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1
A HISTORY
- OF -
TUOLUMNE COUNTY
CALIFORNIA.
COMPILED FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC RECORDS.
-
SAN FRANCISCO. PUBLISHED BY B. F. ALLEY. 1882.
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6
PREFACE.
This work, undertaken in the desire to preserve from oblivion the deeply interesting records of the short but eventful period of Tuolumne's occupancy by civilized man, has been carried out in the fullest form compatible with absolute accuracy. Whatever has been here set down has been subjected first to careful scrutiny, in the hope that the printed book might, in the matter of exactness at least, be worthy of those by whom its perusal is intended. The limits of the story are necessarily circumscribed ; but con- sidering the merely ephemeral interest which pertains to ordinary anecdote, and considering the comparatively few points on which the- attention of future generations may center, it has been thought best to imitate in brevity and accuracy the more pretentious works of celebrated histor- ians, and not allow the intense interest which at present pertains to the affairs of the Golden Age of California, to warp the historical spirit that should discriminate between that which is worthy of perpetuation and that which, al- though interesting in the vicinity of its happening, cannot lend value to a book which should be of permanent worth.
It was with the idea of presenting a variety of subjects relating to Tuolumne, that several persons were engaged to assist in the compilation of special articles upon topics
ii
PREFACE.
of industrial or scientific interest. Of these, the publishers have to thank Mr. Louis R. Tulloch, of Sonora, for a sug- gestive and timely article upon Pocket Mining, which will be found in its appropriate place. Unfortunately, the able and carefully written review by Miss Tulloch, of the Bot- any of Tuolumne has been crowded out of the volume. To both of the above, the thanks of the publishers are exten- ded, as also to Messrs. Randall and Roberts, of the Demo- crat, and the Messrs. Duchow, of the Independent, who have kindly loaned files of their papers to assist in the work. The venerable Dr. L. C. Gunn and D. O. McCarthy, Esq., both of San Diego, also unhesitatingly forwarded the valuable files of their respective papers, when called upon, and their kindness is most gratefully remembered.
In conclusion it may be said that the thanks of the com- pilers are due to many other present or former inhabitants of Tuolumne county who have generously lent their assis- tance. H. O. L.
TABLE OF CONTENTS,
PAGE.
Arrival of the Woods Party. 1
Settlement of Jamestown and Tuttletown 3
The Earlier Arrivals in Tuolumne. 7
Habits of the Miners
12
The Earliest Recorded Trials. 13
The First Murder 14 First Election in Tuolumne 15
Further Discoveries of Gold 17
Town Government organized in Sonora 18
Religious Affairs 21
Discoveries at Columbia 22
Administration of Justice 25
Columbia's Sudden Misfortunes
27
A. Female Pioneer
27
The Foreign Miners' Tax 28
The Sonora Herald 35
Riot of July, 1850, and Attempted Lynching of Four Mexicans 39
Mass Meeting and Proclamation of the Americans 44
Business Affairs in Sonora 47 Early Affairs in Jacksonville 50 Hawkins' Bar 52
Big Oak Flat
54
Riot at Holden's Gardens
55
iv
CONTENTS.
Murder of Newby by Fuller 60
First Political Meeting 61
Murder of Palmer by Thornley 62
The Holden's Garden Chispa 63
The Barry Papers.
65
Extracts from the Herald. 71
Murder of Captain Snow and Lynching of Two Mexi-
cans
74
Lynching of Jim Hill in Sonora
76
Vigilance Committee
79
Organization of Sonora's Town Council
81
Progress of Sonora 84
Great Fire of '52 86
Rebuilding 88
The Chinese Question 91
Diversions of Early Days 93
Theatricals 97
Affairs in Columbia 99
The Tuolumne County Water Co 100
The Star and the Gazette 101
List of Business Places in Columbia 102
Mining Affairs 103
Social Affairs in Columbia 109
" The Fire of 1854" 113
Montezuma and the Hydraulic Ditch 115
Mr. Murray's Travels. 116
Water for Mining Operations 125
Social Progress 128
Financial Matters 130
Fires in Sonora in 1853 134
The Miners' Convention 137
The Inner Life of the Miners 144
The Execution of Bruce in Sonora 147
Murder of Parrot by Nicholas. 149
·
CONTENTS.
