Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-07-18
MISCELLANY.
From the Boston Yankee Blade.
THE IMMATURE.
"A LYNcHfNG SCENE IN CALIFORNIA.

aparty of six including myself, for the
remote regions of Feather riverr | had
tried several OF the other rivers wilhou,
much success, and as some friends whom
me, in town, endeavored to convince
me that this was the only true and legit-
innate spot where the s'PILE" could be
made, very unwillngly gave my con-
sent TO make one OF their party.
We settled all arrangements to our
satisfaction, and then bought provisions
enough TO last Us for three months, hir.
ed 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, distance about
one hundred and fifty miles from Sacra-
mento City. One among our company
played the bugle decenty well, and as
the soul inspiring notes rang out through
the valleys, we all imagined ourselves
worth, at the least calculation, fifty thou
sand dolars--or soon would be.
Alas! where are they, and their hopes
ana expectations now! All but one have
laid their bones in strange land. Fam
Inc, disease and murder have taken them
one by one, until alone am left, mon
ument of Gods mercy.
But am DEPRESSING. Nothing worth
noticing occurred on our route, we ar.
rived with blistered feet and aching bones,
every body unhappy and every body as
dlsagreeable as any six men could con-
venien1y be.
After unloading the team, and taking
agood bath in the clear, cold waters ol
the river, we pitched our tent, cooked
supper, and then, as men generally do in
such cases, felt better. All retired early
and enjoyed a good nights sleep, for up.
on the next day we were 10 commence
our labors; but somehow, nobody seem
ed, 10 breach the subject of work, so we
spent the day in visiting what few peo-
pie there were camped in the immediate
neighborhood of ourselves. They did
not talk very encouragingly, aud after
surveying the different "bars," came to
the conclusion that my fortune was some
way from me yet. However, it would
not do TO get discouraged SO quick, and
took stroll along towards the "store,' y
as il was called. The store consisted
OF a large brush tent, where they retail
ed everything that was likely 10 be want
ed among plentiful supply of all kind:
ofliquors, retailing il at the rate OF sew.
en- dollars bottle for brandy and five
for gin, BY such rates as this the store
keeper managed TO put about two third,
OF the miners earnings in his own pock
els, and consequently was becoming e.
enormously rich.
#aCWhen arrived at the tent, | fount
some twenty or thirty people assembled
: drinking, smoking and playing cards.
Their days labor was over. and they
were now spending what they had earn
ed. perceived some few were already
IN happy state, and were trying to kicl
up row with somebody. no matter who
There were one or two Frenchmen, on,
or two Chilians. two negroes, and tn,
rest were made up Of overland and Ore
gon men.
As ] stood leaning against barrel
watching the different expressions lha
played on their countenances, a youn,
man of about twenty years, came
up and enquired what part Of the coun
Try was from. l informed him, sn.
after few more words, he informed mi
ihat he was from New York city, ant
asked me to drink with him. which / re
spectfully declined. He did not appeal
20 relish my refusal very well, and turn
Cd abruptly away, and commenced bet
ting on monte.
"What did that fellow say to you mis-
teri" inquired large. broad shoulderet
man, who went by the name of Jones.
bs "Only asked pe to drink with him
replied L.
well, stranger, / am from Oregon
and my name is Jones; have been o,
the river about five months, and som,
people call me the alcalde of these dig
gings. But that has nothing to do witt
him. Let me advise you as a fellow
countryman, to have nothing to do will
that fellow. Ihave had my eye on hin
for sometime, and if he does ever com,
under my discipline, ] will serve him out
warrant you"
ysnt'Of what offence has he been guiltye
l enquired, looking at the man NOR,
closely.
''A"Well, we have not been able t
prove anything against him, as yet, bu
there has been good deal Of The DUsl
lost out of our tents whenever they wer,
left alone. and you will never see ihi
fellow at work, if you should stay her,
ten years. He has not got il in him.-
Yet he has always dus. to loose at th.
\ gambling table every night. Why, be-
fore; that fellow came here, could e,
/ and leave dozen pounds of the rea
in my tent, and come back and fin.
but it won't do to do it now," h,
rrowfully, as though he wa
. find SO much dishonesty i,
de me good night and walk
his tent, while ! stepped
suspected person, and ha,
lisy TO examine him a
ard table. e m
ave said, twenty-eigh