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HISTORY
El
Dorado County, California.
LOCAL
HISTORY.
SPANISH
DRY DIGGINGS.
Is situated in the northern part of El Dorado county, on
the summit of the hill above the Middle Fork of the American river, five
miles from Georgetown, four miles from Greenwood, Spanish Bar, El Dorado
Slide, Dutch Bar, Rocky Chucky, Canyon Creek and other noted localities of
early mining days are within a short distance.
In 1848, Dan Andreas Pico, brother of ex-Governor Pio
Pico, organized a company of Mexican miners, chiefly Sonorians, for the
purpose of a prospecting tour through the Sierras, to test the extent of
Marshall's discovery of gold. The company thus organized under the
leadership of Don Andreas, proceeded north to the Yuba river, and from
thence south to the Stanislaus, traversing and superficially prospecting
all the since celebrated mineral belt known to the world as California's
richest placer diggings.
In the course of his trip Don Andreas passed through
what is known as Spanish Dry Diggings. Resting a short time here, the most
experienced of his men, detailed for prospecting, were at work in the
ravines, obtained rich prospects in course gold of a quartz nature.
In 1849, the report of Don Andreas having become
generally known among the Mexicans, other of that nationality became in
many instances the pioneers in mining settlements. Thus it was here, the
first settlers of Spanish-American origin. Soon after came Americans,
Germans and others. The name of the first trading-post, or permanent
settlement was Dutchtown, after which the name of the village was changed
to correspond with that by which the mines in the vicinity were known, and
thus came the name of Spanish Dry Diggings.
In 1854, the first quartz-seam diggings were discovered
here, which has since resulted in the development and working of many
valuable mines, the most celebrated of which are the Grit, Barr, Short
Handle, Cherry Hill, Summit, Davis, Taylor, and others of less note. The
amount of gold taken from these claims has been very large, the best
authority of the place estimating the Grit and Barr claims alone to have
yielded $500,000 and #300,000 respectively.1
Aside from these seem diggings there is the celebrated
Sliger quartz claim, a true and well-defined quartz lode, owned and worked
by Messrs. Hunter, Wade, Roush, Simpers, Hines and Grinnell; a claim,
undoubtedly among the best in the county if not in the State. The owners
are content to themselves, quietly working their claim without the aid of
outside capital, which fact of itself is the best recommendation. About
one mile north of the Sliger mine, and on the same lode is the claim of
Messrs. Hines & Co., worked continuously and profitably.
Among the earliest and best known citizens are Messrs.
W. R. Davis, John Hines and T.M. Buckner '49ers. Messrs. G. W. Hunter, G.
W. Simpers, A. Rooke, James K. Easterbrrok, Trueworthy Durgan and Andrew
Deller still reside here. The present population approximates about a
hundred souls, living in comfortable residences with beautiful
surroundings which will stand comparison with any one of the sister mining
town in the county. The town comprises now only one store; the first store
in town was kept by Folger, now of San Francisco, about a quarter of a
mile below where the present store stands, and also a good school house.
1. In these diggings the proceeds were
almost all profits. O. B. Powell of Quincy, Illinois, in one day in
October, 1854, together with his partner M. Orr, took out 26 pounds of
gold. In November 1854, in eleven days, 110 pounds of gold were taken out
of what was known as the Kelsey claim by W. D. Vincent, A. Barth, M. Orr,
O. Powell, S. Searles, D. Ellis, S.P. Nye and John E. Stover. Mr. Crawford
says he has seen it to be carried out by water pailsfull. Also, large
nuggets have been found occasionally, the largest one was of 16 pounds
weight. (back)
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