davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

RoBBERY-Mr. John Stephens, of Oak
Valley, was robbed of $4,000, near Free.
mans Ranch, on the Marysville road, one
day last week, by couple of Mexicans.-
Six shots were fired at him. and he was
pursued by the villains until his saddle
bags fell off. After securing the gold dust
the miscreants fled.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16
The Pick and Shovel.

CHIPs FLAr-BIG LUMP.-An irregu-
larry shaped mass of quartz and gold was
taken out by the Blue Shaft Tunnel at
Chips on Tuesday, weighing liz ozs. 1t
was brought to our Office on Wednesday
night by S. w. Langton, and it is now to
be seen in Langton & Bros Banking
House. James Anderson & Co., are,the
lucky owners, not only Of this piece, but
also of the very rich claims where it was
found -. JOHN McMILLEN informs us that
the Independence Company on the same
fiat, took out IS ozs. at a single pan
They are drifting out about five feet Tin
depth of paying dirt, which will be wash
ed up after the rains. Shares in this COM
pany are valued at $4,000, for one-twen-
tieth Of the whole. Mr.. M. informs us
livery reluctantly that some months ago,
he sold the one-tenth Of the claims for
$500. That was one of the times John
slipped up".... The claims at the Blue
Banks arc paying moderately. Messrs.
Brown & Co. have been steadily working
since March, finding but little until two
weeks ago. Last week they obtained "a
ozs.-Four shares There are twelve or
fifteen companies at work in the west bank
OF the North Fork, between Downieville
and Natchez Flat, most of them making
ordinary wages, and a few of them az
much as $40 to the hand. The claims
have not been fairly tested, but the miners
are very sanguine of success. The roae
along the river bank is dug up in dozer
places. The Wisconsin Flume supple.
abundance of water, for which each mine
pays SIS week. Higher up on the hill
the foundation of keenan, & Co.'S Flum
IS dug; this is to be extended to Cavote
vile.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

PREsENrArIoN.-A very handsome
Manzanita gold mounted cane was pre-
sented to Judge P. c. Shaffer yesterday,
by Harlow B. Cossitt, Esq, of the Sierra
Bar. The presentation took place ia the
Empire House, in the presence of num-
Der of the friends of Messrs. Shaffer and
Cossitt. F. j. Mccain, ESQ.,, made a
quiet, sensible address-very short-in be
half of the donor, to which Judge Shaffep
replied in equally good taste.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

Coon SHor.-John Craycroft split the
small ball on the top of flagstaff over
the Odd Fellows Hall, a day or two since.
weapon, rife; distance, loo yards. Shan't
challenge that man!
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

SAN francisco CHRoNIcLE.-"Ou bark
is afloat." So says the Chronicle at the
commencement of its second year. The
phrase reminds us Of the soliloquy of Rip
ton Rumsey of Charcoal memory, when
precipitated from the curbstone into the
raging torrent along side. The mishap
occasioned by the watchman's boot in
duced Ripton to believe that "the boats
blowed up, and them that amt billed are
all overheard! Strike gu t or you're gone
chickens! them as can't swim must tread
water, and them as can't tread water must
go to Davy Jones /"
Not that the Chronicle, like Ripton
Rumsey. is trying to swim on dry land, or
is likely to be compelled to tread water or
go to Davy Jones. Very many Califor-
MIA papers have gone that way, with too
much ballast, and no helmsman. The
Chronicle is one of them as can swim,
and it is still afoat." The first number
of the Weekly is before US, filed with tie
ablest editorials and best selections of the
Daily. We have always considered the
Daily Chronicle one of the most indepen-
dent, fearless journals of the State-some-
times its criticisms are too severe, but they
always bear on their face dignity and man
illness, and seldom descends to the .lopic
of fools"-yulgar ridicule.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16
Total number issued, .lO3l4O
These at 81 each amount to S4l2,56O

ExEcUTED-Robert Bruce was execu-
ted at Sonora, on the 9Th inst, for the
crime of murder. A correspondent of the.
Evening Journal says that this is the first
man hung in the county, though not less
than two hundred murders have been COM
mitted within it's limits.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

