smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

The proceedings Of the City Council as
published elsewhere show that the City
Finance Committee have been using the
money raised by the sale Of the bonds
for building the new water reservoir for
the current expenses OF the city, and
thus violating the law. The weekly re-
ports by the Finance Committee that
there was money in bank to the credit
Of the city, have been made to deceive
the people. This has been carried to
such an extent that even the members
Of the Council have been deceived, in
Guiding the President, who gave notice
last night that he would sign no more
orders for the payment of bills until the
Committee had corrected their false po-
sition and placed money in the bank to
the credit Of the city. We presume
several of the city officials are now liable
to prosecution and subject to the penal
ty Of O fine. They might avoid this by
some evasion of the law, if prosecuted.
1t would seem that some explanation is
due from the several parties now in the
City Treasurer's office. We hardly know
whether to look upon the Treasurer as
the responsible party, since the Council
has hampsred him with SO many assist
ants and a new system Of keeping the
books. If the assistants are the clerks
Of the Finance Committee it ought to be
known, as cheaper one, might be made
to answer.


The condition of the City Treasury as
shown up last night is another and suf6.
cient reason for suspending the building
Of the reservoir ON the eItravagant plan
laid out, when it is asserted by the engi.
neer that basin that will supply the
city for thirty years may be built for less
than one half the sum proposed to be
expended on the one as now progressing
Year: 1874

EASY WoRK.-The ground is so thor
oughly soaked this season, that our min
ers have no difficulty whatever in caving
the banks. The only complaint we have
heard thus far is that most of them can
get down more dirt than their fumes can
carry. Water being plenty the claims
run to the utmost capacity. Another
year and we expect to see five and six
feet fumes in our mines instead of two
and three feet ones,
Year: 1874

of $50 per head, per month, payable in
warrants on the Hospital Fund the
County paying for their necessary cloth
ing and bedding.


The Treasurer's and Auditors Quarter
ly Statement filed and approved.


The Board proceed to examine sealed
proposals for the surrender of County
Warrants on the General Fund, and the
following bids were accepted and ordered
paid by the Treasurer from moneys in the
Redemption Fund
Year: 1874

INDIAN CREEK, Feb. 1st.


DEAR JOURNAL 1t is dreary, disa-
grecable February-the most unpleasant
month of the year. Christmas and the
Holidays have passed away, and we can
now only number them with the past
In our little mountain town, we cannot
expect TO pass the Winter amid the be-
wildering delights of pleasure enjoyed in
your town. The inhabitants know moth
ing of the Grand Duchess, and are igno-
rant of the grandeurof the Grecian Bend
and Roman Wiggle, as we'll as the still
later fashion of the Occident-pushing a
bean pole up the back to push and twist
the hair still higher. But we are ahead
of you in good sleighing we have about
three miles of sleighing yet, and if it was
not for that Internal deep hole in Reading
Creek we could reach Douglas in the
sleigh, now and then. I'd rather stay at
home, however, than to sleigh-rde from
here to the deep hole, and walk to Doug
las, leading the horses down and back.
Pork and beans are staple diet. We have
had no such delicacy as fresh beef this
Winter, and l think it is all on account
of that hole.


Everybody is smiling and happy there
has been plenty of snow and rain, and
the miners are all at work in their claims.
To-day, Johnston & Co. started with their
big pipe, which think is one of the very
best in the county, and they will probably
county between this and August next.


GEORGE HoPPs.
Year: 1874

CANON CREEK.-H. G. Wilt tells us
that miners in this section have done but
very little work thus far this season, on
account of the ditch, from which most of
them draw their water-supply, being out
of order. 1t will be all right in few
days, the miners will all be at work, and
will get in n good Spring-and Summers
c1uioinn
Year: 1874

Big CAvE.-Bartel Jacobs, Of Red
Hill, informs us that, oil last Saturday
night, the bank of his mining claim cav
ed off to such an extent as to nearly fill
the'claim. The Little Giant" stand
ing about one hundred and fifty feet from
the bank was struck by the cave and
carried about seventy-fve feet down the
hill. Five or six lengths of pipe wore
smashed, but as there was extra pipe on
the ground and the Giant was not injur-
ed beyond repair, work was delayed but
a few days.
Year: 1874

