DAVE'S TRAINS AND TREES

~ 5 Mile Railroad ~

~ Tyrone News ~

1873 June 5 Marin Journal, Volume 13, Number 12

We arrived at Tyrone, where we found Mr. Walter M. Phillips, Secretary and General Manager of the Russian River Land and Lumber Company, our old friend D. F. Harbach, Superintendent of the mills, and H. C. Smith, our young friend, well and favorably known to Santa Rosans. Mr. Smith is the accountant of the R. R. L. & L. Co.

The Tyrone Mill was built about a year ago and is the property of the Russian River Land and Lumber Company, of which Milton S. Latham is President. The mill is the largest in the county. On Saturday last it cut 40,000 feet of lumber. D. L. Harbach, the superintendent, is a thorough mill man and knows how to systematize the labor about a mill so that it will harmonize and accomplish the greatest possible results.

The foreman of the mill is Frank Plummer, who run Murphy's mill at Guerneville during its most successful season summer before last. Charles Roix, formerly with Duncan & Co., and with William Miller on the Coast, is foreman of the logging department. William Carlile is foreman of the construction and wood department.

The lands of the R. R. L. & L. Co., include about 8,000 acres, the tract leased many years ago by Capt. Stephen Smith, a portion of the Bodega Rancho. The tract came in into the possession of Mr. Moore and was by him sold to the present company. It fronts for two miles on Howard creek along the line of the railroad. It includes all the timber west of its east line to the sea. Its north line is along Russian river, except a corner of the Madrona tract, which takes in the lower part of Howard Gulch, and extends a short distance down Russian river.

Mr. Roix, an intelligent woodsman with whom we conversed, tells us that there is from six to eight years work in reach of the Tyrone Mill. The lumber in Walker Gulch above the mill he puts at 2,000 acres, and that on the hill above the mill at 1,000 acres, which will average, in his opinion, at least 40,000 feet to the acre. This would leave belonging to the company the timber in what is known as the Freezeout Gulch to be sawed at the Moscow mill, and the lumber in Willow Gulch for future disposition. In the latter gulch it is estimated there is as much standing timber as on the rest of the tract combined.

Mr. Knox informed us that the hill timber is not large but is of excellent quality. He has never seen a place where hill-side logging can be done to as much advantage as upon the lands of this company. The logs are brought to the mill by a steam engine, upon an iron railway, which is now extending to Walker Gulch, and when completed will place that valuable body of timber within easy reach of Tyrone Mills.

On Saturday morning, in company with Mr. Phillips, we visited the site of the mills now building for the Madrona Company - Moses V. Brown, who built J. K. Smith's mill, and Winfield Wright's barn is the Superintendent of this company, They are building two mills, one on Howard Creek, just below the Tyrone Mill, and one on Russian River, above the mouth of Howard Creek. We called on Mr. Brown, and regret that we did not see him. Both the mills of the Madrona Company will be connected with the railroad, one by a switch of half a mile, and the other is on the main track.

In the afternoon we took the freight train for the terminus of the road at Moscow. Leaving Tyrone Mills we passed through the lands of the Madrona Company to the mouth of Howard creek. We turned down Russian river and soon came again on the lands of the R. R. L.& L. Co.

1876 August 31, Russian River Flag, Volume VIII, Number 43

The Narrow Gauge in this County

From our Correspondent, "Nix," at Tyrone Mill, we learn that business is brisk with them at that point - Howard's Canyon. Streeton's Mill was cutting and the Tyrone " Moore's Mill" was expected to start up in a few days from the time he wrote. The first has a capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 feet of lumber per day and the last, 35,000 to 40,000 per day.

If Duncan's Mill should be moved to the mouth of Austin Creek, as there is some talk of doing, the Narrow Gauge road would receive about 100,000 feet of lumber per day as freight, in addition to thirty cars of wood, bark, coal, etc., which will make it one of the best paying roads in the State.

The railroad company commenced laying rails from Tomales northward, the 8th of this month and expect to get the road completed to Freestone, about eleven miles from Tomales by the 1st of September, and in a month from that time completed to Russian River.

In going through the canyon not long ago "Nix" met three wagons, drawn by four horses each, loaded with powder for the use of the graders. It will be mostly used to blow out the redwood stumps that stand thickly on the line of survey. He measured one the other day that was 20 feet one way by 16 the other, cut between 3 and 4 feet from the ground. About one-third of of it will have to be removed to make way for the railroad.

There are between 400 and 500 Chinamen at work along the road, keeping one four-horse team hauling rice and one two-horse, hauling hogs, for their subsistence. From our friend Eugene Rackliff, who is teaming along the line of the graders to Tomales, we learn still further that a town called Moscow is to be established on Russian River at the terminus of the road

1876 October 14, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XIX, Number 52

CITY AND COUNTY NEWS

The Tyrone Mill, belonging to the "Russian River land and Lumber Association," will commence running next week. This is one of the finest mills in the county, and will cut forty thousand feet of lumber per day.

