San Andreas independent., 1856-09-24
San Andreas.

1915, q few Mexlcans encampcd at the forks Of
the Gulch since called San Andreas,1 about
one-fourth of mile above where the town now
stands and commenced working in the bed of
the gulch, by sinking holes and washing out
with g batteas,"
In the fall of '49, their numbers considerably
increased, but the place was not looked upon as
worthy OF any great note: q mining locality
But in the winter of l849, or spring of sc,
few Americans came in, and commenced ope-
rations in the main gulch, which soon had
tendency to bring in others. In the meantime
the Spanish population continued to increase,
until, in the fall and winter OF 1850, they num-
bered some twelve or fifteen hundred. At this
time, the principal part were encamped on the
hillside, on which is row located the town of
San Andreas, and ca all sides were seen small
tents, such as usually designated any important
mining locality, in the palmy and prosperous
DAYS of l849-50
The mines were rich, every person was doing
WELL and of course, during these flush times"
number of Fandango Houses and gambling
large Spanish population,-and on every night
might be seen numbers of brave caJalleres and
comely senoritas capcring nimbly on light fan
tastic toe
I'll population composed of such incongru-
Gus materials, Il could not be expected but that
there would be numbers of dee eperate and bloody
encounters, inwhich pistols, bowie-knives, etc.
figured corspicuously, terminating frequently in
death, or at least, severe and ghastly wounds to
some of the party, while the guilty offender
could easily eseape to some other locality, where
he could again perform similar feats of daring
and chivalry.
In the spring of 1851, was erected the Bella
Union,-the first frame building in San Andreas;
which building answered Che purpose of court
room, drinking saloon, ard gambiing-house,
and in after days the building went through a
variety of uses, among which, it became the
fashionable resorting place of the early miners,
it being the Ddnce Housei Could It's walls have
spoken, during the fire of last spring which de-
stroyed its ancient and respectable appearance,
many blush would be brought to the modest
countenances of persons who are now scattered
through every county of this State, and every
State of our Union. About the time of its COM
pletion, rich digsings were discovered at Mokel-
urnne Hill rush was made-everybody fol-
lowed the rush-San :. .ndreas became nearly
depopulated, and the worthy proprietor of the
Bella Union, began to think that lie was not
only soils Proprietor, but sole customer of the
new and splendid establishment
Early in the summer of 1851, Capt. Robert
Pope came to this place, located the right of
way, and surveyed the route of ditch, leading
from Willow Creek TO the foot hills north of
San Andreas. Shortly afterwards company
calling themselves the Miners Ditch Company,
commenced digging ditch along the same
route, which was completed and the water run
ming through early in the spring of 1852. Then
commenced lawsuit between Capt Pope and
the Miners Company which terminated in SO,
in the Miners" being ousted of all their pre-
tended right, title, and interest.
In the fall of 1851 the miners began to re-
turn from the stampede they had taken in the
direction of Mokelumne Hill, and the following
winter, San Andreas became quite aourishing
camp.
During the winter Of 1851, another Ditch
Company was formed, called the Union Com
pdny, for the purpose of bringing water from
Murray's Creek. This ditch was completed in
the sprSng of 1852. In March or April of this
year, Mexican was killed while asleep in Har-
din's house. The murder was supposed to have
been committed BY another Mexican, who was
sleeping in the same building. He was arrest
ed tried and acquitted; but when leaving
town, was overtaken, and executed by the pop
ulace. He was buried on the summit of the
hill South of town.
In June 1852, the water failing in this vicin-
ity, many of the miners left, and located on the
rivers and in the neighboring camps, during
the summer months In the fall they all re-
turned, aid the camp again became life, blus-
ter and activity.
In the winter of 1872, the whole community
in this vicinity was kept in constant agitation
and alarm, caused by the depredations and
murders of the notorious bandit Joaquin and
mis- band of murderers, who had established
their head quarters at Yacque Camp, about three
miles from this place; whence they issued forth
to levy contributions upon the unsuspecting
traveller on the highway, the quiet ard peaceable
miner in his cabin, and the harmless John
Chinaman y wherever he was found. For some
time robberies were committed in different parts
OF the county, and no one appeared to be
aware whence the blow came, or where they
should strike, in order to put stop to the de-
predations that were being almost daily COM
mitted. Frequent meetings of the citizens were
held to devise means for ridding the country
of this band of cut-throats, who were striking
terror to the hearts of all our citizens. Num-
bers of persons formed themselves into volun-
teer companies, and parties were securing the
hills IN all directions. The bandits place OF
rendezvous, Yacque Camp was broken up, he
and tQll