New-York daily tribune., 1854-07-10
SUMMARY OF THE CALIFORNIA NEWS FOR
THE FORTNIGHT ENDING JUNE l6.

From Our Own Correspondent
SAN FRAScIsco, Friday, june l6, 1854.
The longstandng difficulties between the holders Of
lots by purchase and the squatters within this city have
again broken out and have taken serious phase About
two wears since Capt j. L. Folsom, large andhoder
permitted six or eight to become tenants at will on
lot which he held by Acalde title, Frst opposite
Gas Works. These have since refused to move from
the lot ard claim il by presumption. On the morning OF
the 4ih at o'clock, the agent of Folsom, with dozen
armed men, destroy a small frame occupied by Mr.
Keat;pg a squatter. Heating had number of men in
the house when it attacked and sharp firing took
place between the two parties In the afray George d.
Smith was mortay wounded and several others received
flesh wounds Smith died the evening of the 5h The
Coroner by Jury, made long investigation of the al
fair but there was evidence to show what particular
person had fired the fatal shot Smith % year OF age
and leaves a wife al d children in Syracuse, N u
This riot created good deal Of sensation throughout the
city, where nearly every one is interested directly or in
recty in vacant lois held under acalvc titles and liable
TO be squated if they have not been already On the
evening Of the 5th meeting, law and order men, inter-
es,ed IN purchased titles called mass meeting for the
evening of the 9th. In the meeting large number
Of our Oldest and best citizens participated. An a'soca
ton was formed TO prevent armed from unawiuly
taking possession of the property of citizens and TO
prevent future breaks Of the public peace. Several
speeches were made. One speaker said - we want 10
teach these lawess plunderers that determined a.
they were taught the days of the old Vigilance Commit
tee and that this association has no battles to fight lis
object not the shedding Of blood but to prevent snc
TO create in our midst moral influence to protect US
large number Joined the association, which under
stood by some TO be q Vigilance Committee to hang
squaters and by Others be entirely peaceable in its
purposes.
The souat.ers proposed at the time to ge up an
oppojton association There ndiscreet persons on
boh sides busy in making loud and violen threats Ii the
meantime the squaiiing continued and difficulties occurred
daily On the evening of the sth attack was made oy
Mr. Murphy squatter another squaiter, MI Mooney
who was moving the same LOT on Green-s near ooc
,on Fire arms were used and Mrs Murphy went to the
door of her bonse with her child in her arms to call her
husband away when she was struck in the breast by
hall and as was suppose moraly wounded. She lay two
days in a very critical condition. but is now recovering
several little difficulties occurred Fosoms lots near
the Gas works In one woman laid down her IN
fspt 10 attack Capt Folsom with shovel and when thar
was taken sAe brought out revolver The imInedi.'e
caue Of the virulepce Of the squattng itch at this e H.
that the claim of the city before tbs l. > Land s2n
mission and must be decided and the suaiers tnn
,let that thew seize the lots they will be at hiie
exneuse and ii the ctys claim be rejected Their preemp
tions wiz be very valuable , r .
,esn, hald another meeting. The Executive comu''e'
rsnor,ed and edvised tie following rules OF action;
We will protect all persons, now ard neieaiter I,
rossss;on Of lands holding the same under titles whet
ksys been and are recognized as good such as Aead
q ,ns city title ,e under Sas%henS men vsd sSn'' 'He
p We win at all times assist the officers Of the law
,ss srssation Of processes in their hands cemmand'
them 10 give restitution OF property to sacn person
law has declared to be the owner ana III u
public peace. .-s- ..,os or tronblss ~ At ar
mast but leave the owners Of lands to OBTAIN poss'0h
We would not feel called upon to defend Gay ,ne
ss.on of lands without any title to the sIoe again
.Sond feel called upon TO prevent and suppEe
-. "a breaches of the peace whenever necessary
ed in accomplishing all propose cad ho persca nn
Meapre the lot OSne,s itneed in TIER '9t, snd !