The Trinity journal., 1856-04-05
For the Journal.
Early Days on Trinity River.

FRIEND, OF THE JOURNAL Taking it for
granted the more that is known of any par
tioular section of country, the more will gen.
eral interest be directed that way, we shall
not hesitate to communicate to you many
things well known here, besides some that
are almost forgotten.
In oden time, when Shasta was yet scarce
Iy Reddings Springs" and Weavervlle
was vet wilderness, the most considerable
place in these Northern mines was Big Bar
1t still remains, and is well beloved by all
those whose fortunes have caused them there
to tarry, Big Bar is a '49.err and in soft
enumerated nearly one thousand inhabit-
ants. Now it does not enumerate so many,
but even now it is the post-town for large
territory, for all that portion Of the Trinity
river below the mouth of North Fork, all
the New River country, and all that region'
lying between Trinity Riyer and Humboldt
Bay .......
Big Flat is a younger place, but takes
precedence, in age, of Weaverville. 1t is q
town of small pretensons, but there is some
interesting "reminiscences connected with the
place. Here it was that a man fell by the
hand of the assassin, only six years ago, and
now there is probably not man in the town
who could lead you to his grave OF the
murderer, the tale is easily told; he escaped.
But the place deserves honorable mention
for having furnished to the state, Senator,
Superintendent of the '52 Relief Expedi-
ton, Secretary Of State, and now a MEM
ber of Congress in the person of Gen. Den
yer, and also the present Indian Agent for
the Northern District of California Gen.
James Patterson, both of whom are well-be-
loved bya the old inhabitants, and remem-
bered for their social virtues. At present
the town is not remarkable for more than
being brisk little mining place, and having
within its precincts a Division of the Sons
of Temperance, and benevolent institution
called, "The Ancient and Honorable Order
of the E Clampsus Vitus," both making
satisfactory" progress, and said to have
extensive resources.
Manzanita Flat is town of 49, so we
cannot run back with long category of re-
markablcs, but has done well for young
stcr. Near this place. on the opposite side
of the river, a man in 40 was engaged in
mining, having with him negro slave and
a white man. Suddenly the white man and
negro left for other diggings, leaving a mis-
terry hanging around the fate of Davenport,
who had been missing for some time. The
following season his bones were exhumed
from the Bar, (Which has since taken his
name, upon which he had been mining, and
no doubt left in the minds of those acuuaint-
ed with the circumstance, that he had met
with foul play.
1t was near this little town that our old
friend Durkee, overlook an Indian cattle
thief and meted to him a just reward II
happened very opportune, for times we're
dull and Doc jackson amused the boys BY
public dissection Of the body. The town
is still improving
CoX's Bar, once known as Vance's, is re-
membered by all who have Travelled that
way in former years, as the residence of that
urbane and kind old gentleman, Major Cox
from whom it takes its name. The old man
has gone home, but there are many good fol,
lows left to tell of bis social qualities. The
place is still hourishing.
Canadian Bar, as known at distance ia
known at home as Canadian Bar nroner
Taylor's Flat, French Bar and Fleatown
IL has always borne good reputation as a
mining locality, but of late the WASHINGTON
flume has brought in into more general no.
tIce than formerly Here too, there is n
natural curiosity worthy of mention: n cave
o. opening IN the mountain that has been
but partially explored Those who have
visited it say that is very extensive. The
Indians hereabout have some curious tro-
dltlons concerning it, which our space will
not allow us to relate 1t used to be re-
marked by strangers, that the trails leading
10 this Bar were abominable, and needed
worklng--a fact the old packer and tra-
der OF the place, 10. Alden, could never be
made to allow. But new men have brought
new ideas, and now the trails leading to Ca
madam Bar are what the inhabitants call
fair"
Vance's Ferry, located by an estimable
young man of that name is the last sottlo-