Originally called Centreville, but now for Post office reasons known as Pilot Hill, has retained more of the character of a mining camp of old, than most places in the country. The town is located at the north-eastern base of Pilot Hill, from which it derives its name. The first mining was done in 1849, and the first little store was opened here the same year in a common log building. Rich placers had been discovered, but as there was no water on hand, the mining work had to be delayed until the winter of 1850, when miners flocked in here from the river bars and a lively business began.
Talcott & Rose started the first regular store in this mining camp, making this their head quarters for the winter, while they tended to their other places of business on the river during the summer season. Among the first ones, that came here to try their fortune at Centerville, was John Woods, of New York, he came up here from Salmon Falls in the fall of 1849, at which time there were plenty of grizzlies around here. The first house in town was built by Samuel Stevens in the earliest part of 1850. John Brown (above photo) and Wilson kept one of the first boarding houses here, and did a splendid business. Another store was kept by Henry Stevens and Conrad Thompson, the latter known as "Topside," as he was an old sailor. Another boarding house was opened by Charles Tudsberry. Of other old residents at Pilot Hill out of the year of 1850, we have to mention A.J. Bayley, F.B. Peacock*, Gense Kirchan, Samuel Stevens, P.D. Brown. Robert E. Draper was the pioneer mail carrier for the village, he was the best walker in the State. Sometimes he would leave Pilot Hill at 6 A.M., carrying the mail to Sacramento, got his mail and returned with it to Pilot Hill at 7:30P.M., and distance of near 40 miles. He carried letters for one dollar each, and papers for 50 cents each. In the Spring of 1851, a number of people from Pittsfield, Illinois, arrived here and started a village of their own, consisting of 24 or 25 log cabins, which they called Pittsfield: Thus making it three different villages, but the whole publicly known as ...
The old town of Pilot Hill was located further north and nearer the base of Pilot Hill, the site is now owned by Dwight Burpee, and here the principal place of business was kept by James H. Rose. Of other early settlers in this district, who still live here we recall the names of Silas Hayes, who was the first Post Master of Pilot Hill; D. Burpee, A. A. Bayley, oldest son of A. J. Bayley, and the present incumbent of the second Supervisor district of the county; Wm. Buchan, at present Post Master, in office since 1870, John Bishop, C.F. Briff, Hiram Stoddard, M. W. Manning of Cave valley. First school in Pilot Hill School District was taught by Mrs. Alice Galloway, it was a private school supported by Bayley and others, and was located near Bayley's present residence. John Bowman was the first blacksmith in this community, since the Spring of 1852. He moved around considerably** and finally settled on Bayley's ranch, where D. Burpee built a shop for him. The first white woman, at Pilot Hill, was Mrs. Avery, who had been under the same circumstance at Oregon Bar. The present hotel, a two and a-half story frame structure was built n 1854, and occupied for some years by Mr. Creque. Mrs. Jane McLagan is the present proprietor. There are still three stores kept here, two in town and Mr. Bayley's on Bayley's ranch about a quarter mile northeast of town, where Mr. Bayley, in 1860, erected the present magnificent and roomy three story brick mansion of the Bayley family, without any doubt, the most exquisite building in the county. There is a good deal of general farming done in the township, stock raising, however, is the principal farming business; of late again some attention has to fruit farming and vine culture. During the winter months some activity prevails while free water abounds, and familiar faces of old times are seen in the old ravines, hunting for their hidden chispas. The outlook for quartz mining is most encouraging but the total absence of machinery to reduce ore, and the isolated location of the district, precludes the regular prospecting for quartz by miners who have to look out for present returns.
Pilot Hill has a Masonic Hall, the property of Pilot Hill Lodge, No. 160, F. and A. M.
