Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-10-25
LETTER FROM STOCKTON.
STOCKTON, Oct. 10Th, 1864

into California cannot but note many changes |
which have taken place since his departure, |
mote particularly in the people. Passing |
over the Sierras, and moving along the brink
of Lake Tahoe, he sees all the scenery that
is worth seeing, and in fact gets tired of it,
but then as he passes on towards the valley
Of the Sacramento, with nothing but parched
plains to look on, and miserable cattle trying
10 exc out a living, he seeks among the peo-
nile for that liveliness which nature refuses to
furnish, and is wofully disappointed. Every
one is dull--low, dispirited-and it is only at
a political meeting, with music and sky
rockets going, that the least sign OF life is
r;sible. Down the valley from Latrohe l
moved on the railroad; down then to Free
nort-a one-horse miserable hole-with as
much comparison to Sacramento as an ant
hin to Mt. Davidson-and then on to the
steamer, which left at Benicia-all, all are
dispirited, and am sure anywhere is better
living than ameng such crowd. After
stopping a day at Benicia, took boat up the
San JOAQUIN, and here am in the Madman's
Poradise-fshing one day, shooting another,
and killing time in every imaginable way.
The following is the sketch Of a visit paid to
TIE INSANE ASYLUM.
In company with seyeralmembers of Will
sons Brass Band l yesterday visited the
ASYLUM, which contains representatives from
every quarter Of the world. DR.. Tilden is
the Chief Medical Director, and the hospital
and all pertaining to it seems to be kept III
the most perfect order. At present there are
some SO patients under treatment. At
short distance from the main building large
rdi6ce is being erected, intended in the future
70 be used for the female patients-in fact,
owing to the daily arrival Of insane from all
parts of the State, at present those in charge
are greatly nou-plussed to find accomoda-
tions suitable for them, but in short time
this difficulty will be obyiatcd. After short
time spent in looking over the grounds, and
admIring the system of neatness peryading
everything we passed into the Reception
Room, and from thence into the hands of 4
keeper, TO be shown through the institution.
On through the different rooms we moved,
and more distressing sight l hope never to
see again. Features of every imaginable
shape we're there, but they all appeared TO
have that horid downcast look SO common to
insane persons. Reaching the yard at last,
where at least two hundred were congrcga-
ted, we visited the Reading Room, and
noticed one or two porting over the papers
others, as we approached, moved away list
lessly, and apparently seeking to avoid recog-
milton; then we were shown the engine,
which is kept constantly going, raising water,
saving wood, and dozen of other things,
besides driving a large washing machine.
Hastily passing through the bakery, dining
hall, etc, we found ourselves in front OF the
main building, heartily thankful to be free
once more from that horid scene. Leaving
the grounds of the Asylum we slowly wended
our way back to the city, thinking IN what
manner we could render benefit to the un-
fortunate inmates. One Of the party pro-
posed that we should return there to:morro"
and take along the instruments, and let them
have as much music as the Doctor woulu
permit. So, each and all acquiesced IN the
proposal, aud the next morning at ~ O'CLOCK
saw us ut the gate, all ready, and an eager 10
be of as much service as possible. Ill
short time DIR, Tilden appeared, and was
much pleased had us brought into the yard
in the rear of the main building, where the
band PLAYED several beautiful airs, and 1t was
really wonderful what an effect 1t had ON the
poor unfortunates One gentlemanly- looking
man, on hearing the first notes Of the Last
! Rose of Summer" actually burst into mt OF
weeping, and covering his face with his hands
rushed towards the musicians. Two OF the
keepers were beside him in an instant, and
led him off towards one Of the wards, while
BY his piteous cries Thought his heart would
break. Another, 4 rough, hearty-looklng
country boy, about Is years of age, would
rub his sides and laugh-laugh until he
seemed ready to burst-rub his sides again,
and start off. Others would stand and gaze ;
while others would seek some place to hide,
as if they were ashamed. After playing
several airs, the Doctor invited the party Ia
90 into the yard in the rear Of the female
department; and in a short time there we
were with many a fair eye centered on US
Oh! what Il scene. There in the windows
could be noticed eyes peering anXiously out
and faces with anxiety depicted on them, as
il wondering what was going to happen. On
the steps leading from the main hall to the
yard might be seen old and young, fair look.
ing and frightful; stately old danes, anc
sprightly- looking girls. Mostly all the win
dows had an occupant, but at one / noticed
three-oue, a beautiful looking girl, all in
tears, with her handkerchief to her eyes
they say that she is always crying-crying fol-
her lover Another stood there, with hel
fingers apparently moving as if playing 4
piano and near her stood another, who now
and then would start and look, and theI
start again, as if not satisfied from whence
the sound proceeded. About this time two
or three had gathered close to where the
band was standing, and apparently wondered
what it was all about. After several air;
were played we passed through the hall ant
on to the front Of the building, when, aftel
playing one or two more tunes, we returned
to the city.
FIRE MATTERS.
Since | came here several fires have oc
CURED, (the work. no doubt, Of party o
villainous incendiaries,) and great deal o
property has been burned up. In truth, will
the exception Of few buildings, there are ~
stores on the levee front, and in several othe
portions of the city the remains Of wha
were once comfortable dwellings may be seen
In the IRE which destroyed the Eureka Ho
tel one man was burned to death, and severa
others hurt in their efforts to escape. 4
large reward has been offered by the City ant
Insurance Companies for the discovery OF TIL
perpetrators, but as yet without success. Fo
the first time l saw one of those splendit
steam fire engines, which this city some tim
since purchased in the East, and it certainl
works like charm-it makes no hustle, III
confusion, and one blessing attends it, i
never tires out,
The California Steam Navigation Compan,
have put on a new steamer-the Julia-to pl
between this city and San Francisco, and sh
is beauty. The CoInelia has been draw
off.
A prisoner, a cow-thief, has just attempte
to break Jail. Eating breakfast in the jai
yard, he threw piece Of meat to cat sittinI
on the wall Of the prison, and under the pie
of seeing how the animal would snatch it, h
jumped the wall and ran for his life. But h
was soon caught, and now he is shackled il
his cell.
The Condition of Peace.
The Albany IN, w Journal comment;n