davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19

gs' Would the citizens of agricultural
counties, who think the money arising from
the Foreign Miners Tax should be divided
among all the counties of the State, be will
ing to take their share Of the annoyance and
expense ineNrred ny mining counties from
the misdeeds Of FOREIGN Miners Guess not
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19

A New TowS.-A new mining town has
late y sprung up on the Auburn Ravine
about twelve miles west of Auburn and al
ready boasts a store, blacksmith shop and
other establishments. Ben Stnson, late of
the E Dorado, Gold Hill, is building
billiard saloon, and a hotel is to be
commenced Immediately. BY common con-
sent the new village is called Fox's Flat, in
compliment to the the "oldest inhabitant."
Good surface mines are said to be in the i'm
mediate vicinity; and there is promise of
ive Y times for miners and traders. Water
plenty.
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19

RoNDo GAME OF FCHANcE.-In the Court
Of Sessions Of FL Dorado county, it has been
decided that Rondo is game of chance, and
as such comes within the provisions Of the
Statute of 1855. Rondo is becoming an
unsafe game TO encourage. There is law
fornenst it.
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19

The BATES CAsE-As the Sacl amento
Union appears TO be much exercised in spirit
as TO ;he manner in which jures shall be
drawn in this county for the Bates trials,
we impart the information that these iures
will be summoned in the manner prescribed
by law. SO says our County Judge, Sheriff
and Clerk Is this satisfactory?
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19
RTRTH

BIRTH.
On the 27th of November, at Gold Hill, the
wife Of JOSEPH DECKER of son. 10
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19
Murder and Retribution.

Murder and Retribution.
The town Of Gold Hill and vicinity was
the scene of considerable excitement on Mon
day last, occasioned by the murder Of a
woman, and the sudden retribution that over
took the perpetrator of the deed,
man named A. B. Johnson, who was
the owner of valuable mining claim on
Doty's Ravine, several miles from, Gold Hill,
had cabin at his claim, in which he has
been living for some time with woman Of
il-repute who was generally known by the
name of "Frenchy" or Floresdine. Early on
Monday morning they were heard in angry
conversation, and in renewing this quarrel
johnson swore he would cut the throat Of the
woman, and made demonstrations to that eff
ect but was prevented by parties present.
About o'clock he stepped out of the cabin
as if going to his claim but turned, drew a
revolver, and shot the woman, who was stand
ing inside the door but few feet from him.
The ball struck her in the neck and came
out under the shoulder blade. 1t is suppos-
ed, from the range of the missile that she
stopped to avoid the shot She expired in
about fifteen minutes. After committing the
act, Johnson turned to Cherokee, called
Archv, who had witnessed the affair, and
placing the pistol to his breast dared him to
attempt an arrest. lie was pursuaded from
committing further violence, and went over
to Gold Hill, where he told what he had
done, but no one credited his story He
stad sometime in town, indulged freely in
liquor, and did not leave until the Cherokee
arrived and made known the murder Be
fore writ could be made out and an officer
found, Johnson mad procured horse and
left. 1t was not a great while after this that
he was reported killed by the horse.
From the testimony of a person before the
Coroners Jury who witnessed the accident,
it seems that Johnson had left the main
road between Gold Hill and Dotys Flat and
was compelled to cross a ditch, which his
horse failing to clear at jump, and making
several plunges, the man fell off and rather
under the horse whose, feet crushed his left
side
On assistance arriving and eing asked if
lie was hurt, he exclaimed, ''You bet | am;
| am killed" He died in an hour and a
half. Upon his person was found *G5 in
money, and anavy sized Colts pistol, loaded,
with the exception Of the chamber that had
given the woman the death shot
Johnson had $500 deposited with one
of the merchants of Gold Hill, and his claim
is called one Of the best in that part of the
county. lie was considered a desperate man;
was not usually Incorporate, bat at the time
of the accident was very much intoxicated.
1t is seldom retributon so suddenly over
takes the evil doer as in this case In four
hours from the time the murderous shot was
fired johnson was corpse
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19

Too MUCH PAPER CURRENcY.-Th Ma
tionol Intelltgencer has been revving the old
expoded Wing idea of a National bank. The
following quiet hit from the Prices Current,
its to the point. That journal says: "How
a monetary institution such as that proposed
by the Intelhgencer could aid in repressing
lmportatons we cannot perceive, especially
when too much paper currency, and not the
cant Of 1t, has been the chief cause of our
late disaster.''
The Placer herald., 1857-12-19
AUBURN, DECEMBER 10, 1857.
The Mormon War .

