The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-02-17
FURTHER CALIFORNIA NEWS.

~.
we have given the principal news in brief by tel
egraph. The story of the murder of Col JACK
or Catharine Hayes by man named Jones was
entirely 81 mistake. The only thing III the pa
pers on which it could have been found, Is a
statement that man named Vim. X. Jones was
hung by the people at Sacramento for murder
His victim name was Peter M'Gathan, Eame
very unlike Hay, 5. certainly.
The Fremont Claim.
The most important decision yet made by the
Board of Land Commissioners was rendered on
the 3Uth ut., contirmatory of the claim OF John
c. Fremont to the rancho Las Mariposa, enl-
bracing a tract of ten square leagues OF land OF
Mar:,Josa county. This claim is far more valu-
able property than any other in the State, and
is the only one, we believe, that embraces auri-
ferrous lands 1t is this fact that gives 1t special
Importance. We are not aware mot having read
the opinion) that any new points of law touch
ing Mexican grants have been settled that have
not already been established by decisions N other
cases.
If Mr.. Fremont gets possession OF this estate
the grand stories of his immense wealth, which
ma,e even the miliionaires of Europe stare VIII
ne realized. But getting possession Is the rub
The mineral lands OF the claim are mostly occu-
pied bv miners who are not likely to go off. We
have 10 doubt but Mr.. Fremonts claim is valid,
otherwise il would not have been confirmed by
the cOmmi but the decision Will have TO
be confirmed by the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States before Mr.. Fremont and the claimants
under him get possession.
News of the Fortnight.
From the San Francisco pape. of Jan. /.
The present winter is conceded to be the most
severe experienced in this country since 1t has
been peopled by the Americans. During the
last fortnight it has been raining and showing
continually III the mountains and valleys, ana
daily in receipt of accounts OF disasters
and suffering iii al parts of the State. Com
munication through the mining regions is almost
entirely cut of, either by snow or overfowed
streams
The whole country between Tehama and Sac
ramento city entire Y under water, whilst
Marysyiie as partly inundated, and though
Sacramento city well protected By leyee,
the lower portions submerged The wat
at the present time have subsidized, although
the rains still continue. On the mountain
streams the loss of mining implements has
been great and ali work for the preset suspend
ell and some few lives lost. The southern por-
ton OF the mining district has suffered equally
with the northern Stockton has been inundated
partially The food has been universal and
the waters higher than in the memorable winter
of 1919.
Many minors subsist entirely on beef and po
tatoes, whilst in other portions of the mines
there hundreds who have nothing at all but
barley and potatoes In portions OF luha and
Sierra counties the snow ten feet deep and
still falling. and the miners actually reduced TO
absoiut want.
In one place they held meeting and forced n
trader To sell what -four he had on hand at 4oc-
per pound and all who able to leave did
SO, thus leaving the provisions for those who
were unable 10 find their way through the SHOWS
to the valleys The accounts received may be
greatly exaggera ated-nevertheless, there ismuch
suffering and distress, and 1t is not improbable
that some may per, sh 10y starvation.
Several important decisions have been render
cd in our courts among which is the decision of
the State Supreme Court, recognizing the right
uf native claimants of Land to the summary
medy of ejectment where they are disturbed by
sqUatters.
The Land Commission are making consider
able progress in the adju lication OF claims
The Commission recognizes Col. Fremont's claim
to the Land in the MaripOsa estates, but does
not undertake to decide upon his title to the
mineral wealth. which it is well known, is
embraced within the limits of the grant.
The Landing of the Pilgrims was celebrated
in due form tue 22d inst
The timely arrival of cargoes OF -four, from
Chill and elsewhere have caused a decline, and
the excitement on the subject has consequently
in n measure abated.
The State l., gisiature meets earl next month
(4th january at Vallejo, the constitutional
capital, and it is not improbable viii hold its
session there without attempting again a reno
val of the archives
Miss Hays closed last night a series of con-
cprts which have created vast deal of enthusi-
asm.
Crimes and Accidents.
The well known Indi IN chief, Pachatta, was
killed near Jackson a short time since, by some
Cinnamon. No particulars heard.
An ntrocious murder committed at Sonora
by couple of Mexicans. man named Cam
eron. residing in Georgetown, was shot near
Tuttletown. Four or five dollars in silver and
about one hundred in gold dust were taken from
the uuCy. s5etsraI parties st irted out III pursuit
of the murderers but had not yet succeeded IN
srresting them. One paper says Cameron was
from Massachusetts.
Mr. Joshua Draper who was struck by Mr..
Smart while attempting to murder his wife and
child, has since died of his wounds.
Peter M'Gaffigan, who resides about twelve
miles from Sacramento, was mortally wounded
by n man. named Jones. in fight. The same
paner also contains particulars of the execution
If Jones for the murder of Peter MGafTgan. a
few miles above Sacramento city, on the river
i Gaffgan was an inoffensive man, and leaves
abou; IL or Sl5, ,U00 to daughter In Pennsyl-
vania
Mir. Putnam, n stage driver, had been severe
~ wounded Sacr ihento by the keeper OF an
infamous hGnse, a female.s4N
The Winter isi the Mines.
Judge Morr son. arris ell at Saer.nehto from
Nev dn, publishes 4. communication feiatiYe '"
i.e state OF affairs IN that vicinity, from winch
extract the following -
t,n Tuesday evening IL party of eighteen men
'rrived at Nevada from Downieviile, In most
dor lie half ats and s6yer0ly