FAsr.-The States papers, together
with the California Express Extra, were
delivered at our Office on Friday at ~
o'clock, P. NJ, by DeKay of Rumrill's
Express-an hour and 6fty-fve minutes
from Fosters Bar, six hours and thirty.
five minutes from Marysville, and twenty
one hours and a half from San Francisco,
Bill was running against time. who it is
said, waits for no man.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

MINERS MEETING AT CocHRANE HrLL.
There is to be miners meeting at that
place tomorrow, Sunday for the pur-
pose of adopting mining laws for the gov
erment of the district.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

BALLs.-A grand ball is to take place
at the Pacific Hotel, Eureka, on Wedpes-
day night, the 10th inst. Another is to
come Oft at the Read House, Forest CITY.
on Christmas evening.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

Acc1DENr.-John Nugent, editor Of the
S. F. Herald, was severely injured BY fall
ing through a trap in the iron grating o.
the sidewalk. We are glad to learn that
he is recovering. 81 5alis
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

ACCIDENTAL Frenchman named La
Chaze, had his collar bone broken and was
otherwise badly bruised, on Tuesday, while
at work in tunnel on New York Flat.
DR.. Carr was called, adjusted the fracture.
and rendered all the necessary professional
service, and we are informed the man is
recovering.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

10. OF o. F.-T'he Grand Master of
the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows,
of this State, has appointed R. H. Taylor,
OF Downieville, Dist. Deputy Grand
Master, for the County of Sierra.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

ExPREss FAvoRs-The usual numbet--o
not few-have been received from both
houses this week. go ieal eoelos
THROUGH IN ONE DAY.-The Marysyille
Herald Of Thursday, and Sacramento
Union Of Wednesday, were delivered 10
rs yesterday morning, By IAngton d Bro
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

The SIERRA GUARDS we're out on
parade on Monday night preparatory to
the review to-day.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16
Dr., r. w. CARR,

PHYSICIAN 4 SURGEON.
(Late of Baltimore Almshouse HospitaLy
OFFICE SIERRA pRus STORE, DowNlEvILLE.
N. B. Particular attention paid to Dis
eases of the Eye. feb 1-H
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

BIG SrR1KE-Mr. Hickox, of the City
of SiA, informs us that l5411 OF was taken
out Of the Gray Tunnel last week. a.;
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

GLAD TO HEAR IT.-Post Master Ger
non, across the way, contemplates fitting
up a reading room in the Post Office build
ing, where information can be had for a
very triaing consideration. God speed
the enterprise, for we are tired of the bust
ness, besides, under our management it
don't pay. We never voluntarily embark
ed in the business, but our books, ex-
changes and easy chair have become the
property of the commonwealth. We are
sorry tothink ourself particularly ill ma
tured, but it sometimes does ssrile" us. con
siderably, to have people kicking up a
muss among our exchanges, discussing the
affairs Of the nation the while. We had
as lief undertake to read " Locke on the
Human Understanding" in tin caniste,
during a shower of musket balls, as te
itemize even a dog-fght during common
sized muss in our room.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16
Trial of John Lake.

