davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

Other items of small amounts, bring this up
to S3,746, already expended for streets ard
bridges. They are now repairing the only
bridge left by which the city is approached, at
the foot of Pine street, at cost of about four
hundred dollars
These sums were given, mostly, in the official
report of the President of the Board, DR.. Over
ton, published in the democrat during the
whole of last month. The report of the Treas
urer, Mr.. Lambert exhibits the whole eXpendi-
lures of the city up to Jan. lst for which orders
had been issued, at S6,34l 10, on which 81, 4O3,
70 had been paid up to that day leaving debt
of S4,93S Oh. To meet this liability they had
the whole property tax of the city, not one dol
lar Of which had been collected. They had de-
ferred for motives of generosity the collection
OF this tax until season when money would be
more abundant and the people better able to
pay Having now but few months of their
term of Office remaining and having proper
regard for the pledged faith of the city, they
have commenced the collection of this tax, and
1t is right aud just that every citizen should
promptly and willingly pay it, The improve
ments they have made have unfortunately been
destroyed, but that is no fault of theirs, nor do
know that it is the fault of any one, but be-
cause they have been destroyed it does not ex-
onerote our citizens from the obi CATION, moral
and legal, TO discharge this debt 1t will be
time enough for us to talk of dsbanding when
that liability is fully liquidated do not think
however, that it is good policy even then to
abandon the charter. There remains about
5000 dollars due and unpaid of the property
tax This if collected will enable the Trustees
not only to pay off the existing debt but also to
restore the bridges so much needed for the con-
venience of the public, and this without leaving
more than a trihing debt to their successors,
perhaps none at ALL
have no doubt the present Trustees SO far
from coveting the office, will willingly weld I'm
the trust at the end of the term. have myself
been witness of the labors performed by them
for which they receive no compensation what
ever. So far from the censure implied in this
movement they deserve the thanks of the COM
munity for the disinterested and faithful man.
ner in which they have discharged their duties
The tax levied for the present year on account
of these improvements has been made one per
cent Had these improvements remained II
need not have been for the next year one third
of that amount; as 1t is, if the tax for this year
is paid it need not exceed half that amount
Many misrepresentation have been made, and
misapprehensions exist with reference to their
acts in some respects which are too idle and alb
surd to need an answer have taken the trou-
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25
NEVADA, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20, 1857

SHOOTING AFFRAY AT GRASS VALLEY.-On Sat
urday night last, Mr. Alexander McClanahan
was shot and instantly killed by man named
Frank Moore, at Grass Valley. The particulars
of the case, as we have obtained them, are as
follows The parties had been on bad terms
for year or two, and met at the grocery store
of Haywood Brothers, between ten and eleven
O'Clock on Saturday night. Moore asked
McClanahan If he was armed, and the latter an
swering in the negative, Moore told him to go
and arm himself, for he, (Moore) intended to
shoot him. McClanahan left, and in a short
time returned with loaded pistol, and the two
fred almost simultaneously. Moore was moi
hit, but McClanahan was shot through the heart
and died almost instantly. The lights in the
room were blown out by the conclusion caused
by the firing of the pistols, and in the excite
ment which followed, Moore was stabbed in the
back. It has not been ascertained who stabbed
him, and many are Of the opinion that he stab
bed himself in order to create sympathy.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

