davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30
NEVADA, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 80, 1857.
Meeting of the Legislature.

The tenth session of the California Legisla-
ture convenes next Monday in Sacramento. In
the ordinary line of legislation there is little
business to be transacted, and there is no ne
cessity that the present session should occupy
more than sixty days. The revenue law passed
last winter, is, on the whole. the best ever en-
acted in this State, and will require no modif-
operation for the past year may have pointed
out some trihing defects which can be advanta-
geously changed, without altering the main
provisions Of the law. The revenue laws of the
State have heretofore been changed so often
that the people have never become acquainted
with their provisions, and il is desirable, that
the present one should remain in force until it
is thoroughly tested in its practical results
The propriety of making some amendments
to the State Constitution, will doubtless be the
most important subject brought before the Leg
islature. Doubts have been expressed in some
quarters, as to whether the proposition for call
ing Constitutional Convention was defeated
by the vote of the people at the election last
opinion among the members of the Legislature
on this question. The Constitution requires
that majority of the voters Of the State must
vote for O Convention in order to carry the
measure. The total vote for Governor exceed
ed ninety thousand and only 3O,226 votes were
recorded for Convention, and there can, there
fore, be no doubt that the proposition is defeat
ed. AS the question of calling Convention
may bo considered settled, it isto be hoped that
the advocates of that measure will offer no fur
ther opposition to the Legislature making such
amendments to the Constitution as the expert
ence Of nine years has demonstrated to be nee
essary. By changing the Constitution go that
the sessions Of the Legislature shall be held
once in two years, instead OF every year, as at
present an annual saving Of $4,000 will be
effected, and the interests Of the State will not
suffer from the change. Had the last Legisla-
ture made appropriations for two years instead
of for one, there would not be the slightest ne
cessity for session to be held this winter. The
judiciary system of the State must also, sooner
or later, be revised. The present system is or
ganized on altogether too magnificent and ex-
pensive a scale for q country SO thinly popula-
ted as California. We need in this State but
two Courts of record-either County or District
Courts, and Supreme Court. About twenty
or twenty-five District Judges could easily dis
pose of all the business transacted in the Dis
trict and County Courts. By abolishing the
County Courts, there will be saved to the seve-
raj counties a considerable sum, which the
smaller ones in particular, are lily able to bear.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

~ reducing the rate of taxation. In other res
poets the amount of taxation may be very much
reduced. The laws in relation to the assessment
and collection Of taxes though much improved,
are yet far from being perfect. la relation to
the assessment of taxes the law could be amend
ed in two respects so as greatly to diminish ex-
penses, and increase the revenue.
The assessor is at present paid at rate per
day, not exceeding ten dollars. If he wants as
sistants he employs them at the same rate, so
far as it is charge against the coanty. The
result is, that he does not deem it necessary to
prosecute the assessment with great degree of
energy, nor do bis interests induce him to make
full and complete assessments. Property is
very mperfeetly assessed, and the charges for
it are high. Pay the assessor certain per
csntage on all that he assesses on which taxes
are collected, and every fndueement is held out
to make full and complete assessment; and at
the same time not improperly to assess proper
ty, as he would get no pay, except for the
amount on which taxes were collected. Besides
this, more work would be done for the same
money. II in addition to this, assessors and
collectors of taxes could be elected in each
township, the collection Of poll taxes would be
doubled, and the assessment of property would
be increaced at least twenty-five per cent.
In relation to this matter of funding the
county debt, and meeting current expenses by
cash payments, it is for the taxpayers them
selves to decide what they wish to be done.
have no doubt that II is for the interest OF
the county to fund the debt, and hereafter pay
cash. But have no personal interest in the
matter, taxes not affecting me in any way AS
representing the county, desire to do 'that
which will most promote its interests BY leg
islaton the debt can be funded, and the expen-
ses of the county hereafter paid in cash.
The law of April last authorizing special
tax can be amended SO as to appropriate the
whole amount to the contingent expenses, or
matters can be left as they are. 1t is for the
Taxpayers to determine whether they wish for
legislation, an if so, what? For myself, | shall
do nothing in the premises unless | understand
that it is the wish Of the taxpayers
AS one Of your representatives. | can in this
matter propose-it is for the taxpayers Of the
county to dispose.
S. H. CHASE
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30
Library Meeting.