1876 October 5 , Marin Journal, Volume 16, Number 30

Tomales. The telegraph line has been completed to Tyrone saw mill, but no office has been opened there yet. Track layers have reached Big Bridge, Dutch Bill Canyon, and are making good headway. Two trains are ballasting between Freestone and Tomales, and will have track in condition to run regular trains by 10th inst.

The complimentary entertainment tendered to Rev. A. Cullen by the Y. M. C. T. A. Society, and which came off Friday evening, Sept. 29th, was a very enjoyable affair. After the performance, which was well carried out and very amusing, seats were cleared away, and part of those present participated in a dance. It was well on towards morning when it broke up. It was fret-, drew a full house, and reflects credit on the members of that society.

Mr. Eugene Payne has received the appointment of Railroad Agent at Tomales, vice Mr. Dutton, resigned. The warehouse has been transferred to the company. Mr. Payne is also telegraph operator. Two Chinamen undertook to jump on a train below Freestone, on Monday, but failed, and were severely injured. One of .them had his ear sliced off by an iron stake box on the flat car, and the other had his skull cracked, his face mutilated, his teeth knocked in, and a general wreck made of his caput. They were taken to the city.

The Presbytery of Bsnicia met in Tomales Monday evening, and was opened with a sermon by Rev. J. L. Woods. Rev. A. Fairbairn was elected Moderator, and Rev. James S. McDonald Temporary Clerk. The attendance of ministers was good, only four or five of the members absent. The usual business engaged the body through Tuesday, and Rev. J. S. Todd, preached in the evening.

1876 October 26, Marin Journal, Volume 16, Number 33

The completion of the North Pacific Coast (narrow gauge) railroad, from Saucelito to the Russian River, which will soon be effected, will have the effect of opening up one of the largest bodies of redwood timber in California - timber of the very finest quality.

A. D. Moore, President of the railroad company and co-partner of John Gawne of Stockton, owns a tract of 10,000 acres of timber land on Knowles' Creek, near Russian River, and has organized a corporation called "The New Tyrone Mill Company," which has built extensive mills that will be in active operation in about twenty days. The Stockton Independent announces that estimates based on a recent survey of the lands of this mill company, indicate that there are at least 500,000,000 feet of lumber thereon to be cut. With this quantity made readily available, there need be no immediate fears of a lack of supply of this valuable timber. The trees in this region are of a very large size, those measuring forty-five feet in circumference at the base being frequently met with.

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1876 November 20, Press Democrat, Volume III, Number 94

HOTEL ARRIVALS. November 19, 1876. GRAND HOTEL-Neece & Pooler, Proprietors, Miss Annie Pike, H J Rich, A A Corey, H Geonemyer, R A Diver, F M Murphy, San Francisco; T A Forsythe & wf, city; J Butler, Sonoma; J Chandler, Windsor; H C Smith, Tyrone Mill; Sam Martin, Hempville, Ont; F. B Arana, Ukiah; Jno Taggart, Jr, Guerneville; Jno W Menefee, Duncan's Mill; Thos Brown, Cloverdale. OCCIDENTAL HOTEL-G. A. Tupper, Prop'r . Dr Finlaw, W J Lawrie, Chas Runyon, J A Barham, W F Allingworth, Chas Colgan, Chas Clark, Jas Menefee, City; W Brown, W W Elliott, Oakland; G W Anderson, J Miller, San Francisco; C E Singley, Petaluma; Mrs T E Monroe, Sacramento; Geo Grimes, San Buenaventura.

1876 November 29, Press Democrat, Volume III, Number 102

IMPORTANT CHANGES. The Coast Country - The Narrow Gauge Railroad - Through Dutch Bill Canyon to Duncan's Mill - Change of Mill Site - New Towns, Etc.

The completion of the San Francisco and North Pacific Coast Narrow Gauge Railroad from Saucelito via Tomales, Valley Ford, Freestone, through Howard or "Dutch Bill" Canyon, to Russian River, will inaugurate a new era in the coast section of this county. A few notes of a hasty trip recently made from Santa Rosa to Duncan's mill, thence over a proposed new wagon road up Russian River to the termini of the railroad, thence on the line of the railroad through Dutch Bill canyon back to Freestone, will no doubt interest some of our readers. OUR PARTY. In company with Mr. Weatherington, Mr. Warner and Mr. Hassett, members of the Board of Supervisors, and citizens John Orr and Rufus Temple, we left Santa Rosa Friday morning. The roads were in splendid condition, the weather delightful, the country charming.

