The Nevada journal., 1851-10-30

which struck us with more horror than
even the wreck. Captain Marks was
the last man to leave the vessel, and
when he landed upon the beach, a
crowd gathered round him for his
advice and knowledge as to what re
were to do, both Of which he refused
Several robberies from passengers had
been committed before daylight, a.
mounting in the aggregate, perhaps,
to $4,000, and the box OF gold dust
was by this time generally known to
be gone.
We are informed by gentleman,
whose name we can give, if necessary,
that he assisted in removing the dust
from Captain Marks room, where it
had been under the immediate charge
of female, known only to us as Maria
(the chambermaid), and there were
but thirty-five boxes. The stolen box
was picked up during the day, in the
after part of the boat, rihed Of its
contents.
|
Captain Marks selected fifty men
from among the passengers as guard
to protect the gold dust, and indirectly
requested the balance to leave. This
guard had the promise of free pas
sage to Panama, on the steamer, for
which an express had already been
dispatched to San Diego.
Captain Marks had sent for animals
to remove his guard and dust 10 St.
Quintin, in readiness for the steamer,
and on the l4th they arrived, com
manded by Mr.. Day, who had been
elected captain of the Spartan band+-e
Capt. Day filed the Office with de-
cided dignity and bravery. The guard
pitched their tents Immediately on the
beach, about one mile from our camp
ing ground. .Soue time was spent in
congratulations among the passengers.
At length it was discovered that Capt.
Narks was missing. On our return
to the ranch, we found that Capt.
Marks had arrived, and desired TO pitch
his tent in our midst-those whom he
had spurned from him as suspicious
characters and, upon inquiry how
things went on, he informed us that all
control of the treasure had been
wrested from him, and the man they
had selected as captain had acted in
such way as to forfeit his confidence,
and he could no longer view him as a
gentleman. He also states that Capt.
Day refused him q sufficient quantity
of animals to remove his private bag
gage from the wreck TO st. Quintin,
and that the guard had submitted a
proposition to him to donate them
$4,000 salvage upon the gold dust,
which he refused TO do.
Our sympathies were really awak-
ened in behalf Of the unfortunate
Warks, and we determined TO visit the
guard Immediately, to get full history
of the breach. We there learned that
Capt. Marks had submitted a proposal
to a few of his friends among the
guard, while at the wreck, to Iemove
the gold from the place where it was
then lodged down to the beach, at
midnight, and as soon as light in the
morning, place it in the small boats
and convey it to some safer place.
This created some suspicion upon
the part Of the guard, which resulted,
finally, in Il thorough search Of Capt.
Marks trunk. This search was made
on the day Of their arrival in St.
Quintin,
Captain Marks had said that he had
no money in his possession, and actu-
ally borrowed from some of the pas
scngers to furnish his express with
means to dcfray lis expenses 10 San
Francisco, Some six or eight thou
sand dollars was found in his trunk,
which he said, on that occasion, was
the proceeds of his own honest labor.
Quite an alteration took place be-
tween him and Captain Day; they
accused each other Of being guilty Of
the basest falsehood, and anything like
reconciliation seemed impossible
Their bittcrest feelings were aroused
against each other, and continued !
manifesting themselves until the even
ing of the 18th, when the flag Of the
steamer Northener made its appear
ance on the bright waters.
AS Captain Marks has never given
any reason, or offered any apology for
the wreck of his vessel. we are COM
PEELED TO attribute it to negligence or
design. Signed by
X. HICKMAN and others.
LITERATURE IN THE OLD STATES.
The " Spirit" gives rich account