Year: 1869

Long live Democracy"


Thus sang the poet laureate of Point bar at the
time, and if you don't believe me, call on Jo
Huber, who has the "pome" filed carefully
away in chink of his cabin, at Rattlesnake. At
the forks of the creek, three miles below, John
Conlin and number of others are at work. John
is one of the old residents of Hayfork, and
hope, for his own sake, he will strike it big.


About this point the slate bedrock gives out
and bluffs of limestone begin to frown upon the
traveller In all countries the limestone forma-
ton shows curious freaks of nature, and this
section is no exception to the rule. On China
gulch, which puts into the main stream little
below where Zook & VOdges are stopping, there
is a magnificent cave in the hillside, that would
of itself be worth a ride from Weaverville to
visit A little further down Bridge gulch, over
which is the famous natural bridge, comes IN on
the opposite side of the creek. But of the tens
of thousands who have at different times made
this county their home, how many have stepped
out of their path to see this great work of Nature
Even among the oldest residents of the valley,
eight miles below, there are some who have
never yet been to the bridge. But to those who
love to look upon Nature in her robes Of prime
val grandeur, we say by all means take trip to
Hayfork, and sight of the bridge, the falls and
the cave will be an ample reward for the journey.


The miners of this section are supplied from





and four miles above the point where the main
wagon road from Douglas City strikes the head
of the valley. l should like to brag little
my old friend the &C Doc," but, when man
tails such whiskey at two bits and votes the
Democratic ticket straight, what can be said


In Hayfork valley there is but one mining
claim of any importance-that of Hilliard
Hills, about half mile from the town. Water
is supplied from a long gulch is abundant dur
ing the mining season, and the claim is a first
rate one. Farming, however, is the great indus
try of the valley, which gives employment dur
ing the summer season to many hands. The
lower part of the valley is the most fertile and
has been settled for many years. Feenaty 8
place, opposite the town, is the first of any i'm
portance in the valley proper, from here down to
the lower end it is nearly all improved and un-
der cultivation. Hills, Kelloggs, and the Allen
ranchs (the latter now occupied by Hopt and
Van Kellogg) are fine places on the south side
oe the stream. The north side is owned by
Messrs. Ruch, Knowles and that " king bee f" of
the Democracy, B. NJ. George. On the creek
tributary to Hayfork are the ranches of Ewing,
Bachman, Walter, Baker and Drinkwater. The
staple productions of all these ranches being
wheat, the price of that grain becomes an object
of serious consideration to the good people of
the valley A-half cent extra price is small
sum to look at, but when added on to each
pound of wheat raised, it amounts to several
thousands of dollars in the valley, and sometimes
changes what threatens to be an unsuccessful
harvest into most successful one.


But must bid adeu to Hayfork and rustic
over to Canyon creek to the wagon road ball.
For nice quiet place in which to while away
the hot months of summer, with trout fishing in
all the streams and game abundant among the
low hills that skirt the valley: Hayfork, as a
place of resort cannot be beat And while the
rest of the county is going down year after year
Hayfork valley is slowly but steadily gaining
both in population and in value of property. Sc
bidding goodbye to our host, Jack Kellogg, who
has now opened the new hotel, we ride over te
the store for parting word with the Squire
and are off to Canyon City. IMpREsoR.