Julian

Plaque Inscription:

Following the discovery of gold nearby during the winter of 1869-70, this valley became the commercial and social center of a thriving mining district. Ex-Confederate soldier Drury D. Batley laid out the town on his farmland and named it for his cousin and fellow native of Georgia, Michael S. Julian. By 1906 most mines were unprofitable. Since then the area has become more famous for the variety and quality of its apple crop.

Location: San Diego County. Private plaque: Julian Memorial Park, Washington and Fourth Sts, Julian State plaque: In front of Town Hall, Julian.

GPS Coordinates for site: 33˚04.43N – 116˚36.04W (Calsign)

The song is based on the true story of a Wells Fargo stage driver that wanted a little more room up front and moved a strongbox from the Julian mines containing over $10,000 in gold up on top of the stage only to have it fall off at an unknown point. With his own money he rented a horse and sulky (a fancy buckboard) in San Diego and went back towards Julian to search. Meanwhile, good samaritan Thomas Davies found the strongbox and delivered it to the Wells Fargo agent in San Diego, asking a mere $10 for his trouble. When Mr. Davies returned for his money, he was rewarded with a $600 gold pocket watch from the Wells Fargo company for his effort and honesty. The fate of the driver is not known.

JULIAN

Oh lordy I’m in trouble, my spirit’s in a low degree

$10,000 gold in the strongbox, somehow I let it go free

I’m a Wells Fargo stage driver, running a four-horse team

From the Julian mines to San Diego, in 1873

Oh lordy I’m in trouble, my spirit’s in an low degree

‘The case of the lost treasure box’ gonna be the end of me

Turned around on my own went back up the trail, hoped to find it there

I hired out a horse and sulky, but somebody beat me there

Chorus: Thomas Davies is a Julian man and a Julian man is true

He found that gold and without being told, knew just what he’d do

Hitched up his team and took it to town and gave it to the agent man

Said to Mr. Lawrence “I’m Thomas Davies and I’m from Julian.”

“Here’s your gold your shiny gold, I want $10 for my time”

Mr. Lawrence said, “That’s pretty good, $10 sounds just fine.”

Mr. Davies said, “There’s a man on the trail, says he belongs to you

But one of your men on a horse and sulky, Wells Fargo would never do.”

A few weeks later he went back to town, to collect his fee

Got a gold watch and chain worth $600, for his integrity

I’m still driving for Wells Fargo, but it’s the desert Black Hills run

Count my blessings and be thankful, they didn't chase me off with a gun