Trial Of John Lake.
We publish this week the evidence in
the case Of The People VS.. John Lake,
which occupied the Court of Sessions for
some days. Great difficulty was found
in obtaining jury, as the facts of
the case, with Lakes own version, were
pretty generally known. The first jury
was discharged, another empaneled,
and the case set for trial again
Much sympathy was felt for the de-
fendant, who seems to be half crazed in
consequence of the desertion of his wife.
Mr.. Smiths speech in the defence, was lis
tened to with admiration by as many as
could get into the court room-parts of
the defence, though attempting nothing
more than justification, has never been
surpassed at the Sierra bar, in our hearing.
The case was rather a hopeless one, as
Lake had confessed the shooting-and in
addition regretted not having made fin
ish of Thrasher while he was about it !;
nevertheless Mr.. Smith succeeded in be-
Jogging the jury in maze of legal and
classic lore, now and then arousing their
sympathy and Indignation, in spite of their
efforts to be stoical, by depicting the hell
ish wiles of the seducer. The District
Attorney, Mr.. Cossitt, evidently thought
so too, nevertheless, he discharged his duty
creditably and faithfully.
In the second trial, Lakes statement,
made before a magistrate, was admitted by
consent of counsel, which we publish as
part of the evidence. There is no doubt
but that Lake received from the woman
the intelligence mentioned in that state
ment, to-wit: that Thrasher had violated
her person. 1t would not be difficult to
convince Lake Of this, and thereby excuse
her infidelity. 1t was argued by the coun-
sci for the defence, that Lake acted on this
information, and shot Thrasher under the
conviction that the woman's statement
was true.
The jury after short absence brought
in a'yesdict of Guilty-one year in the
States Prison.
The trial excited great interest, and
was conducted in manner very creditabe
to the Court and counsel. Every one ad-
mits the justice of the verdict, and it's &C
cordance with the evidence but the SYM
,pathIes of the spectators were entirely
with the old man, gray headed and SEEM
ingly half demented, nevertheless con-
Quoting himself with dignity and respect
toward the Court. For the last three or
four months he has been going from place
to place with his children, telling the story
of his wrongs to every one who would lis
ten, sometimes in language bold and start
ling. which led to the general impression
that on that subject at least he was insane.
For our own part,-we do not know
that ours is the general opinion-we think
that Executive clemency might reach his
case without violating the rights of society.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16
-
MARR1EM

AT Eureka City, Dec. l4th., by Lloyd.
Frizeli, ESQ.,, JACOB SNOW, to MARTHA
A. BALLARD, all Of Crafg's Fiat, Sierra
county, California.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

went to the house; Mrs. L. said she TOOK
the knife out Of his belt; took money
from the house and left for the Mountain
House; he, Mr.. L., had been at my house,
never charged him anything for staying
there.
Cross Examined Saw him first at Bo-
gardus', Camptonville. Children and
years old Mrs. L. "a to rs; came to my
house March 80; was to do cooking, make
beds, and house work generally have paid
Lake in all $40; no more has been paid
to either Of them she had worked till
some time in June, when Mr.. and Mrs. L..
went away my partner paid her off; she
came back in week or so and stayed till
the shooting what said to her, or what
the conversation was about at the time of
shooting, don't recollect can't remem-
Der anything that was said between US;
don't recollect of there being money on the
table don't recollect of her speaking of
the money; money was kept in her room;
Mrs. L was at the camp fire when was,
and when the scuffle occurred she was
nearer to Lake than to me. went to the
Mountain House; left my house to take
care of itself no light on hill side but
camp fire. I supposed some one was try
ing to get into window; saw no one it
was starlight night, about 81 o'clock.
The packers were strangers to me; pistol
always loaded, and always laid on Mrs.
LIS table. She told me she pulled out the
knife; he said his knife was gone; saw
him, by camp fire light, feel for it; can't
recollect what we were talking about in
her room that's the only answer I can
give; never had any quarrel nor words
with Mr.. Lake before this.
L. I. For sworn. Know prisoner at
the bar, he came down to Goodyear's Bar,
spoke to me, shook hands with me he
said he was going to Downieville to give
himself up, as he had shot Thrasher, and
the only thing he was sorry for was, he
had not killed him-he did not give any
reason.
Prosecution rested;
Defence here read (by permission of
the Court and counseD certificates of good
character from Minister of Tyholland
Ireland, as member of Church of Eng
land, dated 1849; also of officers of U s.
Army in San Antonio De Bexar, Texas
also of Commissary Department, as to
good character.
No other defence made, az witnesses
merely spoke Of what they had heard and
not Of their own knowledge.
Defendants counsel here offered to have
witness make his statement to jury, and
also to read the statement made before
the examining magistrate. Court over
ruled the statement Of prisoner to
jury or the Court, but allowed him to
speak to the jury in his defence, on the
testimony relevant to the case.
Jury did not agree, standing for and
6 against prisoner.
Prisoner renamed for new trial.
copy of Statement made by Lake, and
admitted by consent of counsel.
O. ~
0'N'' G County nfy' Of fS Sierra. IS.
The People VS.. John Lake-J ohm Lake
sworn, and for statement makes the follow
ing Says he hired his wife to Thrasher
and his man, the proprietors of the Negro
Tent; that on Sunday, the 10th inst, he
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

HNOSSITT, III. B., Attorney-s*4aw.---s
~ Chase's Law Building. jy f5-tf
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16
[Copy Of Statement made by Lake, and
admitted by consent of counsel.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
County of Sierra. o.