JUNCTION CITY.-From j. NJ. Pickett
we learn that mining prospects in that
vicinity were never better than now.-
Water plentiful and everybody working
with success. The Keno Hill claim had
big cave, or slide, which it will take all
Spring to sluice off.
Year: 1874

REDEMPTION FUND.-More than half
of the General Fund Scrip redeemed at
this session of the Board os Supervisors
went for so cents on the dollar. Trinity
county is improving and nothing indi-
Gates it more surely than the advance in
the price of General Fund Warrants.
Year: 1874

OWING TO THE DELAYS that have
" attended the printing and distribution
of the reports Of tie Commissioners on
Mtning StattSttcS, these carefully pre-
pared and otherwise useful publications,
have failed to keep the world duly posted
in regard to the condition and progress OF
mining affairs on the Pacific Coast, the
information conveyed through this me-
dium being already many months old by
the time it reaches the eye OF the general
public. With u view to furnishing fresh
intelligence on mining topics, and bring
ing the history OF this great industry down
to the most recent date, the undersigned
will, on or about the first of February
next, issue large octave volume, de-
voted to a consideration of mining mat
ters, as they exist at the present time, in
the States Of California and Nevada. In
the tulfllment OF this purpose the author
will at once visit every important district
and locality in these States that has not
already been lately examined or heard
from through reliable channels, to the
end that the information embodied in this
volume may be recent and authentic.
| The great aim will be to fill the book with
| live practical matter wherefore, only
such properties as have been brought to Il
! productive condition, or as have, through
developments made, established for them
selves good degree of actual or pros
pective merit will receive attention nor
will any notice be bestowed on processes
or appliances other than such as have met
with approval after extended working
tests.


This work will be printed on the best
quality of paper, and be elegantly and
substantially bound, the design being to
impart to it such mechanical excellence
AS will reflect credit upon the book max
ing art in California.


HENRY DEGROOT.


SAN Francisco, Nov, 1873.
Year: 1874

THAT PET BEAR.-We have been re-
preached several times during the past
week with having been "sold" on the
Canon Greek bear story, published in our
last issue. Unbecoming as it may appear,
we are compelled to acknowledge that We
were " sold," and badly sold " at that.
Johnny Driver told us the story and we
published it, not believing there was the
least bit of truth in it, but simply because


it was a good thing. Of course we could
not deny being sold " when we learned
from authoritative sources that the story
was actually true, with the single excep-
ton that it was not pet bear. Next
Messrs. Wilt and Grant will please ao-
cept our thanks for hind-auarter of the
aforesaid bear, which, by the way, was
the bdre-est meat-or rather bone-we
ever saw. Thanks are also due for the
paper in which the quarter was wrapped.
The quarter weighed one pound and a
quarter the paper weighed one pound
and half. IT'S sweet to be remembered.
Year: 1874

The WEAVER CREEK FLUME.-This
Winter is favorable one for this enter
prise and the present indications are that
the tailings will be sluiced out Of the
creek sufficiently to enable the company
to extend the fume another season as
high up as opposite the old "Two Mile
House," AT that poiut the flume will
probably be couple Of feet, or more,
in the bedrock, and the work of extern
sion be light compared with that of for
mer years. An immense volume of hea-
Wy tailings passed through the fume last
week, the creek having worked into its
old channel which has been buried ur
so many years that its exact whereabouts
was forgotten. The tailings from this
old channel poured into the flume SC
thick and fast as to clog it considerably
but when the rush was over it began tc
clear itself rapidly. The great draw
back to the successful working of the
tiumc in former winters was a lack Of
dump" but the plan adopted by Mr.
Davidson in last Summers preparations
of confning the water, after it leaves the
flume within narrow channel, is found
to work admirably. We understand that
the line of spiles will be continued down
the creek some distance further this com
ing Summer, by which the advantage
gained will be maintained.


