IONE, CA - Clark's Corner in
Ione hosted one of our local famous authors this past November, the
Western author Red Johnson. How appropriate we were in Ione, the
oldest town in Amador County. We were there to hear Red Johnson
speak about the History of the Gold Country (Southern Mines
region).
Ione was originally called Hicks. Hicks, Childs and Martin were the
first settlers in the Ione Valley. Q Ranch was established, there
were two oaks at the entrance, one was used as a hanging tree! John
Bogen and Charlie Green formed a stage line in the area.
In
the early 1850's, thousands of people were streaming into the area,
then part of the San Joaquin District. They came from San Francisco
through Stockton and Sacramento. With the establishment of towns
such as Jackson, Mokelumne Hill, San Andreas, Altaville, Angels
Camp, and others, there was a determination by many to form their
own county and set up institutions to govern themselves.
Calaveras County was soon formed and included what is now Amador
County named after Jose Maria Amador who owned ranches in San Ramon
and Sunol. The county seat was in Double Springs which was
established in 1852. It's about 4 miles east of what is now Valley
Springs. Double Springs was also known as Pleasant Valley. Charles
L. Peck and H.M. Gills set up a store there.
Some of the movers and shakers of this time are as follows: Charles
Boynton known as the Father of Amador County; William Phoenix,
First Sheriff; Robert Costner, Sheriff; Billy Sutherland; Benjamin
Frank, Marshall in Murphys, was a friend of Joaquin Murrieta who
actually looked like a schoolteacher! And George Upton who guided
three wagon trains out west received a grubstake, went to the
Shenandoah Valley, poked a hole in the mountain and found gold! We
can't forget James Marshall who was the first to discover gold in
Coloma on January 24, 1848.
There
was an incredible amount of information given by Red. He is a very
personable, engaging speaker and highly entertaining. On display
were Red's collection of rifles, pistols, and knives, all very old,
beautiful weapons. This was a truly wonderful night. Clark's Corner was
a charming, comfortable venue for the lecture.
If
you ever have a chance to hear one of Red's lectures, you will be
amazed by the wealth of knowledge and history he shares and you
will have a great time! Our gold country has quite a legend of true
stories.
Red Johnson is currently writing a monthly column
for the Gold Country Times, known as 'Legends of the Gold Country'
which follows the story line in his current book, Hell Will Be to
Pay, the True Story of Henry Plumer, six years in the making. See
his ad on page 14 for more information and cost of purchase. Red
has written several Western books that bring the excitement, danger
and historical facts of the gold rush era alive. For more info on
his Western books, visit his website
www.redjohnsonwesternauthor.com To enjoy past columns from 2007
and 2008 'Legends of the Gold Country', go to:
www.goldcountrytimes.com/legends_main.htm
Video highlights
lecture at Clark's Corner, Red Johnson brings facts and true
stories to life about the West and the Historic town of Ione Ca:
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