The People VS.. John Lake-John Lake
sworn, and for statement makes the follow
ing Says he hired his wife to Thrasher
and his man, the proprietors of the Negro
Tent; that on Sunday, the 10th inst, he
shot the said 'rhrasher with pistol, and
wounded him, as he believes, in the arm !;
the shot did not infict any other wound
to his knowledge. His reason for shooting
the said Thrasher is, that some time after,
his wife informed him that Thrasher had,
without her consent, violated her person,
and had carnal knowledge of her that
upon receiving such information he COM
mitted the act of shooting aforesaid, and
said Thrasher returned the shot without
effect. (Signed,) J. LAKE.
Sworn and subscribed before me, this
I'd day Of November, A. D. 1854.
LOUIS BARTLETT, j. p.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

An lNFERENcE.-The Golden Era very
truthfully remarks: When ever you see
an editor suddenly turn corner and dodge
into dark alley, conclude the Sheriff is
after him; and by throwing rail across
mud hole to assist his fight, you will
earn the gratitude Of the profession.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

FOREIGN MINERS LICENSES Accord
ing to the State Journal, the number of
Foreign Miners Licenses issued to each
cnllntv for the unar 1874 is 10 follo1uc
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

A New THEATRE is to built shortly in
Sonora.
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

CoMPLIMENTARY.-The Sacramento
Union contains q card signed oy one hum
dred and Fifty of the most prominent citi-
zens, rendering q complimentary benefit to
Mrs. Robb. The Trustees of the first
Ecclesiastical Society addressed note to
the lady, offering her their church for the
concert, which was accepted, and the con-
cert took place on Wednesday night. A
deserved compliment,
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

AID the Lord spake unto Moses, saying:
The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-16

December 9th, l054.-Ihe People VS..
John Lake-Indicted for Assault with In
tent to Kill
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-19

Nor NEw.-The idea of Theodore Parker
when called upon to furnish material aid" Ia
rescue the fugitive Burns from the hands of his
master, BY purchasing his freedom, that he had
no money to give, nothing but bullets and brains
is not altogether original with that great philan
Mropist' Some two years ago, pending warm
political contest, negro preacher, the property
OF Missouran, who desired to raise the means
to purchase his freedom, called upon certain
"God and Liberty free soil editor, not thou.
sand miles from the Breakneck, who was week.
ly laundering forth his anathemas against all
those who did not unite themselves with the crea,
free soil party, of which he was the acknowledged
head and front, denonncing them as "dough.fa.
ces," "slavery propag andists," and such other
choice epithetS as are found only in the abolition
vocabulary; who instead of opening his purse
strings and sending his unfortunate black brother
on his way rejoicing, sat down and poured out bis
brains most literally BY furnishing list of names
on whom his prosecuted brother could call
win hope "f procuring aid; and, strange to say,
IN the list furnished was the names of but one
kno*n oboIitionist, and he gave nothing-the rest
were composed Of "hunker'' Democrats and
y" hlgs' the very men he was weekly, daily, and
houry denouncng as Northern dough. h.faces. :"
and slavery propagandsts," Such is often the
manner in which these mock philanthropsts who
are eternally railing out against those who do not
unite with them in their fanatical scheme, exhib.
it there benevolence. Those who wish to learn
The particulars Of the act of disinterested beney.
'lence alluded to above, can call on sour Mr..
der:ick'" or Lieman Weathercock Hall, ESQ.
1t the drinking saloon Of Hall, Herrick e. Wads-
worth.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-19

The NANE.-The fusion convention adjourn.
ed without giving any name to their new organi-
zation, whereupon the State journal christens it
Republican" What Republican, will be the
quers in the mind of every man. Is i, "Federal
Republican" Hartford Convention Republican y
"Natisnal Republican" democratic Republi.
can" ,""Anti.war Republican" or "Anti. Masonic
Republican, 1tis an old saying that "there il
nothing in name," but in this instance the pro.
verb proves untrue; for, in such a name, applied
to such party, there is most palpable lie
party based upon sectional issue, whose aim
and end 10 to destroy this great and glorious Union
Republican" party! party whose leading
tenet is that the people of every political organi
cation are not capable Of creating an controlling
their own municipal institutions, and who pu,
forth in their teachings the nonnrchial doctrine
that the government possesses all power and that
the people possess no power except such as
the government may gracisusly grant them, a
"Repubinan" party! They should forthwith
add handle TO their name and call thenelyes
"Monarchie Republicans.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-19

