Calaveras chronicle., 1851-12-27

latter. As near as we can learn, the facts
arc these -Camrbell was riding u horse
through the streets. which the Chilean,
being an acquaintance of the owner, wished
to take from him. The demand was follow
ed by harsh words, and knives were drawn
on either side. They parried each others
thrusts for some time, when Campbell
threw his knife, sinking it deep into the
Chilean's heart, which caused him to stag
ger back and fall. Immediately following
the throwing of the knife, the report of a
pistol was heard, and some persons who
saw the affray, say that it came from pis-
tOl fired at the Chilean by Campbell, and
which was at that moment placed in his
hands by another party. No mark Of a
pistol shot was, however, found upon the
Chilean's body. The Chilean expired soon
after Campbell's knife hit him, but not un-
til he had thrown his own knife with such
force that, passing its mark, it stuck fast
into the Empire House, distance of about
ten yards. Campbell, accompanied by two or
three friends, fled down Steep Gulch, pur-
sued by an armed party of Chileans. They
overlook the former at the tent Of two min
ers, named John Lawson and John Reeves,
where they had stopped to charge their
pistols, which were unloaded The Chileans
Immediately commenced firing indiscrimi-
nately into the tent, and wounded Reeves,
very severely, though not mortally. Law
son accidentally shot himself during the
afray, in the leg, which, it is feared, will
require amputation. Campbell also receiv-
ed ball in his left arm, near the shoulder.
At this juncture, party of Americans,
who had went in pursuit of Campbell, ar
rived and took him into custody, and
brought him into town.
Yesterday morning, a man passed through
the streets striking upon gong, and calling
upon the citizens to meet at the Empire
House, which had the effect to soon draw
together large crowd of persons. Mr.
Thomas B. Wade called the meeting to or
der, and stated that Campbell was present,
and that the citizens had been called toge-
ther for the purpose of celebrating and
acting upon the case
A court was then organised, consisting Of
Mr. Geo. H. Campbell, Capt Brock, and
Mr., Pickering, and jury appointed to try
the matter. At the request Of the prisoner
f. d. e"wJoT, Beq., appointed 10 dU-
fend him, and the meeting elected Henry
Emo, Esq, attorney to prosecute the case.
The examination occupied nearly the en-
tire day, and the jury, after an hours ab-
sence, returned the following verdict;
"We, the jurors in the case of the people
Of Calaveras County against James Camp
bell, have agreed upon the following YER
dict, to wit, that the said Campbell is
guilty of murder without provocation."
After the rendition of the above verdict,
Mr.. Geo. H. Campbell, one of the judges,
addressing the audience, said
Gentlemen, you have heard the verdict
Of your jury-what shall be done with the
prisoner?
A voice from the crowd-Deliver him
over to the civil authorities
This course having been called for by
several persons, and a motion to that effect
seconded, the question was put and decided
in the affirmative by a large majority
A committee of ten persons was then ap-
pointed to guard the prisoner, and place
him in the custody Of the civil authorities,
when the judges delivered him over to their
hands, and asked leave to be excused from
further consideration of the matter.
At this stage of the proceeding, gentle
man stepped on the front of the stand occu-
pied by the prisoner, judges, committee,
&C., and made motion that the prisoner
be allowed to go free. The motion was
carried in the affirmative, by loud acclama-
ton, and the prisoner leaving his seat,
went to an upper room of the house unmo-
Tested,
ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT MURDER.-Sa-
d. - IL Il