Amador ledger., 1902-07-11
LANcAA pLANA SENSATION.
A Chapter Of Violence Shakes the Little
Burg.-J. R. Blackman the Victim
of Serious Assault.

The small village OF Lancha Plana
has been cOnvulsed within the past
few weeks by a series of misdoings,
which have rent the little population
into two angry factions. The story is
q strange one, and while the facts have
not drifted far beyond the border
town, they are of sufficient Importance
to demand notice in print. Mrs. Black
man, who has been resident of that
place for nearly twenty years, was in
Jackson Monday, interviewing the
officials, and gave the story of her
trials. If one tithe of her statement is
true-and we have no reason to doubt
any part Of tit shows state of
society in the hamlet of Lancha which
Is deplorable in the extreme.
1t appears that some months ago a
gravel claim known as tho Sheridan
mine was started up by hydraulic
power. 1t is rich claim, and as far
as worked paid well. But the law re-
quires that no mine can be operated by
hydraulic process without first obtain
ing a permit from the debris commis-
sioner. Mr.. Black man spoke to the
operators, Messrs. Sheridan and Ad.
ans about the matter in a spirit of
friendliness, so 1t is claimed. The over
lures were disregarded, and thereupon
Mr.. B,ackman notified the commits
sioners of the fact. Shortly thereafter
notices we're sent up by the commits
sioners, setting forth what owners of
hydraulic mines were required to do
before commencing operations. Five
OF these notices were posted up by Mr..
Blackman, and were torn down.
Thereafter the commissioners took a
hand in the game, and the hydraulic
operations were stopped, until permit
could be applied for and granted in
compliance with, law. There was no
reason why permission could not be
obtained, after some simple precau-
tionary measures had been taken. The
owners, we understand, have since se-
cured license to operate, but work
has not yet recommended.
On the l4th of June a social dance
was given in Lancha Plana. The
hotel is owned by Mrs. Blackman but
rented to Mr.. Ruhl, under restrictions
concerning the sale of Intoxicating
liquors. On the evening in question,
some OF the guests managed to get
liquor and became boisterous and quar-
relsome. Blackman was seated in front
OF the hotel about ten o'clock, and a
personal encounter occurred between
him and James Grail and Wilson Grail.
Blacknan was severely beaten and in
jured. He had small cane in his
hand, and this he used to defend him
self as best he could. He has been
confined to his bed ever since. He was
In feeble health before the assault, and
was only able to get around a short
time before this occurred. DR.. Marsh
has attended him, and the case was of
such gravity that DR.. Adams was also
called in consultation. The Crails
were arrested on q charge OF battery
preferred by Mrs. Blackman, and were
taken before Justice McCauley, who
held them under bonds OF $50 each.
The trial was sent for June %, but at
that time Blackman was still unable to
be present, and the case was postponed
indefinitely. A charge of using threat
ening language was also preferred
against Wilson Grail, the object being
to have him bound over to keep the
peace. The matter was heard before
Judge McCauley last week, with the
result that the testimony was deemed
insufficient to hold the accused, and he
was discharged.