The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-29


horses have been lost One pack-train, comprising
thirtytwo animals, was lost, with the exception OF
three or four. We are informed that the banks OF
the sioughs are literally covered with dead and dying
The Moqueumne has risen during the week to
point almost as high last year, when IL swept away
ferries and bridges. We have not heard of any acct
dent caused by its rise, as the miners had already
generally abandoned their river claims. The new
bridge at the Middle Bar has nobly withstood the
flood and stands now, the best and most substantial
structure OF the kind in California.
Staples bridge, on the Moqueumne river, was car
red away about last Sunday. The bridge at Hicks
rancho, across Suffer creek, was swept away. Also,
one Of the bridges at Dry creek The bridge across
the Calaveras or rather the San Antonio creek, at
Formans rancho has been carried away by the force
of the stream. MIR. Wilson's wire bridge across the
Cosumnes was at one time 50 badly damaged as TO
prevent teams crossing for several days.
A large portion OF lone Valley and Of the Buena
Vista rancho have been overlooked and the whole
country, from the junction of Dry creek and Jack
son, was under water The bridge across Dry creek,
on the stage road from Stockton to Sacramento was
not injured. A large amount of stock has been de-
stroyed on the tule lands, between Dry creek and
the Costumes, mostly belonging to this years emf
grafton Communication between jackson and Sa-
cramentO was completely cut OFT from Thursday
night of last week until Tuesday night of this. On
that day the stages got up as far as Drytown.
Taylor's and Wilson's ranches were in great part
overlooked and Mr.. Wilson, we hear, has had be,
tween coo and 50 0c0 worth of property destroyed
by the freshet. house that stood between Davis &
Xtherton's and Gorham's ranches, has been carried
away by the freshet. At Douglass & Raine's there
at one time, informed, five feet of water
the floor The loss of stock ON these ranches, we
fear, will be alarming.
On Sunday John Abadie, French baker, in Jack
son, drowned while attempting to cross the Mid
die Fork Of jackson creek, about three miles above
that place; his body was recovered the next day.
On Sunday a man by the name of Malone, from the
State of New York. who has been engaged in putting
up the machinery of steam saw mill on the South
m w n n
to cross the Middle Fork few miles further up.
boy, whose name we have not heard was drowned in
Dry creek on last Sunday; he fell of the log on
man was drowned at Volcano on Saturday. The well
known Indian chief, Pachatta, was killed near Jack
son, short time since, by some Chnaman; no par
ncuars heard.
The Gazette of the 18th December says On
Tuesday last fell in Columbia to the depth OF
two or three inches, and on Wednesday it commenced
raining in torrents and continued for the balance OF
the week. We have never seen SO much rain fall in
the same space Of time. Some of our streets have
streams running down them large enough and afford
ing water sufficient for saw mill. All communica-
ton between Columbia and the valley is cut off, and
we fear that provisions which already selling at
extravagant prices, will continue to rise. We heard
OF sale of thousand pounds Of -four yesterday,
speculation, at forty dollars per hundred pounds.
Should the roads continue in the same impossible
condition for a few weeks, there is no telling the
price that will have to be paid for provisions:
On Wednesday night last snow again fell to the
depth of several inches in this section Of the country
The mountains a few miles above Columbia co
vered with snow to great depth, where it will pro-
badly remain until late next spring. The winter,
thus far has been far more inclement than the win
ter of lS49 and we think great deal more rain and
snow has fallen. Around Columbia this unfavorable
weather has almost put complete stop to mining
and all other outdoor occupations, and the conse
quence is, that money is scarce provisions eytrava
gantly dear, and times unusually hard for California.
We are panied to learn that young man, named
Alexander Hamilton, who not long since arrived in
California, from across the plains. was frozen to
death the 18th inst near the head OF the Hydrau
lie Associations race, in this county.
We were shown, on Tuesday last, a large and bril-
liant stone, which learn had been properly tested
by several jewellers and pronounced to be pure and
genuine diamond. We examined it through glass,
and no diamond we had ever seen more brilliant;
but not being judge Of such things we could form
no correct opinion about it. The weight OF this
beautiful diamond. if diamond it Is, is seventeen
rats, and should it prove real diamond its value
will be immense. 1t was found in gulch two miles
from Columbia, and we have no doubt another can be
found in the same gulch.
soSoMA.
II is calculated by competent Judges that S0noma
valley proper is capable of producing annually some
thing like 600 600 bushels of wheat, which, con-
verted into -four is than sufficient to supply for
year such population as ours; and We're the i'm
meDse plains Of Santa Rosa and Russian river nclud
cd in This great wheat field the amount mentioned
would be increased tentod.
noma, Petaluma Santa Rosa and on Russian river
have every to believe that the capital thus
laid out would produce q handsome interest, besides
being Of the greatest benefit aud convenience to the
Tie smallpox still prevails in Sonoma. Mr. Sam
uel Wardlow, just arrived from Missouri the first
VICTIM The disease has not yet extended beyond
two families.
NJ G. Vallejo and u. o. Shattuck have been APP
pointed school commissioners for the Sonoma district
There is an excellent private school in the town, IN
der the care Of Rev. j. May and Miss A. Q. Strong
The hills around the valley were covered with
snow which fell on the morning Of the 22d.
A singing school was to be opened in town.
The BuAetia says We have valley unsurpassed
the world-for abundant returns in all that nature
assigns to that latitude. The whole length and
breadth of the valley is being ploughed up, prepa
rntory to the next crop-which will be great These
farmers want seed and implements, but don't know
where to find them.
A correspondent Of the Republican, under date Of
Dec. Is, says it commenced to snow in Sonora about
noon on the l4th and next morning not merely the
mountain tops, but the hills and valleys were all
gIistening with snow, or rather with ice for the
mist succeeded the storm moistened the snow
that it afterwards rcze into crust of ice covering
everything.
The Tuolumne Hydraulic Association are rapidly
completing their giant work. Already they are OPP
posite to Sonora, preparing to commence that por-
ton Of the rice which leads to MOntezuma Flat,
through several intervening camps
On Sunday, the 18th inst, horse thief was ar.
rested at Mogueumne Hill, who was charged with
stealing three valuable horses at San jose Mission,
and was followed to that place, where he was
taken and the horses identified. The pursuers took
him back to San Jose where he will be called upon
to answer the charge.
Another horrible murder was committed on Sa-
turday last in the neighberlood of Monezuma City.
young man whose name has not been ascertaned,
while on his way from the New York tent to Tubbs
rancho near the gap Of Table Mountain was attacked
by two Nexcans, and robbed Of -, all he had. The
poor fellow lived but few minutes. Before be died,
however he gave information to u passer-by, and
he with others, Immediately started in pursuit Of the
murderers. We have not yet learned that they have
been arrested.
FL DORADO.
The FL Dorado Meas contains the following
items:-
The entire roof Of the Empire theatre gave way
IL,