The Washington union., 1858-06-29
CALIFORNIA.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, ls5I

The city during the past fortnight has been unusually
quiet in regard to the serious trcpasss OF the law
There has been evident falling of in criminal cal
endar owing probably to the circumstance that Of
the distinguished characters left for Frazer river to
find easier aud profitable sphere OF business
Last night however, proof was given that several of
the most desperate criminals must be ia midst yet
of the most atrocous murders having been commit
ted that has affrghtcd the city for years The victim
Peter Becker native Of Holland, and keeper of u
drinking saloon aud danoehouss the north side Of
Jackson street Tho wounds were Of frightfu nature
and the crime committed without noise disturb
ancc discovery made until yesterday morning
Two German acquaintance are suspected of having
mitted tho deod
The catalogue Of cmc ia the interior to increase
rather tan diminish AT Douglass Flat, the 30th
May, Thomas Steward stabbed mortally Thomas Buc,,
apparently in cold blood merely Tor the small amount
of money in his possession. negro shot at Stock
ton on the 25th, and fatally wounded. A white
named Shelldeath kept botel at Harkeyc, Calsveras
county and the negro l been in his employ two years
cook 1t is alleged that the negro drugged and out
ragged the wife Of Sheldcath and the shooting affair
consequence Of the assault -Four persons recently
murdered in coid blood at rancho ia Talsrc valley by
robbers. The wife of one OF the murdered men, Mrs
Raatier escaped Subsequently OF the perpetrators
identified at San Louis in Obspo, arrested.
fessed the crime and hung by the excited pcpulace
Fires have been and destructive On the
"a inst the Adephi Theatre Dupont street. burnt
down. Several other buildings In the immediate neigh
bcrhood were partially consumed. The hnildng was
erected in 1851 for tho Mnecum Company, and up to
the time Of opening the s'Jcnny Lind Theatre, it
was the fashionable resort Subsequently French
pany occupied it, then tho BAL Mzsque, and finally the
cock pit claimed It, On The 30th ultimc fourteen franc
buildings were DESTROYED making total loss of $4,000
The sever,~t re. however occurred at Nevada city ON
Sunday the 23d Of May. The frame buildings
cral squares entirely consumed causing loss OF
property of $500 900 The re-proof brick build
ings thirty three Ia number, escaped and also num-
her Of re-proof cellars San Andrcas Is also reported to
have been totally destroyed by fire the I'd instant
As the Office of the telegraph line destroyed, full in
formation OF tho extent Of the oes has not yet been
cciyod.
The news from the Frazer river mines continues to at
truct attention and emigration Some three thousand
miners have alrealy departed for the land of promise
and from the interior there Indications that large
number not satisfied with ct home, prcpwc to
try the glittering 6clls ON Fmzer's river
Tho democratic state convention will lr held on the
4th day II August neat There nothing II much mo
snent in tho political wo<d cf California The friends Of
the administration are rsjocc 10 learn the suc~ OF the
Kansss biI and the settlement a this clcent of dis
turt~ncc in the party The Bruiesick men arc, Of
course disappointed snd instead ID belonging to the
amueing effort male the LIT instant to get up
sort Of mass lnastng, which proved 70 Be very sol
emn affair Eor the participants. Judge Campbell, late Of
chair could be found hs concluded 70 adminstr its du
ties standin. few persons only participated In the
meeting and II il dcibcd generally hy The rrrer
a.J Ey,sx 80 dieth anti -LecomptontAi In California
meeting Of miners and settlers wns recently held