The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-01-01
A Batch of News from the Pacific slope.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 29.-The Call to-mor-
row will publish statement, emanating from
party well informed on the subject, to the
effect that on January last the township in
which the town and some of the principal
mines of Bodie are located was
surveyed under the authority of
the federal government, when it was
discovered that they were situated in section
16. By an act of congress of March 3, 1853, the
10Th and Both sections in each township were
granted to the state. Under the laws of Gala
fornIa occupants of such sections are
held to be preferred purchasers for
six months after the filing of
the plat of survey. The parties in possession
at Bodie having failed to avail themselves of
law, other parties have filed application for
purchase under the state title. The mines in
cluded in this tract are the Bodie, South
Bodie, South Standard, Champion, South
Bulwer and portion of Bulwer.
A Call reporter inter viewed United States
Surveyor General Wagner this evening on the
subject. He expressed surprise at learning
the statement, and stated that by the law of
1858 these mineral lands were excluded from
going to the state, and the present occupants
could prove up and patent their claims under
the federal law. He said, however, that the
determination of the question would probably
cost enough to ruin both claimants and con-
testants.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3O.-It has been ascer-
tanned from inquiry at the state surveyor gen.
erals Office that section 16, in which a portion
of the town and mines of Bodie are situated,
has been located under the laws, the appli-
cants have paid the regular price for mineral
lands, $3.50 per acre, and have received certifi-
Gates, and unless protests are entered patents
will be issued next November The
C%a<4
respect such protests, and leave the matter to
be settled by the courts A number of promi-
nent holders of Bodie mining properties under
United States title held a conference to-day.
Some of them are represented to be in favor of
compromising with the claimants under the
state title, and 1t is intimated that reasonable
terms can be arrived at. The South Standard
Mining Company have already effected a
compromise on the terms reserved, and the
owners of the Bodie Bank have taken similar
action.
The United States commissioners to-day
completed their inquiry concerning the loss OF
the steamer Georgia, by taking the testimony
of H. u. Howard, captain of the wrecked ship.
1t was to the general effect that ne had taken
his bearing properly, but had been deceived
by the action of the currents, with which he
was not fully acquainted. He repelled the
charge of drunkenness and fnattention to
| duty.
AT Sand Lots to-day resolution was passed
expelling C. c. O'Donnel, a member of the
constitutional convention from the working
| mems party, on account of the recent disclos-
ures affecting in his character developed in
his libel case against the Chronicle.
Captain Johnson, an old commander in the
service of the Pacific Coast Steamship Com
pany, who was to have gone east at an early
day to bring the new steamer, State OF Cali
fornia. out here, died to-day.