Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-01-14
the FIRST CHINESE IN AMERICA

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Where They We're First "A
California Reminisccnce.
From tho San Francisco Argonaut.
The year 1863 was characterized by the
vile wagon roads and the Central Pacific
railroad. Although the season was unusu-
ally dry, yet laborers were scarce. Our en-
tire population seemed to have been seized
with the mania of prospecting and locating
mining claims.
From the state range and FL Paso on the
south, to Cariboo on the north, and through
out the dreary wastes of Nevada, all was
animated by the eager search Of the pros
pector. Large bodies of miners were con-
gregatcd at most favorable spots, and
Washc, Reese Valley, Humboldt, Coso, and
Esmeralda became famous for their popu-
lous towns of hardy laboring men. Nor
was our state exempt from this mania.
nearly every talcose or other magnesia belt
of rock was searched for copper. Thou
sands of locations were made, and new towns
grew up in the copper interest. But not
the least of these maniacal freaks was the
mining excitement hat suddenly developed
on the Ruckee river, on the eastern border
of our state, known as the "Squaw valley
| W IA AAosAA-k AAS
time the excitement began nearly 5000
prospcctors and adventures were congrega-
ted in the district, most of whom secured
locations upon some ferruginous schists
which abound in that locality.
The scene was also cnlivened by a large
corps Of pioneers and engineers searching
for a route for the road direct from Yuba
gap, or Truckee, to Virginia, through Squaw
and Washoe valleys. Although grading on
the railroad had commenced at Sacramento,
yet no fixed grade had been fixed to the
summit, although Judah's preliminary sur.
vey had established the probability of the
route over the Sierra But the railroad
there was only subsidiary to the.wagon read.
Quick and cheap dispatch to Virginia was
the prize for whicatwo rival companies were
con,ending. No visions of a 'trans-conti-
mental monopoly" or of controlling the
trade of the indies" or Giving in palatial
mansions on Mob Hip filled the minds or
excited the ambition of those road builders.
But to return to plain narrative | think
FL Dorado county, secured the glutton's
share of Squaw valley pie. Placer and Ne
the middle of September, and leisurely re-
traced my steps to old Nevada county. My
first days Journey brought me to the ad-
vanced camps of the laborers on the Dutch
fiat wagon road, on the Yuba bottom above
Cisco, and about twelve miles from the sum-
nit, where, meeting friends, l concluded to
stop and rest over night. Towards evening
there was great commotion among the work
men, and they collected in large numbers at
McDorald's camp, appearing 10 be greatly
excited. Presently there approached in
sight, coming up the road, a large train Of
Cinnamon, trudging along under the weight
of heavy burdens, balanced on poles, and
led by Orecker and Strowbridge.
What a red flag would be to a mad bull
were those Cinnamon to the excited laborers.
They charged down upon them with sticks.
stones and everything within reach, and
such a rout precipitate retreat were never
seen before. The road was strewn with
baskets, bundles, bamboo poles and hats.
But Croker was equal to the emergency
He advanced to the front, and mounted q
rock by the side Of the road, and as soon as
he could command the attention of The
tumultu ous crowd, said:
"Men, hear what l have got TO say. ]
want to reason with you. We have a power.
full and energetic rival in the Placerville
road. 1t is getting late in the season, and
in less than six weeks these mountains will
be covered with snow. This roai must b.
completed this fall, or We will loose all the
money We have put in it, and all We expec
ted to gain by its completion. Unless it car
be finished it is no use for us to spend an
other dollar upon it. We must have more
lab ,rers to complete it. We prefer white
men, but cannot get them. We have
advertised aud posted circulars like this
Diego to Victoria, and have sent agents Il
| oil tho osfioo onA l,ero tr-no IN nof -hst.
laborers; and have offered them miners
wages ($3 per day, the same as We are pay
ing you), and YET We have failed to get them
5 Now, ! appeal to you, men, If We must Civ,
up this great enterprise and loosethe none,
We have expended, or employ such laborer
as we can get 2"
A quiet and respectful attention was givel
to these remarks, but at their close all wa
commotion, The tumultuous crowd swaye,
to and fro, and gathered in groups arount
the camp and hillsides. All seemed chao
and confusion until a stalwart Scotchmal
stepped forth from the crowd and the tumul
was hushed. Said he:
"Mr. Croker, We have been talking thi
matter over and although We had resolves
not to let these Chinimen work with us, y
we think you are right, or at least excueable
3uu WILL AuaAo ~ 1uEtieE OppW ltlOu uuuS
the circumstances"
A voice with a familiar brogue was hear,
from the lower end Of the crowd, saying:
"Ar. Croker, bring along your hathen.
and we'll see That they are not hurled"
Presently the Cinnamon and their scatter
ed traps were collected, and the laborin
men formed an open column through wbicl
the Cinnamon trudged, with Charley Crock
er at their head. to the camp provided fo
them above.
1t is needless to say that the road wa
completed that fall, and vas a great success
until the railroad superseded it.
N &