The bulkhead at the head of the ditch
conveying water to Union Hill, owned
by the company, was undermined by
the high water, and settled so much that
water cannot be raised into the ditch,
and the companies at work under it are
lying idle. 1t will probably be put in
order and the water running again next
week.
Year: 1874

large fiume over 5000 feet In length
at an elevation above the ground of
from one to four feet, through private
property. Cannot the taxpayers see
what this privilege would involve
The inconvenience and damage which
this flume would cause would be great,
but the Water Company would not be
responsible for a dollar. The hune
would have to be removed; the COM
pany would fall back on its privilege
its exclusive franchise spooll-and
sue the city for damages ina sum ex-I
ceeding the entire value of the water
works. What other unconditional
privileges Mr.. SABIcHI, as Mayor,
would assist the Water Company in
securing we know not; but VIC do
know he favors giving those named,
and the people know they arc danger
Gus and likely to be expensive, and
therefore not to be granted.
Year: 1874

The residents and taxpayers Of this
city who contemplate casting their
votes for Mr.. SABICHI will do we'll be-
fore reaching conclusion to calmly
consider what the election Of that
gentleman to the May is likely
to cost them. We point to Mr.. SA-
BICHI's official record as evidence in
support of the assumption that he is
the choice of the ring for Mayor and
to show that they have satisfactory
reasons for believing that he will aid
them in carrying out schemes by
which they will be benefited at the
expense of the people. He has favored
closing certain streets which the
Water Company ask shall be closed;
he has favored adding one more lot to
the seven acres of the clty's property
now held by the Water Company; he
has favored the Water Company's
scheme for constructing large reser-
voir on Fort Hill "a scheme
which will damage if not en-
tirely destroy large amount of
private property for which damage
and destruction the city would be held


responsible. He reported in favor of
granting the Water Company the un-
conditional privilege Of building a
Year: 1874

If we read the indications Alright,
Mr.. SABICHI is the man for whose
election to the Mayoralty the ring
managers have determined to use
their utmost influence. The record of
Mr. SABICHI in the Council shows
him to have been their ally in the
past, and their anxiety to secure his
election now should be all the evidence
required to satisfy voters and tax
payers that he will use his influence,
in the event of his election to carry
out their plans for closing public
streets and obtaining more of the
city's land. Mr.. TIFFANY is being
used as q tool-a cat's-paw-we do not
believe it intentional on his part, but
the fact is the same, nevertheless. He
is promised support he will never re-
ceive, in order to prevent his with
drawal from the contest. 1t is known
that every vote cast for him would, if
he were not a candidate, be given for
Mr.. BEAUDRY, hence the efforts of the
ring to force him to remain a candi-
date. The real contest is between
Mr.. BEAUDRY and Mr.. SABICHI, with
the prospect for election largely in fa-
vor of the first named gentleman,


even though Mr.. TIFFANY should re-
main a candidate and draw off
small percentage of his support. But
should the ring succeed in gathering o
sufficiet number of votes to force Mr..
SABIcHI in, the people will hold Mr..
TIFFANY responsible for his election,
and there is little reason for doubt
that before his term of Office expires,
our people will have abundant reason
to regret their choice, as we'll as for
blaming Mr.. TIFFANY for permitting
the election of a man whose defeat he
had it in his power to have compassed.
Mr.. TIFFANY may not knowingly or
Year: 1874

EDITOR HERALD: A monopoly of
water with a franchise which the
lawyers say is illegal so far as it gives
an exclusive privilege to distribute
and sell water, is making desperate
effort to elect its own instruments as
Mayor and Common Council. 1t is a
sufficient objection to any candidate
that he is supported by the monopoly.
They knew their men and would sup
port no candidate who is not supple
instrument of their will They ascer-
tanned that Tiffany would not do and
grappled Sabichi for Mayor. They
will name their Councilmen in due
time. ...r