The TREAsURER's CLERK.-Mr. f. A. Rowe
chief clerk of the late State Treasurer is at
length imprisoned on board of the Sacramento
prison brig for refusing to answer questions in
regard to the affairs of the Treasurer's office.
The case was brought before the grand jury of
Sacramento, and Mr.. Rowe was summoned be-
fore that body, and asked what had become of
the $l24,OOO which he had received to pay the
July interest on the State bonds On his reftl-
sal to answer the question, the Court ordered
him Imprisoned until he did answer. He then
went before the Supreme Court, on u writ OF
habeas corpus, and was discharged for some in
formaity in the proceedings. The grand jury
Immediately summoned him again, and framed
the question to suit the decision, and on his sec
ond refusal to answer he was again ordered to
be imprisoned. His second application for a
discharge was refused by the Supreme Court,
and he was ordered to be imprisoned until he
answered the question. He is now confined on
board the prison brig, and is said to have de-
clarcd that he would remain there until the Ju-
ly interest is paid.
The manner in which the affairs of the State
Treasmer's Office have been conducted for the
past year, will render II extremely doubtful in
the minds of the people whether the money will
be appropriated to the payment of the July cou-
pons; and it is probable the Legislature will
make some other arrangement for this purpose.
II is certainly the duty of the Legislature to use
every precaution in their power to sustain the
State credit abroad.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

AMENDE.-A communication will be found in
another column, in relation to the paragraph
which appeared in the New York Church Jour
nal, to which we alluded last week. We are
perfectly well aware that the author of that
communication would never Intentionally do or
say anything to lnjure tie reputation of the peo-
pie of this place, and the paragraph was doubt
less penned without thinking of the effect it
must have upon people at distance. If the
same thing had been said here from the pulpit
no one would have complained; but being told
to people at distance, who know nothing OF
California, they would naturally draw the con-
clusion that Nevada was one of the worst places
in the State, while 1t is in fact, one of the best
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

THE CURRENCY act Of Congress which
has been recently passed, reducing the value Of
small Spanish silver coins, will have the effect
of driving those coins out of circulation in the
Eastern States, and of substituting in their place
the convenient decimal currency of the United
States. The Spanish twenty-five, twelve-and a.
half and six-and-a-quarter cent pieces will here
after be taken at the U. S. Minis, Custom Hous-
es and Post Offices, at twenty, ten and five cents,
respectively. The small Spanish coins will now
be shipped off to Mexico and South America,
where they belong, and will gradually disap-
pear from circulation. This enactment was
much needed, and will be of great value to the
poor population of the Eastern States, who have
heretofore been swinded out of four cents in
every dollar expended in the retail trade, by
the use of these coins. The same law which re-
duces the value Of small Spanish coins, authori
yes the issue of the new cent, which has hereto
fore been described.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

MORE MONEY LosT.-The Sacramento L},io,
says that the $4,000 in gold dust belonging to
the State at the time of the resignation of the
late Treasurer, and which should then have been
in the vaults, has never turned up and has
not been accounted for The apology given for
Its abstraction was that it had been sent to the
mint for coinage, and that the mint recent
would be forthcoming. 1t has, however, not
been produced, aud the only inference to be
drawn at this time, u.s. that the money has been
used for private purposes
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

\ NrRI0L CAsE.-A woman named Mar
garct Desmond, was arrested few days since,
in San Francisco, charged with throwing cup
of nitric acid in the face of man named Rob
ert Kearny. The parties are cousins, and came
to this country together in 1855. She has been
working out at service, and he, while engaged
to marry her, has been borrowing and spending
the result of her earnings Recently, he has
been less attentive to her, and more, to another
woman living with family on Powell street.
On Wednesday evening, as he was leaving the
last named place, woman brushed past him,
and discharged the acid on his hat, face, coat,
etc. His left check is badly burned, and his
eyes are in danger The evidence against her
is strong, though only circumstantial. In fit
of ungovernable frenzy she has probably sought
this fearful means of revenge.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

n Academia valuable horse belonging t.
Mr.. Birdseye was killed on Thursday last by
falling off from Pine street bridge. A teamstel
who was drawing lumber to repair the bridge
having the wheels coupled so far apart that he
could not turn attempted TO back the wagon of
the end of the bridge. As he got near the end
the wagon went off the side of the bridge, drag
Ing the horses off at the same time They fell
a distance of between twenty-five and thirty
feet. One of the horses had his back broken,
and was SO badly injured that he was knocked
In the head and killed. The other horse was
apparently but little hurt.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25
Amende Honorabic.

