Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-25
MISCELL N Y .
THE MTNIAT q r E.
A nyNoKIxe4 SCENE IN cAL1toRNIs:

In the year 1S49, during the hot month Of
August, left Sacramento City, with par
ty of six, including myself, for the remote
regions of Feather river. had tried sew.
eral of the other rivers, without much sue.
cess, and as some friends whom ]. met in
town, endeavored to convince me that this
was the only true and legitimate spot where
the ''pile' could be made, very willingly
gave my consent TO make one of theirparty
! We settled all the arrangements to our
satisfaction, and then bought provisions e.
six mule team, packed our stuff on their
backs, and, one afternoon, about six o'clock,
took up our line of march for the above
named place, distant about one hundred and
fifty miles from Sacramento city. One a
mong our company played on the bugle de-
Gently well, and as the soul-inspiring notes
rang out through the valleys, we all ima-
gined ourselves worth, at the least calcula-
ton, fifty thousand dollars-or soon would
be.
Alas where are they, and their expec-
tations now? All but one have laid their
bones in a. strange land. Famine, disease
and murder, have taken them one by one,
uhtl alone am left, monument of Gods
mercy.
But ! am DEPRESSING. Nothing worth no.
ticing occurred on our route. and after four
days hard travel, we arrived, with blister
ed feet and aching bones: every body I'M
happy, and every body as disagreeable as
any six men could conveniently be.
After unloading the team, and taking a
good bath in the clear, cold waters of the
river, we pitched our tent, cooked our sup
per, and then, as men generally do in such
cases, felt better. All retired early and en-
joyed a good nights sleep
All went on smoothly for week. We
made the acquaintance Of most of the mi
ners at work in the neighborhood, and found
them to be all pretty good fellows; their
worst fault appeared to be in drinking, but
then they worked hard, end pleaded as an
excuse that the climate was SO bad that
drinking was beneficial;
One morning, Just as the day was break
ING, otir accustomed hour for getting up to
breakfast, we observed large crowd gatl-
cred around the store, and curiosity getting
! the better of.us, we started to see what the
matter WAS, leaving one to co5k The break
fast. As We drew near, could see the
form OF Jones mingling with the crowd and
Gesticulating violently. ihduitaa Of him
what had brought so many together, thus
early III the morning..
''Matter enough" he replied 'Here's
that scoundrel of Morgan stole no less than
three thousand dollars from Dory, the stcre-
keeper" l.. .
the robbery.
''Yes, we have him safe enough and the
rioney also," chucked JoHes: -,
After some inquiries, | found that about
2 o'clock in the morning, Dory was awak-
ened by slight noise inside Of the tent
In an instant all was quiet; but thinking
that every thing was. rot right, he took his
revolver from under his bed, and commenc-
ed to search abouti in the dark AL at once
his hand came in contact with mans head.
"Who's this r he asked, and received for
al auswer a tremendous blow, which near
II stunned him, but instantly rallying, ne
discharged his revolver repeatedly at form
that dsrted past him. and then followed as
swiftly as possible npursuit, shouting ''stOp
thief"
Some dozen or two turning out, gave
chase, ard succeeded in captdrirg Morgan,
after a desperate resistance, in which he
used his knife rather freely: About sixty
yards frcnt TIE store he had thrown away
two buclskin bags that contained the dust,
aud that was safely deliYertd to the owner.
They were now about forming a it|ry to try
him for the robbery, and twelve. Americans
were accordingly chosen, With J6rss rs
Judge. The trial was soon over, and the
jury were not out more than half an hour
before they returned, and pronounced him
worthy of death, leaving it to the Judge tc
decide in what manner he should die.
"Wel, boys, you have acted wisely, and
as am merciful man, | decide that at
ten o'clock this forenoon, he be tied to a
tree, and six of their best marksmen load
their rifles and have crack at him, and may
God have mercy on his soul. Mr.. -" "
Jones continued, 81 appoint you with as
many assistants as you. may want to see the
law carried into effect"
intimated to the honorable Judge that
should like to be excused from performing
so disagreeable duty, but with a savage
look, he ordered me to perform the task
he had assigned me, and make no more
words about il"
Morgan had had fair trial. Eis gull
was too evident, and as he lay in the store
witt his feet and hands bound with strong
cords, looking dirty and ragged, with thu
blood slowiy dripping from his arm, where
ball had lodged from the revolver Of 8pry
| could not help plying the poor wretch
He must have read COMPASSION IN my face
for, making an effort to sitGpright, in whicl
he was not successful, he asked me for
drink Of water | instantly handed hin
some, and after drinking he artily, he appeared