davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02
Downievie Sierra County California Saturday December 1854

working it, if it cannot be well worked
without such aid.
III. If any bank or fat claim can con-
veniently be worked without bringing
water from distance, then such claim no
tices must be renewed every ten days.
~. Any miner or person shall hold as
much of the river a. he shall be able to
fume.
v. A notice on river claim may hold
it during the unavoidable season without
renewing.
VI. This mining district extends from
the low ridge one half mile above the
mouth of the Middle Fork, to the heads OF
the East Fork.
VII. All difficulties concerning mining
claims shall be settled by arbitration.
VIII. A miner or person holding more
than one claim, need not work on all to
hold them.
On motion, the resolutions were adopted
by reclamation.
On motion adjourned.
j. E. DODSON, Chairman.
F. p. WEHEE, Secretary.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

TaE PAY or rHE FIRST CoSaREss---,
The Continental Congress met on the 30th
Of May, l775; the number of members was
"a. At this session member appeared
from ST. Johns Parish, Georgia; and Il.
forwards the Colony Of Georgia sent a.
entire delegation. Each colony paid ita
own delegation. New Hampshire allowed
to each all expenses, a servant. two horses
and q guinea q day; Massachusetts,. OK
penses and three dollars day; Rhode
Island and Maryland, forty shillings . day
and expenses; Pennsylvania. twenty shil-
lings day and expenses; Virginia, halt
Johannes per day; North Carolina, $500
per annum; South Carolina, E300 per
annum; Georgia, sl0O per month while
in session.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02
Forest City.
OASJs
PASSED NOVEMBER 6, 1859.

PASSED NOVEMBER 6, 1858.
The Miners of Forest City Mining Dis
| trict, working under the sufferance Of the
Government of the United States, and
the State of California, do, upon this the
sixth day of November, 1854, enact the
following laws for the government Of the
mines of this district:
l. Forest City Mining District shall
commence at Cod Spring Ranch, and
extend up the wagon road to the head
Of the south fork of Oregon Creek; thence
at right angles with the wagon road, on
the north side of the north fork of Oregon
Creek; thence along said road to the
Mountain House; thence in q straight
line to the Cold Spring Ranch.
II. A claim in the hills on the south
side of the South Fork, and on the north
side of the North Fork of Oregon Greek.
shall be sixty feet front and running back
into the hill without limits; and in the
fat lying between the North and South
Forks, shall be sixty feet square.
Ill. A claim in the creek shall be one
hundred feet long, extending in width to
high-water mark on both sides.
~. All hill claims shall run at right
angles with the general bearing of the
creek; but this section shall not be con-
strued to affect claims located prior to the
first day of April, 1853.
V. No person shall be allowed to vote
or take part in any meeting of miners in
this district unless such person own claim
in the district; and at every such meeting
when vote is to be taken, the chairmsn
shall appoint a committee of three to de-
termine the eligibility of voters and to re-
ceive their votes.
vi. All claims must be worked at least
one day in every ten when in condition
to be worked. 4as
VII. The above laws, as we'll a. the
proceedings of all meetings held by the
miners, shall be recorded by the Recorder
in book prepared for the purpose; and
said record shall at all times be open for
inspection by the miners, but shall in no
case be taken out Of the custody of the
Recorder. unless by requisition from q
Court of Justice.
A. G. SALT, President,
THos. w. DAVIDSON, Secretary.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

A RoLLIsa SroSE GATHERS NO Moss.
Well, what of that? Who wants 70 be a
messy old stone, away in some damp cor.
ner Of . pasture where sunshine and fresh
aif never come, for the cows to rub them
selves against, for snails and bugs to crawl
over, and for toads to squat under among
the poisonous weeds! It is far better to
be a smooth and polished stone. rolling
along in the brawling stream of life, wear
ing off the rough corners, bringing ont the
firm crystalline structure Of the granite or
the delicate veins of the agate or chalce-
dony. It is this perpetual chaing and
rubbing in the whirling current, that shows
what sort Of grit . man Is made Of and
what use he is good for. The sandstone
and soapstone are ground down to sand
and mud, but the firm rock is selected for
the towering fortress, and the diamond ia
cut down polished for the monarch's
crown.-Perry. (Pa.) FSsemea.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02
City Of Six.
PASSED MARCH IL, 1854.

