The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-07-02
THE MINIATURE.
LYNcHING SCENE IN CALIFORNIA.

In the year 1849. during the hot month
of August, left Sacramento City, with
party Of six, myselfincluded, 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" was to be made, very
unwillingly gave my consent to make one
ofthe party. s"
4 We settled all the arrangements to our
satisfaction, and then bought provisions
enough to last US Tor three months, hired
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 filty miles from Sacramento City
One among our company played the bugle
decently well, ,and the soul-inspiring notes
rang out through the valleys, we all i'm
aeined ourselves worth, at the least calcu-
lation, fifty thousand dollars-or soon
would be.
"a Alas! where are they and their hopes
and expectations now? All but one have
laid their bones in a strange land. Fam
inc, disease and murder have taken them
one by one, until alone am left, monu'
ment OF Gods mercy.
But am DEPRESSING Nothing worth
noticing occurred in our route, and alter
four days hard travel, we arrived, with
blistered feet and aching bones; everybody
unhappy, and everybody as dsagreeablle
as any six men could very conveniently
have been.
After unloading the team, and taking a
good bath in the clear, cold waters OF the
river, we pitched our tent. cooked supper
and then, as men generally do in such
cases, felt better. All retired early, and
enjoyed good nights sleep, for upon the
next day we were to commence to searcn
after gold, but somehow, nobody seemed
TO broach the subject of work, so we spent
the day in visiting what few people there
were camped in the immediate nelghbor-
hood of ourselves. They did mot talk very
encouragingly, and after surveying the
different '.bars," came to the conclusion
that nv fortune was some way from me
vet. However. it would not do to get dis.
couraged so quick, and took stroll
along towards the store, as it was called.
The store consisted of large brush tent,
where they retailed everything that was
likely TO be wanted among set OF hard
working men, including plentiful supply
of all kinds Of liquors, retailing it at the
rate OF seven dollars bottle for brandy
and five for gin. By such rates as this the
store. e.keeper managed to put about two
thirds of the miners hard earnings in his
own pockets, and consequently was be-
coming enormously rich.
When arrived at the tent, found some
twenty or thirty people assembled, drink
ing, smoking and playing cards. Their
DAYS labor was over, and they were now
spending what they had earned. per-
ceiyed some few were already in happy
state, and were trying to kick up q row
with somebody, no matter who. There
were one or two Frenchmen. one or two
iChilIians, two negroes, and the rest were
made up Of overland and Oregon men.
.ysAs / stood leaning against barrel
watching the different expressions thai
played on their counter ances, young
man Of about tYenty-eight years, came uE
and inquired what part Of the country
was ffom. Informed him, and after few
more words. he informed me that he was
from New York city, and asked me to
drink with him, which | respectfully de-
,clined. He did not appear to relish my
refusal very well, and turned abruptly
away, and commenced betting on monte
.aWhat did that there fellow say to you
misterl'' inquired a large broad shoulder
ledscountryman who went BY the name 9
sJopes. ee .sisisj 90. ,Ya asg. !,se..1,
"Only asked me TO, drink with bim.l 4
replied. "a 5s a,r, qsl...,,.S, e, Il ,-..-..,.,
s.Well stranger, am from Oregon, ant
my name lis Jones; have been on tht
river about FIVE months, and some people