LAVA BEDS MINING AREA – 1874 CHINESE
This information was found on a hand written list in a manila folder at Special Collections, Meriam Library, California State University, Chico. There was a notation at the top “96 separate properties with 46 men owners and one woman owner.” It appears to have come from a Butte County tax ledger reporting tax assessments of Chinese American property in the Lava Beds gold mining area south of Oroville. The folder has no known provenance (it’s history).We are not aware of the authors name or reasons behind its compilation. (It seems to be a part of an unknown census or tax collection). We note that Rialto Street, the main road from the mining area near the residential property, runs east and west. The entries speak to many small lots both on the north and south side of Rialto. Some winters during this period the town and mining area were inundated by flood waters and homes, businesses, and mining structures, (flumes, sluices, and rockers), and tunnels had to be rebuilt the next spring. The mines below ground needed to be redug and fortified after several wet winters.
This list is important. It provides a deeper understanding of this temporary Chinatown, a second for the Oroville area. It helps us understand the life of a Chinese American mining camp, especially the danger in terms of physical injury, violence, privation and disease is best shown here. Newspaper reports are ubiquitously constant reporting on the why, who, and how all of this mining came about. Other sources (cited in other parts of the study) describe this area again and again as a great site for gold.
We have good information the Chinese miners and mines from Randall Rohe, Chinese Mining and Settlement at the Lava Beds, CA , published in the Mining History Journal, Vol. 3, 1996. P.B.M. Miller was the doctor from the county hospital that visited and reported hundreds of Chinese miners were sick at the Lava Beds. (This relapsing fever epidemic is written about elsewhere in this study). Miller’s comments about Chico and Oroville Chinatown’s filth and moral decay along with the “disgusting” people living there, very much reflect his time in California (1874-1876). It strongly suggests even as a medical scientist he looked forward to the coming exclusions and restrictions on Chinese laborer migrants and agreed with much of the enmity white people had for Chinese. He made good guesses as to why these men all contracted one fever or another. However Miller thought it was a low type of typhus fever, and, as with his peers, not truly understanding the tick bite relationship with relapsing fever. It would be 30 years before medical science developed that theory. Rohe article should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in the life of the second Chinatown at the Lava Beds.
The word”Ah” is a made up greeting or title whites thought meant “Mr”. They would use it in the wrong fashion, thinking the given name was the surname. The 1870 census inexplicably give Chinese females the name of “Ah”.
Page 4
Ah Sam – 1 Lot, Lot No. 5: 14 x 50 feet, Rialto Street bounded on the west by alley. Ass. $20, Imp. $90. Furniture $25. Total $135. Tax $2.70.
Ah Loon – Lot No. 10: 12 feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Foon Yet. Ass. $15, Imp. $125, furniture $25. Total $165. Tax $3.30.
Ah Hin – No. 1, Lot #12: 12 feet on front of north side of Rialto Street, bounded on west by Quey Sang. Ass. $15. Imp. $35. Total $50. Tax $1.00.
Ah Hin – No. 2, Lot #14: 20 x 40 feet on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Hy Loy. Ass. $25. Imp. $125. One watch $10. Total $160. Tax $3.20.
Page 5
Ah Fong – Lot No. 27: 15 feet from north side of Rialto Street, bounded on west by Gow Gee. Ass. $15. Imp. $75. Hogs $6. Furniture $25. Total $121. Tax $2.42. Note: Sold to the State (why?)
Ah Gin Co. – No. 1, Lot 2-A: west of Dry Creek, bounded on the south by Ah Ping on the north by Ah Sin. Sold by Leggett. Ass. $200. Harness $10. Horse $45. Pump & c $100. Total $355. Tax $7.10.
Ah Gin – No. 2, Lot 5A: bought of Josephson, bounded on the west by road at southwest corner, 400 feet south of China Cemetery (meaning the cemetery that was owned by the Chinese) that100 feet on road and 200 feet east. Ass. $375. Imp. $100, Total $475. Tax $9.50.
Ah Hin Co. – Lot 4A: bounded on the east and south by Dry Creek, east by Jim Toy. The flume enters Dry Creek on this ground. Ass. $800. Wagon $10. Two Horses $100. Pump & c. $100. Total $1,010. tax $20.20. Note: Sold to the State (why?)
Ah Soon Co. – Lot 5A: on the east side Jenkins Patent, bounded on the south by line between Jenkins & Josephson & Mathews, on the west by Protestant Cemetery (not heard if this before). Ass. $1,000. Imp., Tools & c $100. Total $1,100. Tax $7.52. Note: Sold to the State.