Brief stops were made at several points to enable the County Fathers to inspect a bridge, some new work on the road, or a proposed change of route, until we reached FREESTONE. Where we observed the first evidences of improvement resulting from the construction of the Narrow Gauge. Besides other houses a very comfortable new hotel, containing 24 rooms, has recently been built, and is open under the excellent management of Mr. John Julian late of the Metropolitan hotel at Tomales. Everything about the house is neat and comfortable, showing that Julian does know how to keep a hotel. The general office of Mrs. Miller’s coast stages is now located at this house.

At the Bodega Road Station, on the farm of Mr. Jas. Watson, Johnnie Morris, the popular manager of O'Grady's pioneer hotel of Freestone, is building a commodious and well arranged public house, which will soon be followed by other improvements at that station. At BODEGA CORNERS Our party enjoyed a well-served dinner at the residence of Justice J. L. Springer. Mr. Springer is also Postmaster at that point. Messrs. McCaughey & Egan, Kowalski & Co., and Mr. Goodman, the principal merchants of the town informed us that business had been excellent with them until recently the prevailing epidemic, diphtheria, which assumed a very malignant form in that place, had kept the country people out of town.

We were much pained to hear of the great affliction in the family of our old friend Mr. A. S. Patterson, who had lost three of his children from the dreadful disease, and other members of his family were suffering with it.

Mr. George Briard, a pioneer resident, after an absence of several years, has returned to Bodega and is connected with the store of Mr. Goodman. All the stores are well stocked and prepared for the winter trade. Kowalski has added a general assortment of furniture to his extensive stock of dry-goods, groceries and clothing. Jim and Sam Stump were waiting upon the public as usual at their respective stations. The new Supervisor elect, Mr. Acker, who was expected to join our party at this point, was prevented from so doing by the sickness in Mr. Patterson's family, above referred to, Mr. Acker being a neighbor and intimate friend of Mr. Patterson.

DUNCAN'S MILL. The drive of two hours from Bodega Corners to Duncan's Mill, along the ocean beach, has been several times described in these columns, suffice to say, it has lost none of its grandeur and interest, At 5 p. m., we were cordially welcomed by Mr. Thomas Beacom, at his comfortable hotel, where we remained over night.

Duncan’s Mill, as at present located, like many other once flourishing villages on the coast, will soon be numbered among the towns that were. After making several calls upon friends in the village, an interview with Mr. Alexander Duncan, the leading member of the firm of Duncan & Co., informed us that he and his brother, Samuel Duncan, (now deceased) located at Salt Point in 1852 and conducted a lumbering business there until 1800, when they moved to their present location, near the mouth of Russian River. In the immediate vicinity of the mill there is no timber, the logs being floated two to seven miles higher up from the canyons and river bottom.

In 1862 Duncan & Co. met with a loss of $60,000 in a single night by the sweeping away of booms and saw-logs. These losses continued annually at almost every freshet from 1862 to 1867, varying in extent from $5,000 to $20,000, when it was determined to change the mode of transportation and railroads extending from a short distance above the mill to the redwoods, seven miles above, and another to the coast shipping point several miles below, were constructed at an outlay of $80,000. Since then the business has progressed satisfactorily to the enterprising proprietors aud they have much more than made up for their heavy losses and the expense of the railroads. Mr. Duncan estimates that since 1862 he has cut about 6,000,000 feet of lumber a year.

CHANGE OF MILL SITE. But the completion of the narrow gauge railroad has revolutionized everything in its vicinity and a change of the mill site is to be immediately made to a point higher up the river. The mill company have purchased from Orr & Hamey, the owners of a beautiful town site on the west bank of Russian River, opposite the proposed town of Moscow, the terminus of the railroad, eight acres of land, upon which a new mill with all modern improvements in machinery and apparatus will be located. The old mill was making its last run on the day of our visit. Many regrets were expressed by the old residents who were preparing to sunder ties of long standing which bind them to an old home.

A NEW COUNTY ROAD. Application has been made to the Board of Supervisors for the location and construction of a new county road from the coast road near the ferry at Duncan's Mill, up the west side of Russian River to John Orr's ranch, connecting with the narrow gauge railroad. The railroad company have proposed to the Board of Supervisors to construct a county bridge in connection with their railroad bridge across the river at this point and to build and maintain a wagon road on the line of the railroad through Dutch Bill canyon, for a bonus of $10,000.

It was the object of the Supervisors to investigate these matters that took them to the coast on this trip. We left Duncan's Mill Saturday morning, proceeded on foot through Ryan's, Markham's, Harney's and Orr's lands, used mostly for grazing purposes, though there is considerable good bottom land on the bank of the river. Mr. Hamey has a comfortable looking place and is evidently a thrifty manager. The route of the new road is along the foothills upon which considerable work has already been done, mostly at private expense. Without regard to the bridge matter this portion of the road is certainly a necessity and should be built by the county as it will accommodate not only the residents of that vicinity but also the coast travel by putting them in more direct connection with the railroad.

