John Bidwell found a unique way to entertain General William T. Sherman on his visit to Chico. The public was delighted to watch the general as he inspected the workings of the hydraulic mine at Cherokee.

In September 1880, Sherman visited Chico along with President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes. Why Chico? It was a convenient stop between Sacramento and Oregon, where Sherman’s old acquaintance John Bidwell had a fine home that could accommodate the presidential party.

They only spent one day and night in Chico. The highlight of their day was a visit to the Spring Valley Mine in Cherokee, where gold was mined using powerful water cannons to wash down the gold-bearing ore from the hillside. General Sherman couldn’t resist trying his hand at this new kind of cannon, known as a monitor.

The Chico Weekly Enterprise reported:

The General of the Army proved himself an adept with the nozzle. He would fix his keen eye upon some particular boulder and measuring the distance accurately he would seize the nozzle and with unerring aim hit it every time. This exhibition of his skill pleased the party greatly and was rewarded with hearty applause. [28 September 1880]

Sherman was having a great time and the public loved it. Too bad that there is no photograph of General Sherman steering a monitor. I’d love to see that.