CENTERVILLE.
The old town of Pilot Hill was located further north
and nearer the base of Pilot Hill, the site is now owned by Dwight Burpee, and here the principal place of business was kept by James H.
Rose. Of other early settlers in this district, who still live here we
recall the names of Silas Hayes, who was the first Post Master of Pilot
Hill; D. Burpee, A. A. Bayley, oldest son of A. J. Bayley, and the present
incumbent of the second Supervisor district of the county; Wm. Buchan,
at present Post Master, in office since 1870, John Bishop, C.F.
Briff,
Hiram Stoddard, M. W. Manning of Cave valley. First school in Pilot Hill
School District was taught by Mrs. Alice Galloway, it was a private
school supported by Bayley and others, and was located near Bayley's
present residence. John Bowman was the first blacksmith in this
community, since the Spring of 1852. He moved around considerably** and
finally settled on Bayley's ranch, where D. Burpee built a shop for him.
The first white woman, at Pilot Hill, was Mrs. Avery, who had been under
the same circumstance at Oregon Bar. The present hotel, a two and a-half
story frame structure was built n 1854, and occupied for some years by
Mr. Creque. Mrs. Jane McLagan is the present proprietor. There are still
three stores kept here, two in town and Mr. Bayley's on Bayley's ranch
about a quarter mile northeast of town, where Mr. Bayley, in 1860,
erected the present magnificent and roomy three story brick mansion of
the Bayley family, without any doubt, the most exquisite building in the
county. There is a good deal of general farming done in the township,
stock raising, however, is the principal farming business; of late again
some attention has to fruit farming and vine culture. During the winter
months some activity prevails while free water abounds, and familiar
faces of old times are seen in the old ravines, hunting for their hidden
chispas. The outlook for quartz mining is most encouraging but the total
absence of machinery to reduce ore, and the isolated location of the
district, precludes the regular prospecting for quartz by miners who
have to look out for present returns.
Pilot Hill has a Masonic Hall, the property of Pilot
Hill Lodge, No. 160, F. and A. M.
The first Grange Lodge on the Pacific coast was
organized here in 1870, by A. A. Bayley; by reading a brief article on
the objects and aims of the Patrons of Husbandry, he became so favorably
impressed that he wrote for further information to the National
Secretary; O. H. Kelly, Esq., at Itasca, Minn., from whom he received,
with the sanction of the National Executive Committee, and in absence of
a General Dupty, a special commission on the entire secret work. The
Lodge was then organized on August 17th, 1870, with twenty-nine charter
members, forming the Pioneer Grange of California.
*Neighbors live in an area called Peacock Hollow -- named by F.B.Peacock.
**I actually located one of these sites when out walking.
Someone had apparently used a metal detector and located two dozen or
so old horseshoes and other blacksmithing implements. They organized
them and left them on the site (which was the exact right thing to
do).
Mining
[from chapter 20 - Quartz Mines and Mining]
The Pilot Hill mining district, once as noted as the far seen Beacon
Hill, from which it takes its name, situated between the North and South
forks of the American river, seems to be one of those lost mining camps;
and why so, we are unable to give an answer. Hasn't it an unquestionable
right to a fair share of consideration by reason of its quartz deposits?
Haven't the alluvial deposits in its ravines, flats and gulches been
immensely rich and plentifully diversified with large nuggets and rich
specimens of golden Quartz? Near the top of the hill--from which in
clear weather a magnificent view is presented of Sacramento with the
Capitol and the whole Sacramento valley, with the river like a silver
ribbon running through, the Marysville Buttes and the Coast range in
the back ground, forming a beautiful panorama-- is situated the Pilot
Hill mine. A number of auriferous quartz seams run through the location,
and several shafts have been sunk, which brought the owners several
thousand dollars in return for their work, but these shafts are not yet
deep enough sunk to approve the supposition that all these various seams
converge into a solid ledge at no great depth; the mine is owned by
Mendes, Raimondo and Warker.
Indian
Troubles - El Dorado Indian War of 1850 and 1851.
[from chapter XXXI - Indian Troubles] On
Christmas day, 1850, a young man from Pilot Hill, by the name of Avery,
took his rifle and went out to kill a deer; but about a quarter of a
mile from Bayley's he was murdered by Indians for his gun, which they
carried off. The camp became alarmed at his not returning and some went
out to look after him, but not finding any trace of the missing man,
returned and gave the report that in their belief Avery had been killed
by Indians. A meeting was held in the evening and A. L. Parker, once a
Texas ranger, was appointed captain of a company, which at daylight
sallied forth for the Indian camp. surrounded it and captured the chief
and five others; but no threatening whatever could move them to confess
what they had done with Avery, notwithstanding his rifle was found in
searching the camp. The prisoners, one of them being a boy 12 years old
and the son of the chief, were taken to Pilot Hill. One of the party
understanding the Indian language took the boy aside and after promising
him that he should be sent to the Eastern States for his safety, and to
be educated, he took them to the spot where Avery's body had been
secreted under a pile of leaves and sticks. He had been shot three times
and his brains were beaten out; most all his clothing were taken away
also. The body was brought to Pilot Hill, but no coroner being present,
and inquest was not held, but the Indians put on trial. J.D. Galbraith
was elected Judge, and he empanelled a jury, and five Indians started
for court; one of them broke and ran, but at his third jump he fell down
dead, five balls had pierced his heart. After a speedy trial the jury
found a verdict of murder against the remaining four, and the Judge
sentenced them to an immediate execution. They were placed on a wagon
and by this means carried under a tree and by removing the wagon, Pico,
chief of Piutes, and three of his braves, were launched into
eternity. At a public meeting held at
American Flat, on August 26th, 1854, to take into consideration the best
means of suppressing the supply of spirituous liquors to Indians, either
by gift or sale, the following preamble and resolutions were
adopted: Whereas, We believe that most of
the scenes of violence and bloodshed enacted in our midst by Indians
residing among us, originate in the excessive use of intoxicating
liquors; and whereas, from the best information we can obtain, such
seems to have been the cause of the recent unfortunate disturbance in
which several of these Indians lost their lives. Therefore, be it Resolved,
That every man who sells intoxicating liquors to Indians, endangers the
safety of the community, degrades his own character, and outrages the
feelings of humanity. Resolved, That we
do know there are such men in this neighborhood, and we hereby pledge
ourselves to use the utmost vigilance to ferret them out and bring them
to justice, and that we will not fail to observe that Indians go to
certain houses sober, and leave those houses drunk. Resolved,
That henceforth we will denounce the discountenance every person, white
or black, who shall furnish Indians with liquors, under any pretense or
for any purpose whatever, and more particularly those who are in the
habit of buying liquors at the stores and conveying them to stealthily
to Indian ranchos for vile and sinister purposes. Resolved,
That a copy of these proceedings be posted at this place (American
Flat), Columbia, Irish Creek, and other places in the neighborhood, and
also be published, etc. J.E.
Sill, Chairman |
lively
business began. 