Mr.. Editor As the author of the letter to the
New York Church Journal, from which an ex-
tract has been sent to your paper and published
with some very proper structures of your own,
ask for a brief space to explain my meaning,
and make all due apology for my too strong ex-
pressions. The signature to that letter, will. of
course. have at once identified the writer with
one, who has received very many kind atten-
tons from the good people of your city; who'
sympathized most deeply with you all in your
terrible losses. who still cherishes the mem
ory of his many friends there, with unbroken
and undiminished affection; and who would cut
off his right hand, sooner than designedly, do or
say anything derogatory to either place or peo-
nile 1t never occurred to me, when writing the
paragraph in question, that such construction
would be given to it, or it certainly would have
been very much softened. 1t is susceptible of
all you and your correspondent in Sacramento
saw of it, and all of it Therefore, that thus reflects
upon your city and people, desire to withdraw
and to express my regret for using such strong
language My intent was good, and my object
was, to express by letter, plainly, what should
have as freely said from the pulpit in Nevada,
had remained a resident there to this time
Ny illusions to the "evil one," were meant in
q spiritual sense. and not to be interpreted as
grossly, as l admit the words justify. Mymean.
ing was simply this, and | intended only to
write in substance, what all my friends from Ne
| T L. 10 Abo
building of churches for well did know how
severely your citizens had been taxed to restore
their dwellings and stores. But hearing, (per-
haps | was misinformed) that gambling and liq-
uor drinking and their accomplishments. had in
creased since the fire; that there was more I'M
necessary Sunday trading than before, and that
the attendance upon public worship of every
| kind. was so very much less than when | was
with you | felt gricved and sorrowlul, and con.
| trasting this decline with what had so fOndly
hoped, | find that | did express myself in more
| harsh and unmeasured terms than | intended
or was deserved. With this explanation and
amendment. will ask you, Mr.. Editor if my
reference to the moral and spiritual condition
of Nevada, as it was in November last, was
much ont Of the way? And if not, cam be.
come your enemy because told you the truth?'
1t gives me sincere pleasure now, to say. that
from more recent information, | rejoice to hear
of your Improvement in spiritual, as well a.
temporal things, and wish both to 90 on unit
Nevada shall be. what it should. and may be
the model cty of the mountains. l trust this ex
PLANTATION will be satisfactory, and that no on,
in Nevada will think or believe me either un
grateful or disposed to SANDER place or PEG
pie. lat have so many reasons to regard viii
! the kindcst of feelings.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

BLASTING AccIDENT.--A german by the name
of Halweg had his arm so badly shattered on
Monday, by the premature explosion of blast
at Woodpecker ravine, as to render amputation
Of the limb necessary. The blast went off while
Halweg and another man were tamping the
powder. The other man was slightly burned or
the hands AS soon as the accident happened
DR.. Trautman, of this place, was sent for, and
on examining the unfortunate mans arm found
that amputation was necessary, and immediate
ly performed the operation. The hand was al
most entirely blown off by the powder, and tho
arm was cut off below the elbow
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

MOVEMENT AMONG HOTEL KEEPERS. The True
Californian says that it is in contemplation
among the proprietors of the various hotels and
clearinghouse in that city, to keep "black
list" in which the names of delinquent board
ers shall be recorded, to prevent their leaving
the places where they are deeply indebted,
when they can no longer obtain credit, and 90
ing TO other establishments to run through the
same course again. If this project is carried
out, some of the well-dressed "deportman toI"
loungers about that city will be severe sufferers
and may even be driven to the desperate ev-
tremity OF endeavOring to earn an honest living
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

