Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-22
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A LYNoHING SCENE CALIFORNIA.
THE MINIAT URE.

| 80 SNS JS"A AO1SS NHiAh5 bAS icb hiOueh vi 4Au-
gust, left Sacramento City with party Of six,
Including myself, for the remote regions of
Feather River l had tried several of the other
rivers without much success and as some of my
friends, whom met in town, endeavored to con-
vince me that this was the only true and legiti.
mate spot where the "pile" could be made,
very Willingly gave my consent to make one of
their party.
We settled all the arrangements to our salts
faction; and then we bought provisions enough
to last US for three months, hired six mule
team, packed our stuff on their backs, and about
6 o'clock one afternoon, took up our line of
march for the above named place, distant about
one hundred and fifty miles from Sacramento
City. One of our company played on the bugle
decently we'll and as the soul-thrilng notes
rang out through the valleys, we all imagined
ourselves WORTH at the least calculation, $50, 900
or soon would be.
Alas where are they, their hopes, and their
expectations, now? All but one have laid their
bones in strange land. Famine, disease, and
murder, have removed them one by one, until
alone am left, monument of Gods mercy.
But am DEPRESSING. Nothing worth notic-
ing occurred on our route and after four days.
hard travel, we arrived, with blistered feet and
aching bones everybody unhappy, and every
body as disagreeable as any six men could con-
veniently be.
After unloading the team, aad taking good
bathe in the clear, cold waters of the river, we
pitched the tents, cooked cur supper, and then,
as men generally do in such cases, we felt bet
ter. All retired early, and enjoyed a good
nights rest, for upon the next day we were to
commence our labors; but, somehow, no one
seemed to broach the subject of work, SO we
spent the day in visiting what few people there
were encamped in the immediate vicinity of our
selves. They did not talk very encourgingly;
and after surveying the different bars" came
to the conclusion that my fortune was still some
way from me. However, it would not do to be
discouraged yet, and l took a stroll towards the
"store," as it was called. The store consisted
of large brush tent, where they retaed every
thing that was likely TO be wanted among a set
Of hard working men, including plentiful sup
ply of all kinds of liquors, retailing which at
the rate of seven dollars bottle for brandy, and
five for gin. By such rates as these, the store
keeper managed to put about two-thirds of the
miners earnings into his own pockets, and con-
sequently he was becoming very rich.
When arrived at the tent, found some thir-
ty people assembled, drinking, smoking, or play
ing cards. Their days work was over, and they
were now spending what they had earned.
perceived that some few were in a happy state,
and were trying to kick up row with some
body, 10 matter who. There were one or two
Frenchmen, one or two Cbians, two negroes,
and the rest were made up Of overland and Or
egon men.
As stood leaning against barrel, watching
the different expressions that played on their
countenances, young man of about twenty
eight.yeal came up and inquired what part of
the country was from. informed him, and
he, after few more words, Informed me that he
was from New York city, and asked me to drink
, with him, which l respectfully declined. He
did not appear 10 relish my refusal very well, and
turning abruptly away, he Immediately CON-
menced betting on monte.
"What did that fellow say to you, mister "'
inquired large, broad-shouldered man, who
went by the name of Jones.
"Only asked me to drink with him, that was
ALL" replied.
"Well, stranger, am from Oregon, and my
name is Jones have been on the river about
: five months, and some people call me the alcade
of these diggings. But that is nothing TO do
with him. Let me advise you, as fellow-coun-
tryman, to have nothing to do with that fellow.
have had my eye on him for some time, and il
he ever does come under my discipline, will
serve him out, | warrant you"
"Of what offence has he been guiltys" In.
quired, looking at the man more closely.
f "Well, we have not been able to prove any.
n thing against him, as yet, but there has been 9
good deal Of the dust lost out of our tents when
ever they have been left alone, and you will nev
er see this fellow at work if you stay here ter
years. He has not got it in him, Yet he hal
always dust to lose at the gambling table every
# night. Why, before that fellow came here,
IS could go out and leave dozen pounds Of tn,
10 real stuff in my tent, and come back and find
# safe but it won't do to do it now," he said SOL
,e rowfully, as though he was grieved to find 8
in much dishonesty in the world.
NJ Jones bade me good night and walked toward
III his tent while | stepped nearer the suspecte
person, and had good opportunity to examin
him as he stood at the card table.
He was, as have said, % years old, wit
small dark eyes, that never seemed to be at rest
~ heavy beard and moustache, which he was
IN considerable pains to show. lie was about 6v
in feet eight inches high, and rather strongly bull
gh with certain reckless appearance about hin
Id that denoted the lowest class Of gamblers. II
st went by the name of Morgan. l finished m
~ examination of him, and then repaired to IN
- tent, where, after smoking, and relating the new
lit had heard, turned in and was soon dreamin
nd Of the dear friends whom had left in old MAJ
tie sachusetts.
II The next day we put our cradles" togehe
'of and commenced operations opposite Bidwell
< ranch, but cannot say that we made the amour
th daily that my sanguine friends had anticipate
en- At any rate, we worked easy, and managed