DISSERTATION OF THE FoyRrH.-The 9TH Of Ju.
y was most outrageously desecrated at Framing
ham, Mass. On that day, GARRISON and PARxER
with about five or six hundred abolitionists, held
meeting at that place. At the conclusion of .
speech made by the formc', be burned the Con.
stltution of the United States, copies of the Flu.
gitve Slave Lsw, the decision of Judge LoHIrc,
and Judge CURTIS charge to the United States
Grand Jury
This is the manner in which the fusion organ
OF this county would like to see that day celebra.
ted throughout the county. The fusion celebra.
ton at this place was but little behind that at
which Garrison and Parker presided in Framing
ham, The came object was had in view-the
dissolution OF the Union and the destruction of
the Government, ana it is sough. to bring about
that end by the means Of getting up sectional par
tes.aRd engendering sectional strife, under which
they know the Union cannot be perpetuated. Will
the people Of Old Portage follow the lead of
Garrison and Parker. and aid them in CARVING
out their helsh purposes!
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-19

! The HONESTY OF THE LEADERs.-At the Fu
sion convention at Columbus, Mr.. Pardee, one Q
the delegates, said that the Democracy of Ohr
had gone further in denouncing slavery than tn.
Fusion Convention itself, and in proof OF that as
sertion he read the fifteenth resolution of tke
Democratic Convention Of January 8, lS4s, which
was adopted by acclamation, and has been re-ac
frmed by every Convention of the party held
since that time
This called out Judge spalding, who in reply
said:
"As to the oft.quoted anti-slavery resolution Of
the 9th of January Convention, he had some hand
IN getting AHp. IT ,Oas designed TO prowo.c lhe
election Of Lercis Cass. II ,oas so framed as 10
say something and mean notsing.''
If, as Judge Spaldng claims, the resolution of
the 9Th of January Convention was trick 90, I'D
to secure the election of Gen. Cass, and if il be
true, as he claims, that he chad some hand it get.
ting it up and endeavoring thereby to practice
G frnnd upon the people, what evidence have they
of his honesty and sincerity now, and how may
they know that he is not again at his old tricks
attempting to deceive theml Judge spalding
may have played false in the part he took in get.
ting up the resolution, but we are confident that
he Is not authorised to speak for the Convention
which adopted it without dissenting voice or the
Democratic muses. who sustain 1t and whose sen.
timent It expresses.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-07-19

KANsAs-WILL IT BE FREE.--Mr. John Chris.
man, OF the Baptist Mission in Kansas, shows tha,
there is little danger that that Territory will be
anything but free State. After speaking of the
slave holders meeting at Westport, Mo-, at which
he was present, he says: aa aoa7 g. ta a.
Il heard several speak, and not one Of them
wants to 60 to the Territory themselves, but they
wantit to be slave Territory, and how to get a,
it they do not know. They know that IL it come
in free they will lose their slaves The Aboli.
tionists have nothing to risk-they have their
slaves. They call all Northern men Abolition
lists. The emigrants too, and settlers Of Nebras-
ka, have called q meeting, which suppose you
have heard OF, and adopted resolutions TO protec,
one another, and 60 with rush against slavery;
will not allow it in the Territory at all. There
is no danger, think, of Kansas coming in as a
slave Territory, from the fact that they are afraid
OF losing their slaves. They can't master up
enough ofslave-holders TO make a colony They
are very mad qt Massachusetts for donating five
million dollars to send people, that are not able
to move here, and fill up this Territory with vo.
ters who will bring it in free, They say that
they had better lberate their slaves at once than
to have them run off by the Capada underground
railroad; it would not vex them so. But what
can they do! They are wealthy, and cannot
enough o. them sell out in Missouri to do any
thingp' '''''' -