Ah Hop & Co. – Lot 4A: east of Marysville and Oroville Road, west of Su Sing & Co. claims. Ass. $400/ Tools & c $100. Total $500. Tax $10.00.
Ah Bing & Co. – Lot 2 1/2A: on Jenkins Patent (see above), joins north fence of Jenkins, bounded on the west by Mathew’s (see above), south by Jenkins. Assess. $250. Engine Pump, Tools & c $1,000. Total $1,250. Tax $25.00. Note: Sold to the State(?).
Ah Wau & Co. – Lot 3A: bounded on the west and south by Hung Gee Fong. Bought from Craig & Jenkins. See Deed Book M, page 523. Ass. $375. Imp. & Tools $150. Total $525. Tax $10.50.
Page 11
Goon Shoon – No lot number: lot south side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Yet Loy. Ass. $25. Imp. $175. Mdse. $300. Hogs $40. Furniture $25. Total $565. Tax $11.30.
Goo Gee – Lot No. 26: 28 feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Ly Chong. Ass. $30. Imp. $175. Three Hogs $20. Furniture $25. Total $250
Page 96
Foo Long Low – Lot No. 7: north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Jim Toy with cellar attached. Ass. $15. Imp. $125. Furniture $25. Total $165. Tax $2.50.
Foon Yet – Lot No. 9: 12 feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Jim Toy with cellar attached. Ass. $15. Imp. $125. Total $165. Tax $3.30. The total does not add up to $165. The correct figure is $140. Possibly one some of the taxes was was omitted when it was copied down or the ledger was wrong.
Fook Long – Lot No. 20: 16 feet front, bounded on the west by Hin Way. Ass. $25. Imp. $100. Furniture $25. Total $150. Tax $3.00.
Fong Lee – Lot No. 5A: of Mathews southeast corner and at northwest corner, five pieces: 1st piece 112 x 210 feet: 2nd piece 200 x 300 x 300 x 340 feet. 5A Ass. $500. Engine Pump & c $1,200. Total 1,700. Tax $34.00. Note: Sold to the State (Why?).
Fong Foo Hong – Lot No. 40A: bought of Dr. Jenkins, being all of the Jenkins vineyard & orchard ground, bounded on the east by Marysville and Oroville Road. Assessment $2,000. Engine Pump and Tools $700. Total $2,700. Tax $54.00.
Page 132
Hip Lung – No lot number: lot south side of Rialto Street, Bounded on the west and north by Hy Lung. Ass. $20. Imp. $120. Mdse. $500. Furniture $25. Total $665. Tax $13.30.
Hy Lung – No lot number: lot 22 x 50 feet on the south side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Foo Lung Low. Ass. $50. Imp. $180. Furniture $25. Total $255. Tax $5.10.
Page 133
Hung Chung Kee – Lot No. 3: 14 x 50 feet on the north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the east by Ock Fe. Ass. $15. Imp. $125. Furniture $25. Total $165. Tax $3.30.
Hun Sing Hong – Lot No. 10: 20 x 30 feet on the north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Ah Hun. Ass. $25. Imp. $10. Mdse. $250. Six Hogs $40. Furniture $25. Total $440. Tax $8.80. The total does not add up to $440 but to $350. Some figure was left out when this entry was made or the ledger was wrong.
Hop Sing – Lot No. 17: Ten feet from the north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Quong Tuck. Ass. $15. Imp. $70. Furniture $25. Total $110. Tax $2.20.
Hen Wa – Lot No. 19: Eighteen feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Wah Lung. Ass $25. Imp. $75. Total $100. Tax $2.00.
Hup Loy – Lot No. 22: Fourteen feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Hung Chung Kee. Ass. $15. Imp. $100. Money $40. Furniture $25. Total $180. Tax $3.60.
Hock Kao Co. – Lot No. 2A: Bought of Safford & Wilcox, bounded on the south by “Willie Co.” Ass. $200. Wheel, Flume, Tools & c $300. Total $500. Tax 10.00.
Hung Chung Kee – Lot No. 18: 50 x 30 feet on the north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Jim Toy. Ass. $50. Imp. $500. Lot adjacent to Marysville and Oroville Road, lst building south of Strawberry Bridge & 2nd building north of Rialto. Ass. $25. Imp. $100. Lot No. 2. – Brick House. Ass. $20. Imp. $350. Mdse. $750. Wagon $50. Harness $10. Two Horses $100. Hogs $77. Furniture $40. total $2,072. Tax $41.44.
Hong Wang Co. – Lot No. 11A: west of outside Lot No. 122 Oroville, bought of Van Pelt. Ass. $1,000. Machinery, Tools & c $1,000. Total $2,000. Tax $40.00.
