Mariposa Democrat., 1857-08-27
From the Plains
MINT ROBBERY.


$40 to 500 per ton.
MINT ROBBERY.
The Torn Talk gives the following account Of a
system Of robbery that has been going on at U. s.
Mint in San Francisco
It appears that Mr.. Hampstead, the Superintendent
of the Mint had for some time entertained suspicious
that Of the employees about the institution
acting dishonesty. Under this impression he ap-
piled to the Chief Of Police for aid in ferretng out the
guilty party. The Chief having detailed officer Ba-
ker for this duty the latter got the track of Balm
on Tuesday night, at the What Cheer House, where
It appears he boarded. From this place the officer
followed him for several hours about the city, until he
got into an onbus and was lost for the time being.
Officer Baker this morning proceeded to station him
self near the Mint when little before seven he saw
Balm enter, and following. arrested him. On going
with him to his house, In the block bounded by Sut
ter, Green, Dupont and Kearny, trunk was found in
the room where Balm lodged, containing within
false pannel number Of unstampcd twenty dollar
pieces, together with the triangular pieces of gold
left after cutting them from the plate in coining.
These were all cemented together with tenacious
substance, and it was surmised that wax had been
placed on the soes Of Bans boots for the purpose Of
causing the gold 10 ADHERE and thus remove it with
out detection from the Mint. number Of unstamp-
ed half and quarter dollars in silver were also found.
These pieces the accused says were given him by Mr..
Eckedt in exchange for other money, he wishing TO
have them made into ornaments. This, however,
Mr. Eckfodt Denies CHiciblcs and various kinds Of
/ tools were likewise found in the room.
The officers also ascertaned that he had been in the
habit of hiring blacksmith shop near at hand, giving
two dollars night for the it to melt up gold.
On going again to the Mint the sum of 5000 was
found deposited in Eckenfeldts box, having been put
there by Mr.. Balm Several specimens Of value were
also found, and piece that seemed to have been
melted. On Tuesday, Balm bought a draft on David
son Co., the bankers for 81 900 with the intention
Of sending 1t to Germany. Nearly $500 were also
found upon his person when brought to the station
house. This man, It appears, has heen employed in
the Mint since it started. lie helped to put
up the machinery, and has been engaged ever since
"a a clipper. rough bar Of gold found at Wells
Fargo & Co.'S valued at 81, 100 which has been iden
titled as belonging to the Mint, and which Balm sold
TO that house. This bar, all the gold found in
his possession, Of the standard ineness The ac-
cused Il at present prisoner in the station house
but has made confessions Of conclusive character
ATTEMrT AT AssAssNArIoS.-The To,cn Tak has
the following account Of a supposed attempt 10
snate Manuel Casanares, Of the chief witnesses
in the Limantour land claim case
At about eight o'clock on Thursday evening, Senior
Castanar,s, who is suffering from severe cold, went
to his room intending to retire and take sweat. For
this purpose in addition to the usual coverlids he add
ed two large padded counterpancs to his bedding
About two o'clock in the morning he was suddenly
awakened by heavy plunge against his right breast
and felt a sensation like the blade of knife entering
it, He instantly rolled back the clothes and jumped
out of bed, when he saw the figure of a man passing
out. He followed the figure into the corridor, but on
arriving there he found all quiet and nobody stirring
Holding his hand against the wound, which was bleed
ing profnsey, he staggered to the door of the room
adjoining the one in which he slept, which occu-
pied by friend Of his, and knocked. He then fell
heavily upon the floor. Nine, Touchard, hearing the
fall and supposing some had been attacked with
apoplexy hurried up stairs and found Senor Castan-
ares wcltering in his blood the floor Of the corridor
She instantly gave the alarm, and search inst.
tuted for the assassin. Nothing, however, dis.
covered which would lead to knowledge of the per
petmtor. About that time, two men to pass
out by the secondstory hall towards the of the
house, where egress could be effected by going through
window to the roof of an adjoining house. The
strongest part of this strange transaction is that Senor
Castanares was stabbed with his own knife, which
was found in the bed clothes, which he rolled
he jumped up. The sheath of the knife was gone and
has not since been found. 1t is worthy of note that
Castanares left his door open when he retired, the
room is very close, for the purpose of airing it.
BURNING OF QUARTZ MILL, AND PoIsNING OF