The reason Of this course is well
known. Under the law, the price of
water should be fixed by the Mayor
and Council, and they are resolved to
have city government, which will
establish prices agreeable to the mo-
nopoly-that is, famine prices. They
are not content with running their
own instruments for office, but are
through purchased presses and other,
wise, making a war with an Indian
tomahawk upon Mr.. Beaudry, because
he had the impudence to dig well
on his own premises to pump water
on his own land for the supply of the
citizens who may settle theron. 1t is
something new in the impudence of
monopoly that n man has not right
to dig well upon his own land, for
his own use, and to supply his neigh
bors if he sees fit. But according to
the logic of the advocates of the mo-
nopoly, Beaudry would be monster
if he gave cup of water to a wayfarer
who begged it, famishing at his well.
OF course it would make no difference
that the water of Beaudry was clear
and pure, and that of the monopoly
filtered through a. goose-pond. The
purpose of these parties is to keep the
supply Of water so meagre that the
monopoly can always sell at their
own rates. 1t is scheme to pinch
the public with thirst. PIE ~


The monopoly might easily, by an
Increase of dams and other facilities,
so increase the amount of the water as
TO supply the whole valley for dOmeS-
tic purposes. 1t is well known that
more than three-fourths of the water
in the river runs to waste because
there is no means OF saving the run in
the Winter. The monopoly might at
least take measures and construct
works which would enable them to
fully supply the public, instead of
standing at the corners of the street
and peddling water with tin-cup.
They ought not to play the dog in the
manger by neither supplying water
themselves nor permitting others to
do so. Let the people look to this bus
mess by electing city officers who will
take care of the public interests. 1t is
to be hoped that measures will be
taken to prevent the city election from
being carried by the use of money and
the purchase of votes.


ANTI-MONOPOLY
Year: 1874

BEN BUTLER has announced his de-
termination to retire from public and
political life. This is q good announce
ment and if the people could only be
assured that it would be kept inviolate
there would be great rejoicing. But
as BEN has also announced that
he would form a new party and with
it burst the Republican party all to
smithereens there is a lingering fear
that his promised retiracy is but a
ruse to aid some Butlerian scheme.
BEN needs not the assistance of q new
party to crush the Republican organi-
zation. Singly and alone as confiden-
tial adviser to President GRANT he
has accomplished that task, and the
fate of his old party can in no way
be affected by the power of his new
one. Still it would be good thing
for BEN and the country if he would
quietly accept the verdict of the peo-
pie and in future confine himself to
the practice of the law and such vir-
tues as he has, in the village of his
adoption. .iJ
Year: 1874

THE mail facilities of this part of
the State have improved rapidly
within the last few months. With
the last change the time was shortened
from 46 to 81 hours between Los An
geles and San Francisco. Up to
April of last year we received one mail
per week by steamer. The light daily
mail was carried by the Coast Line
stages, and occupied from three to four
days in the passage between the two
cities. The improvement in the way
of shortening time has gradually gone
on until now our San Francisco letters
reach us in 81 hours from the date of
posting. The mail for San Francisco
and the North now leaves Los An
geles at half past eight in the evening
and arrive here from the North at a
quarter past seven in the morning.
Year: 1874

The more we learn about the placer


mines of this county, the greater our
establishment that they have been so


long lying idle. We saw citizen of


the Santa Clara valley in town yes


terday. He lives not far from the


Castac Mines and is we'll acquainted


with all that placer belt. He says the
half has not been told about the real
value of those mines. He does not
own dollars worth of stock, but says
if he had known that the waters of
Elizabeth Lakes could have been
brought on the mines he could have
been worth half million to-day.
Here is the secret: 1t was only by
accident that it was discovered that
the waters of those lakes could be
made to wash the gold on. the Castac
mines. The water ran down caflon
to within q few miles of the mines and
sank. No one knew this but a few of
the Indians who were acquainted with
those mountains. The Castac Com
pany are at work and are out of debt.
They are cautious and will not in
crease their force until they sell suf-
ficient amount of stock to buy their
lumber. It is no trouble to get work
done for stock; every man that has
seen the mines is anxious to work for
stock. Here is the best chance for in
vestment we know of in mining stock
in this county. A good placer
mine is perpetual income, especially
where the grounds are so extensive as
the Castac Mines.
Year: 1874

THE Express calls the fact that it
deserted the Republican party and for
consideration supported n Demo-
cratic candidate "a side issue.n We
never heard perfdy and treachery
called by that name before. We pre-
sumo the employment of that paper
by the ring for consideration of the
same nature is also "a side issue.n
Year: 1874