PASSED MARCH IL, 1884.
At a meeting of the miners of the City
of Six, held March IL, 1854, the following
laws were adopted:
I. A drifting claim shall consist of thirty
feet front, and extend back to the summit.
II. Sluicing claims shall consist of thirty
feet by one hundred.
III. Any person may hold two claims,
but no more, except when they are pur-
chased from the estate of deceased per-
son. or person who is disabled by sick
ness.
~. A claim or claims shall hold good
FIVE days by having notice posted.
v. No claim or claims shall hold good
by means of notice longer than five days
if in workable condition, in which case,
the owner or owners shall do or cause to
be done, work to the value of ten dol
lars.
VI. No person who may be prevented
by sickness or inability from labor, shall
forfeit his claim or claims for want Of usual
representation.
VII. Every claim holder shall define
his grounds by permanent stakes, which
shall be duly noticed; in default Of which
said claim holder shall forfeit his title to
said ground, 81
VIII. All mining claims shall run in =
parallel direction with the Oldest located
claims.
j. H. HICKOX, President.
s. s. FUTILE, Secretary. s
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02
East Fork District,
PASSED OCTOBER 81, 1854.

Alta meeting Of the miners Of the East
Fork. held at the house of Frederick We.
hee, on Deadwood Flat, J. E. Dodson was
called to the chair, and Mr.. F. Wehee wsa
appointed Secretary. -
On motion Of O. 8. nodson, it was re.
solved to appoint q committee to declare
the sense Of the meeting. Accordingly
the chair appointed O. s. Dodson, Fred
erick Wehee, Hiram Knowles, and Henry
Swallow. w "A ~
The committee, after short absence re-
turned with the following resolutions,
which were read by the Secretary;
!. Each miner Or person. shall be allow
ed TO hold one claim Of sixty feet front, OF
less in Bank or Flat, and running hack
without limits, by occupation, and e mach
ground - such miner or person shall pur-
chaae. e = 8
II. Any bank Or lat claims may BE-
held until water can b brought in fos
-
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02
L A w S

For the government of the
Mining Districts of Sierra
County, adopted by the Mi
ners in Convention; and rel
evant as statutes in Courts
Of Law for the adjustment
Of mining differences, when
they do not conflict with, or
the matter in dispute is not
provided for in, the Printed
Statutes.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

1aA. The Miners in the various dis
tricts these laws affect, will please hold
meetings in such districts, and endorse or
amend them as they may think proper,
and forward . revised copy to this Office,
the secretary Of each such meeting first
making affidavit before come Justice OF
the Peace or Notary Public that it is cor
rect. If this be done the laws will govern
the Courts in their decisions, otherwise
they are subject to rebuttal.l
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02
THos. w. DAVIDSON, Secretary.
Bunker Hill District.

fASSED AUGUST Ii, 1904.
The Miners of Bunker Hill District me-
pursuant to notice, at Burke's cabin, or
Sunday, August Ii, 1854, for the purpose
of making laws for the government of sait
district. Jas. w. Ward was elected Presi
dent and E. W. Welton. Secretary.
The following code of laws were respect
fully submitted to the miners, and by then
unanimously adopted.
I. This district shall be called the Bun
ker Hill District, and be bounded as fol
lows, viz: commencing at the junction Of
the North and Main Forks of Wolf Creek
and running southerly to the Middle Y uba
thence easterly to the junction of the N ORTIZ
Fork with the said Yuba; thence up the
North Fork to point south Of the ex
IRENE head of Wolf Creek; thence wester
". down said creek to the place of begin.
ing.
II. Each claim shall consist Of sixty
feet front, and extending into the hill
without limit.
III. There shall be Recorder elected
in this district annually, whose duty il
shall be to keep Book of Records Of oil
Miners Meetings holden in said district
and to record all claims that may be pre-.
sented for that purpose; and be shall re.
ceive FIFTY cents for each claim recorded.
~. All disputes in regard to claims
shall be referred to the Recorder, whose
duty it shall be to summon q Jury oil
three disinterested miners, before whom
the case shall be tried, the Recorder act.
ing as Judge; and he shall receive the sum
of three dollars for every such trial. and
the jurymen shall each receive one dollar
to be paid invariably before q decision
shall be given, each disputant depositing
the amount Of costs with the Recorder,
and he 1.-THE Recoyder) to pay said costs
out OF the funds Of the losing party.
Y. II 40 appeal shall be taken upon the
decision Of the jury. the party taking sach
appeal shall pay the sum of one dollar to
the Recorder, whose duty it shall then be
to call general meeting Of the miners,
(by posting notices in three Of the most
public places in the district, before whom
the matters in dispute shall be laid, by
the Recorder, and vote of the miners
taken, the majority deciding, and from
whose decision there shall be no appeal.
vi. No person shall be entitled to hold
more than one claim by location, Except
the discoverer of the diggings," who
shall be entitled to twoclaims by location,
and as many as be may purchase.) In oil
cases where . purchase Of . claim is made,
there shall be q bona fde bill Of sale given,
and q transfer made by the Recorder in
his books; and he shall receive fifty cents
for each claim transferred. S.
VII. There must be notice put upon
ell claims when first located designating
the number of claims located, and by
whom; after which, ct the expiration Of
forty days there must have been 6ity dol
lars worth Of labor expended anon said
claims, at the usual rate Of wages; if not,
said claims shall be forfeit. go
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02
Rock Creek.
PASSED OCTOBER 20, 1854.

