123_County Pioneers_2015_123 County Pioneers 2105 5/28/15 6:12 PM Page 123
COUNTY
PIONEERS
H I S T O R Y
Leaders, entrepreneurs and
Just pLain CharaCters
Lyman Gilmore
y
Grass Valley aviation pioneer, the eccentric
LYMAN GILMORE, claimed to have built a
32-foot aircraft powered by a steam engine
and to have successfully flown it in May
1902, some 19 months before the historic
Wright Brothers flight at Kitty Hawk.
Unfortunately, this claim was never proven,
but his concepts like retractable landing
gear, an enclosed passenger cabin and the
monoplane became part of the development of modern aviation.
One local character was a mule. Hardrock
mines used mules underground to pull ore
cars. One of the most famous was FANNY
who until retirement lived beneath ground
in the Empire Mine, now a state historic
park. It is said she was fond of chewing
tobacco, and that she knew if there was an
extra car to pull, refusing to move until it
was removed.
The first fish hatchery in California was
established near Chicago Park by JOSEPH
V. SHEBLEY in the 1860s. His name
became associated worldwide with the
advancement of fish culture. When state
money became tight, Shebley donated
use of his facility to the California Fish
Commission which used it from 1883 to
1888.
Nevada City printer ALEXANDER HUNT
had a weakness for the bottle which was
frustrating for his employers. However, he
developed a rather ingenious way of warning them when he was about to go on a
bender. Early in the morning, Hunt would
appear on Broad Street with one boot polished black, the other whitewashed. His
editor would then know it was time to hire
a replacement until he sobered up.
found on the plains were used as a substitute for firewood.
Othet was shot at by Indians with bows
and arrows. He also remembered lowering
the wagons by ropes, and that it was so
hot and dry, and rations so short, the horses nearly died. Othet arrived in Sacramento
in August 1852 where he camped. It was a
rough spot – three murders took place the
first night and nearby thousands of dollars
were being gambled – he soon settled in
Grass Valley.
A missed meeting changed history. Nevada
County resident JUDGE NILES SEARLS
arrived in Washington, D.C. expecting to
meet with President Abraham Lincoln to
discuss what part the county could play in
bringing the nation back together. It was
set for 8:00 p.m. on April 14, 1865.
However, earlier in the day Judge Searls
received a note from the President. Mary
Todd Lincoln wanted to go to the theatre,
so could the Judge meet the next morning.
The meeting never took place for later that
evening came the news – President Lincoln
had been shot.
Judge
Niles
Searls
y
THOMAS OTHET, an early Grass Valley
merchant, often reminded his children of
the h &G6