The Golden Gate brings accounts fully
confirming the destruction of tho Govern
ment wagons by the Mormons; also dispatch
es from Coils Alexander and Johnston which
prove copclusively that difficulties have com
menced in earnest.
The plumber Of Mormons engaged in the
burning OF the wagon traiaa were 500 strong.
They offered no violence to the teamsters
and said they will spill no blood unless some
Of the saints were killed.
The Mormons had burned the grass on
ahe route of COL Alexander's command, and
the animals of the expedition were suffering
greatly for the want Of food.
After consultation with his officers, Col.
Alexander had determined to 90 north Of
Salt Lake, to Bear Valley, and there secure
winter quarters, instead of attempting to
iprce his way to the city Through Echo
Canon. From the fact of this change in the
march Of the troops, it is not improbable
there was much truth in the report from
Oregon, that battle had taken place; as
from Bear Valley to Fort Hall and thence
to Oregon, the aews coald be conveyed soon-
er than by the southern route to San Ber-
nardino.
Col. Alexander writes to head quarters
chat he has six months provisions The stores
destroyed bx the Mormons were not of i'm
mediate necessity to the troops. He also
suggests to the War Department the neces-
sity of sending troops from Oregon and
California. He expects to be able to main
tain himself by acting upon the defensive,
but says he must be reinforced as early as
possible in the Spring.
The inference is stroDg that the position
Of our troops Is critical in the extreme in
Utah; our far is that we will be compelled
to chronicle their defeat and determination
before spring. The officers are experienced
and tried men, and will do all they can for
the best; but what with, storms of snow,
scanty provisions, and fanatical and hume
lous loes, tle odus are lealluilI against lnem
There is general wish in this State for
the Government to call upon California for
volunteers; as only from this side can opera
tons be carried on against Utah at all sea
sons of the year. Thousands of men are
only waiting for call from the proper au-
thorites, to rush to arms. The chances are
that many Of them will be wanted very soon.
The end Of this trouble seems distant.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

Joseph Kelly, Esq, has lately adj
ded another run of stone to his Flour.
ing Mill, put in new bolt, and made
other improvements which the incrcas'
ing demands of the milling business
required. The mill is under the super.
intendencc of Mr.. L. A. feeling, who
has the reputation of doing superior
work and giving excellent satisfaction
to customers. He keeps it running
day and night Friday is buckwhcat
day, and we understand that over
three hundred bushels of this grain
were ground there on Friday last. The
capacity of the mill for Touring is suf
ficient to grind six hundred bushels OF
wheat in twenty-four hours.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10
Kansas.

