The Nevada Democrat., 1858-08-11
n,oody Array ON the st.nlslaus River.

A desperate and bloody fight occurred near
Central Ferry, on the Stanislaus river. last
Wednesday morning, August 4th. A party of
five Americans had been at work on bar. and
running large wheel for mining purposes.
Two FreDchmen, working some four or FIVE
hundred yards below, had built dam across
the river, which backed the water up so as to
stop the wheel. This caused remonstrance on
the part of the Americans, and one of them
proceeded to tear away the dam. The French
men then run to their cabin which was near by.
seized their double -barrelIed shot guns, and
fred upon the other party, who were unarmed.
Leonard Shoecob was killed instantly. Abraun
Delay was mOrtally wounded, Geo. Crooks was
shot through both thighs and another man was
slightly wounded in the side. After the shoot
ing the Frenchnen took their guns. pistols and
ammunition, and started across the river, in the
direction of Stockton. AS the attacked party
were without arms, and three of the wounded
men required assistance, they could not of
course follow The affair took place about 8
O'Clock An.
After the men were shot, party of miners
from Peoria, headed by Jacob Pike, started in
pursuit of the fugtives. They were pursued
to Short Crop Bar, Tuolumne county, and from
thence up to Chapparal mountain, where the
Frenchmen turned and fired on their pursuers.
Pike was instantly killed, and Charles McKen-
ney mortally wounded. The Frenchmen then con-
tinued their fight. The alarm was spread in ev-
cry direction, and parties started from Colum-
ba and Sonora in pursuit of the fugitives, and
were promptly on their trail, and it is said they
cannot escape. They had some twenty China
men employed on their work, who became much
alarmed, as great excitement prevailed.
WTHDRAwN.-Mr. John R. Ridge, the late
able editor Of the Marysvile Express, has with
drawn from the editorial charge of that paper.
The controlling proprietors of the paper, it
seems, disagree with him as to what CO stitutes
Democratic principles, which is the occasion of
his Withdrawal. In his valedictory, Mr.. Ridge
says:
cannot in conscience support the platform
issued by the so-called Administration State
Convention. 1t embodies. iu my opinion, the
embryo Of principle which needs only growth
and maturity TO expand into monarchy. Its
first true manifestation would be fearful cen-
trallzation Of power in the hands of the Federal
Government, and its ultimate result the COM
plete overthrow of free institutions | think
| am right, the propretors of this paper think
l am wrong. Be that as it may, have founded
myself upon the great doctrine of popular SOW
ereignty, as it is construed by the Giant Of the
West. Stephen A. Douglas aud will stand by
1t in peace or in war; 1t may make but little
difference with the great sea of political opinion
which bOls aud foans around me, whether |
blow my feeble breath upon it, by the side of
the lightning winged and thunder speaking
storm, or whether / withdraw it, but as the
smallest pebble that is cast into the ocean S
depths stirs. though it be but with ripple its
rolling waves from shore to Shore so is each
single mans opinion of more or less moment in
the great affairs of society aud government,
and mine | will not surrender to the beck of
power, though it should be throncd in adamant.