goldfields

Looking for an entertaining and historical way to spend a few hours? Time will fly while you peruse the pages of The Wasp, San Francisco’s premier satiric periodical, digitized by the California State Library and available online at the Internet Archive.

The weekly Wasp began publication in August 1876 and continued into the 20th century; the online collection goes up to 1920. As stated in its first issue, “Its mission, as the name will indicate, signifies a busy,  industrious life, ever on the wing in search of news and ever ready to inflict a justifiable sting upon those who will abuse public trust.” It sought to be “fearless, bold, and independent, not owned or controlled by any men or party of men . . .” and took jabs equally at Democrats, Republicans, and third parties.

It was notable for its outstanding full-page color political cartoons and numerous line sketches and comics. I’ll show you some of these in upcoming posts. Many are now obscure, referring to long-dead controversies and long-forgotten public figures. But others are timeless and a delight to behold. Here’s one — the cover of the January 1st, 1881 issue:

The decade of the 1870’s had been a tough one, overshadowed by the Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression that lasted through the decade. Here California looks to the dawn of a brighter day as Hard Times fade away behind her. California is depicted as she is on the State Seal, as Minerva, goddess of wisdom, with the California grizzly bear at her feet and her shield embossed with the miner’s pick and shovel.

I hope you’ll enjoy The Wasp as much as I have.

Lots of people came out to enjoy the day

My daughter, granddaughter, and I made our annual pilgrimage to Table Mountain today to look at the wildflowers. We knew it wouldn’t be the best year for them — no rain in January and February made the display kind of skimpy. But it was worth going anyway — the flowers were blooming, just not so many of them, the sun was shining, and it was a great day to get outdoors.

Frying pans, lupine, and popcorn flower

Fewer flowers than some years, but more newts. Sometimes we can only spot one in the pool — today we were delighted to see seven or eight. Some cute little frogs too.

Snug as a frog in algae

California pipevine — I only know one place to find it, although there must be others.

So if you are tired of being confined to the house and want to get out of doors, Table Mountain is a great destination. Plenty of room for everyone.

An “uncertain state of affairs” on Rancho Chico — the price of beef is low, old Mr. Potter is sick and near death, too many of the former employees were nothing but a “gang of loafers and idlers,” the cooking is “miserably done,” and Thomas Bidwell is in desperate need of some cats to keep down the mice population. Read on!

Chico Jan. 6th 1851

Dr. Brother,

I received yours of Dec. 20 a few days ago. Thus far I have acted in strict accordance with your directions. I have sold several head of cattle at tolerable prices from $120. to $160. The price of beef is at present very low in the mines. It sells for from 20 to 35 cts. Mr. Frye has proved a most useful man to the ranch and is deserving both of commendation and reward. He thinks that the hog speculation would be altogether too uncertain to engage in. There will in all probability be “a rush” towards the Scott River mines [Siskiyou County] in the Spring and as mules are selling pretty low at Marysville Mr. Frye thinks it would be a good investment to buy a few. He has accordingly gone down to purchase a few.

Considering the uncertain state of affairs here I did not think proper to send to the mountains to get out timber for either a bridge or house, so that I discharged the two young men of whom I wrote – of all the gang of loafers and idlers that Stout left here not one remains except Charley Haskell who is doing pretty well. He is employed at $75.00 pr. month. I have here a vaquero at $50.00 pr. month and that is all. If you could hire a cook and get rid of the Alfreds I think you would do well. You would save at least $1500.00 a year. Besides they do nothing but cook and that is so miserably done that I am ashamed to charge for meals.

The man with whom I bargained for the cattle has not returned as he promised. Perhaps he was “gasing” – the boys are all happy and content.

We have just got through branding and marking the wild cattle. There are I think about 125 head in all.

I have done nothing towards fitting up the house for the accommodation of travelers; in fact I have not the means. Mr. Potter is now sick and very low. It is thought he can scarcely recover. He is insane a great deal of the time. He is afflicted with the Iresipelis [Erysipelas].

Bring home a few cats if you please. The mice are actually worse here than the rats ever were at Sac. City! They, like some of our neighbors, are bent on our ruin – nothing is safe from them – not even our noses at night.

Let this touch your heart my dear brother, and induce you to bring home one cat at least (pregnant if possible) i.e. (in a family way).

Yours ever,  Thos. J. Bidwell

Here is another letter from Thomas Bidwell to his brother. John Bidwell was still in San Francisco, recuperating from an illness. Thomas says he has been sick too — probably both of them suffered from malaria contracted while crossing the Isthmus of Panama.

The “opportunity offered” was someone going southward to carry the letter. There was no regular postal service to Rancho Chico in 1850. A letter would have to be posted in Sacramento.

Chico Farm Dec. 27th / 50

An opportunity offered and I avail myself of it to send you a little note. I reached home yesterday evening having made the trip down and back in 5 days.

I cannot say that I am either well or sick from the time you left until about the 15 inst. I was confined to my bed. Now I ride a little about on the ranch.

Before you come home, purchase if you can bring them, a pair of morocco shoes for Mrs. Alfred No. 7, also a pr of Morocco slippers No. 6 (small size), a few pairs of pants would sell well I think.

We want clothing for the boys. Shall I get out timber for a house? Let me know if you can before you return. Maj. McKinstry cut quite a swell while he was here. He says that he shall hold you responsible for all the stock that has been on the ranch with the brand B, including particularly the cattle sold by Stout which have not been accounted for.

Yours ever,  Thos. J. Bidwell

He is asking again for “clothing for the boys.” Bidwell supplied shirts, trousers, and shoes to his Indian workers to use while at work. They could wear whatever they wanted at other times, but for work they needed the protection of Western clothing.

The house he is thinking of building is the two-story adobe. In 1850 all Bidwell had was a log cabin, and that must have been inadequate. It would burn down from an Indian attack in 1852.

John Bidwell and George McKinstry had been business partners in 1848-49, supplying goods to the miners at Bidwell’s Bar. They don’t seem to have gotten along very well after that. They argued over which cattle on the ranch belonged to whom, as evidenced by this letter six weeks later from McKinstry to Bidwell.

Sacramento City  Feby 18th ‘51

Sir,  I hereby give you notice that if you continue to kill or sell the stock (and appropriate to yourself the proceeds thereof) on the Ranch “Arroyo Chico” situated in Butte County, of which stock I am the one half owner I shall hold you personally responsible for the value of the same.

Very Respectfully Yours,  McKinstry