Sec. 2. Resolved, That we are opposed to agents of any The discoverer of a vein or lode of mincompany speculating in claims, especially taking up eral shall be entitled to one (1) claim for his disand selling to the Chinese. Resolved, That we repudiate the idea of granting to ditch companies fifty feet on each side of their ditch as right-of-way, as asked for by the convention of ditch owners held at Sacramento, for the reason that it would effectually and forever prevent any competition in water in the mines. Resolved, That competition in water is the only sure and permanent relief against the abuses complained of, and certain means of developing our mines and increasing the permanent welfare of this community. On motion of Mr. Wicks, a committee of three was appointed by the president-consisting of L. D. Wicks, W. R. Chapman and E. Searles, to wait upon John Kirk and receive proposals for bringing in a new ditch. A committee of one from each mining district on the line of the South Fork Canal were appointed for the purpose of conferring with Mr. Kirk for preliminary arrangements: James Elliott, Coon Hollow; W P. Early, Spanish Hill; L. D. Wicks, Reservoir Hill; Benj. Meacham, Smith's Flat; John Wade, White Oak canyon; S. Wallace, Cedar Hill; J. Stadden, Texas Hill; G. W. Griffin, Cold Springs; W. Pryde, Johnson's canyon, were elected. W. P. EARLY, President. covery. ART. 4. Sec. 2. Said district recorder shall keep a book, record all claims, copy the notice and give the names of the members of each company. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the recorder to go upon the ground and define the claim, measuring and staking the same, and he shall receive for such service the sum of fifty cents for each name, and if not required to perform such service to receive twenty-five cents only. ART. 6. Any person or corporated company locating a mining claim within this district, shall be re. quired to do actual labor upon each and every claim not exceeding twelve (12) hundred feet, and a proportionate amount for larger or smaller claims, the sum of fifty (50) dollars within sixty (60) days from the date The following may serve as a sample of laws con- of record, and one hundred and fifty (150) dollars cerning quartz mining: BENJ. MEACHAM, Secretary. Vice-Presidents. LAWS OF GEORGETOWN MINING DISTRICT. within six (6) months from the date of record, and a like amount for every additional six (6) months, until the sum of five hundred (500) dollars shall have been expended. Sec. 2. ARTICLE I. This district shall be known as the Georgetown Quartz Mining district, and bounded as follows, to wit: Commencing at the south-west corner Whenever the sum of five hundred (500) of Georgetown School district, thence running east dollars shall have been expended in the prospecting along the southern boundary of said district to Bear or developing of the mine, whether by sinking shafts, creek, thence up Bear creek to a point south of Rich-running tunnels, cuts or drifts, whether in the ledge ardson's new mill, thence north to Otter creek, thence or in the direction thereof, designed practically to dealong the south bank of said Otter creek to the Mid-velope the claim, then and thereafter for the term of dle Fork of the American river, thence westerly along said river to the mouth of Canyon creek, thence south to the place of beginning. two (2) years, said claim shall be held by the parties performing or expending the said amount, but no labor being performed for the period of two (2) years the said claim shall be considered abandoned and subject to re-location. ART. 2. The size of claims to each person locating shall be 200 feet of or on any quartz lode or ledge inThe recorder shall hold office for one (1) cluding the dips, spurs, angles and all surface ground and minerals which may be contained within the year, and until his successor is elected. space of one hundred and fifty feet on each side of said ledge or vein located; but no company's claim shall exceed 3,000 feet in length on any vein or ledge ART. 8. The annual election shall be held on the last Saturday of November, at 7 o'clock P. M., in the village of Georgetown, of each year; and at said elec tion the recorder shall be elected by ballot, and it shall be the duty of the recorder to give due notice of said election. Sec. 2. At said annual meeting these laws may be amended or changed by a two-third vote of the miners present. the American, the second from the mouth of Weber creek, the third from the plains, between the South Fork, and the Cosumnes, all culminating at the crest of the water-shed. Thus it will be seen, that with the exception of a few isolated peaks, there is hardly a square mile of mining or agricultural ground but can be ART. 9. All quartz mining laws heretofore made or effectively reached for washing or irrigating purposes. existing are hereby repealed. Along each of the ridges before mentioned is located one of the three principal canals of the