A stagecoach driver and a Clamper namesake

William Bull Meek is the first name in the Meek-Stewart title of the Nevada City chapter #10, E Clampus Vitus. Bill Meek was a Camptonville merchant and a former teamster. He is well-known locally. William Morris Stewart, the second name in the title, has been documented extensively both in this column, in my book "Local history makes good news" and in a recent feature in The Union by Gary Noy.

In 1975, Ruth Hermann, then owner of the Stewart manse on Zion Street in Nevada City, published an excellent biography titled "Gold and Silver Colossus, William Morris Stewart and his Southern Bride." Very little is obtainable about Meek, who is really entitled to a more prominent place in California history. Here's some of his story.

CAMPTONVILLE, Yuba Co., Jan 24, (1936) - William Bull Meek, 79, pioneer stage driver, former Yuba County assessor, local merchant, Wells Fargo agent, Clamper and authority on California history, is dead at his home here. Death came last night as the result of a long illness and age ...

- Excerpted from The Sacramento Bee, Jan. 24, 1936

William Bull Meek, pioneer knight of the whip, merchant, justice of the peace, hail fellow well met, until years overcame his stubborn vitality, has gone to his final reward. Born and reared midst the roughness of the mining days of Yuba County mountains, an authority on the gold trails, no one can replace him...

- Excerpted from the Marysville Appeal-Democrat, Jan. 27, 1936 by Lou Eichler

Meek's death closed a chapter in Gold County history that began in 1856 with his birth at the Empire Ranch, on the Overland Trail north of Downieville in Sierra County. His parents, John R. and Myrtle Meek, came west with the Gold Rush and opened a general merchandise store in Indian Valley after moving from the Empire Ranch.

Here, young Meek spent his boyhood and here he graduated from the ninth grade, a formidable education for that time. Before and after school, he helped his father in and out of the store.

In 1855, John Meek moved his family to Camptonville, where he again opened a general store. In Camptonville, the young Meek packed goods from the store by mule to the settlements and mines in the remote sections of Sierra and Yuba counties, beginning his career as a teamster and stage driver at the age of 13.

His route took him over the old Henness Pass Road, which in the 20th century would be popularized by the Henness Pass Highway Association as the lowest and easy east-west crossing of the Sierra Nevada.

It was said that he was an expert at packing a mule and had packed every conceivable commodity including a corpse, iron pipe and even a piano. As the 20th century rolled around and the automobile began to make its appearance, it was Meek who reputedly drove the last stagecoach into Downieville.

In 1908, Bill took over the family business and built the Meek Mercantile Co. store of concrete to replace one destroyed in a fire that also laid waste to Camptonville. In October 1976, a disastrous fire consumed the Meek store killing two young children whose family lived in the apartment occupying the second floor. The store and building were not rebuilt.

For many years Meek was the town's Western Union and Wells Fargo agent. His public service included a term as Yuba County assessor, school board trustee and the township's longtime Justice of the Peace. He resigned that position shortly before the illness that claimed him.

For some 30 years prior to his death, many of the foremost writers of California history have acknowledged Meek for data furnished for their many literary projects. He was widely know for his picturesque dress and speech and was adept at storytelling.

Meek was a member of a number of Masonic Orders for more than 55 years and served 28 consecutive years as Worshipful Master of Camptonville's Gravel Range Lodge #59, F.& A.M. He was a leader in the revival of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.

In May 1932, he regaled a group of San Francisco professional men who wanted (and did) to re-institute E Clampus Vitus with stories of the Order's glorious past.

William Bull Meek holds a place of respect and reverence in the Clamper's Hall of Comparative Ovations.

ooo

Bob Wyckoff is a retired Nevada County newspaper editor, author of local history publications and the Senior X-Noble Grand Humbug of the Nevada City Chapter #10 of E Clampus Vitus. You can reach him at: bobwyckoff@infostations.com or PO Box 216, Nevada City CA 95959.



Timelines

By Bob Wyckoff

It is difficult to even guess what happened after the publication of last time's rear shot of the no-longer-there Gold Bowl and Bank street in Grass Valley. I kid you not, there were more than 30 correct answers and half a dozen that were close but no cigar. I was really surprised at the interest. Many waxed nostalgic about Saturday bowling after dance lessons at Nelda's. Some adults remembered the Spare Room and some went back to the late Manuel Pelayo, the bartender and all bemoaned its demise. OK, I sincerely hope today's offering is a bit more difficult. Where? All answers will be acknowledged from: bobwyckoff@infostations.com or PO Box 216, Nevada City CA 95959