Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-03-30
CALIFORNIA IN THE WOODS A PIECE.
january, 9, l849.


January, 9, l849.
Editors Pcayune-Every newspaper | see
from the States, (and they are mighty few con-
lains one or more letters from out here some
where, giving the most awful description Of
things here maginuble-horrible murders, out
rageous theGs, hanging people by scores on the
trees, Lynch's law, &c. Now as one of our
company has made as he thinks what will do him
and is going home, they have all agreed and re-
quested that | should give you by his hands a
lntIe history of how we do things in our 'dIg'
gins" In the first place, we assemble every
Sunday morning, numbering generally from 20
to 100, our whole number who have signed the
bylaws being 1853. Our place Of rendezvous
is a large oak tree, on beautiful hill, out of
which gushos as pure stream of water as ev.
or was drunk by man. You ought to see that
tree. 1t looks as though it was topped about
200 years ago aud had never stopped spreading.
AT 10 o'clock the Secretary reads the bylaws
after which the president rises and says "Doos
any member know of any violation Of the laws
Just read" to which three times out of five
there is no response, and since have been
member, which is about eight months, there has
been no offence committed with one exceplion)
that received higher punishment than small
fine, or reprmand from the president.
The exception alluded TO was n poor devil
who was detected in hiding n portion of the
days labor Of his company. The members al.
luded to, consisting Of nine, Immediately held
meeting among themselves, and gave him his
part of their joint earnings, (Which was abou.
$4,000 and told him to go us he knew what
i 1 c.
ly went and has not been heard of since.
The penalty for theft is expatraon. What
we mean by that is, to leave our borders, and if
found in them, the first time, nine and thirty the
second, ho pulls hemp. One of our laws is,
"Therc shall be no gambling of any descrip-
ton" Another is, "No prolane or obscene
language shall be used in the assembIOge on the
Sabbath" neither of which has been violated
in the first instance since have been mem
} ber
Now where would you go to find 1853 more
orderly monl and all this without any law ex
, cspt common consent to do right.
7 Now, would advise all, anywhere, who arr
, doing we'll to stay where they are; though for
, tunes eau and will be made here, not by picking
S gold out with jack knife in four or five pount
5 Jumps, but with much toll and hard labor. From
, tho best information can get The average q
: our whole number per day, for the last oigh
months, has been $l0,50. So you see fortune
ain't to bo made in day or a season. If yo
=. ever saw mon at work on canal or n mill rue
o or diggnga foundation for large house in you
y city you have very good idea of the labor il
o getting gold here. | would not have trouble
=. you with this ill-dgested epsIle had il not bee
n for the accounts have read about this country
y How it may be in other portions know not bu
: what have told you about our "diggins" is tru
a feel much moro safe here from every kind G
:; harm than would in your we'll organized city
: or any other city.
4 Yours, &c, JNO. II. WALTON.