Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-03-23
CALIFORNIA IN THE WOODS"

A Mr.. JOHN H. WALTON, who writes from
" California in the woods. January I'd, 1849,"
to the N. Orleans Picayune, says that al we
see in the papers about outrageous theftS,
horrible murders, hanging people by scores on
trees, lynch law, &c., is not 10 be relied up
on. He says that he is one of company of
1853 men, who have formed bylaws for the
good government of the same said company
that these bylaws are read to them at ten o.
clock every Sunday morning under a large
Oak tree, selected for the occasion after the
reading Of the bylaws, I" the president rises
and says: Does any member know OF any
violation of the laws Just read J? to which,
three times out of five, there is no response !;
and since have been member, which is a.
bout eight months, there has been no offence
committed with one exception) that received
higher punishment than small fine, or a
reprimand from the president"
"The exception alluded TO was poor de-
vii who was detected in hiding Il portion
of the days labor of his company The mem
held meeting among themselves, gave him
his part of their joint earnings, (Which
was about $4,000 and told him 10 go, as he
knew what would be his fate next Sabbath.
He accordingly went, and has not been heard
| Of since.
"The penalty for theft is expatriat:on What
we mean by that is to leave our borders, and
| if found in them, the first time, nine and
thirty the second, he pulls hemp. One OF
our laws is, There is to be no gambling of
any description Another is. No profane or
obscene language shall be used in the assem-
bly, on the Sabbath. neither of which has
been violated in the first instance since have
been a member.
Now where would you 20 to find SO more
orderly men and all this, too. without any
law except common consent 10 do right. No
10 the ST Charles, am sure. | mention the
St Charles from a circumstance that took
place there during few days stay on my
way here walked into the billiard room
with friend, and looked on game unit:
played through. Upon leaving The room,
observed TO my comrade that the game-keepe
was very careless scorer, or else he design
ed 10 cheat one of the parties, why, GER
tainly,' replied he, one of the players is
gambler and the other is countryman Tha
fat-face, suky looking fellow was chea'in,
for the gambler why said I, did nc
some of these gentlemen tell him he was chea
ted" Because said he, they are all gam
blers, and all concerned in robbing the coun
+ try fellow Said /, That polite, fine lookine
old gentleman, with gloves, cannot be gam
BIER No. said he. he has got rather old
His eye-sight amt sharp enough for the ne'
e tricks now; he's what they call faro broker
that means roping men into the bank, and hi
commission is half the winnings Butt sal
|. suppose the bank loses All said ht
a that is not supposabe case they dom! pla
n those kind of games.' Well, is that it'll
: doctor one of 'em p What that sly, sheer
!. sh- looking fellow? Yes. He pretends
f be dentist-got sign up across the wa!
!, but | expect never drew tooth in his life
n but can take 'em from any part Of the deck
b Now, | would advise all such brokers
h and tooth-pullers.' if they have any idea
It coming to FL Dorado, not TO come about ii
II big oak, unless they have made up the
It minds to abandon their old tricks, and are di
e posed TO make an honest living; and wou
: advise all, any where, who are doing<well.
Is stay where they are; though fortunes c.
n and will be made here, not by picking go
a out with iack-knife in four or FIVE pour
IT Jumps, but with much toll and hard Iabor.-
: From the best information can get, the a
:. erage of our whole number per day, for Il
ls last eight months, has been SO SO. So y
g see fortunes amt 10 be made in a day, nor
" season.