Now & Then: Sonora’s night watchman had an interesting job – Union Democrat

The City of Sonora has just received two items of historical significance relating to our night watchman, Andrew Elsbree. Through a generous donation from the Elsbree family we now have his badge and sap/blackjack. The items will be on display in the lobby of the Sonora Police Department.

Andrew Jackson Elsbree was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on Sept. 18, 1828. He came to Tuolumne County in 1855.

Like most who came to Tuolumne County in the 1850s, Elsbree tried his hand at mining. He worked various claims with some success. He finally found what was known as Greaser Gulch, on the north end of Sonora, which yielded substantial amounts of gold over the years. He built a nice home on the property and lived there until his death in 1914.

In April 1878, Elsbree was appointed night watchman for the City of Sonora. He went on watch at 9 p.m. each night until daylight the next morning. He was not paid by the city, but by business owners who wanted the added protection. He was later appointed a deputy constable, with the authority to make arrests.

In his early years on the job, Elsbree was accompanied by his faithful dog, Rover, who was said to have saved his life on several occasions. Most of the accounts described in the local papers involve men who had drank too much.

One of the more amusing events was in 1879, when at 1 a.m. in the morning, Elsbree and Rover responded to cries of help at a local residence where an inebriated man tried to break in. The home was previously occupied by females of damaged reputation. The drunk didnt realize the ladies no longer lived there. No harm was done, but there was much excitement in the neighborhood.

Elsbree was injured one night in 1881 when Ferdinand Tanzi tried to enter a local saloon and wasnt allowed in. He became terribly irate, Elsbree tried to calm him, but to no avail. Tanzi struck Elsbree with a heavy object, causing a serious gash on his forehead. The night watchman then drew his revolver and fired two shots at Tanzi, one going through the upper muscles of Tanzis right arm.

Elsbree also called on people in the early hours of the morning if they had a stage to catch. As Teresa Mallard recalled, At four oclock, not only all our family, but also others within hearing, were aroused by his furious ringing of our doorbell and the barking of dogs.

In 1898, two Chinese men named Ah Wy and Ah Fook got into a fight. Fook owed Wys brother $2.40, which Wy tried to collect. Fook refused, and the battle began. The fight escalated when Fook grabbed a heavy glass, cutting Wy in the head. Both men kept fighting like bulldogs, when Elsbree appeared and soon had both men safely in jail. The following morning, they were both fined $5.

On Nov. 3,1900, The Union Democrat announced that Elsbree was retiring. They noted that, during his long tenure, his vigilance averted serious trouble in fights and heavy losses by fire. He was ever faithful to his duties, and many who felt that their persons and properties were safe and secure under his watchful attention, regret that advancing years has compelled him to retire from a position which he so acceptably filled.

Pat Perry is the city historian for Sonora.

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Now & Then: Sonora's night watchman had an interesting job - Union Democrat