Year: 1862

in that vicinity, and the old place has been
abandoned for all public purposes, a0d the
bar-room has been metamorphosed into a neat
and comfortable Office, presided over by the
MAJOR Domo of the estate, the polite and al
fable Judge Stafford. In olden times the hotel,
blacksmith shop. sadlers, and other places of
business, were all on that side of the creek,
but as We have said before. during the last
year. Major Bidwel conceived the idea of es-
tablishing town on this side of the creek. and
most successful has be been in accomplishing
his object. The town of Chico, at present,
consists of two long streets. upon which a num-
Der of stores, residences. hotels. and public
buildings, have been erected-several Of them
being of brick one built of the latter material
being two stories in height, sixty feet in width
and fifty in depth the lower portion being
used for the establishment of j. Bidwell & Co.,
Mr., Benjamin Woods being the partner, con-
tanning a stock of goods Of all kinds of not
less than $4,000 in value. In this building
the Postoffice, Telegraph Office, and Wells.
Fargo 4 Co.'S Express Office, are located-
This building cost $4,000 One half of the
second story is used by the Masonic Fraternity,
and the other for ball room. The Chico
Hotel, above alluded to, is not excelled by any
in the mountains. There is very large trade
of vast agricultural district and adjacent to a
large number of rich paying mining claims
The rapid rise of this place is entirely due to
the efforts of Major Bidwell, aud the most en-
thusiastic anti-division-of-B Butte. county-ite is
free to confess that il would make splendid
county seat. The whole place is an evidence
of what private enterprise can accomplish
when properly applied; and the generous
spirit manifested by Mr.. BidwelI, in regard 10
it worthy Of mention for when Chico this side
of the creek) was established, he caused all
business on the other side to be removed to the
new town so as to give it every advantage and
all there is on the other side of the creek is his
private house, stables, and the splendid mill,
which is not second to any other in California.
1t stands on the edge OF Chico Creek, is three
stories in height, built of wood in the strongest
manner with large and massive brick base
meDt it has three run of stone and is propel-
led by water conveyed from the upper portion
Of the creek by means Of hume. The brand
of -four made at this mill is very celebrated
and about 10000 bushels Of wheat are turned
out in one year, and the demand is constantly
increasing. The grant of Major Bidwell runs
to and along the Sacramento River, and there
is almost daily communication by means Of the
splandid hoatS of the California Steam Navi-
cation Company, and the Banner" a new
boat lately bnilt for that trade. Mr. Bidwel
is now engaged in building a road from Chico
to the Big Meadows, which will give uninter-
rupted and easy communication with the Hum
bodt mining region. The garden, orchard,
and private grounds at Chico are magnificent.
and cannot be beaten for luxurlousness by any
other portion of the State; the very best care
is taken with them and a visit to them is never
neglected by those who visit that section Of
Butte county.


The region around and about Chico is heal
thy and delightful, and presents fine advantages
for farming or for private residences. Game of
all kinds is in abundance, and we know Of no
place in California pleasanter TO visit for re-
creation and comfort. 1t must necessarily be-
come an important centre for trade and travel,
and as there is every determination evinced to
connect it with the lower potion of the State
(by railroad), so soon as the road between
Marysville and Oroville is finished property in
Chico will be visibly enhanced. From the
other side of Feather River to Red Bluff, rail-
road could be constructed with perfect ease,
and no portion OF 1t with less trouble than that
to Chico; and we believe the time is not far
distant when a line of railroad viii connect
San Francisco with the Northern portion Of
the State, through the great valley Of the Sac
ramentO. And there is no reason why such a
line Of travel should not be opened up
Through the liberality and enterprise Of such
men as Major Bidwell, vast extent of country
is being peopled and cultivated, and as each
progress, the demand for rapid communication
increases. There is no doubt in the world that
the railroad to San Jose will be continued on
to Stockton, and from thence, tapping the Cen
trail Road this side of or at Folsom, so on by
means OF the Lincoln, Marysville, and Oroville
road, to Chico, and beyond to Red Bluff
With proper energy. and honorable and public
spirited men al the head of it, those in whom
the people had confidence, the great enterprise
could be carried through successfully and COM
pletely, by the close of the year 1861 and thus
would be developed one of the richest coun-
tries on the face of the earth


5. F. Spirit of the Times.


The Voice of a Patriotic Statesman---Is
the Constitution the Same in War as