The weekly Placer herald., 1854-05-13
Secret Ravine Correspondence.

Secret Ravine Correspondence.
FeIEND MIrcHELL:-In the "Placer
Democrat" of May 10th, an account is
given of a "kiIing affair" which does not
set forth the facts they as really exist, and
as they were really drawn out at the exam
ination. do not wish to prejudice the
public mind against the offenders, but to
correct Il prejudice, which is exhibited in
every line of the Democrats version of
the affair.
The facts are these, as elected from
witnesses at the trial. and from farmers who
live in the neighborhood: Foreman, the
deceased, had a ranch in Salt Spring Val
ley, on which he had smade few perma-
nent Improvements. Having leased it for
the present year he determined to devote
his time in putting such improvements
upon the place as his means would per-
nit. In order that his claim would be as
favorable as possible to the United States
survey, he got Col. Finley to run the
line, Of what would be that survey when
made, and at the same time stating his
object to the Colonel and his neighbors,
that in making the survey he did not in
tend to relinquish his old one Horton
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man, and to make up another by location
they took part Of Forman's land, lying
otside of the new survey and within the
old one. Foreman took a witness with
him and in his presence forbade Horton
& Brewster trespasslng upon his ground,
telling them that his line was as formerly.
They however persisted in their claim to
the land, and few days since commenc.
ed building a house in a grove where
Foreman was cutting fence TIMBER
Foreman took took two men and went to
Horton, who was at wolk on the house,
and requested him to move his house, at
the same time telling him he could get
men enough to remove it in half an hour
if he wished to. Horton refused to move
his house, replying that the ground be-
longed to him and Brewster. Foreman
then left Horton and commenced chopping
some trees, which he had girdled a short
distance from the house. Horton got
down from the house, where he was at
work, and with pistol in his hand, went
to Foreman and commanded him to stop
choppng. Foreman replied, that it was
his own ground and he would chop as
much as he pleased, and that no one but
coward would come there armed to en-
force his rights. Horton then left him
but soon returned accompanied by Brews-
ter-one armed with a slung shot the
other with pistol, went to Foreman and
requested him to leave. Foreman again
replied that he was on his own ground
and that he should not leave. Horton
and Brewster then advanced towards
Foreman, when he told them if they came
nearer he would strike them with the axe.
Brewster made another advance when
Foreman struck at him, Brewster lodged
the blow and struck Foreman twice,
when he ordered Horton to fire with his
pistol Horton did so, hitting Foreman in
the abdomen. Brewster again struck
Foreman two or three times, whereupon
F., threw his axe at them, turned and
run, Brewster followed him few rods
and then returned, Foreman kept on some
twelve rods, when he fell upon his back
and expired in few minutes.
One of Foreman's companions told
Horton and Brewster that Foreman was
dead, and requested them to come and
stay with him uutil some of the neighbors
could be sent for Horton went and felt
of Foreman's pulse and pronounced him
dead, at the same time saying that Brews-
ter and himself would go and give them
selves up to the authorities. They ac-
cordingly went before Justice Lynch, who
after elcitng the foregoing facts from
different witnesses, discharged Brewster
and bound Horton over in the sum of five
thousand dollars, to answer the charge of
manslaughter.
We do not call in question the propriety
of such course, but it is impossible for
US ''hard fisted miners" to appreciate the
difference in the guilt of these two often
ders, and do not believe there was a
man present at the examination, save his
Honor, the court, who could come to such
a conclusion.
"SECRET DIGGINGS.
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