Near Martell in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
To The Memory of Mike Tovey
Wells Fargo Messenger
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2011
1. To The Memory of Mike Tovey Marker
Michael (“Mike”) Tovey, Wells Fargo Messenger was killed and DeWitt Clinton Radcliff, stage driver injured on this spot, June 15, 1893, by a lone bandit who attempted to hold up the regular six-horse stage on the old Ione - Jackson Stage Road. A line of stages was established in 1850, running between Sacramento and Sonora via Q Ranch (near Ione) Jackson, Mokelumne Hill, Angels and Columbia. Over $256,000,000 in gold bullion is said to have been carried in the early days over this, the main artery to the “Mother Lode” and southern mines.
In memory of these and many other brave, intrepid, self-sacrificing and loyal Wells Fargo messengers and stage drivers of California, this tablet is dedicated.
Erected 1929 by Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons & Native Daughters of the Golden West of Amador County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1885.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Amador Ledger (approx. 2½ miles away); In Memory of the Heros of Amador County (approx. 3.1 miles away); 1854 · Amador County · 1954 (approx. 3.4 miles away); Argonaut and Kennedy Mines (approx. 3.4 miles away); University of California Foothill Field Station (approx. 3.4 miles away); Argonaut Mine (approx. 3.4 miles away); Jackson (approx. 3.4 miles away); Amador County Veterans' Memorial (approx. 3.4 miles away).
Regarding To The Memory of Mike Tovey. In his book California – A Landmark History, published in 1941, Joseph A. Knowland writes:
On the state highway between Jackson and Ione, in Amador County, on September 9, 1929, a tablet was dedicated to the memory of Mike Tovey, Wells Fargo messenger, and to DeWitt Clinton Radcliff, stage driver, the former being killed and the latter injured by a lone bandit on that spot thirty-six years previously. The monument is of marble, and the bronze marker contains a reproduction
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2011
2. To The Memory of Mike Tovey Marker
‘In memory of the many other brave, intrepid, self-sacrificing and loyal Wells Fargo Messengers and Stage Drivers of California’.
At the dedication, over a thousand gathered, and included in the group were California pioneers, former drivers and messengers, Wells Fargo officials, representatives of State and County Governments, and a large number of Native Sons and Native Daughters who were responsible for the erection of this memorial.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. A marker placed 25 miles east at the site of another Wells Fargo Stage robbery where Mike Tovey served as the Wells Fargo Messenger.
Also see . . . Mike Tovey. A Find-A-Grave posting displaying photos and detailing the reported murder of Mike Tovey by Milt Sharp. (Submitted on April 10, 2011.)
Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 8, 2011
3. To The Memory of Mike Tovey Marker
May 2011
4. Detail of Artwork on the Marker
Courtesy of the Native Sons of the Golden West, September 29, 1929
5. Marker Dedication Ceremony
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,143 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 9, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on May 14, 2011. 5. submitted on April 10, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.