PASSED OCTOBER 20, 1884.
At meeting. called by posted notices
at this place, Hamilton Light was called
to the chair, and J. III. Hickox was chosen
secretary.
Moved and carried, that q committee OIL
three be chosen to draft Laws and Regula.
tions for this district. Whereupon, III.
Light, L. Reynolds, and Thomas Dorrel
were appointed said committee.
Voted, that J. H. Hickox and VIM
Dorrel be added to that committee.
Committee reported the following arti-
cles, which were unanimously adopted:
I. This district shall be called the Rock
Greek Mining District; and the boundaries
of this district shall run southwest from
Goway's Rancho along the ridge to the
first high ledge of rocks; thence northwest
to the summit of the dividing ridge be
tween this place and the City of Six
thence back, along the ridge to the place
of beginning.
II. All persons mining in this district
shall be entitled to hold one claim by 10.
cation and one by purchase.
LII. All claims shall consist of one hun.
dred feet front, and run back into the hill
without limits, from the centre of the
creek.
". All persons locating claims shall
designate the front lines by stakes or
otherwise, SO they can clearly be distin-
guished.
Y. All claimants or companies shall
work, or cause to be worked, his or their
claims, at least two days in every ten from
the first day Of May to the first day Of
November.
vi. All persons or companies comply
ing with the above articles, may hold their
claim or claims from the first day of No
vember to the first day Of May, by posting
notice in conspicuous place, stating
their boundaries and intentions.
Moved and carried, that three copies of
the proceedings of this meeting be pre-
pared and signed by the President and
Secretary, and that one Of them be posted
up at this place.
Meeting adjourned.
HAMILTON LIGHT, President.
J. H. H1cKox, Secretary.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02


PASSED, NOVEMBER %, 1854.
At q meeting of the miners, held al
Matches Flat, on Wednesday, November
22d, 1854, for the purpose of framing suit
able laws, Maj. Downie was called to the
chair, and Alex. Mcguire appointed rec.
rotary, 1t was then Resolved--
I. This precinct shall extend along the
North Fork of the Yubs from the mouth
Of the East Fork to the mouth of the Mid.
die Fork; thence up the North branch to
the head of the water ditch known as
Keelan, Kinney & Cos Ditch; and shall
be known as the " Natchez Precinct"
III. ALI claims hereafter located shall be
thirty feet front ON the river by one bum
dred feet deep.
III, All hank claims not worked within
Eve days after location, when in 3 work.
able condition, shall be forfeit,
s ". All river claims shall be thirty
feet long, following the course Of the river,
and extending from low-water mark on
one side to thirty feet above lov-water mark
on the other; provided, the bank has not
been previously located.
". River claims not in condition for
working shall be held by notice, renew
ed every thirty days.
VI. No person shall hold more than
two claims at the same time, one by loca-
ton and one by purchase, both of which
shall be subject to the restrictions of the
third resolution.
VII All disputes relative to claims il
this precinct shall be settled by arbitra-
ton; the arbiters in all cases shall be
miners, and their decisions shall be final.
2 VIII. These laws shall take effect from
and after this day.
Resolved. That the proceedings Of this
meeting be published ID the Sierra Citi-
zen. ~ sH
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
MAJ. DOWNIE, President
ALEX. MAouIRB, Secretary.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