A Kansas correspondent, writing
from Lawrence, Nov. IL, says that
the Free State men had decided to call
convention to see what should be
done under present circumstances, but
had revoked the call in consequence of
Secretary Stanton's promise to con-
vene the new Legislature before its
regular time of sitting He says that
Walker professed to be highly shock
ed at the submission clause of the
schedule, and declared it swindle.
Notwithstanding all this, however,
the correspondent adds:
"For my own part, saw enough at Le-
compton last week to place Gov. Walker
completely in this fraudulent, pretended sub
mission beyond peradvcnture. His agents
| and tools were lobbying for it, and believe
| that secret service money carried 1t through.
I know that on the Friday night before the
Convention adjourned and when it was sup
posed that the the dodge submission plan has,
been defeated, messenger was sent to the En-
ccutive Office, where Secretary Stanton only
was ut the time, for more money to carry the
scheme through. ] know the person who
wrote to him. and what he wrote and where he
wrote it, have not despaired of getting a
copy of the letter. but would have preferred
one written in reply need only add that the
needed funds were forthcoming. Hence the
result"
The Kansas correspondent of the
st. Louis Democrat also says:
"The members of the convention were di.
vi,led upon the question of submitting the
constitution in the folio wing form Consti-
tuition, or No Constitution and ON the in
formal ballot it was found that ma jority OF
the members wcrcin favor of submitting it to
the people. In order to prevent this, it is
said that $4,000 were used in buying up
members, which, of course, comes out of the
public treasury
At a meeting in Lcavenworth, OH
the 10Th ult, speeches were made by
Vaughan, Phillips, Hutchinson Moore
and others. Phillips advised rallying
around the Topeka Constitution,
calling it the Magma Charta of X Kansas
Vigilance committees are being form.
ed throughout the Territory. A letter
to the st. Louis Democrat, dated
Lawrence, Nov. 18th, states that
Walker said he would call a special
session, providing the members would
sign pledge guaranteeing that they
would not go into general legislation
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10
Iowa Legislature.

Our Legislature will meet at
Demoinc, the new capital of the State,
early in January. Suitable buildings
have been provided for their present
accommodation. The more important
business to come before their honora-
bic body will be the election of a L. 5.
Senator, the rc-codifying of the laws
to conform to the new constitution, the
Transforming the Demoine River I'M
provement Grant into railroad grant,
and the establishment of banking
system. Quite lively time may be
anticipated in regard to the bank
question, and yet banking law is a
selfprotecting necessity. Many plans
will be proposed, though but one can
be adopted 1t is believed that the
people will gladly sanction any lcgisla-
ton which will afford sound, relia-
BILE currency. In the Western and
Southern part of the State, Nebras-
ka currency is more plenty than any
other, and most of it depends for its
redemption upon the success of land
SPECTATORS. Concerning the Demoinc
River Grant, an effort will be made
to shake off the present Company and
transfer their lands to the use and
benefit of the keokuk, Demoine and
Minnesota Railroad Company. 1t will
meet with strong opposion from the
Company.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10
We are once more compelled to ask

We are once more compelled to asl
our friends to direct all mail matter
intended for us, to St. Charles Cay
Floyd County, Iowa. Some of then
still persist in directing to "St
Charles, Iowa" Such direction will
take their papers and letters to St
Charles in Madison county, a long dis.
tancc from here, and the chances are
ten to one that we shall never see
them. Our postoflicc is now named
st. Charles City, and is in Floyd coun-
ty. If any one is too lazy to write the
name OF the county, we hope he will
at least oblige us by placing the word
City after st. Charles.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

An awful murder was committed at
Hooks Point, in Hamilton County, in
this State, on Saturday, the l4th ult.
The Hamilton Freeman of the 10Th
says
The parties in this heart-rending
affair were Charles Getchcll, late of
Iowa City, and Geo. p Smith, of Hook
Point. 1t seems that an alteration
occurred between them, during which
Getchell struck Smith several times.
After this fracas was over, and from
one to three minutes had elapsed,
Smith went to the door, outside of
which some person had just set down
a rifle. Smith picked up and cooked
the gun, wheeled around and fired at
Getchell, who stood on the opposite
side of the room. The ball entered his
left side, little below the region Of
the heart. Getchell fell to the floor,
then rose and was helped to the bed
No relief could be given him, and he
expired in about twenty-five minutes.
The murderer has been arrested.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

A couple of weeks since, William
o. Allen, a doggery keeper in Sioux
City, shot, and almost instantly killed,
A. w. Cravens. Allen had previously
beaten a friend of Cravens, and the
latter went into the grocery and com.
menced auarrelling with Allen about
it. Allen, who was standing behind
his counter, caught up double barrel
ed gun and discharged both barrels,
the second taking effect, aud causing
the death of Cravens in a few minutes
The Eagle gives white-washing no
tice of the affair, and the Justice Of
the peace bound Allen over in the sum
Of $500, to appear at the September
term Of the Court. A saloon is great
institution in an ambitious little place
like Sioux City; and its proprietor is
usually man of much importance
and influence, which general facts viii
account for the milk in the cocoa nut.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10
For the 81. Charles TIT
School Meeting.