county; the California Water Company, the El Dorado Water and Deep Gravel Mining Company and the Park Canal and Mining Company (limited). Besides these, there ART. 1O. A copy of these laws shall be deposited by the recorder in the office of the Justice of the Peace of Georgetown, and by him handed over to his successor in said office. I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the are numberless minor ditches, mostly constructed for quartz mining laws now in force in this district. WM. T. GIBBS, Recorder. GEORGETOWN, Dec. 10, 1866. CHAPTER XXII. THE WATER SUPPLY. No similar area of country in the world can boast of a finer water supply than El Dorado County. Commencing on the north with the Middle Fork of the American river and its numerous branches, such as the Rubicon and Pilot creek, having their sources among the snow of the summit range, we come to the South Fork of the same river, drawing its supply from Blackrock creek, Greenwood creek, Rock creek and Silver creek on the north, and Weber, Plum, Mill, Alder and Alpine creeks on the south; not enumerating the numerous smaller tributaries spread like veins all over its immense basin. The water poured into the Sacramento river every year, from this single stream, would be sufficient, if it could be stored up for use at the proper season, to irrigate ten times the entire area of the county. minor purposs, but many of them of considerable length and importance. The first water ditch in El Dorado county, and in the whole mining region of California, had been built at Coloma, in 1850 to 1851, by Valentine Mc Dougall, Davis Thompson, Lippset, Starr and Birdsall; taking the water down to the Coloma basin in a ditch of three miles in length, and $10,000 was spent for the construction of the same. As immediate followers, in the ditch enterprise in the same mining district, we mention the Hollingworth & Co's ditch; the Coloma canal; the Shanghai ditch; the Williams ditch; the Greenhorn ditch and the U. S. M. Other parts of the county did not stay behind in the construction of water ditches, and about the first of January 1856, the county made a show of the following ditches, and canals: The Pilot and Rock Creek canal, carried water from twenty-six miles east of Georgetown to Georgetown, Johnstown, Kelsey, Spanish Flat, etc., Bottle Hill, Greenwood, Wildgoose Flat and Pilot hill. Cost of construction $180,000. South Fork canal, taking water out of the South Fork of the American river to supply Placerville and the surrounding country, and had almost control ot the mining region between. South Fork and Weber creek; its construction had cost $700,000. The Eureka canal, provided Diamond Springs, Ringgold, Newtown, El Dorado, Logtown, Frenchtown, Buckeye Flat and Missouri Flat, with water from the North Fork of the Cosumnes river. The Natoma ditch drawing its supply from the South Fork of the American river, two miles above Salmon Falls; its cost was $300,000. The Cosumnes and Prairie canai used water from the Cosumnes river, carrying it over the prairie country to the South and East in Amador and Sacramento counties; cost $125,000. Cedar and Indianville canal carries the water from the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes river to An examination of the map shows that there are three Indian Diggings, Cedarville, Brownsville; the cost was distinct main ridges, running east and west, the first $100,000. Cosumnes and Michigan Bar canal takes from the junction of the North and South forks of water from the South Fork of the Cosnmnes river On the south we have the Cosumnes, with its various forks and tributaries, forming a complete net work over the southeastern portion of the county. In the mountains are numerous lakes, ranging in area from a few acres to many square miles; most of them so situated that, at a small expense, they can be made useful as storage reservoirs for the great ditches below. Then, crossing the summit, we find the rich grazing country in Lake Valley, watered by the Little Truckee, and a score of small creeks, many of them perennially supplied by beautiful ponds and lakes, and all pouring their floods into that most magnificient of inland seas, Lake Bigler, which also occupies a large corner of this county. down to the divide between Cosumnes and Dry creek, prosecution of the work; failing in which, subsequent cost $80,000. The Mosquito canal cost $200,000; claimants may step in. Recognizing the anomalous El Dorado and Georgetown ditch, $50,000. Negro condition of California and the States and Territories Hill ditch, $20,000. Coloma was then furnished with west of the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, the water by the following companies, Coloma canal, cost Congress of the United States, in 1866, indorsed and $42,000; Coloma Water Co's, $30,000; El Dorado confirmed the local laws and regulations on the subCanal, $40,000; Miner's ditch, $18,000; Union ject of water rights, in the following language, which