Lfrom our Local reporter


LINCOLN Coal MNEs.-About two hundred
tons Of coal were taken out of this mine last
week and as the demand for it increases, the
managers have found it necessary to sink an
other and larger shaft to enable them to take
out a sufficient quantity to supply the demand
Accordingly the work of sinking shaft ten feet
inches by nine feet nine inches, fifty feet south
of the old one, was begun last week, the work
men having now attained a depth of about hf-
teen feet When this shaft is finished it will be
connected with the shaft now used by tunnel,
by which arrangement the workmen under
ground will be supplied with a sufficient quanti-
ty of fresh air continually, the lack of which,
SO far, has occasioned some inconvenience.
When the new shaft is completed and the hoist
ing works erected, it is generally estimated that
one hundred tons of coal will be taken out
daily.


FELL INro SHAFT.-About II o'clock last
Wednesday night one of the employees at the
coal mine was informed by citizen that a
horse had fallen into the coal shaft first sunk by
the company, situated on the western side of
the railroad and which was by accident or 9th
erwise, left uncovered. Calling two or three
men 80 his assistance, he hhstened to the spot,
where he found the unfortunate animal suffer
ing greatly from inconvenience cf position as
well as from injuries received. As the poor ami
mai could not be reecued, it was thought best,
as a act of mercy, to put it to death. Accord
ingly one of the party started for q lantern while
the Others started down the railroad in search Of
pile of rocks. When near the depot, however,
they seemed to take a sudden fright, and for
getting the object of their search, hastened back
to the shaft, where they met the man with the
lantern. At this juncture their fright seemed
changed to mrth, and though many inquiries
have been made as to the cause Of their strange
action, they vouchsafe no reply further than a
knowing smile. And thus what wonderful OBJ
ject real or imaginary met their astonished Wis
ion on this occasion we shall probably never
know. But we do know Of q couple of young
gentlemen, frequently seen in town, who dis
like very much to hear anything said about the
horse that fell into the shaft.


The FARMERs.-Owng to the continued
storms and cold weather during the winter, and
prvailing Lorth winds this spring, the grain
crops about Lincoln are looking rather poorly;
though if plenty of rain should fall during the
remainder of the season, nearly an average
yield can be expected. The farmers however,
seem to be in very good spirits They know
such an unfavorable season seldom happens, and
they hope to make up for all deficiencies IN the
next crop or two. They are now preparing for
the organization of a Grange. The requisite
number Of names have been obtained and Its
organization will take place as soon as the prep
er officers from the State Grange can be there to
assist them.
Year: 1874

TnR school mans have been here this week,
and have made our town pleasant with their
bright and smiling faces. We don't wonder
they smile and try to look happy when out of
school If they don't then, when can they?
Certainly not while in the school o-room, unless
possessed of qualities few possess. But, then,
Prof Allen would say, they must smile and look
happy when in school, before their pupils, but
that is easier said than done
Year: 1874

STRAY BABY-At the Odd Fellows's picnic,


held at Leets grove last Saturday, some cruel
mother laid her female infant some six months
DID, under the shade of tree, and left it to the
mercy of the crowd 1t is supposed to belong
to some one living in the vicinity. On finding
tbe infant had been deserted, some ladies soon
became interested in the child, and one of them
from Sacramento expressed desire to adopt it,
and we understand, took it with her to the city.
Year: 1874

Ar Forest Hin the good effects Of the pros
porous mining season has hardly begun to be
felt yet and there is still some complaining OF
diI times, with all, except the young ladies'.
These recent moon-shiny evenings they nave
found it pleasant to meet their beaux at the
fence, and, while talking with them take pleas
ant rides on the swinging gate, which, they say,
Is real lively
Year: 1874

SOME of us here talk about dull times. Those
just out from the East, who have been here be-
fore, say we don't know what dull times are.
Times here have been dull this last Winter, but
they are not SO much SO now, and in short
time they will be better than at present. A few
more showers of rain this Spring, to bring out
late crops, is all that is wanting to insure IA sea-
son of unusual prosperity


This was written before the late fine rain.