In our judgment this wagon road should also be extended up Russian River to Guerneville, which would afford a more direct route to the county seat as well as to San Francisco. But it is not our purpose to enter upon a discussion of these proposed road routes at present.

ORR'S RANCH. This is a beautiful place, entirely sheltered from winds, good bottom lands for a town site, superior spring water from the hills, canyons filled with redwood timber and good grazing lands surrounding. Duncan's New Mill. Orrville, or whatever it may be called is destined to be a place of no mean importance at an early day. Mr. Alexander Duncan is enthusiastic over its prospects and variously estimates its population in five years from now at from one to one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants.

The transfer of Duncan's Mill to that point will give it at least two hundred for a starter. The bridge over Russian River at this point is to be two spans of 400 feet with 500 feet of piling on the west side. The depot buildings will be located upon Orr's land and the machine shops of the company at Moscow on the east side of the river.

Through the kindness of Mr. Orr, Mr. Hamey, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Moore, we were provided with horses, and proceeded from here over the line of the railroad, through Dutch Bill Canyon to Freestone. Mr. Ryan, Mr. Hamey, Mr. Beacom, Mr. Duncan, Mr. McGill, and Messrs. Moore and Dutton, Directors, and Chief Engineer Jno. F. Wade, of the Railroad, accompanied the party. Every facility was afforded us by the latter gentlemen for enjoyment and to see the improvements. Most of the timber on the banks of the river has been exhausted, but in the canyons and hill-sides there is almost an inexhaustible supply still standing.

TYRONE MILL, Owned by the Railroad and Land Company, is located midway through the canyon contiguous to a vast forest of redwoods which extends several miles to west, south and east. Though the road is graded clear through to Russian River the track is laid only to this point, and the first cargo of lumber is ready for shipment, only waiting the removal of the construction trains to make way for freight cars. These will probably have reached there before this meets the eye of the reader.

An hour's ride on horseback from Orr's ranch, brought us to the above mill, at 12 o’clock. Through the hospitality of Mr. Moore, a substantial dinner had been prepared by his major domo, R. K. Aulls, which was devoured by our party with much relish.

We then proceeded to examine the mill, which is probably the most complete in this section of the State. It is managed by J. P. Moore, as Superintendent; H. C. Smith, Bookkeeper; Henry Sewell, formerly of Soquel Mill in Santa Cruz, Foreman; Charlie Nelson, Engineer; and Frank Plummer, late of Murphy Bros, mill at Guerneville, Head Sawyer. A 200 horse power, 24 foot stroke, 20x24 inch cylinder Cincinnati engine, runs the machinery. The mill contains all the latest improvements in sawing apparatus. The logs are dragged to the gangway by oxen; an endless chain supported by an iron bull wheel driven by steam power conveys them thence to the carriage in the mill; Robb's patent set works locates them for the saw; rotary double and single seven foot saws, with Emerson's planer teeth, are in use; the carriage is drawn by a wire rope; the lumber is conveyed from the carriage by steam rollers. Among the latest improvements are Emerson's patent saw dust feeder, which conveys the dust to the furnace, through which it is scattered by jets of steam, that may be turned on as necessity requires; patent adjusting pulleys work all parts of the machinery separately; Sturvine's patent suction fan, 1,500 revolutions a minute, is in use; Robb's patent friction pulley; Diecy's gang edger, cutting two sides of a plank at once; two planers, lath and picket machines, etc. The mill gives employment to 45 men and is capable of cutting 48,000 feet of lumber per day.

THE RAILROAD. The officers of the S. F. & N, P. C. Narrow Gauge Railroad are: Directors - Milton S. Latham, A. D. Moore, J. McM. Shafter, Warren Dutton, W. H. L. Barnes, - Howard. President, M. S. Latham; Superintendent and General Manager of Road, Jno. W. Dougherty; Chief Engineer, Jno. F. Wade; Ticket Agent, W. R. Price.

Two passenger and two freight trains run daily from Saucelito to Howard Station. The length of the road is 76 miles. From Tomales to Russian river, 24 miles, has been constructed this year under the direction of Mr. Wade. There are two tunnels on this extension, one near Tomales, 1,700 feet long, and one in Dutch Bill canyon, 400 feet long. Between Tomales and Tyrone Mills there are 40 trestles and bridges, varying from 10 to 80 feet in length.

The principal bridge, across Brown's canyon, near Fuller's mill, has two spans of 150 feet each, with 100 feet of trestle-work; height of bridge, 137 feet. It is a Howe Truss used as a deck bridge; the central pier is 110 feet high; 96,000 feet of lumber was used in its construction. This is the finest piece of work on the road and reflects great credit upon Mr. Wade.