Pursuant to adjournment the citizens of Ne
vada met at the Court House on Monday eve
ming, Dec. 28th. Judge Searls, Chairman; R.
Shoemaker, Sec'y.
On motion of c. F. Wood, the meeting was
resolved into Library Association, and the
persons present invited to contribute books for
the formation of Public Library. 4
Rev. ]. Fl. Warren contributed sixty vol
umes; A. A. Sargent seventeen; A. @. Niles
eight; G. Wilson Hill, Mr.. Hixon, @. F. Wood
and R. Shoemaker also made contributions Of
standard works, &c. to the Association.
On motion of T. b. Mcfarland the fee of ini-
tiation for this Association shall be five dollars
Rev. J. II. Warren was unanimously made an
honorary member of this Association.
On motion of Mr.. Mcfarland, Mr.. Shoemaker
was authorized to collect the books contributed
ard to receive initiation fees Of those who wisI
to join this Association.
Adjourned until Wednesday evening" Dec
30th, at o'clock. r. SHOEMAKER,
Secretary.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

THE PENlrENTIARY.-The San Francisco Morn
ing Call is informed by gentleman who has
just returned from visit to San Quentin, that
a majority of the convicts are in most distress
ed condition. They are half starved and almost
naked. Food of the most inferior quality. and
deficient in quantity. has been furnished, and
the prisoners are now in an almost famished
condition, several of them having died within
the last month from sheer starvation. This is
the case with the convicts that are moor and
friendless while those who happen to have Ell
ther means of their own, or influential conncc-
tons, enjoy every liberty and live upon the fat
of the land
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

PROGRESS or CIvILTzAToN.-Neither the cast
off garments with which the Digger Indians OF
our State are so fond of clothing themselves
nor their growing love for cards and bad whis-
key, are the only evidences of their progress in
civilization. AT a scamp" about mile and a
half above town, there may now be seen, con-
spicuous among the ordinary "huts'' which
these people build for shelter, well construct
ed "shngle house, made comfortable with a
fireplace and chimney, and provided with a
door and piadov 1t is only some three years
since, that party of this same tribe, actually
burned dorm a comfortable cabin which had been
deserted by its white builders, because it occu-
pied a spot on which they wished to erect one
of their miserable bark tenemenls.-G. 7. TEE
qrdph
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

SUIcIDE.-Mr. P. J. Espenschied an old ciLi-
zen of Nevada, committed suicide by hanging
himself, in the yard adjoining the Dawson House,
Sacramento, on Wednesday morning last. His
friends here have for some time regarded him
as deranged, but were not able to keep him at
home. About two weeks ago he left and went
to San Francisco. Mr.. Dunn, who lives on
Brush creek, and at whose house Espenschied
had been stopping went to San Francisco after
him, and persuaded him to come back On
their return, they stopped at the Dawson House.
aud occupied the same room on Tuesday night
with the intention of taking the stage for Ne
vada the next morning. During the night, Es-
penschied got up several times, dressed himself
and went out; but on the last occasion, he went
into the yard, and procuring a rope, tied one
end around his neck and attached the other to
a ladder which was leaning against another
building. Mr.. Dunn followed him down stairs
shortly after he went out but he was not found
for near half an hour after he left his room
when be was quite dead. Mr.. Espenschied has
been engaged in the boot aud shoe business in
Nevada for six or seven years, and had accu-
mulated considerable property. His estate is
said to be worth $1,000. He made will a
few months ago and appointed executors He
was Of German descent, and his parents now
reside in Wayne county, New York. His re-
mains were placed in metallic coffin, for the
purpose of having them sent to his friends
should they desire it.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

BREWERY BuRNED--Last evening. about u
o'clock, says the Stockton Argus Of 18th inst, a
fire broke out in the Stockton brewery. large
building on the slough, in the lower end of the
town. The fire was first discovered in the brew
ing department of the building, and the alarm
had hardly been sounded before the flames
reached the main building The iremon hold
ing the pipes acted like salamanders, almost
Walking into the flames, fed as they were by
wood and paint The property belonged to
Philip Nestruck, who, besides his loss in the
building, had destroyed some 5000 lbs. Of bar
ley 1000 lbs. of malt, and 200 lbs. of hops.
His loss will be about $4,000. 1t was reported
that a couple of horses and a cow were burnt.
but this was contradictcd. This brewery was
one Of the first buildings of Stockton, and was
sort of monument pointing to the early his
tory of our country.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30
Total. ....................... s121 ,255