MEssRs. EDITORS The special school
meeting of next Saturday evening, is
one of more interest and Importance
than many may suppose. 1t is one of
great Importance to the interests Of
education among us, and should be
viewed in correct light. Shall rea-
son and due regard to the usefulness
of schools, or a partizan and pecuniary
spirit, direct us in our coursc2 At
present we have a large district--too
large when thickly settlcd-it being
three miles north and south, by eight
miles east and west. The larger part
of this territory is upon the west side
of the Cedar, while "a large majority of
scholars are upon the east side.
Is it for the interest of both sides of
the river to remain as one district, or
to become two separate districts ?
1t is evident that St Charles City and
Freeman together, will now form u
compact district, and in few years
one able to sustain the highest kind
of union school, upon the graduated
system, and at comparatively small
expense.
At present, as general thing, the
children of the poor and those of lin
tied means can attend the common
schools only, and we all know what
advantages these afford. BY a union
school system, a strong district will
be able TO sustain one or more prima-
ry and high schools-the former for
young scholars, the latter for adj
vanccd ones, and in which all the
higher English branches are thorough
ly taught together with the rudiments
OF some other languages With such
a system, children can remain at home
and under home influences, instead of
being removed from them, at critical
period, to foreign schools, and at such
an expense as to place high grade
of schools beyond the reach of ma
,iority of the rising generation. High
schools and academies, if expensive,
can only be enjoyed by the wealthy,
ana tehd dlrectly TO foster an arlStoc-
racy of wealth. DO we wish to cncour-
age such state of things?
Nothing can do more to elevate So
ciety and advance the interests of a
town than the early establishment of a
correct school system. Shall we have
such system =? The Importance of
harmonious action upon the subject can
not be over-estimated and one of the
things most conducive to this is a
proper regard for the rights and feel
ings of others-in other words, de-
sire to do simple justice.
\ yielding Of individual preferences
Is often necessary to secure the great
est public good. Let us have full
attcndance--let right spirit prevail
and it is believed that wise coun-
sells will triumph on Saturday eve
ming. PIILoN.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

A terrible calamity recently occur
red at Bureau junction, near Peoria,
Illinois. 1t appears that an employee
of the road, named Mclaughlin, an in
dustrious and worthy man, had receiv-
ed the day before, some $50, the accu-
mutation of his wages. On Friday,
he was absent from home, and his wife
having occasion to go to neighbours,
at a short distance, locked the house
up, and left in it their three children.
In her absence the house took fire, how
it has not been asccrtained, and was
burned to the ground with all its con-
tents. Furniture, money, and the
winters stock of provisions, were all
consumed by the devourng elements.
and saddest of ALL the three children
persisted in the flames. The house
being in a lonely spot, their piercing
shrieks went up UNDECIDED amid the
cracking Of the blazing timbers
around them, and their charred and
half consumed remains were the only
evidences of their awful fate.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

WISCONSIN ELEcnoS.-Tbrec co,nt;os
remain to be officially heard from
Dun, Douglas and La Pointe. Il is
not unlikely that they will vary the
result fifty votes. The Madison Argus
Dem. comedies that the Republicans
have carried both branches of the Leg,
lsiature, and elected the Governor ane
State Prison Commissioner. 1t claims
that the Democrats have the othc,
State Officers. The Madison Jourua
(ReP.) thinks that Hastings rep. } il
elected Treasurer. The vote between
Hastings and his opponet, Habich, is
so close, that only the official canvass
can decide which wins.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10
The marriage of Bayard Taylor on

The marriage of Bayard Taylor on
the 18th of October, in Gotha, Saxony,
was celebrated by few of his friends
with appropriate obscrvances in New
York. The Home journal says that
Mr.. Taylor passes the winter with his
bride at Moscow, where she has rela-
tives residing. He is to come back
to America next autumn, and Willis
announces that he has already writ
ten to him to claim for Idlcwild the
honeymoon of his return.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10
Our district school commenced n,

