The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-01-29

CuRIous SToRY.-In Rocky Canon, Placer
county, Cal, on the 10th December, three men, out
on gold prospecting expedition, were attacked
by band of eleven robbers, when the following
extraordinary proceedings took place.
One of the three named James C. Mcdonald Of
Alabama, was shot dead before he had time to
draw q pistol Another OF the three, Dr. Bolivar
A. Sparks Of Mississpp after shooting twice at the
bsnditti, fell severely wounded. Capt. Jonathan
Davis of South Carolina, the last OF the three, on
the hrst fire of the robbers, began iRcessant fir
ing on them, with his revolvers-every ball forcing
III victim to ''bite the dust-until all the loads
of both parties seemed to have been discharged.
The surviving robbers then made a rush upon
Capt Davis with their bowie knives. In the end,
the latter-who seems to have had charmed life,
and been q very devil for slaughter-managed to
kill, or disable the whole band. Ten OF the rob.
beers died Of their wounds, and the eleventh will
never be "the same man again " The last said
that the band was composed of four Americans,
ono FreachmaD, five Sydney men, four Mexicans,
and two men just arrived from London, and that
none of them knew the names OF the others. He
said also, that they had just commenced opera
tiops-having killed six Cinnamon three days be-
fore, and four Americans on the next day.
LYNCH LAW IN CALIFoRsIA.-The following
iynchiug affair occurred at lows Hill, California,
on the sd of December. The victim of popular
vengeance alluded to was William Johnson; and
nwould appear that the mob made gross mistake
in hanging him, for he was only defending his own
life when he committed the deed for which he was
executed:
On the morning after the Fireman's Ball, Johnson
Knocked Montgomery down the latter subsequent
~ procured pistol, which, upon the TWO again
meeting, he fired at The former The pistol hung
fire. and johnson avoided the shot by lodging and
Immediately drawing knife, he stabbed and cut
Montgomery 10 terrible manner In several places.
Johnson fled, but was pursued, overtaken, and
placed In the hands of Deputy Sheriff Sinclair, in
whose custody he remained until about 10 O'clock
in the evening. At this time large crowd of
people had assembled, and call was made for a
Jury whereupon thrty-tw0 men were selected by
vote and out OF this number twelve persons were
chosen to try the prisoner. The jury thus empau
elled retired to the Queen City Hail. where they
remained until about sunrise yesterday morning,
when they brought out verdict OF guilty" Upon
rendition Of the verdict, the crowd proceeded to
choose officers for the occasion, and about noon the
prisoner was taken short distance from the town,
10 a convenient tree-having been informed of the
tate that awaited him-whereupon a rope was pro-
duced and also couple of kegs, one placed on the
TOD of the other, for the prisoner to stand upon,
and after the rope was adjusted to his neck an OPP
portuuity was given tor whatever remarks he
MIGHT desire to make
Our informant was too far distant to distinctly
hesr all that said but states that at this time
Johnson called for writing materials, but his hands
being confined, q gentleman present noted for him
the remarks which he made for the purpose. The
prisoner then stated that person present owed
him $50, which he wished paid to some one to
whom he (the prisonar) was Indebted He also
wished ring to be taken from his finger, and sent
to his mother and sister, but his hand was found to
be % much swollen from being bound, az TO render
itimpossible to move it. Several remarks were
made by Johnson to different persons present about
this time, which our informant was unable to hear.
The prisoner then requested that the rope should
be properly fixed, and that he be permitted to climb
to the limb of the tree and jump oh This being
denied him, he asked permission to give the word
himself, which was granted, whereupon he was
placed upon the kegs and the rope being frightened,
thus partially becoming his own executioner.
During the whole Of the proceedings he appear.
ed perfectly cool, and entirely Indifferent to his
fate