In the above estimate have regarded $l04,-
900 as the principal of the debt and computed
interest on that amount at 10 pr ct per year.
Upon such an estimate there would be in 1865
after paying the balance of the debt and the in
terest SIT 900 surplus. But if the debt is fund
ed before this is done, the principal will exceed
the present amount; the present rate of taxation
not being sufficient to keep down the debt.
have thus given my views as to the policy
Of the county, its resourcesand revenue, present
and prospective. There may be errors in details
and estimates though have endeavored to be
IS correct as possible. The resources, revenue
and expenditures of the county admit Of tolera-
bly, exact estimates The taxation for State
purposes is more uncertain. The State possess
% some valuable resources. She has swamp
and ovsrhowed land Of about 100000 acres.
She claims from the Federal Government the
sum of 81, ,700,0 900 denomlnated the 'civil fund"
being the duties on imports collected at San
Francisco before California was admitted as
State and paid into the Treasury of the United
States and to which this State insists she has an
andcubted right. This fund is pledged to the
payment Of the State debt. and if obtained, with
Ihe amount that may be derived from the sale
II the swamp and overfowed land. may relieve
he State gssan debt without the assessme mt Of
3Os per z 20 as provided by law, thereby large
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

u
y OF sale to directed and issued out of the Hon. lis
ict Court Of the 18th Judicial District in and for Nevada
county and State of California Judgment rendered in
Court the 22d day of December 1857 in favor Of G. C.
KING and against ~ g. SMITH, for the sum of eleven
hundred and fifteen dollars and sixteen cents principal
debt with interest the said of 81 115 16 at the
rate of three per cent per month from the rendition
Judgment until paid together with all costs of suit taxed
at thirty dollars for the sale Of the following described
property to wit the two equal undivided third parts
the mill, known the Ohio MILL situated on the
Ashvile Ranch about 2 miles from the town of Grass
Valley county and State aforesaid together with all and
singular the privileges and appurenances thcreunto be-
longing, the logs at the MILL sawed lumber in the yard
and also the privilege of timber the land near sadm
belonging to Wm. Stevens aud John Murphy.
Notice is hereby given that viii expose at public sale
all the above described property to the highest bidder
cash in front of the Court House door in the city
da, TUESDAY the 10th day of January A. D. 1855 be-
tween the hours of 10 O'Clock A. NJ and O. clock p H. to
satisfy and pay said judgment
Given under my hand this Doth day of December 1857.
1S-td S. W. BORING, Sheriff n c.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

AMPUTArIoN.-The San Francisco Argus Of
Dec. 11th, contains the following Yesterday
morning William Shaw, of Grass Valley, Ncva-
da County, had one Of his hands amputated at
the wrist. 1t was cut off piece by piece, joint
by joint, as it was not known how far the di-
decentralization, had extended. The ope
ration was very skilraly performed by DR.. Ben
nett Of the British Hospital assisted by Drs
Nuttall, Dupuytren and others, whilst the pa
tient was under the influence of chloroform.
We are happy to hear he is doing WE'LL"
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30
NTurt,er and Suicide.

A tragic affair occurred at the Red House,
near San Francisco, on Wednesday morning.
the 2Sd inst. The only persons who slept in
the house were the proprietor, Sylvester Muir
pbv. and the house-keeper, Mary Ann McGlnn
About one o'clock in the morning, boy named
John Mead, attached to the Red House as an
hoster. who slept in the stable, was awakened
bv cries of murder proceeding from the servant
girl. who had evidently rushed out to the bal
cony. The boy concluded that the couple had
had quarrel and paid no more attention tothe
matter. AS the house was not opened at the
usual hour in the morning, the boy Mead con-
cluded something extraordinary must have
transpired went and got several ncighbors to
90 with him to the house. On entering Muir
phy's room terrible spectacle greeted them.
The room was completely despatched with
blood in the bed, with his head wrapped in a
blanket lay Murphy, and on the floor near the
bed was stretched out the lifeless body of Mary
McGlynn. Murphy was alive, and evidently
had Just recovered from swoon. lie present
ed most ghastly appearance. His throat was
cut from ear 70 car anu nShCldl etaoS hSlV
found on his left breast. The woman's throat
was also cut, and bullet wound pierced her
neck, as well as one in her head. Her nose was
completely disGgured, and many other frightful
bruises were found upon her head and body
Near the body was large carving knife, and a
pistol with the stock broken, and on the bed q
small penknife, one blade of which was open
and stained with blood
When Murphy had sufficiently recovered to
talk, he gave his version of the affair. He said
that whilst he was abed Anne came to his room
and stabbed him several times with the carving
knife; that he drew his pistol and fred at her;
and that afterwards she cut his throat, and then
committed suicide. He died about FIVE o'clock
that afternoon.
There are various circumstances connected
with this tragical affair, which lead those who
have examined the premises to disbeieve the
dying statement of Murphy. 1t is the general
impression that Murphy murdered the girl, and
then inflicted the wounds upon himself.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30
County general fund

