The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-27

truly be has been the pioneer Of every coast
route, separate from the Panama line, yet
estahaished. To be sure he has been haad-
somely rewarded for his enterprise bat, had
II not been for him, some few towns along the
coast, now quite prominent, might not for
years 10 come have reached suy distinction.
On Friday last the second legal execution
ever held in this city occurred. The criminal
was VIM. B. Sheppard his crime, the murder
of II. G. Day. Sheppard was only about rs years
of age, of tOlerably good appearance, aud pos
sessed Of more than ordinary intelligence.
/ witnessed the execution-in fact, was on
the scaff0ld until within q minute Of the time
that he was swung off ; and though have wit
Messed several die by the rope, never did see
such callous indifference manifested He re-
NAMED imperturbably cool the whole time, aud
conyersed with those about him in q free, off
hand manner. Not even momentary spasm
OF fear came over him throughout the awful
prelimiLaries attending his execution. He pro-
tested his innocence to the last. A Catholic
priest attended him up to the nome at that the
death-s ap was drawn over his eyes. He wrote
q confession, az it is called, which he gave to
one Of his kee pers, to be published only after
his death; but in it the only confession made is
that he has ever been model man, and that he
did not kill Day, nor any body else. He wa
most incorrigible wretch.
On Saturday Dight man named Atkins
stabbed his p, rtner, named Way, to the heart
with bowie-knife. Way died instantly. At
kins declares he was first attacked aud did the
deed in pure selfdefence AS there were no
witr esses to the tragedy it is impossible now
to judge of the affair. Atkins is in custody to
await his tr al.
There has been another large fire in Mays
vile, which destroyed and damaged property
to the amount of Sl50.000. This hope will
prove the last victim to the fire epidemic which
RACES SO fearfully every year throughout our
State.
The Uncle Sam arrived here from Panama on
Sunday morning. the seth inst, in thirteen days
and four hours from Panama. She brought a
large number of passengers --among them,
Judge Farwell recently appointed one of the
Land Commissioners for our State.
The Golden Gate arrived last night about
five o'clock, in fourteen days from Panama.
She brought large mail and fair lot of pas
seppers. Samuel Brannan, Of this city, came
in her.
The steamer of the Nicaragua line is not re-
ported yet. For some strange reason, the
steamers Of this line have not recently made
any quick trips, while last year they were al
most invariably ahead of the mail steamers.
The subject of city grades is causing much
knows, they are all bad enough at present
Three months ago the City Engineer ordered
Sacramento street to be filled up twenty-three
feet, and it was done now it has to be cut
down to thirteen feet-a difference of only ten
feet. The beauty Of it is that the owners of
several brick houses and wooden tenements
have raised and underbuilt the twenty three
feet and have now to lower and cnt away the
ten feet difference. Mighty fine thing to own
property there, isn't it
Real estate is somewhat more firm than it
has been for few months past, though but few
sales are made. Money is tighter than ever, and
rates of interest do not abate. The Sheriff can
safely anticipate busy year and profitable
one.
Very few clippers are now arriving, and iu-
deed we need none Of them yet for while
The immense stock Of goods at present in mar
ket is sufficient for another year 9 consumption,
and home shippers will save themselves great
losses by Withholding freights for six months
at least.
Fruit is fast pouring in from all parts OF the
surrounding counties and from the lower coast.
Business of every description is in a stagnant
condition, and if speedy relief does not ensue
We shall have several failures to report ere
long. RESIDENT.