Tales of the Gold Rush
By Tim Dunn
Staff Writer
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.
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
Back to Top
HOME
Published in Sutter Creek, our paper is a positive example of journalism with an eclectic assortment of articles and reviews ranging from health and wellness to the arts.