The revenue from other sources as heretofore
given will be at low computation $4,000 per
year which added to the net revenue Of the
county general fund as above calculated will
give the net revenue for the several years to
the county general fund. The current annual
expenses of the county we have shown as we
think would be about $4,000, not exceeding
that sum. In the table below, in the first col
umn we give the whole net revenue both of
county general fund in the second the surplus
amount after paying the current expenses of the
county $4,000 year-in the third column the
amount Of principal this surplus will pay off be-
sides the interest which is estimated at $10,400
in 1883.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

AMERICAN QUARTZ CoMPANY.-This company
have resumed operations, after long suspen-
sion, and have re-opened their lode near the
surface, where the quartz indicates remarkable
richness. In a specimen in our possession,
which we gathered out Of the heap, the gold is
plainly visible to the naked eye, and we are in
formed that some specimen pieces have been
found of extraordinary value. The quartz mill
belonging to this company is one Of the finest
10 the county, having ten stampers of 900 lbs.
each. run by large oversbot wheel, 60 feet in
diameter, and is capable of crushing about tif-
teen tons every twenty-four hours.-PIacerUAIe
Arg1S.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

The shipments for the year 1856 amounted to
$4s,ss7, ,543 90, being falling off of $685.
$50 O5. The total shipments of gold from this
State, from April IL ls49, to date is s367, $751;
999 O5. This embraces only the amount that
appeared on the ships manifests, large sums be-
ing taken by passengers, of which no correct
account can be obtained. 1t is supposed, how
ever, that there is yearly carried away on the
persons of passengers not less than ten millions
of dollars, which, added to the above, will give
$55.49S, l43 as the amount of treasure shipped
from this State during the year 1857. There is
likewise very heavy drain Of the precious me-
tails for China.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30
The Open Polar sea--Interesting Commu-


The Omen Polar Se0-AnteEcshhS
nIcatIon.
We find the following communication in the
National Iuteliigencer:
C,ENTT E,rEN-In the recent discussion and spec
ulation touching the existance of North Polar
(open) Sea. superinduced by the publication OF
the work of the late lamented DIR. Kane ana
others, / have been somewhat surprised never
to have met with any allnsion to tract, en-
titled "A Brief Discourse of Passage oy Tue
North Pole to Japan, China, &c, PLEADED by
three experiments; and answer to all objections
that can be urged against Passage that way:
bv Joseph Maxon, Fellow of the Royal Society"
From said document make the following TER
bdtinl extract, to wit:
"Being about % years of age, in Amsterdam,
| went into Drinking house, to drink Cup OF
Beer for my Thirst, and sitting by public Fire,
among several People there happened Seaman
to come in, who, seeing Friend OF his there,
who he knew went in the Greenland voyage,
wondered to see him, for it was not yet time for
the Greenland Fleet to come home, and asked
what accident had brought him home so soon,
his friend (who was the Sherman aforesaid, in
a Greenland Ship that Summer) told him that
their Ship went not out to fish that Summer,
but only to take in the Lading of the whole
Fleet to bring it tu an early Market, &c.
"But,; said he, "before the Fleet had caught
fish enough to lade us we, by order of the
Greenland Company, sailed into the North Pole
and came back again. WhereupOn (hs relation
being Novel to me,) entered into discourse
with him, and seemed to question the Truth OF
what he said but be did insure me that it was
true, and that the ship was then in Amsterdam,
and many of the seamen belonging to her, to
Justify the truth of it.; and told me, moreover
that they had sailed two Degrees beyond the
Pole. / asked him if they found no land or
islands about the pole? He told me No, there
was free and open Sea. | asked him if they
did not meet with great deal of ice? He told
me no, they saw no ice. | asked him what
weather they had there? he told me fine warm
weather." &c.
TO the "tract" frem which the above extract
is taken there is no date, but infer the period
of Mr. Maxon's conversation with the ''steer-
man. to have been in the year 1646, from a
date given in another part of the document.
The "tract" is published in the lst volume of
John Harris Collection of Voyages and travels,
page GIG, London, MDCCV, folio edition." the
only copy OF which have ever seen is the one
belonging to my library, and from which quote
as above.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30
/ would set the rate Of

