A Bell Rang in Uniontown: The First Hundred Years of Arcata and Its Methodist Church, 1850-1950

Description: Panoramic dust jacket art by Marvin Trump (a local architect and artist). Many historic photographs and other illustrations. This ''interweaves the story of Arcata, California, and its Methodist church with major events and the lives of some notable personalities. Both the town and the church began in 1850, the year Humboldt Bay was rediscovered by white gold seekers. You'll meet colorful characters and dramatic adventurers: first, the church's founder, Asa White, his wife Kate, and twelve children who led a train of 120 wagons west on the Oregon Trail in 1847. White founded churches in Oregon City and San Francisco before coming to Arcata. For one hundred years, following White, a succession of ministers arrived, some brave, some timid, and a few who left a lasting mark on the church and the town. Then there was Josiah Gregg, a scientist and writer who discovered Humboldt Bay, and later died of starvation gathering scientific data in the wilderness. A companion L K Wood was permanently crippled from encounters with grizzly bear before settling in Arcata. Young Bret Harte appears in Arcata's story as the idealistic young reporter outraged by the white man's massacre of the Wiyot natives. Another dark episode is the evacuation of all Chinese from the county. There is a parade of names; and the appendix lists pastors, baptisms, and marriages. Major events and changing customs are parts of the story.'' BINDING/CONDITION: dark blue binding with gilt text; a Fine book, with a Fine dust jacket. appendices, references, indexes. Photo endpapers. about 11.5 inches tall by 8.75 inches wide. 118 pages.…