The heaviest grade from Tomales to Freestone is 80 feet; from Freestone to Howard's averages 105 feet to the mile; from Howard's to Tyrone, 120 feet; from Tyrone to Moscow it is almost level. The iron used upon this portion of the road is the same as that upon the Donahue, 50 pounds to the yard, with the latest improvement in fastenings, same as used on Pennsylvania Central.

The rolling stock consists of 11 locomotives, 250 box and flat cars, and 9 passenger coaches. We were astonished to find the track so easy and smooth; quite as much so as most broad gauge roads.

The scenery through Dutch Bill canyon is very grand and will no doubt attract many visitors in the summer season. Though this is his first attempt at railroad building without the assistance of older and more experienced engineers, Mr. Wade has succeeded in getting through the rugged canyon upon an easy grade and the completion of the entire work to the perfect satisfaction of the company, displaying such skill as an engineer as will rank him among the leading men of his profession.

Howard's Station is improving rapidly, having already a hotel building and a church, with other buildings in course of construction. There are several mills in the vicinity of the railroad but on this hurried trip we were able to visit but one of them.

1877 March 26, Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 44

FATAL TRAGEDY.

A Free Fight - One Man Stabbed Twice - and Dies an Hour Afterward - Quick Work of Constable Rupe. Last night about seven o'clock P. M., in a saloon at the mouth of Howard Canyon, just below the Tyrone Mills on the narrow gauge road, a fatal tragedy occurred.

There were ten or a dozen persons in and around the saloon. Two men, Robert Alexander and one White had a difficulty which ended in a fist fight. Alexander whipped White. A few minutes after another fisticuff occurred between the same men, White for the second time coming off worsted. After a short time the fight was again renewed, this time White getting the best of Alexander. Shortly after a free fight took place between a dozen men. This brush lasted a few minutes when Alexander turned to a friend and said: "Why did you let the second man jump on me?" His friend said: "Let's get out of here and go home."

They started - Alexander took six steps - a deathly pallor overspread his face, and he sank to the ground. The man with him kept on. Others of the party went up to Alexander. He murmured a few words of which all that could be distinguished was "O, God! O, Christ." He was taken into the house, in a comatose state. An hour after, he who had been but so short a time before contending perhaps about a trifle lay lifeless, perhaps in sight of the man who had dealt him a treacherous and fatal blow.

Constable D. C. Rupe happened to be in Guerneville when a messenger in quest of a doctor arrived and he, Rupe, started at once for the scene of the tragedy. He reached there at 10 P. M. Dr. Wooley examined the dead man's wounds and found a deep cut in the left side of the neck, the blade of the knife had passed between the vertibrae of the neck and the collar bone. There was another wound on the left side of the backbone, ranging toward the kidneys and cutting through to the abdomen. From the appearance of the wound the supposition is that the cutting was done with a bowie knife. A man named Thomas Reed was charged with the murder.

Constable Rupe had left his horse on the other side of the river and could not get him over. He tried but failed to get a horse to pursue Reed to Tyrone Mills, where it was said he had gone. Rupe went afoot to the mill, reached there about 5 A. M. Reed had gone on to Freestone. He telegraphed to Justice Blume to arrest him; went down on the morning train to Freestone and found Justice Blume had the man in charge and entered complaint against him. Reed was committed for examination, and at 12 M. today Officer Rupe delivered his prisoner to Sheriff Wright and the iron doors of the jail were closed upon him. This was quick work, and officer Rupe is entitled to credit for his promptness. Alexander from letters found on his person is supposed to have come recently from Oakland. Reed, we are informed, has for some time been a resident of the county. Justice Miller, of Guerneville, will hold an inquest to-day, when it is supposed the facts in the case will be brought out officially.

1877 April 12, Russian River Flag, Volume IX, Number 23

Williams came in from the redwoods this week and paid us a visit. About Christmas last the Williams Bros, engaged in logging for the Rusuan River Lind and Lumber Company at the Tyrone Mill, continuing till the first of last month, when they sold their logging teams and apparatus to the company, and are now living with their families at Guerneville.

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1877 May 2, Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 76

SPICY LETTER FROM PEPPERWOOD. DUTCH BILL CANYON. EDS. DEMOCRAT: As this section of country is gaining some notoriety on account of its vast timbered resources and the enterprise manifested in converting it into marketable products, a few items might be of interest. This classical stream was named in honor of Mr. William Howard, who, by way of abbreviation, is known by the delectable soubriquet of "Dutch Bill," or when they prefer to be more polite, say "German William."

