The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-02-27
Life in California.
OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE.

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The Baltimore Sun says, we have pub
lished great deal from the California pa
pers calculated to lead to further emigra-
ton, and to induce those that are doing
we'll at home to start out on venture
We therefore publish the following note,
which was yesterday handed to us by a
gentleman who just arrived from San Fran
cisco, who informs us that it was placed
in his hands to deliver to us by a young
Baltimorean in that city, when about to
start for home: 'V 4
To the Editors of the Baltimore Sun:
Say that am here alive, and that's all
(it is not all gold that gitters.) To my
countrymen and friends, say that they will
never know disappointment until they
reach here. Let every one remain at
home that is at home for out of one hun
dred, ninety-nine are either sick broken
down in spirits, or lose their all by gam
bling. Therefore never leave happy
home for the delusive snare set by few
dreaming ones. DEXTER.
We give the above rer6atim as received
and hope that the writer may yet find a
green spot even in California. We also
find the following letter, giving glimpse
at the dark side of things in California, in
the New York Journal of Commerce.:
ga funeral here is the most heart-rend-
ing. A mule or horse cart drives up to
the door, generally the same day of the
death. Perhaps few men may be seen
hanging around, but frequently no minister
is in attendance. A coarse pine box,
something in the shape of coffin, stained
black or dirty red, is then placed in the
cart, containing all that is left of poor hu-
manity. Sometimes glazed black cloth
is thrown over it, and away starts the cart
Not unfrequently the roads are so bad,
that all descriptions of urging and whip
ping the poor animal takes place. The
few friends who follow and attempt to
reach the burial ground, at some distance
from the city, go struggling all about to
pick their way through the mud. They
reach the ground after frequently sinking
to the knees, and there they find scores Of
new made graves, and others in process
of being dug. They hastily commit their
friend to this most miserable looking spot
of earth, and escape from it as soon as
possible. Every recollection of the last
resting place of husband, friend or brother,
is most revolving; and the Imagination
sickens at the thought of its charnel house
in California.
A returned gold seeker also informs the
editor of the Boston Traveller of the suf.
fering, misery and death in San Francisco
He says the newspapers there do not re-
cord all the deaths. He was told by the
superintendent of burials of that town, that
from sixty to seventy died weekly, and
that from six to eight were daily buried at
the expense of the city, they having no
friends to care for them while sick, or to
bury them when dead. Many persons
have come down from the mines enfeebled,
without money friends or home. They
wander about the town, and often sustain
life by digging clans and muscles upon
the sea-shore, and by fishing, finding a
lodging at night. perhaps in the tent of
friend; if not, in the open street. The
late fire by decreasing the number of build
ings at the moment that the population was
rapidly increasing, has added greatly to
the suffering ofthis class ofpersons. Such
was the state of San Francisco at the COM
mencement of the new year. 1t certainly
is not very inviting picture.
DISTURBANCE IN THE Es.-By gen.
tleman VINO came passenger in the Mint,
, which left Stockton on Saturday last, we
are panied to learn that disturbance has
taken place in the mines on the Calaveras
between the Chilenos and Americans
The facts, as near as we can get them, are
as follows:
On the night of the 26th inst, party Of
armed Chilenos, numbering some 200, at
tackled an American camp at the Calave.
ras diggings, consisting of about twenty
persons. Three Americans were killed,
three others severely wounded, and some
sixteen taken prisoners. The Chilenos
said they were acting under orders from
the authorities, and they took the wounded
men and prisoners in the direction ofStock-
ton, not even allowing the wounds of the
unfortunate men to be dressed.
News ofthe affair had reached Stockton
causing much excitement, and an armed
party Of some twelve Americans had start
ed in pursuit of the offenders, and it was
supposed that many more would follow.
Our informant, in whom we have the
greatest confidence, is apprehensive that
this outrage will be a signal for general
outbreak between the Americans and for
eigners in the mines. We confess we are
not without the same fears, though we trust
the Americans will only visit just punish.
ment on the real offenders.-Alta Cali.
fornian 81 Dec.
Canada.
The Toronto Independent. an able ad-