The irst sheep introduced into any part
Of the present territory Of the United
States, were brought from England 70
Jamestown, in Virginia; by the London
Company, 1919. In l64s the number Of
sheep in that colony had increased 70
three thousand.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

RurNs or VIRGINIA Richmond
Enquirer speaks in laudatory terms Of
collection Of sketches Of the Ruins Of
jamestown, by Virginia Artist. The
N. Y. Tribune thinks there are other RI.
ms in the Old Dominion worthy Of note
"The ruins of Mount Vernon, ruins Of
Norfolk, and very shortly the ruins Of
Richmond, unless the negro trade cesso.s
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

MINERS MEEr1NG.-The proceedings of
a miners meeting. held November 22d, at
Natchez Flat, will be found in another
column. The meeting was called on &C
count of an attempt to cut off some Of the
tunnel claims, by sinking shafts farther
back in the hill. There are always idlers
about, who have not energy and industry
enough to prospect for themselves, but
who, as soon as any discoveries are made
by others, are ready to crowd them out OF
their claims It is often found necessary
to cut through the bed rock some hundred
feet, before the claims can be worked at
all; and then, perhaps, after 2 years hard
work, some one else may sink shaft in
advance Of the company, and cut off the
best Of their GROUND. Hence this miners
meeting, and the passage of the resolutions
referred to.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

The INST cattle brought 70 Ameri-
ca from Europe, were imported ~ Uolun-
bus in his second voyage, IN l4sa
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

PRoFEssoR Julius Caesar Hannibal, .
learned gentleman of dark extraction, In
giving an account Of the distinguished
honors paid him at the Queens levee, says
Ebery yard OBJ calico danced wild me and
I danced wild dem. De queen herself leb-
elled pair OBJ eye glasses at me dat must
hab cost FIVE dollars. Csc nw-
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

Miss, can / have the exquisite
pleasure Of rolling the wheel Of CONVERSE
ton round the axletree of your undo,
standing few minutes this evening r.
The lady tainted.
D~Ap Atlantic paper says that after
military funerals in California, the band
comes back and serepades the WIDOW
Poor woman
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-02

Knives and pistols were seldom used in
street fights. One poor fellow thought he
was far enough in the mountains to use q
knife, in some triding quarrel between
himself and another miner, but he paid
dearly for that experiment: he was tried
by jury Of miners, found guilty, and SEN
fenced to receive thirty-nine lashes on the
bare back. The man who did the fog
ging was brother or cousin, l forget
which, of the wounded man he had just
been driving an OK team across the plains,
so you may be sure he knew how to use
the lash, and his execution of the horrid
task was fearful example to the specta-
tors. For long time after that aogging,
it was only necessary to whisper that word,
"miners " to any one dourishing knife,
and the blade disappeared suddenly. An
other simple sentence was equally potent
" the big pine" No one thought of ap-
peal from the miners decision.
The man was logged on the 4th of July,
l850-the first anniversary of freedom
celebrated in Downieville. Dinner was
prepared at Galloway's, and the usual num-
Der of toasts and speeches were offered;
we were all reminded what great coun-
try this was; heard great deal about
the Star of Empire going westward then
the band did the Star Spangled Banner,
and we hoisted the American flag. Every
thing went off very satisfactorily towards
night the atmosphere grew hazy, and OBJ
jects began to be seen double, and so ended
the day-the night was different thing.
Those were the palmy days of Downie-
vile; one could not help feeling thankful
that his lot had been cast in the rugged
mountains, where frankness drove dull
care away. Even if one were dead broke
his case was not very dcplorable. But I
must bear in mind that Society has much
improved since then; drunkenness has
been reduced to dissipation, and stealing
has been modified to peculation.
There are not SO many miners with
patches on their trowsers to be seen Spree
ing about town now. Perhaps they are
ashamed to go on tare with patches on
their knees, when so many well dressed
people have taken away their occupation.
They have retired to the gulches and
creeks, and have left off spreeing until they
get into Office, when they will have greater
facilities, and more latitude allowed them.
Ifa fellow with patched pantaloons gets
noisy, people say he is drunk, but here, as
elsewhere, a good coat will cover a multi
tude of sins.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-08-01
DIED.