Our district school commenced on
Monday. Mr.. b. +. Catlin is the
teacher. We congratulate the direct.
ors, and all who have scholars to send
upon their being able to secure the
services Of a gentleman of SO high 9
reputation as Mr.. Catlin, both as q
teacher and citizen. Let the people
of the district do their duty-see tina,
the sclool-house is made comfortable
that scholars attend punctually-ant
we can but believe that the schoo
will result profltably and creditably t.
all concerned.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

MAIL RoBBER ARRESTED. w. L. Tuck
erman, formerly treasurer of the Eas-
tern Railroad, Boston, was arrested
recently at New Haven, Ct, for mail
robbery. He is now in Jail and con-
fesses his guilt. This arrest, it is
thought, will explain the robbery O.
the Havana mail for the State of
Maine, the mail from Portland, Me-, for
New York, and the mail from Boston
for New York, all missing on the New
Haven land route, the last of Novem-
Lnr
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

Cerro Gordo County has recently
taken vote upon the proposition to
raise a one per cent. cash tax in aid
of the McGregor Railroad. We have
been waiting to receive an official
statement of the vote, but as yet none
las come to hand, and we can only
say that it is understood the PROPOSE
ton was carried by handsome ma
iority.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10
Iowa I. s. Senator.

The Senatorial question in this
State does not appear to awaken
much interest among the mass of our
people Several of the candidates
named, are either inactive or have
declined the use of their names.
From what we can learn, p. f. Bisscll,
of Dubuque, and GOV. Grimes, or
their friends for them, are acting with
the greatest efficiency, both being de-
sirous of an election to the U. S. Sem
ate, and quite probably one or the
other of these gentlemen will succeed.
In party tactics Gov. Grimes has far
more experience than Mr.. Bissell and
we should not be at all surprised to
see him elected. Indeed, if we are
not to have Northern man, there
is no one in the Republican ranks
whose election would please us more
He, as well as Mr.. Bissell, is believed
to be a man of integrity, while his
ability is not questioned
Some of our Democratic friends
here at the North are bringing out Mr..
Noble Of Clayton county as a Repub.
lican candidate, but this very endorse,
mcnt of Democrats will damage his
prospects with Republicans. Besides,
Mr.. Noble has been thought to be sit.
ting on the fence, and Republicans
will consent to no half way work so
long as undoubted power is in their
hands. Democrats had better spare
their labors in the Republican field.
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

GoDEYs LADY's BooK.--Godey for December
is Il charming number, and we are confident its
pcrtlsal will serve to while away many an
hour pleasantly The ladies will go into costa
sizes over the fashions, and the admirers of art
have something to feast their eyes upon.
The cngravings, Christmas Eve and
"Christmas Morn /" will be examined eagerly
by the children. Cooley has secured the best
writers of the day to enrich the pages of his
magazine during the year 1858 Terms, So, OO
year. Address l.. A. Cooley, Philadelphia,
PA
St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-12-10

On the morning of the 21st ult.,
about two o'clock, the steamer Rain.
bow, Capt. Holcraft, on her way from
New Orleans to Louisville, with full
cargo of sugar and coffee, and with
about one hundred and fifty souls on
board, whilst under way, about ten
miles above Napoleon, and near the
head of Island ~, was discovered to
be on fire, and the officer of the deck
Mr. G. Whitlow, at once gave the
order to run her Oh which order
was Immediately executed by Mr.
Lamb, the pilot at the wheel but by
that time the entire boat was cnvelop
ed in flames, causing loss of about
scvcnty-fivc lives and two hundred
thousand dollars of money. The pas.
sengers, or majority of them, were
returned Californians, with their trea-
sures of gold and their families, com.
ing back to their "fadcr land" but,
alas, to meet with the sad embrace of
death, in its most horrid form, instead
of that from kindred and friends from
whom they had been so long scparat-
ed. All the passengers lost every
thing, money, clothes, and all they
had, except that which they had on.