The Nevada Democrat., 1859-04-13
California News Items.

and unaccountable land fall occurred near San
Andreas. In an Instant without any premoni-
ton of what was about to transpire, a hllock,
near an hundred feet in diameter. sank down,
perpendicularly, from thirty to forty feet A
single sheep which had strayed away from o
neighboring flock, and CHANGED to be grazing
on the spot at the moment, went down in the
general hubbub. No tunnel. shaft, or mining
operation, had ever been conducted at the place,
aud the cause Of the phenomenon is unknown.
A man named Wolf, resident of Douglas
Flat, Calaveras county. was killed on the 9th
ult., by falling into shaft. The shaft was
seventy feet deep, and contained thirty feet Of
water. Although assistance was Immediately
given, by lowering ropes, he could not be got
oat alive. 1t is supposed that he was killed
by striking against the side of the shaft in bis
descent. He leaves wife and children in
Sehuylkil county, Pennsylvania.
The Tehama Gazette says that the trail across
the Coast Range west Of that place is at times
very di1icult TO get over. Travellers compelled
to cross are obliged to pass over twenty miles
of snow, which 10 most places, is so soft that at
every step they sink some two or three feet. A
man recently had his hands and feet frozen in
attempting to get over the divide, and another
occupied two days in getting through the above
belt Of snow.
Mr.. Williams, Attorney General, has brought
suit in Calaveras county to restrain the new
Collectors of foreign miners taxes, appointed
by the Board of Supervisors of that county,
from collecting taxes. The purpose of Mr..
Williams is only to test the constitutionality of
the act Judge Hardy, the District Judge of
that District, has decided the act to be consti-
tional. The case is to be taken to the Supreme
Court.
About three O'Clock in the morning Of April
4th, the house of Mr.. Pumyea, about FIVE miles
from Marysville, was consumed by fire. The
family were asleep, and the fire had so far pro-
gressed before any of them were awakened,
that they barely had time to escape. Nothing
was saved. not even their wearing apparel.
The fire is supposed to have originated from
a coal accidentally falling from the stove.
1t is singular and noticeable fact, that
after heightened spell of quiet and peaceable
times, numerous shooting and stabbing affairs
have occurred almost simultaneously through
out the State within the past few weeks. Per-
haps, on close inquiry, 1t may be ascertained
that some my sterious law governs these incidents
that moral az well as physical diseases are
epidemic and periodical in their vlstations.
A shooting affray occurred on the Monterey
road, fifteen miles below San Jose, on Saturday
man named Joseph Newman--formerly business
partners Davis received five buckshot in the
abdomen, but the wounds are not considered
dangerous. Upon examination, it appeared
that Newman was justified in the shooting, aud
he was accordingly discharged.
The San jose Tribune says that the heavy
frosts have effectually destroyed the prospects
of the peach crop in that vicinity for the pre-
sent season. Many pear aud cherry trees are
also blighted The peach crop in Alameda
county Is also materially injured, If not de-
stroyed. The loss will be severely felt, as many
were calculating on quite an income from their
peach crops.
There are sixty THOUSAND sheep at San Juan,
Monterey county, belonging to Messrs Perea,
Luna and Otero-tbe owners and the sheep
being all from New Mexico. whence they have
just arrived. This is probably the largest flock
Of sheep in the world Leondas, Haskell &
Co., of San Francisco have contracted for the
wool of the flock.
Owing TO the extreme severity OF the weather
recently. says the Gazette, great fears are en-
tertained that the peach crop in the vicinity
Of Tehama will suffer severely from the effects
of FROST In several nurseries the buds appear
to be badly nipped, and give but little promise
Of any return to the husbandman.
One day last week road overseer, near 90
Iona, was attacked by three Cbinamen, armed
with knives, while he was proceeding to sell
out their claims to satisfy his demands for road
taxes. He was driven off by them, but they
were subsequently captured and fined % each.
The family Of Mr.. G. W. Stun, consisting of
himself wife and three children, and two boar
ders residing with him, at Petaluma, were poi
soned a few days since by eating mushrooms.
A physician was called, who applied the proper
remedies. They narrowly escaped death.
The bill, introduced by Mr.. Young. granting
the Reporter of the Supreme Court the right to
take whatever papers from the files may be
necessary to enable him to make up bis reports,
passed the Assembly last Wednesday, by vote
Of 46 to IA.
On the night Of April Sd, Mr.. Henry Ford,
while passing along Alta street, on Telegraph
Hill San Francisco, was assailed from behind,
thrown down, and robbed Of SAT in money and
a silver patent lever watch.
The Placervills Observer states that the coal
bed recently discovered in Amador county has
been thoroughly tested and found to be general. |
The bed is supposed to be inexhaustble. Ar
rangements are being made to work the vein.
A bill IL now pending in the Legislature, the |
object of which is, to declare tanned dogs, elk, |
antelope and deer, property-whlch animals
are not now recognized as property by law.
The steamer Golden Age sailed for Panama
On the 9th inst, with about 800 passengers and
81 .Ogl 1855 in treasure. The Uncle Sam, which
sailed the same day, took over 700 passengers.
Geo. Walker. aged thirty-6ve years, and a
native Of England, was killed in the Empire
Tunnel, near Auburn, on the 4th instant, by
Lhe rock caving upon him.
It Is stated that Pendleton, the sea captain
who was committed to Jail, recently, at San
francisco, charged with cruel treatment OF his
crew, will endeavor to obtain Schange OF venue.
A fatal disease, called "diptberia," has made
lie appearance among the children at Dutch
Flat Several children have recently died
with il.
Six persons, in all, have died 10 consequence
of injuries received on board the steamer Contra
A.. - he awulo