On Monday morning. Slst July, WILLIAM g., IN.
FAINT son of VIM. 81. and Alice Z. woodward agee ?
months aud a days. The friends of the family
will attend the funeral at bis parent1 rendence. g.
"a .rssr be ween Brosd and Marshall streets, This
Morning, at O'Clock. without farther Invitation
On the slst ult, JOHN HENRY, youngest son OF
James r. aud Anna Stevison, aged one year ana eie-
ven months The friends and acqusinfapces OF tne
family are requested II attend his funerai ,Tnis Al
teri o5n 1t A O'Clock from his fathers residence on
Union HILL without farther nStice.
At Hish M sadow Henrco county: near Richmond.
on the SIst July, RICHARD HENRI, infant son Q,
n. Fl. and Virginia g. Dickinson, aged mon'ns ana
IL days The friends and relatives OF the family are
requested to attend the funeral at High Meadow a.
81 oclc ck This Afternoon, without farther INVITA-
ton.
On franklin street, at the residence of Mr. Thos.
Bradford Mr.. JOHN GAYLORD from warwick.
England in the 68th year of his age. He viii be
buried from the above place this morning at 10 OCH
The friends Of the family, ALSO of Mr. Bradford, are
invited to attend.
Yssterdavs evening, after short illness JOHN
SEAGERS ased 48 years His friends and acquain-
tances and thoae of his family, requested to at
tend his funersl this evening at o'clock; from the
Catholic Church, on Grace street, without farther
netce. sEs.- -
Last night, at O'Clock, of cholera, Mr. E. CHILD.
in til 5fth year of his age The friends and acquain-
tances of the family respectfully requested to at
end his funeral this morning at 10 O'Clock, from his
residence, without farther notice.
The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-08-01
ARRIVALS AT TIE PRINCIPAL HOTELS
YESTERDAY.

EXCHANGE HOTEL j Brown, Lynchburs;
w Richmond, U 8 A; w Cooper, Smith.
son and svt, Tenn; w Bo1lware: King T. Queen q
Washington; g Hurst and son. Winchester bud.
lev King 4 Queen; T Littlepage, King VIM; D
East, Bedford; T Jones, J Taylor, G; g Brum.
ley and svt, New Kent; J Hunter Caroline; J w
wood. Lynchbarg; s B French. Chesterfield; h b
Bell Buckingham Baily and lady, Miss; w
Newton, Hanover; H Carter, King VIM; DR. Bro
kenborough, Hanover; Libeel, Woodstock; Nj
ampton 1t C Mcintosh. lady and children, U s
Navy.
UNITED STATES HOTEL p c CIaughton, Va;
L D East Bedford; Jas Burnley, Louisa; J Gates.
Chesterfield; Cables, Amber, n Y; w Ro-
Kuting Vac r r; Higgins, Bait; w White, Pc
tersburg; Coleman. Stauuton; e Chandler ]
D Christian j.. New Kent J A. Netherland. Or B
G Normsnt, Va; Or J White. AppopsttoxJ
Henrco; Binns. James City; w II Mann, Cor
donsville.
AMERICAN HOTEL IN w Boothe, Cafornis;
H Ma.tngly, Washington; g Wright, Tappshsn
mock. e Forsyth, Louisville; B Jordan, Bass,
w Beach, Petersburg; w Charlton, Va; M Dick
inson. Henrico; G Muslin, Ga; Fl g Gregory, N Y;
B Belshaw, Nettoway; g r Sail, Buckingham Mrs
DR. Vaughan, Miss; Chamrey, .Ohis.
COLUMBIAN HOTEL.-Capt Hill, Capt Sims J
King w N; r D Allen, Petersburg; R Pulliam, Va;
T Brown, Huguenot; X Onslow, Quebec; Capt
johnson, Norfolk; v Douglas, Va; VIM Palmore,
Ala; Moody, Chesterield: Middleton; Farr,
DR. Blair and LADY, N j; L D East, Bedford;
Gushing, Va; V CARRIER, Staunton C e Cradock
Abe marie; Hunnicutt, Danville; Capt D Lowell
Maine; Taylor Richmond G Jacobs, M Gale
Norfolk; Fl White, Aibemarle Scott and servt
Nelson w Fl Fleshman, bedford; B Berry, Va;
Williams, Washington.