March 1. Al Capone, who later went to Alcatraz for income evasion, was expelled from school at age 14 after getting in a fight with a teacher. Federal Reserve Act of was passed, creating the Federal Reserve System as the nation's central bank to regulate the flow of money and credit for economic stability and growth. It led to the Federal Reserve Notes, now the only U.S. currency produced In an odd pairing, R. J. Reynolds came out with the first packaged cigarette, Camels, and the American Cancer Society was founded. The still standing record high temperature of 134 degrees was reached on July 10, 1913, in Death Valley. Henry Ford introduced the automobile assembly line. Pennzoil is founded in Los Angeles. The National Temperance Council is founded. The first newspaper crossword puzzle is published. The site of Cabrillo's first landing in California was made a national monument. The state expanded its 1909 first in the nation sterilization law to allow for the neutering of anyone "afflicted with hereditary insanity or incurable chronic mania or dementia." The new law created the State Lunacy Commission with the power to order sterilization. "I love you, California." was written by Francis B. Silverwood and Abraham F. Frankenstein for their fellow Shriners to perform at a convention and warmly embraced by Californians after a rendition by Grand Opera singer Mary Garden. In 1951 the Legislature made it the state song. But it wasn't until 1988, "I Love You, California" was put into law; section 421.7 of the Government Code, supposedly to put to rest a popular sentiment that "California, Here I Come" was the state song. The world population was 1.65 billion. Today: 7 billion plus. The federal budget was $6.9 billion. Today, it’s pushing $4 trillion. The price of a 1st class postage stamp was 2 cents. It’s now 46 cents. "Rustless Steel,” now known as “stainless steel,” was invented by Harry Brearley of Sheffield, England. ° ° °

LET'S GET TOGETHER FOR AUBURN From Page 1, Placer County Republican, Thursday, Feb. 27, 1913 Come off the roost-- For United Auburn Let's all help boost. Uncork that Spirit you've kept hid. You used to hustle-- You know you did. Why, Man, This town has plenty of fame; Let's prove it worthy Of the name. Let's bring the tourists here in droves. And when they're here Let's tear Our clothes To prove to them This is the spot In which to cast their future lot. Don't pump hot air In every ear. They'll darn soon see the goods are here If When a Stranger asks you where, You'll drop your work And show him there. Just grip his hand-- Prove you're no bluff-- And SMILE-- Say! Ain't that The Stuff?

Solution - no peeking

What bargain hunters enjoy. A written acknowledgment. Such and nothing more. A bird. Opposed to less. What this puzzle is. An animal of prey. The close of a day. To elude. The plural of is. To cultivate. A bar of wood or iron. What artists learn to do. Fastened. Found on the seashore. The fibre of the gomuti palm. 2-3. 4-5. 6-7. 10-11. 14-15. 18-19. 22-23. 26-27. 28-29. 30-31. 8-9. 12-13. 16-17. 20-21. 24-25. 10-18. 6-22. 4-26. 2-11. 19-28. F-7. 23.30. 1-32. 33-34. N-8. 24-31. 3-12. 20-29. 5-27. 9-25. 13-21. What we all should be. A day dream. A talon. A pigeon. Part of your head. A river in Russia. To govern. An aromatic plant. A fist. To agree with. Part of a ship. One. Exchanging. To sink in mud. A boy. Source: Think.com

Fill in the small squares with words which agree with the following definitions:

Arthur Wynne had the job of devising the weekly puzzle page for Fun, the eight-page comic section of the New York World. When he devised what he called a Word-cross for the Christmas 1913 edition, published on 21 December he could have no idea that he would be starting a worldwide craze. Can you figure it out? --source: Think.Com

1913 fun: The First Crossword - The History

Heritage Trail 7 set for Aug. 2-3, 2014 "I never knew this was a school," said one surprised Auburn resident visiting the Benton Welty Classroom in the 1915-built Auburn Grammar School at 1225 Lincoln Way. "All these years I just thought it was an old town City Hall." Others were surprised Aug. 10th and 11th to learn the Auburn City Council, Planning Commission and others meet in the restored school auditorium where the late Joe Carroll usually sat in the balcony taking notes for the old Placer Sentinel. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the William H. Weeks designed building may be the only City Hall in the state housed in an old schoolhouse. The sixth annual Heritage Trail Aug. 10-11 was such a success for the 19 museums taking part the steering committee has started work on No. 7 and set the date for Aug. 2-3, 2014. It is being moved up a week so as not to conflict with the Tevis Cup Ride Aug. 9-10 that involves the Native Sons of the Golden West and other volunteers who work with Heritage Trail. Be a part of the fun and help us work up new creative displays for next year. Make believe you were a teacher of the early years by contacting Jean Allender (530) 885-5334. Sarah Hudson, 10, started the 5th grade at Fiddyment Farm Elementary School in Roseville on Aug. 19 with an unexpected basket of school supplies, games and other items. Sarah was the lucky 2013 Heritage Trail winner of the Benton Welty Historical Classroom basket drawing. She and her parents, Chris and Andi Hudson, said the Placer County Historical Society museum at City Hall was among about nine museums they visited. Special thanks to board member Jean Allender, who chairs the tours at the classroom. Thanks go to those who helped with donations, City Historian April McDonald-Loomis and the city. Thanks too to Eula Marriott, Sally Palmer Dawley, MaryLue Hardey, Jane Mispley, Dorothy Hall Overton, Bonnie and Walt Wilson, Karen Bleuel, Jane Hamilton, Professor Bones and Betty and Karri Samson who were among the tour guides that special weekend. Can you solve the Ruby Benjamin Mystery? I have a special prize for the first person who can clear up the mystery about who is Ruby Benjamin and why her large Class of 1909 diploma from the Oroville Public Schools is hanging in a corner of the Benton Welty classroom. --Michael Otten ° ° °