The first Grange Lodge on the Pacific coast was organized here in 1870, by A. A. Bayley; by reading a brief article on the objects and aims of the Patrons of Husbandry, he became so favorably impressed that he wrote for further information to the National Secretary; O. H. Kelly, Esq., at Itasca, Minn., from whom he received, with the sanction of the National Executive Committee, and in absence of a General Dupty, a special commission on the entire secret work. The Lodge was then organized on August 17th, 1870, with twenty-nine charter members, forming the Pioneer Grange of California.
The Pilot Hill mining district, once as noted as the far seen Beacon Hill, from which it takes its name, situated between the North and South forks of the American river, seems to be one of those lost mining camps; and why so, we are unable to give an answer. Hasn't it an unquestionable right to a fair share of consideration by reason of its quartz deposits? Haven't the alluvial deposits in its ravines, flats and gulches been immensely rich and plentifully diversified with large nuggets and rich specimens of golden Quartz? Near the top of the hill--from which in clear weather a magnificent view is presented of Sacramento with the Capitol and the whole Sacramento valley, with the river like a silver ribbon running through, the Marysville Buttes and the Coast range in the back ground, forming a beautiful panorama-- is situated the Pilot Hill mine. A number of auriferous quartz seams run through the location, and several shafts have been sunk, which brought the owners several thousand dollars in return for their work, but these shafts are not yet deep enough sunk to approve the supposition that all these various seams converge into a solid ledge at no great depth; the mine is owned by Mendes, Raimondo and Warker.
On Christmas day, 1850, a young man from Pilot Hill, by the name of Avery, took his rifle and went out to kill a deer; but about a quarter of a mile from Bayley's he was murdered by Indians for his gun, which they carried off. The camp became alarmed at his not returning and some went out to look after him, but not finding any trace of the missing man, returned and gave the report that in their belief Avery had been killed by Indians. A meeting was held in the evening and A. L. Parker, once a Texas ranger, was appointed captain of a company, which at daylight sallied forth for the Indian camp. surrounded it and captured the chief and five others; but no threatening whatever could move them to confess what they had done with Avery, notwithstanding his rifle was found in searching the camp. The prisoners, one of them being a boy 12 years old and the son of the chief, were taken to Pilot Hill. One of the party understanding the Indian language took the boy aside and after promising him that he should be sent to the Eastern States for his safety, and to be educated, he took them to the spot where Avery's body had been secreted under a pile of leaves and sticks. He had been shot three times and his brains were beaten out; most all his clothing were taken away also. The body was brought to Pilot Hill, but no coroner being present, and inquest was not held, but the Indians put on trial. J.D. Galbraith was elected Judge, and he empanelled a jury, and five Indians started for court; one of them broke and ran, but at his third jump he fell down dead, five balls had pierced his heart. After a speedy trial the jury found a verdict of murder against the remaining four, and the Judge sentenced them to an immediate execution. They were placed on a wagon and by this means carried under a tree and by removing the wagon, Pico, chief of Piutes, and three of his braves, were launched into eternity.
At a public meeting held at American Flat, on August 26th, 1854, to take into consideration the best means of suppressing the supply of spirituous liquors to Indians, either by gift or sale, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, We believe that most of the scenes of violence and bloodshed enacted in our midst by Indians residing among us, originate in the excessive use of intoxicating liquors; and whereas, from the best information we can obtain, such seems to have been the cause of the recent unfortunate disturbance in which several of these Indians lost their lives. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That every man who sells intoxicating liquors to Indians, endangers the safety of the community, degrades his own character, and outrages the feelings of humanity.
Resolved, That we do know there are such men in this neighborhood, and we hereby pledge ourselves to use the utmost vigilance to ferret them out and bring them to justice, and that we will not fail to observe that Indians go to certain houses sober, and leave those houses drunk.
Resolved, That henceforth we will denounce the discountenance every person, white or black, who shall furnish Indians with liquors, under any pretense or for any purpose whatever, and more particularly those who are in the habit of buying liquors at the stores and conveying them to stealthily to Indian ranchos for vile and sinister purposes.
Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be posted at this place (American Flat), Columbia, Irish Creek, and other places in the neighborhood, and also be published, etc.
