The hydraulic press., 1861-01-26
For the Hydraulic Press.
Remfni scenses of Early Times in the
Region of Fosters Bar.

Remini scenses of Early Times in the
Region of Fosters Bar.
Strongly suspecting the gold dust exhib-
tied so freely by Jim Stewart to be the same
that was stolen from the Dodges, Judge
Stidger secretly addressed them note, in
stead of going in person, which might have
created an alarm-apprising them of what
had taken place, and requesting their attend
ance at a certain hour in the evening, at Dr.
Martins room in the Hospital, together with
all those who had been depostors in the
stolen trunk. The following gentlemen were
present at the hour appointed, viz: the two
Dodges, Major Hungerlord, Wm. Fonda, j. B.
Whitcomb, Charles Dannals, and a half doz-
en- others. A table was placed in the centre
of the room, around which the company
gathered. Stewards two purses were then
produced. The contents of the smaller one
were emptied upon the table and closely ex-
amined by those present. Although the
dust bore a striking resemblance to that
stolen, it could not be satisfactorily identi-
fed. The second purse, containing about
$500 was next oTerhauled. A gambler who
chanced to be present, on the instant recog-
missed specimen weighing about five dollars,
containing his private marks. Others were
equally fortunate. Nearly all the larger
pieces Of gold were recognised and claimed.
There was now no longer doubt as toStew-
art being the guilty party. The company
having arrived at this conclusion, arrange
ments were at once made for his arrest The
necessary papers to that end having been
issued, were placed in the hands of Barr, who
was instructed, affer securing Stewards per-
son, to search his premises for the balance
of the missing gold dust and coin, together
with retorted lump weighing 100, an-'
other of the same kind valued at S625, and
a bar worth 500. All these things were
accurately described in the warrant. Mr..
Burr discharged his duties faithfully. Next
morning Stewart was arrested and taken to
the Justices Office, where large crowd had
in the meantime collected, and stood guard
over him. In further pursuance Of his duty,
Mr.. Burr made a thorough search in and
about Jim's house. lie found the gold bar
'secreied between several sacks of -four, and
subsequently, during the forenoon of the day,
brought to Fight al the other missing arti-
cles, which were discovered concealed away
in different places excepting theretorted
lump of gold valued at 81 100.
The examination Of Stewart for the gold
dust robbery next ensued. lie defended his
own case, and ayerring his innocene Of the
crime charged dispensed with witnesses.
Between l l and l 2 o'clock at night, after a
protracted and tedious session Of the court,
the investigation closed. The Judge sum
med up the testimony and announced that
he should hold the defendant to answer to
higher court, ia the sum Of So 900, or in
default of that amount commit him TO prison.
AS it was impossible for jim to give the ne
cessary security, he was passed into Mr..
Burr's hands, with an injunction from the
Justice to "take good care Of him. The
crowd gave three cheers and started off in
the direction of the DodgeS saloon.
A short time after, while Barr and
the prisoner were at supper in canvas
house directly in the rear of the bar-room
of the Dodge saloon, with sentry at the
door to guard its approach, crowd of sew
eral handred people collected on the outside
and circulated through the saloon. Soon a
cry was raised of "Hang him :" "ha'tg him.'
The excitement became intense. A rope was
procured, lanterns were brought, (for it was
a dark night and some three or four men
ascended the big oak tree which stood i'm
mediately in front OF the hotel, to make the
necessary preparations for carrying the
lynching threat into execution. The cry
was again taken up, Bring him outl' 'haDg
him !" ''dont let him escapesh etc. TIE at
tempt of some half dozen persons composing
the mob to enter and seize upon the prisoner,
was instantly repelled by those having charge
of him.
To give the reader more perfect knowl
edge of matters, it is necessary for me to
digress a little, and to say, that the hotel at
that time was owned by Judge Stidger. He
received the profits of the establishment,
though he did not give it his personal super
intendence. His office was about one hundred
and fifty yards from the hotel, down the
river: He seldom visited the hotel except at
sneal-times and after Office hours. With this
explanation the reader will mere readily un-
derstand what follows
Judge Stidger not yet having left his Office,
was ignorant of the scene going on at the
hotel Arriving on the ground while it was
being enacted, he found the mob assembled,
and inquired of a man on the outskirts to
know 'twhat was up?" He replied that they
were about to chang Jim Stewart" The
Judge worked his way into the bar-room,
where he found man named Tanner har-
anguing the mob and melting it to yielence.
He did not stop long to listen, but made his
way into the canvas building containing
Burr and the prisoner. After informing Burr
of the state of feeling outside, be ordered
Burr to take pencil and paper, go into the
street and quietly summon fifty as posse to
protect the prisoner, and bring them to the
door well armed. If any of those summoned
refused to act, he was instructed to keep a
list of the names and report them to the
court next morning. Out of the whole num-
ber summoned, but nine or ten persons