would set the rate of taxation in this coun-
ty at 2 pr ct till 1861, when SOC per 500 (25c
building fund and sc INDECENT sick fund) may
be taken off leaving the rate of taxation 7-10
pr Ct, though as have before remarked the
INDECENT sick fund may admit of an earlier
and greater reduction. Now upon such rate
Of taxaton the current expenses of the county
can be paid In cash and the debt liquidated in
eight years as l will proceed to show. In the
following table place the taxable property Of
the county at $4,O0O.00O in 1858, allow pr ct
year on that amount for its increase, put the
rate Of taxation at pr ct till 1861, and 7-10
pr ct in 1861 and after-put the county assess
mont at 75c per 500, and deduct l6 pr ct for
fees and delinuuencies:
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

ANFtEItIF'F"S ; SAIE.-I8y virtue OF a Decree
- and Order OF Sale to directed and issued the
Hon District Court Of the l4th Judicial District and for
the County of Nevada and State of California, judg-
men rendered in said Court the 22d day December
H. 1851 in favor of G. c. KING and against n. G. SMITH
and j. 7. HILL for the of thousand nine hun
dred and foryve dollars and sixty cents principal debt
and interest," with interest on the said sum OF 81 e5 60 at
the rate OF three per cent per month from the rendition
judgment until paid together with all costs of suit taxed
at sS So for the sale of the following described property
to witt The Steam Saw Mill situated on French Ravine
about two and half miles eastery from the town of
Grass Valley County and State aforesaid together with all
the machinery aud appuenances belonging or attached
thereto, and all the timber right belonging thereto.
Notice is hereby given that will expose to public sale
all the above described property to the highest bidder for
cash. in front of the Court House door in the ctv of Neya
da on TUESDAY the 10th day of January A. D. 1855 be.
tween the hours of 10 O'Clock NJ and O'Clock P NJ to
satisfy and pay said judgment
Given under my hand this 29th day of Tecember 1857
l3-td S. W. BORING, Sheriff, n. c.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

The SAN FRANCISCO MNT.-The Superintend-
ent of the United States Branch Mint at San
Francisco gives notice that from and after the
1st Of January, 1858, gold bullion will be recev-
ed and manufactured into impaired bars at a
charge of one quarter Of one per cent, and re-
turns made in twenty-four hours.
The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-30

ESCAPE OF STATE PRTsoNERs.-Fiv State Pris-
on convicts made their escape on Thursday, the
Oath inst The Times Of Friday, gives the fol-
lowing particulars Of the escape:
The sloop Pike County arrived at Folsom ST.
wharf yesterday, from Corte Madeira, with a
load of bricks. The vessel was manned by five
convcts, Captain Mckenzie, and JAS. Milan
The cargo was discharged, and at O'Clock the
sloop started back. In the meantime, however,
the captain had come up into town, and man
aged to get pretty tight Soon after getting
underweigh, the condition of the captain was
plainly to be seen, for he became 50 drunk be
could scarcely sit up. The crew were noticed
by the guard MILAN, to be exchanging wuks
and signs, and when they were oil North Point,
to head the vessel for the shore. MILAN rcmon-
strated, and attempted to change her course,
but was prevented, and the consequence was
she beached off the Point. The prisoners made
their escape; the guard and the drunken cap
tain were left by themselves The names of the
convicts are, Jesse Bell, jerry Thompson, Jack
Morris, Pike County Reed and Frenchy. Moth
ing has since been heard Of them"