The Placer herald., 1858-06-05
Letter from Old Brick.
The .Smithville Roces-Fourth Of July Cele.
brotion-Great Times Ahead.

pear IN nve Splendldly frustrated volumes OF
three pages each, bound in caf-I find that
Smithvile still stands in the same place, and
is rapidly acquiring a notoriety for business
and rich diggings not exceled by any other
locality in the mines. Indeed it is conceded
on ''a!l hands around" that the mines here.
abouts will never give out. The large num-
Der OF tunnels and quartz operations are
paying beyond all expectations-and so nu.
merous are the works now in operation that
the Bear River Ditch intend to introduce sn
additional quantity Of water-some say zone
head and some say at least two heads" "
But we will see what ge.s here.
almost forgot to tell YOU about the
Smithville races-the course being one of the
most beautiful in the State. A most exciting
r;.ce came off last Monday, and one that at
trac;ed an immense crowd Of the "fanry"
from every nook and corner of Secret Dig
gngs, as well as from San Francisco. The
purse WAS for $3.50 a sde-$l0 forfeit. The
nags were both imported stock-one from
Ireland and the other from England the
latter Of which was trained on the Derby
course, and possesses tremendous bottom.
The former is fine young bay gelding re-
Gently put in training by his owner. When
the hour for this unprecedented trial of speed
arrived the crowd was immense and heavy
outside bets were made. | won brandy
cocktail At the tap OF tie drum both ponies
came up to The stand upon which the judges
were mounted-which in the absence of ang-
thing better, consisted Of an empty lager
beer barrel. The Jockeys wee in tine trim,
and looked not unlike young Ireland against
old Hengland. At the word go" the opes
broke, caused by the pressure Of the crowd,
which caused both ponies to make Il break
for the chapare" But they were finally
brought to, and finished the race, upon which
large amounts changed hands-tN bits mys-
terlously changing out Of my pocket into
somebody elses-and the word being again
given off flew the racers. Smiths stub tail
bull accidentally getting tangled in the legs
OF oae OF the parties, iripped him, but he
picked himself up, and fo: some time it was
nip and tuck, and tip ard muck, then again
1t was nose and nose, stem and stem, when
on the home stretch. Ireland came in ahead,
Just six nehes-which upon a careful racu-
lation was found out to be owing 10 bis feet
being one twentieth Of an inch the longest,
the extra distance was made up in this way,
still more exciting race will take place on
this course, the last of the season, The Sun
day law prohibiting "balbarous amusements"
after the first OF June.
The Snlithvlle State Fencihles, having
been in possession OF their arms for some
time these arms notice are different from
those used by the LAGER Rifles. in this re-
spert, the members carry ttOo arms, one pro.
iecting from each shou der, with fye triggers
at the end OF the muzzle, aud are intyuded
for close encounters in warfare )-have con
cluded to celebrate the third of July, ("long
may it wave, &c~) believing that it is better
to be too early than too late and further
mo e. to run three days instead of one In
order to expedite the arrangement with as
little trouble to the Fencbles and The citizens
generally, "Old Brick" was appointed com
mittee OF one on arrangements
Upon the Committee retiring to deliberate,
on motion "Old Brick" was called to the
Chair-there not being a dissenting voice.
After an absence Of two minutes the Com
mttee returned to the armory which is on
the third story of the splendid brick block
Immediately opposite Smith d llubbel's store,
in the city OF Smithvile, on The west side of
the public plaza, and reported the following
as the programme OF order of exercses-no
one having presumed to present a minority
report:
lst. The Smithvle State Fencibles will take
drink.
ID. The Smithvie State Fcncbes will 90
out in platoons of six and fire off ma
tional salute Of 10000 with any pow
der that may come handiest
81. The Smithvie State Fencibles will as
sembe a. the tap Of the barrel Of lager
and remain mudled for one hour.
4th. The SmithviIIe State Fencbes will then
form in procession, march and counter
march from the upper or big end OF the
boot to the lower or SIN; Her en-! there
of, approximating 10 the big toe, being
careful not TO tread on any ones coins
9Th. The Fenciblcs will then imbibe a littlt
'stone fence at the ancient Pine
Grove.
9th. The Fencibles will then lead off the
procession preceded by the band, con
sistng of gong, dinner bell, trian
gle, a d a Digger with jeusharp.
7h. President Buchanan and Stephen A
Douglas, cor smart chane of legs
9th. Drunken Editors and Printers.
9th. Gov. Weller Lieut.. Coz. Walkup, ant
and all the State prisoners.
10th. A fuddled miner
lllh. A lucky miner.
18th. A patriotic miner.
18th. The Bar of Secret Diggings, (suppos
ed to be of the grizzley speces.)
l4th. A quartz mill packed on mules.
18th. Members Of the Legislature.
10th. All the dogs belonging to the Smith
Vile Fox Hunting Club.
18th. Old Brick, in a wagon drawn by clever
tt mules.
18th. Chiuamen Tax Collectors, and Digge
T,I;,oc