Hop Dock – Lot No. 1A: 100 x 400 feet in Jenkins Lane. Ass. $100. Pump & Imp. $100. Total $200. Tax $4.00. Note: Sold to the State.
Hung Quoae Co. – Lot No. 4A: sq & adjacent the Catholic Cemetery (?) east side. Ass. $400. Imp., Tools & c $100. Total $500. Tax $10.00.
Hy Loy – No lot number: Lot 50 feet front on Marysville and Oroville Road. Ass. $50. Imp. $100. Mdse. $1,000. One Horse $30. Twenty Hogs $100. Total $1,280. Tax $25.60.
Hung Wa – Lot 4A: joins Matthews & Leong Hong. Ass. $400. Imp. $50. Wagon $50. Two Horses $100. Total $600. Tax $12.00. Note: Sold to whom?
Hung Gee Fong – No Lot No.: Fractional SE 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section 18, Twp. 19, R4E. Ass. $125 and $2,500. No tax was listed.
(See Deed Book M, page 432. This may go with the above entry).
Page 172
Loon Kit – No Lot No.: Lot south side of Rialto Street, 261/2 x 50 feet, bounded on the west by Poo Fi Tong. Ass. $30. Imp. $125. Total $155. Tax $3.10. Note: Sold to whom?
Sun Key – Lot No. 24: Fifteen feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Ty Mon Hong. Ass. $15. Imp. $50. Total $65. Tax $1.30.
Leong Loon – Lot 5A: bounded on the north by Gardella, west by Matthews, east by garden fence. Ass. $500. Imp. $50. Total $550. Tax $11.00. Note : Sold (to whom?)
Page 194
Mun Lin Co. – Lot 1 1/2A: south and adjacent to the Catholic Cemetery, bonded on thw west by Quvae & Co. Ass. $150. Tolls & c $50. Total $200. Tax $4.00.
Page 214
Ock – Feee? – Lot No. 4: 18 x 50 feet on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Ah Sam. Ass. $25. Imp. $50. Furniture $25. Total $100. Tax $2.00.
Me Ching Co. – Lot No. 12A: east side of Marysville and Oroville Road, part of Edmund Tract. Ass. $1,200. Tools & c $50. Total $1,250. Tax $25.00.
Page 225
Poo Fi Fong – No lot number: Lot on south side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Quong Sang Fong. Ass. $15. Imp. $125. Mdse. $200. Furniture $25. Total $365. Tax $7.30.
Page 232
Quong Sang Tong – No lot number: Lot on south side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Quong Lee, 15 x 50 feet. Ass. $15. Imp. $125. Mdse. $150. Total $290. Tax $5.80.
Quong Lee – No lot number: Lot on south side of Rialto Street, 400 x 89 feet. Three buildings, bounded on the west by Se Long Co. Ass. $75. Imps. $400. Total $475. Tax $9.50.
Quey Sang – Lot No. 11: Nineteen feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Ah Foon. Ass. $25. Imp. $120. Money $50. Furniture $25. Total $220. Tax $4.40.
Quong Tuck – Lot No. 16: 18 1/2 feet on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Hung Chung. Ass. $25. Imp. $175. Furniture $25. Total $225. Tax $4.50.
Su Ging – No lot number. No description of the property was taken down. Ass. $100. Imp. $150. S. Debts $300. Mdse. $300. Hogs $10. Furniture $40. Total $900. Tax $18.00.
Quong Sing Hong – No lot number: bounded on the south and the east by the Marysville and Oroville Road, on the west by Feather River, being the west part of Edmunds Tract. Ass. $500. Engine Pump Tools & c $1,000. Total $1,500. Tax $30.00.
Page 265
San Lee – No lot number: lot adjacent and above Rialto Saloon. Ass. $15. Imp. $90. Mdse. $15. Furniture $25. Total $145. Tax $2.90.
See Long Co. – No. lot number: first lot on south side of Rialto Street, adjacent to Marysville and Oroville. Road. Formerly Mullen old Saloon, 50 x 50 feet. Ass. $50. Imp. $140. Mdse. $600. Furniture $25. Total $815. Tax $16.30.
Si Cheong or Bing Ham – Lot No. 25: 17 1/2 feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Lun Ken. Ass. $25. Imp. $125. Mdse $50. Furniture $50. Total $250. Tax $5.00.
Su Ging – Lot No. 2A: bounded on the east Gray Street, west by Marysville and Oroville Road. Ass. $100. Imp. $200. S. Debts $1,000. Mdse. $500. Wagon $50. One Horse $40. One Mule $60. Six Hogs $70. Furniture $25. Total $2,045. Tax $40.90.