MURDER AND OUTRAGE NEAR SONORA,
State Journal has been permitted to peruse let
ter from Sonora, of Feb. 18th which gives an
account of an affair that occurred on the previ-
GUS evening, that has created great excitement
in that vicinity. Three young men by the name
of Blakely had lately bought place known as
Lyons Ranch, abont three miles from town.
On Saturday evening the three brothers were
eating supper, when some seven or eight men
came up to the house and fired simultaneously
upon the inmates. The eldest Mr.. Blakely fell
from his chair dead. The other two made for
the back door, when another vOlley was fired,
nearly every ball of which took effect in the arm
of one of the fugitives almost shooting it off.
He however succeeded in escaping alive with
the uninjured brother, and reached town. The
murderers then set fire to the house and it was
burned to the ground, and with ii the body of
the murdered man. The light of the fire was
seen in Sonora. Mr.. G. Blakely, who was shot,
was n lawyer, and man of good education.
yer of Sonora, was one of the men who shot
him. Mr. Hunter. who has been arrested, is
said to be respectable man, and his position
and known character for honor entirely forbid
the belief that he was engaged in the murderous
attack.
The three Blakclys were quiet, worthy men,
and no motive but that of plumber can be con-
ccved for the assault The one who lost his
arm has Il wife in New York, the other two were
single men.
Since the above was in type we have re-
ceivcd the Sonora Democrat, which gives some
additional particulars in regard to this affair.
The Bakclys had had difficulty with man
named Lyons, and Mr.. Hunter was attorney for
the latter in suit against the former about to
come off. BY Hunters advice James Lyons
and Mr.. Poor who lived several miles from
Sonora were arrested, but nothing was proved
till Thursday, when Thomas Wallace who was
one of the attacking party, and who was sum-
moned for the accused at the Coroner's inquest,
confessed everything. He charges the crime of
murder on Lyons and Poor. Much joy is cx-
pressed at the release of Mr.. Hunter from sus-
picion. He has been discharged from arrest.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25
SOLOMON HILL MINING CONIPANY-

A STATEMENT was made in the Nevada Journal of IN.
7o over the signature of Albert Mau to the effect
hasper Haupt and Michael HOuck were not officers of
had overcharged for work and that at meeting Of said
company on the 10th ns Albert Mau was elected Super
OF the Company These statements are all false
b houck has not oyercharged for work, and there
mas not been any eectonheld for officers of said Companv
Inc election was postponed until the first of next month
and the old officers hold over until that time
The interest of Christian Stepp in the above named
Company will be sold Thursday next the 26tb inst
sessments the same. - f'' a."
Nevada, Feb, 23d 1S57-1t*
MICHAEL HOUCK, Superintendent
KASPER HAIJpT Treasuror -
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25
Sacramento, Feb. 20. 1857.

CONVICTION or JACK PuHIIPs.-Jack Phillips,
was convicted on Friday last, in Auburn, for
completely with Tom Bells gang of robbers.
He kept the Mountain House, between Auburn
and Folsom. which was the rendezvous of Tom
Bell and his gang when they were in their 81 o.
ry. The testimony reveals the fact that they
had complete organization, and conducted
business in most systematic manner. In ope-
rations like the Camptonvilc stage affair, eight
or ten of them would go together In the rob-
berry of pcdlar, or single foot traveller, two
would be sufficient. After robbing their vic
tins, they would frequently tic them to "a tree,
to get loose as best they could. X. ii. Paul.
Deputy Sheriff of Calavcras county, obtained
from one Of their gang bullet peculiarly mark
ed by holes and cross, whichservcd rs n tallis-
man among the party, With this he went to
Phillips house and ingratated himself into the
confidence Of the prisoner and obtained consid-
cradle information from him and then arrested
him.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

bic myself to examine into them, and am salts
fed that they have no foundation in truth.
The bare presentation of this petition to the
Legislature, after having taxed its attention SO
repeatedly with applications for charter and
amendments to that charter during the past
twelve months, it seems to me places upon our
citizens stamp of capriciousnesS by no means
credtable. Some who signed the petition I'M
der erroneous impressions have since Withdrawn
their names. 1t is to be wished that others may
follow the example. A.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25
s,at- Pr,sou Affairs.

