The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-10

The Suliivan's Creek Water Company, after re-
pairing their race and fumes where damaged, have
now got full stream Of water IS far as Shaws Flat,
the immediate consequence OF which is the constant
employment of all the miners In that neighborhood
The roads between the mines and the river towns,
where supplies generally procured, are now in
wretched condition. and transit is necessarily slow
The consequence that freight has raised and with
it the prices Of provisions, in the mines. Common
articles OF subsistence nearly as high as in the
winter Of 40 though the chances Of rich returns to
the miner are not 80 general as then.
At Yankee Jim's, claim fifty feet square on
Kings Hill, three miles from Yankee Jim's was
sold for ten thousand dollars This is the same hill
from which, some time ago, a claim was sold for IF
teen thousand cash. The miners, generally, are do
ing well.
The miners about Nevada begin to complain Of
too much water the streams and bitches are sur
feited, and all they now desire is fair weather. when
they expect rich gold harvest.
In Tuolumne county the miners are all doing well.
The late rains have, in fact given an impetus to the
workmen in dry diggings all over the country.
Rich diggiDgs have been struck in the rear OF
Downievle.
We learn says the Mountain Echo, that couple
of fine specimens were taken out in ravinc opposite
Bryfogle's Flat, on the South Fork. One Of them
weighs fifteen ounces, pure gold, and the other ten
and half ounces, studded with crystalized quartz
The Grizzly Water Company has completed ca
nal from Grizzly Canon and Bloody Run along the
ruHe between tne S0utn anu mluule uDd, u ulsEHCc
of about twenty miles, This canal will afford iacili-
ties for miners in the extensive and rich mining
country between Little Grass Valley and French
Corral. The work is more important as the mines,
which will be furnished by it, are not only among the
most extensive in the State but from their prospect
will afford return for well directed labor OF 30
to $25 per day. Cherokee is about twenty miles from
Downevile, and ten miles from French Corral, and
in region which has produced as large an amount
Of the precious metals as any in the State This will
furnish an excellent opening for miners who are de-
srous OF making permanent locations, as the Dig
gings will doubtless continue for great number Of
years.
The Execution Of Jose Former.
Yesterday, says the San Francisco Herald, Of Dec.
IL, will be remembered as the day on which took
place the first capital execution, under sentence OF
lawful tribunal in the county Of San Francisco. The
unfortunate victim ofths death sentence ofthe law was
Jose Former His crime was murder committed on
the person OF Mexican, in Pleasant Valley, on the
18th September last. The testimony against him was
that Of several witnesses, who first saw him. in the
afternoon Of that day, with knife in his hand, in
hot pursuit of his victim Both fell; Former arose
first and, falling upon the latter, inflicted dozen
sabs upon his body at least half Of which were NOR
tai. Upon his person was afterwards found belt
containing about 1926 in coin, portion OF which
was identified by the employer Of the deceased as
money paid out to him, and it was therefore inferred
that Former had first robbed and then murdered
him. The trial took place on the 10th day of No
vember, last, when the jury returned a verdict
of guilty Of murder, and the Court subse.
quently sentenced him to be hung on the 10th Of
done since, that be acted in selfdetence, the de-
ceased having attempted to rob him. and having
first assaulted him, inficting the wound upon the
calf Of his leg, which he bore at the time Of his ar
rest During the first few days Of his confinement
under this sentence, he made several attempts to
kill himself in consequence Of which, he was chained
to the floor of his CELL and was so kept until the day
of his death. The following is his confession and
sketch of his life, as related to the keepers OF the
county Jail, published under their direction -
CONFESSION OF JOSE FORMER Y BRUGADA.
On the day that the killing DONE about the hour of
four O'Clock in the afternoon in company with two
young friends talking Of going to dne they did not wish
Steam Paddy work" then parted from my friends and
walked towards the Happy Valley and while was look
ceased) came up me- and Shaping familiary the
shoulder, said 'Haoo, JOSE what you doing here
returned for answer that had1ome out for walk
strangely at me- After few moments he asked me to
come and drink with him ] said, mo; thank you;
and q sand hill, took off Of my body my money
belt which contained some four hundred dollars laid
the belt on the ground At the same time took of my
knife That also laid on the ground. While was in
the act Of dressing myself deceased came running to
and my knife laying on the ground, which he in
stanty seized and said, II want your money" said
~ have but two three dollars which you have if
you wish it." He answered, mo; you have more and
will have it, At that moment he jumped towards me
and stepped back to avoid, when he struck blow
with the knife, which took effect in the calf Of my leg
Iexeaimed, You are ID seoundrel what do you
the knife; picked it up, while running after him; he
made an effort to get the knife away from me What
rage confess that did intend to kill him. believing at
the time that his intention to rob and perhaps
to kill me- il necessary in its accomplishment The mo-
ney had when arrested was my own; had worked hard
for portion Of it the other portion won at cards
cook and confectioner at the jackson House where
received 1925 also worked at the Nueva Monde and at
these
$50 and 500 The balance Of the money won at cards
the Edoado, Polka, and Arcade in all about $500.
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF JOSE FORMER.
] was born in Valencia Spain, in the month of May
1890 Of highly respectable parents Ny uncle is Alche
of Valencia and al my family with but few exceptions
in Valencia from - 900 to IS 0OO in real estate At the
age sixteen years went to learn the trade Of confec
TONER with my uncle served with him five years From
there went to Barcelona three years in the
vice Of Don Jna Costa From thence went with letters
Of introduction to the brother of last employer Don
Juan Costa at Havana Cuba worked there two years;
then went to my native place. Valencia from there to
Madrid from thence to Barcelona then again to Havana
was there three four months in the house Of Domin
cas- thence to Vera Cruz Mexico; thence to Pueblo;
thence the city of Mexico thence to Acapulco from
there to the city Of San Francisco where have been
working five or six months. ! had about seventy five
dollars when arrived here worked for the proprieors
of the Jackson House the hotel Nueva Monde and the
Lsguna. This is the first time ever in prison and
never wronged any Of one dime The money found
JOSE FORMER BRUGADA.
The spot finally selected for the execution was on
the slope OF Russian Hill, out Of the view of any
houses in the city and about threequarters Of mile
from the county jail At very early hour in the
morning those anxious to witness the sad exhibition
commenced to assemble at this point, and notwith-
standing drizzling rain which prevailed during
most Of the forenoon, patiently awaited its tragic
conclusion, at which time there could have been no
less than ten thousand spectators the ground OF
this number there was large proportion of females,
some in carriages, some on horseback, and some on
foot. At about quarter past twelve o'clock the
away space about two hundred yards square around
the gallows, which they kept open until after the