Seah Co. – Lot No. 3 1/2A: bounded on the north by Ah Gin Co., on the east by Dry Creek Ditch (entry notes: not in flume, though, the ground). Total $500. Harness $10. Two horses $125. Pump $100. Total $735. Tax $14.70.
Sen Sing Hong – Lot No. 2A: east of China Theater. Ass. $200. Imp. $100. 10,000 Lumber $180. Total $480. Tax $9.60.
Seong Hong Co. – Lot No. 4A: bounded on the south by Ty Loy Co. Ass. $400. Engine, Tools & Imp. $1,000. Total $1,400. Tax $28.00.
Su Long Co. – Lot No. 3A: bounded on the west by Ah Gin. Ass. $300. Two Horses $80. Machinery $100. Total $480. Tax $9.60.
Su Sing Co. – Lot No. 5A: on Jenkins Patent on south line. 2 1/2 A south and adjacent to above 2 1/2A, all east of Marysville and Oroville Road. 5A Ass. $500. Imp., Tools & c $100. Total $600. Tax $12.00. Note: Sold (to whom?).
Page 282
Too Lung Low – No lot number: 18 x 50 feet on south side of Rialto Street, southwest by Ah Foy. Ass. $25. Imp. $300. Mdse. $150. Furniture $75. Total $550. Tax $11.00.
Toy – No lot number: lot 21 x 50 feet on south side of Rialto Street, bounded on west by Lot 12 unknown. Ass. $25. Imp. $250. Furniture $50. Total $350. Tax $6.50. This total does not add up to $350 but to $325. Either the figures were copied down in error or the ledger was wrong.
Tung Sing – Lot No. 6: on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by unknown. Ass. $25. Imp. $100. Mdse $650. Imp. $25. Total $800. Tax $16.00.
Ty Ning Hong – Lot No. 23: fourteen feet front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Hup Soy. Ass. $15. Imp. $100. Notes & c $200. Furniture $25. Total $340. Tax $6.80.
Ty Loy Co. – Lot No. 4A: east of Chinese Graveyard (Cemetery). Ass. $400. Imp. $100. Two Horses. $100. Total $600. Tax $12.00.
Tew Lee Co. – Lot No. 3A: bounded on the west by Catholic Cemetery (not heard of this before), north by Jenkins Patent land. From southeast corner north 446 feet, east 300 feet, south 230 feet, southwest 214 fee. Ass. $600. Imp., Pump, Tools & c $100. Total $700. Tax $14.00.
Unknown Lot – No lot number: on south side of Rialto Street, 26 x 50 feet, bounded on the west by One Jen Lava Bed (No. 12). Ass. $30. Imp. $300. Furniture $50. Total $380. Tax $7.60.
Page 307
Wat Lung – Lot No. 18: lot 17-18 foot front on north side of Rialto Street, bounded on the west by Hop Sing. Ass. $25. Imp. $100. Money $50. Furniture $25. Total $175. Tax $3.50. Note: this total adds up to $200 not $175. Either the figures were copied down wrong or the ledger was wrong.
Wo Kee – No lot number: lot 40 x 90 feet on the south side of Rialto Saloon, lot & improvements south of Wo Long. Ass. $40. Imp. $100. S. Debts $200. Mdse. $200. Hogs $25. Total $565. Tax $11.30.
Wo Lung Sing – No lot number: lot 20 x 40 feet, south of Rialto Saloon. Ass. $25. Imp. $125. S. Debts $150. Mdse. $350. Furniture $25. Total $675. Tax $13.50.
On a separate piece of paper in the folder there was another brief listing of seventeen properties. Checking those names against the ones listed above four were found not to be on the larger list.
Chung Lee
Chin Ah Yoke – Lot No. 5A
Chinese Theater Co. – on north side of Rialto Street, north of Lots No. 24 and Lot No. 25. Ass. $100. Imp. $100. Total $200. Tax $20.00. A theater was built in this temporary Chinese mining camp. We have little information about what materials it was made of or exactly where it was.
Canton Co. – Lot No. 10A.
Chin Foy – Lot No. 17.
Took Song – Lot No. 2.
Rialto street lots facing north (south lots) had no lot numbers attached to the entries. All of the south facing lots had lot numbers. We have no indication as to why that was so. No surveys were mentioned but it would produce misleading and inadequate records involving land ownership for later years. Gold mining continued at this place for years using gold dredges well into the first half of the 20th century.
Orovillechicochinese 