An interesting debate occurred In the Senate
last Wednesday, in regard to the State Prison
contract with Gen. Estell. While the appropri-
alton bill was before the Senate, Mr.. Shaw NOV
ed to strike out the appropriation Of $5O,O0O for
five months salary Of the lessee, and insert $2O
900, as q temporary appropriation until adver-
tisements could be made for proposals on more
advantageous terms to the State. He said 9TH
er parties were willing to take the prison with
out charge to the State after the third year, and
at very low rates during that time.
Several Senators opposed the appropriation
of $4,000, on the ground that the contract was
unconstitutional, and the Senate refused, by a
vote of Is to s, to make any appropriation,
whatever. The effect of this action will be to
force the lessee to seek his remedy in the courts
where the legality Of the contract will be settled.
We have always regarded the contract made by
the reform Legislature of last winter, with Gen.
Estel, for keeping the State prisoners, as one
of the most Ubiquitous transactions ever fasten-
ed upon the people of the State. The lessee re-
ceiyes $4,000 month from the State, for TAX
ing care of the prisoners, which is sufficient Of
itself to board an clothe them, and whatever he
can make out of their labor isclear gain to him,
The people may be thankful, however, that the
contract is no worse than il is for the State.
Estell stated few days ago in the Assembly.
and we have no doubt he spoke the TRUTH that
he might just as well have got $4,000 month
as $4,000, if he had only asked it, He only
charged $4,000, and the Legislature immedi-
atey took him up, without advertising for pro-
posals, or making any inquiry as to whether the
prisoners could be taken care of for q less sum.
The contract was made for five years, and a
good business man ought to clear near half q
million Of dollars in the operation.
The Attorney General is said to have given
his opinion that the State Prison contract is I'M
constitutional and void; and also, that the war.
rants drawn in advance to pay the salary of the
lessee have been drawn illegally. 1t is said
that Estell is willing to have the contract an-
nulled, provided the State will pay him for the
improvements he has made, and the property
which belongs to him attached to the Prison
If this is so, we can see no necessity for resort
to the Courts to annul the contract, even should
it be Illegal II is proper, and in fact necessa
ry, that the State should resume control of the
convicts, and If this object can be attained i'm
mcdiatcly, without litigation, so much the bet
ter
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

CABIN RoBBED-On Wednesday afternoon q
cabin at Peck's ravinc, about one mile from Ne.
vada, was broken into and robbed while the oc.
cupants were atwork few rods from the place
Fortunately, the thieves only got about three
or four dollars, although there was between
three and four hundred dollars in the cabin
They ransacked every carpet bag and trunk in
the cabin, but were not able to find what they
were evidently after.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

CONFESSIONS OLA TnIEF-Thc Butte Record
relates some portions of the history of an old
offender named VIM. Sheridan who plead gull
ty to the charge of grand larceny. in the Court
of Sessions of Butte County. lie has been in
the pcntentiary once, and knows all the roeues.
lie says there is band of thieves in almost ev.
cry city, more at this time than ever before
He says there is large number of thieves in
and about Orovile, which place they had deci-
ded to burn last fall but finally postponed il un.
til spring, for the sake of better haul.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

SAN FRANCISCO SENAToR.--An election was
held yesterday, in San Francisco, for Senator
in place of Frank Tiford resigned, The Dem.
ocrats have nominated Franklin L. Jones, the
Republicans have nominated t. p. Tracy, and
Frederick Woodwork has been nominated by
the Vigilance Committee. AS the successful
candidate will only have few weeks to serve,
the election is not considered of much import
ance in party point of view, and the vote cast
will probably be small.
The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-02-25

5, f. HERALD.-We are pleased to notice that
the San Francisco Herald has been enlarged,
and presents evidences of increased patronage.
The Herald passed through a severe ordeal at
the time of the vigilance excitement; but the
editor pursued fearless and independent course
regardless of consequences, and he cannot fail
eventually to receive his reward for the courage
and ability with which he sustained the right
and opposed violence and wrong.