Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-05-26
4 GALA DAY AT COLFAN.
JolHGc"tion over the Completion of tn

JolliGcation over the Completion Of tho
Wagon Road to Forest Hill.
The town of CoItaN. Placer county, pre-
seutcl a lively scene on Friday last. some
eight years ago a company incorporated for
the purpose of constructjoug a wagon road,
from Coltax TO the Forest Hhl divide across
,he north torl, of the American river. That
it was great undertaking. all know who
have looked down upon that stream from
the dizzy nights of Cape Horn. The COM
pany set to work with a will. had the roaC
surveyed, and spent over $1,000 i'm exca-
waiting, but their enterprise was suddenly
stopped through the financial difficulties
that befcll one of the contractors. About
one year ago the present company took
charge ofthemattcy, and have Just completed
the much-needed turnpike. The company
Is known as the ColtaX and Forest Hill
Commercial Company. The Directors are
NJ. Tobener, President; J. Butler Secre-
tary; W. B. Hayford, TrcaSurer r. b. Per-
EinS and 7. Kingston, who are also the
principal owners. The Central Pacific
Railroad Company own 81 900 of the stock
On the completion of this road the people
of COlfaX, noted for their hospitality ten
dered grand complimentary party TO the
people Of the Forest Hill divide which in
cludeS the towns of Forest HILL Yankee
Jims, Michigan Bluff, Bath, Sunny South
and Damascus. At an early hour Friday
morning buggies, coaches, wagons and
vehicles Of every kind
CAME ROLLING INTO ceLFAX.
And the occupants. whoever they were,
We're given the freedom of the town
The town was in holiday attire. LobncrS
large warehouse, in size 12j by - was used
for 4 ballroom, the floor for that purpose
being neatly canvaScd. Music was fur
niShcd by Jones, Becbe Il Grants band of
six pieces from Sacramento, while W. +.
Peterson, of The same city, Il well-kuown
and popular caterer, looked to the feeding
of the multitude. 4 fine grove near the
town was trimmed up, and used aS q picnic
ground during the day, where Young and
old enjoyed themselves with games and
various sports, while in Il diamond field
near bv the Michigan Bluff and Forest Hill
mines played 4 match game of baseball, re-
sulting in a victory for the latter 1t was
one of those days of enjoyment rarely eX-
pcrienced. Hundreds OF people who had
lived within sight Of each other for quar-
itl " IL ttIllulN' tVtUt StINll-tiS, NtIt tulN
brought together, each wing with the
other to see which could contribute the
most JOY toward the days entertainment.
When the assemblage repaired to the dane
ing pavilion at night over 100 couples 0fthe
YOUNG PEOPLE OF PLACER COUNTY
Were on the fioorat one time The gentle
men all wore white satin badges, upon
which the following was tastcfully print
cd " Completion of the ColiuN and Forest
Hill wagon road, May -. 1854 The
dance lasted until t \. H., and nothing oC-
CURED during the day OF evening TO mar
the smoothness of the entertainment in the
least Ii seemed strange to see men and
women who had lived their entire lives in
Il direct line less than five miles from the
Central Pacific Railroad. and yet had never
seen Il railroad track nor Il locomotive.
The dancing hall was handsomely and
most tasteiullv decorated with bunting,
strcamerS, Chinese lanterns. etc. Addresses
of welcome were delivered by J. : Quinn
and NJ Lobin
THE TOWN OF CoLFAX
Was the terminus of the c. p. r. r.. for
several months from the 10th of Septcm-
Der, 1863. During that time the freight for
Nevada and other points left there on
teams. and ColtaN grew suddenly into n
large and prosperous town. As soon rs
the railroad passed on it lost its importance,
the mining industries one by one declined
and COltaN, from Il prosperous shipping
center,a became only 4 sleepy railroad
town Two years ago, however. it was
discovered that the soil around the town.
in fact, all the hills and valleys in this sec
ton, was peculiarly adapted to grape
culture and every variety and kind of
fruit, and this industry is being vigorously
pushed, with present profit and great prom
iScs for the future. Over 500 acres viii be
put in grapes this season. and a much
larger acreage cleared off and prepared for
the next season. Lands, in consequence of
their richness and fertility, are now de
manding good prices, which a few years
ago those engaged i'll the mining industry
considered worthless. except to crow chap
arral and manZanita thickets. Thousands
OF acres of as good land for fruit as there
are in the State can be had at extremely
low prices. and need only the woOdmanS
AK to clear, the brawny farmers muscle TO
cultivate, when it
WILL YIELD GOLDEN CROPS
And make our foothills as valuable as any
other portion of the State, and much more
remmerative to the small farmer The
leaves here for Grass Valley and Nevada
City, connecting at those towns with nu-
merous stage lines for other sections. 4
wagon road also leaves here for Iowa Hill.
This being such a junctTe for different
roads, there are always a great many
travellers passing, waiting for stages and
trains and in the town there is no hotel.
Here is an opening for some one to do well
who will start a good hotel. To any one
who understands the business, and has
sufficient enterprise, there is not better
opening for a safe and profitable invest
mcnt in the State The new road to Forest
Hill opens up miles Of virgin forests OF
sugar-pinc, which can now be brought To
market. The length of the road is fourteen
and onc-haf miles, which can be Travelled
easily in two hours instead of five by the
way of Auburn. REPORTER.
(iplfpy Nav 0l 1874