Mr. H. is one of the early pioneers, having settled here, for ought 1 know, when it was a small gulch. Be that as it may, however, it is now a steep cavernous ravine on a huge scale, and but a few years since, was almost impassible for footman. It is about seven miles in length, and after being settled up necessitated the construction of a wagon road, and more recent developments exhibit that indomitable characteristic nature of human ingenuity, with this fast age.

The iron horse is made to glide over tressels one hundred and thirty-four feet high, along steep hillsides almost perpendicular, and through tunnels hundreds of feet long, with frightful rapidity. This railroad and nearly all the land adjacent thereto, which is densely covered with timber, is owned by the Russian River Lumber Company, who have two large mills in successful operation and three more in course of construction. Of the public houses in the canyon there are several.

First on the list is Mr. Wm. Brown's. They call him "Chicken" Brown by way of distinction. He sets a good table, sprikens Ditche and sells lager. About one mile further is Mr. I. N. Stockton. He deals out the "divine fluid," and is a Democrat. "Ike," as he is familiarly called, is a bachelor, claims to be of Kentucky stock, but some of his friends think he is a relative of the Partington family, for he says he "can’t see why the Russian River Lumber Company run their mills by steam, since the stock has been watered."

At the Tyrone mill Mr. Chas. Roix keeps hotel; good house. At the mouth of the creek, on Russian River, Patterson attends to the "inner man;" does good business. Near here church, school and the game law, "all same as Melican man." Three miles below is the embryo city of Moscow. It has a large hotel building, one saloon and one sawmill, all within the corporate limits. Taking a retrospective view we behold a gigantic enterprise in the way of the N. P. C. R. R., which but a few years since would have been considered among the impossibilities. "Tapping" as it does this vast Bonanza of timber country it can not fail to develope a rich and extensive source of wealth which would otherwise have been locked up in the principal forests. It is the means of furnishing employment to thousands of men for years to come.

The products of this heretofore "hidden treasure" will contribute to the improvement of the towns and the ranches adjacent to this line of railroad, and furnish a large supply to the great lumber market of San Francisco. It is truly a large field for the use of capital and if properly conducted will certainly be a lucrative investment, the profits of which will be millions and millions of dollars. PEPPERWOOD.

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1877 May 19, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XX, Number 30

LETTER FROM PEPPERWOOD.

Off for the Web foot Country - A. Collision of Trains-Tyrone Mills - Etc. Tyrone Mill, Sonoma Co., Cal., April 9th, 1877.

Eds. Democrat: A few days since a delegation of some thirty persons brushed their pedal extremities of the sand-soil on Russian river, and started for Oregon overland, on the train not propelled by steam. The party consisted of Mr. O. Wilcey, Mr. Jao. Allen, Mr. Wm. Divers, their respective families and several other gentlemen. Of the number, they represented the varied ages, from three score and ten to infancy, of married folks, and of young men and beautiful maidens. Their departure caused sorrow and regret to kind neighbors and pain and anguish to tenderhearted young men, several of whom followed the first day's travel, and two of the more sanguine, unable to resist the powerful influence of Cupid's fascinating charms, forfeited lucrative situations and continued the journey to the web-foot regions.

Two trains, one a freight and the other a construction, collided, on the 7th inst., near Moscow, on the N. P. C. R. R., almost entirely demolishing one engine and tender and badly damaging the other. Mr. Peter Symons, an engineer, was slightly wounded. Eddie Stone, a boy about twelve years old, was thrown from a horse and seriously though not fatally injured.

The Tyrone Mill is the largest in the county, and is running to the extent of its capacity. The whizzing of the saws, the clang of machinery, and the accuracy and precision, which thirty or forty men attend to their respective branches of business, is indicative of a perfect hive of industry and a system of regularity. The woods near by are full of men felling timber, the report of which sounds like the booming of cmuou; the stentorian sounds of "whow, haw, buck," with teams of oxen, keep the mill supplied with piles of logs for its rapid execution. There are about 100 persona employed in connection with the mill mostly single men. There are, however, some families and a few marriageable ladies in the vicinity. They are of various nationalities, all of whom have their peculiarities, characteristics, politics and religions, respectively. For instance, the descendants of the old puritan stock still hanker for baked beans and Boston brown bread for Sunday morning’s breakfast.

Then, there are those who speculate on the possibility that, while Russia is so eager to feast on "roast Turkey." she may herself feel the effects of the fire. And, again, some of the boys, instead of going to church on Sunday, prefer to indulge in a social glass, and would hardly object to a little game of "draw." However, those foibles are all a matter of taste, but the commingling of society and the interchanging of ideas serve, no doubt, to advance the skill of mechanical art and promote the welfare and prosperity of civilization. So, let us conclude that the Tyrone is a "big thing on wheels" that in these hills she is destined to make her mark, and we can only express the wish that her proprietors may prosper, that her large corps of workmen grow rich and the pretty girls get married.

PEPPERWOOD.