flume, $15,000. Chilean Bar canal cost $30,000; will be found in the revised statutes. Rock creek and Gold Hill ditch, $10,000; Gold Hill canal, of Gold Hill, $10,000; Weber creek and Coon canal, $22,000; Dear creek canal, $20,000: Covey & Co's canal, near Michigan Bar, on the north side of the Cosumnes river, $23,000. The Iowa canal, taking its water from Long, Iowa and Brush canyons, with its terminus at Negro Hill, had a length of twenty-one miles. The length of the South Fork canal, with all its branches, was then 155 miles. . Before taking up the history and description of the leading water companies of the county, it may not be amiss to say something on the origin of the local customs and laws of the State on the subject of water rights. The early miners were not long in discovering the value and importance of perennial streams in their operations on the placers, hence in localities where water was scarce during the dry season, resort was had to the construction of ditches, drawing their supply from permanent streams, and delivering the water in gulches and canyons otherwise dry. The water thus delivered was sold at prices regulated by the law of supply and demand. Local regulations were soon brought in play to protect parties, engaged in the business, from unjust competition. In other words, a party having constructed, or in good faith commenced the construction of a ditch tapping any stream, no subsequently acquired rights could interfere to prevent the original party from obtaining the quantity of water, specified in their preliminary notice; provided the river or creek tapped afforded that much. "SEC. 2339. Whenever, by priority of possession, rights to the use of water for mining, agricutural, manufacturing, or other purposes, have vested or accrued, and the same are recognized and acknowledged by the local customs, laws and the decisions of the courts, the possessors and owners of such vested rights shall be maintained and protected in the same; and the right of way for the construction of ditches and canals for the purposes herein specified is ac. knowledged and confirmed; but whenever any person, in the construction of a ditch or canal, injures or damages the possession of any settler on the public domain, the party committing such injury or damage shall be liable to the party injured for such damage," "SEC. 2340. All patents granted, or pre-emptions or homesteads allowed, shall be subject to any vested and accrued water rights, or rights to ditches or reservoirs used in connection with such water rights, as may have been acquired under or recognized by the preceding section." Under the protection of these laws, companies with large means have tapped the mountain torrents at their very sources, and now control franchises of incalculable value. Recognizing, fully, the future capabilities of the county, they have planted millions in works which will prove imperishable monuments to their foresight and sound business discretion. The Park Canal and Mining Company (Limited.) Among the first to take hold of ditch construction on an extensive scale, was the firm of Bradley, Berdan & The earliest organizations took the benefit of the Co., incorporated August 4th, 1851, for "manufacturact of April 22d, 1850, for the incorporation of com-ing, mining, mechanical and chemical purposes,” and, panies for manufacturing, mining, mechanical or to further these objects claiming water from "Ringchemical purposes. This act, being too vague in its gold creek and Cosumnes river or its northern branches, language, was amended from time to time, until the or from some of the southern branches of the Ameriact of May 14th, 1862, finally took its place. This can river." The capital stock was originally placed at gave full power to take up unappropriated water for $54,000, subsequently increased to $75,000, and again. the supply of mining or irrigating ditches, leaving to $150,000. Their main canals: the "Ringgold authority with the County Supervisors to fix the rates ditch," tapping the creek of that name, and also the of toll at not less than 12 per cent of the capital South Fork of Weber creek, and the "Bradley Ditch,', actually invested. taking up the waters of Sly Park and Camp creeks Distributing ditches spread the water all over the Diamond Springs and Mud Springs area. In the list of early stockholders we find the names of D. O. Mills and John Parrott. From the first, Bradley, Berdan & Co. were involved in litigation. May 25th, 1852, we find Under the law, as it now stands, any unappropriated water may be taken up; but a special notice, giving quantity claimed in inches, under four inches pressure, must be posted on the ground and recorded with the county clerk, and due diligence must be used in the them engaged in a contest with Daggett & Darlington-Weber Creek Canal Company-for the water of Ringgold creek. In 1877 the company built a substantial ditch, capable of carrying 1,800 inches of water-the old Enreka Ditch carried but 