Amador Ledger-Dispatch, Volume 1902, Number 7, 7 March 1902 — A VALUABLE PROPERTY BOLD. [ARTICLE]

A VALUABLE PROPERTY BOLD.

The Donet Banch Changes Hands.

Andre Douet sold his ranoh and vineyard property near Clinton -last , Monday to Jean Lentilliar, of San Francisco.. It was a cash transaction, the purchase price named in the deed being $5000; Mrs. Boyrie, formerly of Clinton, loaning $3000 of the amount, and taking the property as security. The purchaser Is a young man, with a wife and one child, and he has purchased it with the intention of attending to the ranch himself and making* it bis home. He has plenty of energy, - and understands the wine business thoroughly. Besides, he is contemplating making many extensive improvements. The completion of the Tabeaud reservoir, it is thought, will make the place a favorite resort for pleasure seekers, 'picnic parties, and so forth. To this end he proposes to make an artificial lake and stock it with various kinds of fish; also to build a road or lane so that visitors to the big reservoir will find it the best and most convenient way of approach. The vineyard under Mr. Douet's management has for years held the pre-eminent place among the orchards of Amador county. He makes from the product of his vineyard about 10, 000 gallons of wine per year, of such superior quality that he has had no trouble in disposing of it at remunerative figures. He has also been for many years the largest distiller of grape brandy in the county; making the spirits from the refuse of the wine grapes. A. Douet, the retiring proprietor, is one of the landmarks of Amador county. He came to the county in 1849, and soon after his arrival settled upon the ranch which he has made his home for the past fifty years., He operated the Wildcat and Montreal gravel mines near Jackson Gate in early days, and took out a fortune therefrom. He also opened up a gravel claim on the Clinton ranch, which yielded richly. In a couple of weeks he took out $10,000. When the Cornstock, was in its palmiest days he opened a large warehouse at Virginia City and did handsomely. He was caught in the stock maelstrom, and invested in Virginia Consolidated and other leading stocks. When the drop came he lost his entire fortune, amounting to $88,000, and found himself heavily in debt besides Nothing daunted, he returned to his Amador ranch, and ' started anew. Every creditor , was paid dollar for dollar. He soon got on his feet again. His vineyard has proved . a safer standby than the stock market.

For the last few years he has been troubled with an affection of the limbs, which has compelled him at intervals to surrender the cares of business to others. He is now 78 years of age, and has remained a bachelor all his life. Having sufficient . means to support himself comfortably, he decided to sell his ranch and retire from active business. He cannot think of leaving Amador county, however. His friends are here, and he would not feel at home anywhere else. He intends to make his home in Jackson.