1877 June 2, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XX, Number 32

By the way side - Wm. Doty, a wine merchant of Howard's, and Lewis Carter, hotel keeper at Freestone, were perambulating in the neighborhood of the Tyrone Mill a few days since. Whether they were contemplating the purchase of the mill property or had business of a different nature in view, is not generally known.

1877 June 9, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XX, Number 33

MORE BRIDGE BURNING Freestone, May 31, 1877

Eds. Democrat: Again incendiaries have been at work on property belonging to the N. P. C. Railroad. This morning at 3:20 o'clock notice was sent to the Freestone depot that the trestlework about 300 yards distance from the same was on fire. The agent at one a telegraphed to Howard's Station for help. At 4:10 a gang of white men and Chinamen armed at the seat of the fire and after strenous exertions the flames were subdued: The intense heat had formed the rails on top of the work in the shape of a bow.

At 4:15 a. m. a train which had been dispatched from Howard's to Freestone Mill arrived with lumber, and work was at once begun to repair damages. At 7 o'clock a. m. the work was so far advanced that trains could in safety pass the trestlework. This was quick work and is a great credit to the railroad company.

At the Tyrone Mill the following notice has been found on various places: "Any persons employing Chinamen look out for fire! It is generally believed that the person or persons who distributed these notices are the perpetrators of the recent outrages. The trestlework near Howard's Station which on Sunday last was also on fire is again in running order. Since writing the above another trestlework has been set on fire.

The section man, Mr. M. Shea, who suspected H. B. Hinds as the perpetrator of these outrages, caught him setting fire to the trestlework near Howard's Station. This happened at about 12 o'clock last night. Information was received at Freestone at 7 o'clock this morning. The constable and some deputies went in search of Hinds but he could not be found. The railroad company offered a reward of $500 for his arrest and conviction, Observer.

1877 August 4, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XX, Number 41

LOCAL BRIEFS. - James Forsythe, of the Tyrone Mills, was at this office on Friday. He informs us that the mill u running to its full capacity. On the 20th of this month it cut 49,100 feet, the largest day's work ever done by any mill in Sonoma county.

1877 September 3, Press Democrat, Volume IV, Number 181

DIED. ROIX-At Tyrone Mill, September 1, 1877, infant daughter of C. F, and Carrie Roix. Los Angeles and Mendocino papers please copy. One more flower of earth has faded, Taken from us in its youth, Ere the bud had fully opened, We must place it in the tomb.

1878 March 23, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XXI, Number 22

Letter from Duncan's Mill Mr. Editor; Why don't some enterprising printer from Santa Rosa come over here and start a paper. There are five or six villages and camps here within a radius of eight miles, and a population during the working season of say one thousand, which would be ample support for a good weekly.

The narrow gauge suffered severely during the past winter, and great credit is due the management for affording the people any means of transportation. Passenger traffic has been necessarily light, but the butter shipments have been unusually large; in fact, nine tenths of the butter consumed In San Francisco is produced by Marin and Sonoma counties.

The past week of sunshine has changed the general aspect of things In this vicinity. The mill superintendents are making arrangements for an early start, and Judging from the present demand and good prices of lumber, charcoal, bark and cord-wood, we may safely predict a very prosperous season for the entire community.

The Sonoma Company's mill is under the management of Mr. Dock man, and has a capacity of about 15,000 feet per day. The Tyrone Mill is presided over by H. C. Smith, erst-whilee of Santa Rosa, and has a capacity, under the young man's intelligent management, of from thirty to forty thousand per day. The Riley and Heller Mills are managed by Mr. M. V. Brown, who turnout from twenty five to thirty-five thousand feet a day. D. L. Harback reigns supreme at the Moscow, and turn out from twenty-five to thirty-five thousand feet dally. The Duncan is managed by the Duncans, father and son, and is one of the most complete and successful lumber factories on the coast. Mr. Julian is constantly Improving his hotel, in anticipation of a lively season, which will commence about the first of April. There was an inquest held here on last Sunday on the body of Mr. Winchester, who was found two miles above here the day previous, and had died, as it was proven, of epilepsy, Deceased is said to have been a man of intemperate habits, and leaves a family in Chicago. Duncan, March 19,1878.

1878 October 1, Press Democrat, Volume VI, Number 51

LOCAL AND OTHER BRIEFS. Mr. Harbach, Superintendent of the Tyrone Mills, lost a thumb a few days since while coupling cars.

1881 August 6, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XXIV, Number 42

Letter from Occidental. Editor Democrat. Occidental for the past mouth has been unusually lively. Several important real estate transactions have taken place. Amongst others, F. R. Bittner, late of Honolulu, has purchased the Heffron property. He is at present in the blacksmithing business. Mr. Lawton of San Francisco, has lately bought the Moane place, about 1-1/2 miles north of here. Mr. McKay of Tyrone Station, has purchased of Mr. Anderson a fine farm south of Howard's. A. P. Meeker is talking of going to Arizona.

