Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-08-22

reason why he should be cruelty forced to
the top of his speed upon every occasion.
The whole country has been on fire, in
this vicinity, during the past week. The long
continued hot weather has rendered the grass
and bushes as dry as finder, and when ignit-
ed burn with great rapidity. Much difficulty
has been experienced in keeping it from des-
troying the fences and buildings of the ranch
CTS. On Sunday last, Messrs. Homer, He'll
& Co. had large force employed fighting it
IN the vicinity of their mine, near the juno
ton, and had it not been for the facilities af-
forded by the flume, their mill would un-
doubtedly have been destroyed. We are
informed that some timer at Mitchell and
Co.'S claim was burned. On Wednesday
night the Butte presented a sublime speeta-
Gle. The fiery columns surged up its pre-
cipitous sides, leaping from branch to branch
and tree to tree, shooting their forked tongues
high in the air, until the whole mountain
was one vast, seething mass of fame, tinging
the heavens with its luIid glare. Dense
clouds of black smoke rolled up from the
flames and hung like mighty canopy over
the scene. Although the heavens have not
yet commenced rolling together like scroll
we have beer expecting to hear Gabriel blow
his trumpet for several days.
TUESDAY last was an exceedingly hot day.
Every body was complaining of the intense
heat and trying their best to keep cool by
internal applications of ice and-water. Sud-
denly, about three o'clock in the afternoon,
while we were hard at work, the temperature
of our office cooled down, for some unac-
countable reason, to about zero. We shiv-
cred with cold; our teeth chartered, and We
shook like person with the ague. Anxious
tu ascertain the cause of this remarkable
phenomenon, we searched the building, and
upon entering our sanctum found that phil
had left quantity of his famous ice cream
upon our table. We "abated' the nuisance
Immediately. and haven't been uncomfort-
ably warm since. "Phll $" refrigerating COM
pound is just the article for this weather.
On Tuesday morning last, in company
with several gentlemen, We had the pleasure
of drinking some champagne in honor of the
yearly Assumption of the Blessed Virgin"
the fete day of the Emperor Napoleon III.
and the birth day of the first Buonaparte.
Saturday, the 10th, was the day which
should have been observed, but the ceremo-
nies were postponed until Tuesday. Mon
sieur De Chevin, the smiling, affable. good
looking superintendent of the eating depart
ment of the Hotel dEurope, gentleman
whose liberality is only exceeded by his love
for La Belle France, furnished the wine and
did the honors on the occasion. Several
toasts were drank and much good feeling
exhibited. Joseph, may your days be long
in the land.
FATAL AFFRAY.-On Monday evening last,
two men by the names of William Knight
and Andrew Keegan, became involved in .
quarrel, at Ell Dorado in this county, which
resulted in the death of Knight. We have
been unable to learn the particulars Of the
affair, but report gives the following version:
The men were engaged in playing cards for
whisky, when dispute arose in regard to
the game, eliminating in fight. in which
knight came off second best. He then went
to butcher shop. procured knife. came
back and attacked Keegan who shot him
dead. in self defense. Keegan had an exam
nation before Justice Robinson and was dis
charged. We do not vouch for the truth
OF the report any further than that Keegan
IS at large.
OK Wednesday evening last the thrilling
cry Of "hre" resounded through our streets,
throwing our citizens into perfect spasms of
excitement. The alarm bell took up the re-
frain and added its hoarse notes of danger
to the general confusion. The streets were
quickly filled with excited people, and the
engines and hose carts went laundering by
Luckily, however, their services were not
needed. The alarm was caused by the burn
ing Of some brush in the circus ring. Our
citizens have had considerable experience
with the destroying element and the cry of
hre renders them exceedingly nervous.