Taken from the Ferndale Enterprise and written by Charlie Genzoli, Hughson, CA.

Switzerland supplied strong men for the good old days of our history. The following was written by Charles D Genzoli of Hughson A descendent of the early settlers.

The year was 1875 for the little town of Lodrino, Switzerland. It marked a turning point in its history. This village of about 70 inhabitants lies on the southern slopes of the Swiss Alps. For centuries its people derived their living out of its rather rocky soil. Emigration was practically unknown. Somehow through a grapevine somebody had heard in the far away California, prosperity was there for those who had courage and the willingness to work. 4 young men (M genzoli, brother Bernard, Ned Sacchi, and Charles Sacchi) did take a chance.

In the winter of that year, they struck out for the promised land. It was not easy to make the trip in those days. The San Gotthard tunnel through the alps was not yet completed, and over the pass now in the dead of winter, by sled was anything but comfortable. However, after 35 days of travel over land and water they finally arrived in San Francisco.

Now if they could only have luck to find work to earn those fabulous wages of 20 or 25 dollars per month that they had heard of in the old country.

Dairying was beginning to expand throughout the hills of Marin and Sonoma co. and along the southern coast. It was customary for the young emigrants to put up at the then well-know Hotel San Gottard on Broadway street, Named after the tunnel then in progress of boring.

They were approached by the management with the familiar demand, "and you young men are you going to milk cows?"

"Of course" was the reply. It so happened, that at that time a man from Ferndale was in the city looking for some milkers.

"There is a man here from Humboldt county looking for four milkers. Would you like to go up there?"

"Why sure, " they would have gone anywhere so eager willing and able to work they were. So that is how they happened to work on Bunker Hill Ranch, then managed by a man named Spear.

Mr. Spear being of very religious convictions, more bent on saving the soul than taking care of the body, was rather scanty in his cuisine.

Consequently the young boys were always hungry. The did learn the trick of making hot cakes from someone. So, in the evening before retiring, they used to have a fill of them cooked over a pot bellied heating stove. Mr. Spear suspected something was going on in the bunk house. One evening he peeked through the door while the boys were busy with their meal. Lo and behold, they were greeted with a hearty "Good Morning Boys!" Although unfamiliar with the language they understood the hint. They knew that hot cakes were suppose to be a morning fare and not to be eaten in the evening and not on the sly besides. There were no more hot cakes for them after that.

It was not long after the arrival of the four young men in California that the people of the little village back home knew all about Ferndale. In the years following there was a steady stream of more Genzoli, Sacchi, Ambrosinis, Biasca, Minetta, Berti,Bruga, Bognuda, Martignolis, and Bernardi families. All familiar to the people of the Eel Valley and the Ferndale area.

The true exodus came when after 20 years of traveling in the Bear river ridge, on the original four returned to his native land with a nest egg of about 10 thousand dollars accumulated in dairying. If there were still skeptics left in the village they soon ceased to exist. The returning hero strutted down the main street in fancy clothes , striped pants swallow tail coat, double breasted white vest glittering gold chain and dangling fob.

Many followed in his steps to Ferndale and were sadly disillusioned. One traveler recounted the following: In route to Capetown, to work, the mud was so deep and slick on the Wild cat road that the horses got stuck on the Sstrube grade. They had to get off the stage to help push, for which we got a very sympathetic thanks from the driver, Bill McCann. Dairying was quite extensive up in the Bear River ridge in those days. Few had the comfort of milking barns. Milking was done in corrals. I cannot forget losing my boots going from cow to cow in the rainy season.

So you see, you descendants today, even though you are scattered through California, those were the "Good ol' Days" you hear so much about