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TURN-In this instance, though, the Gazette accepted Mr. Myers’ own statement that he was the first “white child bom in El Dorado County,” this still cannot be verified. If you take into account that no birth or death records were kept in those first early years, and combine that with the fact that little news travelled very far from the early mining camps, there is clearly no way to determine with certainty that Mr. Myers was indeed the first “white child” bom in the county.The fact that no one else responded to the Gazette’s offer to receive information to the contrary cannot be taken that no one disputed Mr. Myers’ claim. It may very well have been that another child who may have been the first to be born in the county had either deceased or moved from this area or perhaps just didn’t think it was such a big deal.The newspapers of the time are found to have perpetuated erroneous information. In relating the death of Mrs. Anna Cook mPlacerville in the 1890s, the Mountain Democrat stated that she was the “first white woman” to settle in Placerville. One or two issues later, the paper issued a correction that stated that Mrs. Cook had not been the first, but that they had been informed there were at least two or three other women who had been there before Mrs. Cook. (A later researcher, Frances Fairchild to be exact, picked up on the original obituary reference and carried it forward in an article titled “History and Landmarks” published in the Democrat in 1910. Had he read further he would have found the retraction and this is how history becomes less than accurate.And this is exactly why I am opposed to the use of historical references that cannot be verified with any certainty. Secondarily, of course, is the issue of why was being the first “white” settlers’ child more important than being the first “Chilean” child, or “Mexican” child, or “Italian” child - or any other nationality notcontinued from Iincluded in the definition of the “white” race?This state was settled by over 100,000 immigrants in the first two to three years after the discovery of gold at Coloma in January of 1848. Each immigrant, no matter where their homeland was, broke ground in the wilderness we now call California in a time when there were no laws, there was little or no government lending much assistance and these same people, if they stayed in our county, all deserve our respect regardless of how minute the contribution to the establishment of this county and the state.Until it can be proven with certainty that Lewis Myers was the “first child,” the first “white settlers’ ” child, or that he was even really bom in Greenwood at all, I suggest that the plaque be removed for the reason that it may not be historically accurate on any level.While in the early years, the people who settled here derived a great importance from being the“first” at something - anythi that would somehow set thlt; apart and above the remainder the population so t**at they woi somehow have theii *y in the s - we need not continue to perpe ate things we do not know for c tain. What should matter now that these folks - all of them came and settled and each pla) pivotal roles in the success of settling of a great state.We should erect memoi plaques throughout the coui expressing appreciation for very fortitude exhibited by all settlers of the county. Especia for our roads - they are nearly one and the same roads ■ through by the earliest California’s travelers.I agree with Mr. Silverbcrg being bom “white” was the o: great accomplishment of Lei Myers’ life, is that really sor thing worth commemorating?Sue Silver is president of the Dorado County Pioneer Cemet Commission.
Newspaper Details
Placerville Mountain Democrat
Placerville, California, US
Fri, Feb 21, 1997
Page 36
Full Page
Clipped by
Susan M.
CA, USA 28 Aug 2019
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