San Andreas independent., 1858-04-10
LETTER FROM ANGELS.
ANGELS CAMP, APRIL 5, 1858.


Mr. Editor :-Agreeably to promise, send
few items from this busy town, which
gather from some observations made by the
way side" As you are all strangers to me,
(or nearly so.) will state that | have not ta-
ken this liberty without full authority and
having promised that would send budget
OF items for the coming issue of the Iadepen-
dent, therefore it will not be amiss, presume,
4 to give you the particulars of very singular
and amusing affair, that took place here on
Saturday last, between a very distinguished
parsonage and some of the townsmen of
Angels.
! very distinguished Individual member
of the johnson family" of old Kentucky, and
by the way, nephew of the old Richard NJ.
johnson himself. who was formerly Vice Pres
ident from one of the Southern States, and at
one time an advocate of the suspension of
paper currency, "vsited our town as a dis
tlngulshed stOck-dealer from one of the ''cow
counties" who represented himself as being
the owner and possessor of large tracts of ag-
ricultural lands in Los Angeles county and inn
mensc herds of cattle, and a large number of
which were then at Lancha Plana, in Amador
county, which were being herded by his SER
wants. This distinguished parsonage in ques-
very polite and gentlemanly department (?)
put up at the Revere House, and soon became
initiated into the good graces of the amiable
and very obliging landlord Mr.. Lindsay, who
seems ever ready to meet the many demands
of his distinguished guests, and to treat stran-
gers with unusual kindness, that they may
gain a favorable impression of the Hotels and
keepers of Angels.
Soon after Mr.. Johnson's arrival, gentle
man from Cave City, became enamored and ac-
quainted with this wonderful johnson, who
gave his name as r. NJ. Johnson, a nephew of
Richard NJ. Johnson, of Kentucky.
On Friday evening last social dancing
party was given, at which this member of the
johnson family first made his appearance and
with whom gentleman boarding at the hotel
became acquainted, and in whom he saw much
to crafty his peculiar taste lie soon, or at
least in some way, found out that Sir Rich
ard possessed all the requisite qualities to
make polished gentleman-the most promi-
nent of which were, that he was rich, drank
whiskey, eat tobacco, used profane language,
and was a loafer generally, and particularly
fond of street. music and dancing. The very
kind gentleman from the country, feeling so
much interested in this distinguished person
age, that he felt constrained to make him and
his qualities known to our worthy landlord. of
the Revere House, who, also, seemed delighted
to have his private rooms decorated with
member of the Johnson family from old Ken
tuck. Soon after arriving at the Revere House,
Richard remarked to the landlord that he was
a stranger and somewhat weared, and not be-
ing In the habit of sitting down in bar-room
with common "hirellngS and servants" that
he would take private rooms, where he could
''be at rest" with those whom gentlemen and
ladies could appreciate, and after the custom
of the johnson family! "Jes' So" Richards
wants were no sooner made known than our
landlord prepared the best suit of rooms in
! the house, where his distinguished arrival
could lay off" and HUe upon the strength of
boasted stock, and be fully appreciated by his
admirers. The landlord with his usual
marked attentions and anxiety for the pleasure
and comfort of his guests-left nothing undone
which Richard (who was himself again might
require. His room was well stocked with i'm
ported wines and cigars, and the daily journal
sent in to entertain him, in which Richard
could be we'll posted upon the prices current
of land and good breed stock. Being in con-
stant fear that Richard would be lonely, the
landlord would occasionally visit his guest
and enquire of his wants, and "if any thing
more could be done" To make the cup
full, couple of amateurs of distinguished note
were introduced to the nephew of mine
Gle" who, with their sweet and enchanting
voices mingling with the dulcet tones of the
guitar, made the @ wee sma hours of night
pass off (as Richard remarked) I" like hot
cakes" Everything was in complete harmony
and all hearts were beating in unison; Richard
entertained his ''prvate friends by relating
the many incidents of his life, and giving the
wonderful narratives OF the original Richard
NJ johnson and his many colored descendants,
also Of his California prosperity and the liberal
endowments that he had made for the future
welfare of his friends
AS if by magic, these great sketches of
Richards lite would draw forth from the vo-
lin and guitar, overtures from Donizetta de
la Paginni," which would make Richards
best affections come forth in the shape and
form of very liberal rewards to his special adj
mirers-Richard being so overcome, and feel
ing as though his many kind friends wishes
called for recprocation of valuable favors,
began to donate some of his fine breed of stock
to his new made friends. He presented to one
a cow and calf, to another a good farm of 100
acres of land, and to third four ycarling
| hefers, at ten dollars each, besides negotiating
several sales and trades for number of trot-
ting and blooded stock of mares, all of which
were to be delivered in due time in this town,
to the buyers, agreeable TO the wishes of the
happy recipients, who seemed to be enchanted
with the ''very gentlemanly department and
graceful (?) manner of Richard NJ. Johnson"
In consideration of the high appreciation of
the Professor, of his new made friend, and so
ocercon,e with his valuable farm, he felt con-
strained to lull Richard into sort of revery,
or easy slumber, with the sweet and bewitch-
ing tones of his favorite violin-from which
many entertained fears that he never could
awake.
After playing the thing very nicely for some
time, and walking into the good graces of
mine host, Richard thought best to leave town
and attend to his extensive herd of stock, also,
to visit rich quartz lead near Murphy's. AS
Richard was about to leave town, he found
that his purse was minus the "where- with"
and simply mentioned the fact to his amiable
friend, who gave Richard food, raiment and
money, together with the best over-coat in
the house, and wishing him "a happy trip, safe
return, and the safe protection of Providence"
bid him farewell. Not many hours after Rich
ards departure, our friend the landlord, began
to smell a mice" and came to the conclusion
that he had been sold for small price, and
''hadnt got his money" Soon warrant of
arrest was made out by Judge Abbott, who
dispatched an officer, who, with mine host,
mounted their fery steeds pursued Richard