1,200-from Camp creek, Jones, Furman & Company were constructing a small under the New Baltic mill across Diamond and Stoneditch from Squaw creek to Diamond Springs, about breaker creeks, dropping into Sly Park creek in Hazel the time of the organization of Bradley, Berdan & Co. Valley. The system of the company's canals is such, The record shows a notice from these parties of hav- that water used for mining purposes may be taken up ing called a "miners' meeting" at Diamond Springs, to again and again, being available for distribution over settle the dispute over the Squaw creek water. The a large area of country, particularly adapted to the time of the meeting was demurred to by Bradley, cultivation of vines, fruit trees and vegetables. The Berdan & Company, with a proposition for a meeting whole extent of ditches owned and controlled by the of all the miners in the county at Placerville or Co- company is nearly 300 miles. loma. In 1852, Jones, Furman & Company extended their ditch to Clear creek; in 1853 it was further extended to Camp creek, and enlarged through its entire The ditch of this company, now known as the length, to its present dimensions. But financial diffi- "Weber Canal," was the first to bring water to Coon ties swamped them, and, in 1854, the property was Hollow. It was incorporated September 30, 1851, purchased at sheriff's sale by W. P. Scott, of Diamond with a capital stock of $10,000, divided into twenty Springs, now of Sacramento, who named it "Eureka shares, and the ditch was constructed soon afterwards, Ditch." Scott extended the ditch to the North Fork from a point on the North Fork of Weber creek, of the Cosumnes and took up Steele's Fork. He nearly south of Sportsman's Hall, to the reservoir above also built the Squaw Hollow reservoir, which was the present Excelsior Mine. The original design was to bring the water from the South Fork of the Amer twice washed out and is now in ruins. SOUTH FORK AND PLACERVILLE CANAL COMPANY. Finally, in 1856 the two companies were consoli-ican river over the divide, and drop it into the Weber, dated under the name of the "Eureka Canal Com-constituting the channel of the latter stream a part of pany." The distributing ditches of the two lines the canal, down to the head of the present ditch. This reach every part of the divide between the Cosumnes plan, however, was never carried out, and it remained, and Weber creek, extending to within seventeen miles of Sacramento, with numerous reservoirs, conveniently situated. practically, a "wet weather ditch." In course of time Messrs. Kirk and Bishop acquired a controlling interest and it was by them transferred to the E. D. W. & D. G. M. Co. in 1873. Since that time the ditch has been enlarged as far up as Big Chunk canyon, where a reservoir site was located, and it now assists in carrying the water of the Main Trunk canal to Coon Hollow. IOWA CANAL, Among the Bradley, Berdan & Company records we find the following definition of an inch of water: "A rectangular notch one inch wide, extending three inches below the surface of the water, and giving a flow of two cubic feet per minute, shall be considered a miner's inch, and each additional inch in width shall add one inch to the measure." The prices charged The demand for water in the rich mining district were $1.50 for the first use, $1.00 for the second, and known as "White Rock," early turned the attention 75 cents for the third and each subsequent use; pay-of parties interested to the practicability of tapping able daily in advance or on demand. The standard some of the canyons on the south side of the South of the present company is a rectangular opening one and a half inches wide, two inches deep with four inches pressure, yielding, theoretically, 84 cubic feet per hour. The entire property was purchased in 1875 by J. M. Crawford and others, of Philadelphia, under the title of Park Canal & Mining Company (Limited,) incorpo. rated under the Pennsylvania law. The officers of the company are: J. M. Crawford, chairman; Samuel F. Fisher, secretary and treasurer; J. J. Crawford, general manager; M. G. Griffith and Samuel Hale, superintendents. The principal office is 308 Walnut street, Philadelphia, with branch offices at Diamond Springs and Dry Gulch. Fork of the American river. A company was organized, consisting of twenty members, who contributed the funds necessary to construct the ditch known as the Iowa Canal. In 1852 they carried it up as far as Big Iowa canyon, taking in Johnson's North and South canyons, Brush and Little Iowa canyons. One of the prime movers in the enterprise was Alfred Briggs, then a merchant at White Rock; since, internal revenue collector at Sacramento. Another was G. W. Swan, now superintendent of the E. D. W. & D. G. M. Co., who says his contribution amounted to $1,300. The following year they carried their ditch up to Long canyon, which action brought them in conflict with the South Fork Canal company, and that part of the line was |