Where is it? "Auburn, My Home Town." This is from a September 1950 State Theatre movie advertisement. One of the main features then was "Fancy Pants," starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball. Does anyone have a copy of this movie? The Placer County Historical Society would like to borrow it so it be put on a DVD and given to the Placer County Archives. An additional DVD will be provided. We would also like to show at least a portion of the movie on our website. Any clues to the whereabouts of this special Auburn movie welcome. Please contact PCHS president Michael Otten at 530 888-7837 or at otten@ssctv.net

Ronald Reagan Plaque

If the world of the Foresthill Divide, Placer County and the Northern Sierra was anyone's oyster, it belongs to Gene Markley. Markley, 78, a life member of the Placer County Historical Society, made his mark reinventing the early Mountain Man in novel ways. He came west from his native Wisconsin. He loved the mountains. He loved the Indians and how they survived for thousands of years in harmony with nature. He led the way and wrote the book on gorge scrambling for the Sierra Club. Best of, all for more than a half century he kindled a passion among legions of followers through his Sierra Club outings and 37 years of popular Placer Adult School Gold Camps, wilderness skiing, snowshoeing and other outdoor adventure outings. He made it fun to learn about history, uncommon literature and preserving what we can of nature and the past. We enjoyed the paths less traveled to places we never may have seen but for Gene. For some of us, it included Placer County's Damascus, a once small Gold Rush community.with a school, a post office, a brass band and a scattering of homes that started as Strong's Diggings about 1852. Since the 1960s Damascus has mostly disappeared from maps and memory. On Dec. 10, 1988, Markley led one of his adult classes with a group from the Foresthill Historical Society to Damascus to install a marker on a nearly flat rock the old fashioned way. The adventurers took turns using star drills to hammer in one inch holes to anchor the plaque to memorialize a spot whose remaining buildings were virtually eliminated by a 1920s forest fire. This Markley pearl came to mind as the man dubbed "The Old Buffalo" took what may well be his final trip back home to Wisconsin last month to be cared for by his loving kin. If you haven't heard by now, Markley suffered a near fatal stroke in his Orangevale home in February. His family frantically worked these past several months to put his affairs in order here and to cut through legal and other red tape to fly him back to Wisconsin where they feel they can better care for him. Nearly 100 friends and relatives showed up for a potluck picnic at Regional Park in Auburn on Oct. 14 to say goodbye and pose for photos with Gene. Thanks to Gene's and his family's wishes, part of his vast collection of books, photos, research and maps is working its way into the Placer County Archives, the Placer County Library history- genealogical collection and the Foresthill Museum. Some of his devoted followers are continuing the outings, developing an Atlas of Gene Hikes and putting together photos and coordinates on early mines and markers as a lasting legacy. If you would like to write to Gene, here's his new address: Waunakee Manor, Room B5, 801 South Klein Drive, Waunakee, WI 53597. ° ° ° This article was originally published in the Nov-Dec 2012 edition of The Placer. Footnote: The City Council for the City of Auburn, Ca. approved a commemorative plaque honoring Gene Markley. This plaque has been placed in Auburn's Central Square.

Gene Markley The Old Buffalo by Michael Otten, PCHS President

Commemorative plaque on display at the Central Square, Auburn, CA

Gene’s plaque is located near the sculpture of the Nisenan Indian Dancer

Auburn City Hall 1225 Lincoln Way

This building was origninally built to be a school. In 1915 it served as the Auburn Grammar School. At the present time the building serves a dual purpose as the home for the Auburn City Hall as well as a museum named ‘The Benton Welty School Room.’Get a rare sense of old school days in a classroom packed with photos, scrapbooks, maps and old school books. Step back in time reading the Eclectic McGuffy Reader found on every desk. Try your hand at string games and penmanship. Due to its historic significance the building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Click here to learn more about the man the school room is named after;.Benton Welty. There is ample parking available at the rear of the building. Normal Hours of Operation: Open by appointment only. Benton Welty School Room 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn Call for an appointment 530-906-0712

The Benton Welty School Room is located in the Auburn City Hall building.

Auburn City Hall 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn, CA