Quite a number of Oocidentalites visited Freestone last Sunday, to witness the dedication of the new church at that place. Sam Martin, who has been engaged in the shoe business here for four years, left for his old home in Canada, about two weeks ago. The parties that are negotiating tor the purchase of the N. P. C R. R., passed through town last week in a "palace car," on a tour of inspection. J. D. Burke has sold his meat market to Mr. Craffarty of San Francisco. The grain crop in this vicinity has turned out well this year, and all the farmers are pleased with the result of their labors. Charles Chenoweth, who accidentally injured himself with an axe, a few days ago, is still badly disabled. An old Indian called "Cherokee George." who lives west of Occidental, was absent from his cabin the other evening, when the structure and its contents were totally destroyed by some unknown parties. F. H. Wheeler has given up his position as railroad agent at this place and is now employed at the Olema Station. Charles Doody is his successor. Willie Bowers lost his life at Duncan's Mills, some weeks ago, was a nephew of Judge Bowers of Marin county. Two weeks ago a young man named Johnson, had his ankle dislocated and one arm broken at Meeker's Mill. Our usually peaceful village was somewhat disturbed a few evenings since by a general battle between a railroad man and his friends and a crowd of young men from town. For awhile it looked serious, but they were finally prevented from doing great injury by the interference of citizens. Review. Occidental, August 4th, 1881.

1881 December 10, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XXV, Number 8

The Resources of California for December publishes an excellent engraving of Tyrone Mill, this county.

1882 June 7, Weekly Calistogian, Volume V, Number 25

Sonoma County News. (From the Santa Rosa Republican.) Work on the Coal mine has been resumed. The tunnel is about 670 feet in. At 100 feet further they expect to cut the first vein; at 250, the second vein; at 600, the third vein. The daily progress is five or six feet. There are indications in the tunnel of striking the sandstone formation. The French Banking Society at San Francisco, which purchased the 9,000 acres of land owned by the Russian River Land-Lumber Co., for $67,000 one year ago, have sold two of the mills—the Tyrone and the Holler mills and timber enough to nearly pay for it, and retain all the land and a mill. Our informant says the bank will make $100,000 by the turn.

1883 June 7

A sad accident occured last Saturday on the railroad at Tyrone. Three little children of Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, who live near the track, were playing there, and the youngest, aged 18 months, was sitting on the track at a sharp curve in the road when the freight train came along. The engineer. Jack Driscoll, saw the poor little thing and made all possible effort to stop. but the distance was too short. Both legs and one arm were cut off, and the child died in a short time. An inquest was held and railroad fully exonerated. The little one was buried Monday in Tomales

1884 May 24, Sonoma Democrat, Volume XXVII, Number 32

F. B. Glynn was in town on Friday and informed us that all the mills in the vicinity of Occidental were in operation. His mill in Coleman Valley, and Meeker Bros, mill on the Green estate, have been sawing some time. The Meeker Bros, have purchased the machinery in the Tyrone Mills, and are fitting up a mill in Dutch Bill canyon on what is known as the Gifford tract. Ludolph is putting up a new mill in Pocket canyon. The inquiry for lumber is large, and the prospects for a great demand were never better. The roads are in better condition for this time of the year than they have been for several years past.

1888 August 4, Healdsburg Tribune, Enterprise and Scimitar, Volume 1, Number 20

Huckleberries are fast ripening and are very abundant in the redwoods near the Tyrone Mills on the North Pacific Coast railroad.

1903 July 6, Press Democrat, Volume XXIX, Number 222

FIRE SWEEPS ON EXCITING TIME OF FIRE FIGHTERS HEARDLING CONFLAGRATION NEAR MONTE RIO Furious Fire Raging on Kidd Creek- Men Brought on Special Train to Assist in the Work A message was received from Occidental at a late hour on Sunday night stating that a forest fire of immense proportions was coming over the wooded mountain side near Tyrone station, which is between Monte Rio and Occidental. The onward sweep of the flames was bound to prove disastrous, the wire stated, to property at Monte Rio and Tyrone, and might sweep on towards Occidental. The North Shore railroad secured all the men available to fight the fire and at midnight a special train from Sausalito and way stations arrived on the scene to assist in fighting the flames. Another fire, burning a mile and a half wide, was causing considerable excitement in Kidd Creek, near Duncan's and there a large force of men were employed in an effort to stem the progress of the flames. The fire burning in the region of Mount Jackson was burning furiously on Sunday. The flames could be seen for many miles on Saturday night. The fire has destroyed several buildings on ranches and on Sunday it was reported that a small shingle mill had been destroyed.

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