The Heslep Murder and Lynching of Griffiths 153 Ditch Matters and the Miners' Strike 162
Completion of the Stanislaus Ditch 172
The Kittering-Worth Homicide 178
Recollections of Colonel Moore 181
- Execution of Escobar and Sebada for the murder of Sheldon 188
The Murder of Smith and the Lynching of Barclay . 190 The Hunter-Drake Shooting Affray in Sonora 197
Fandango Experiences 201
Robbers and Robberies 207
Murder of Bond by McCauley 216
The Blakesley Murder. 218
Hanging of Lyons, Poer and McCauley 220
Columbia in 1857
221
The Murder of McDonald and Leary in Columbia 223
More Recent Matters in Columbia 227
Fire of 1861 in Sonora 229
Murder of Judge Brunton. 224
Military and Political Affairs 230
Decadence of the Southern Mines 233
Later Events in Sonora. 234
The Murder of Sloane 240
The Bergel Murder 245
Stage Robberies
246
Railroad Matters 249
Sonora-Its Society and its Business 255
Chronology of Tuolumne County 263
List of Officers from the Earliest Times 303
GEOLOGY AND MINING.
425
Theory as to the Formation of Gold Deposits in
Quartz .434
Quartz Mining
439
Pocket Mining
457
1
vi
CONTENTS.
Gravel Mining 464
Formation of the Auriferous Gravel Beds 4.73 MILLS AND MANUFACTURES 483
Quartz Mills
485
Reduction Processes
489
FLOURING MILLS
494
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES OE TUOLUMNE COUNTY 495
BIOGRAPHIES.
Abbott, A. 324
Arnold, N. A. 326
Baker, G. C. 323
Bacon, J. B.
. . (Appendix) 39
Baldwin, Dr. D. M 16
(Appendix)
Barber, H. P.
401
Barclay, S. C
318
Barry, Major R. C.
380
Beauvais, A. B ..
411
Beckwith, W. J
338
Bell, James. 348
Bemis, O. L. 383
Benham, J. A. (Appendix)
7
Birney, Hon. T. C.
382
Bishop, N 359
Bixel, Joseph. 325
Blair, Spencer
314
Blake, Dr. C. E.
(Appendix) 10
' Bluett, J. F. 317
Bolts, John F. (Appendix) 44
Bowman, John. 374
Bradford, S. S. 397
Browne, Doctor 407
vii
CONTENTS.
Bull, Horace 378
Burden, C. 404
Butterfield, B. F
360
Cabezut, J. M.
376
Cady, J. S.
334
Campbell, W. A
326
Carter, C. H. 313
Cavis, Hon. J. M.
408
Chaffee, J. A
316
Chamberlain, Judge C. H
410
Chamberlain, J. P
316
Champney, A. D. 358
Cheatham, Col. 398
Christman, E. L. 400
Clemens, Samuel L. (Mark Twain)
(Appendix)
47
Clough, E. H.
345
Coffroth, J. W
400
Colby, A ..
399
Colby, C. H
337
Coles, J. L.
330
Cowie, John
388
Culbertson, G. F
322
Cullers, F. C.
369
Cunningham, Z. H
(Appendix) 3
Dart, J. P
368
Dinsmore, W. G
(Appendix)
8
Divoll, J. G.
361
Dorsey, Caleb
373
Douglass, J. B.
406
Duchow, W. A.
(Appendix) 12
Dwinelle, S. H.
403
Eichelroth, Dr. W. E. 355
Evans, Gen. George S . (Appendix) 32
viii
CONTENTS.
Evans, T. J. .(Appendix) 9
Fales, Nathaniel 357
Fallon, Owen.
329
Ferral, John.
.(Appendix)
46
Ferral, Judge Robert
(Appendix) 43
Foot, M.
370
Francisco, Albert N. (Appendix)
47
Fraser, D.
356
Gale, Judge O. P
337
Galvin, E. R. 378
Gibbs, W. D.
342
Gibbons, Dr. W. P.
420
Goodwin, J. A.
404
Gorham, W. J.
335
Grady, John H
419
Green, Alonzo
408
Greenwood, Otis
390
Gross, F. J.
337
Gunn, Dr. L. C.
377
Hall, George W
379
Hall, J.
354
Harper, C. L.
403
Harris, W. N.
352
Heslep Brothers
385
Hibbing, William
370
Hubbs, Paul K
398
Hunter, E. F
389
Hunter, J. H.
338
Hubbard, Winslow
317
Hyde, W. H.
321
Jarvis, L. F
379
Jolly, John. 352
Jones, J. M.
401
Jones, J. P.
396
ix
CONTENTS.
Keith, J. W 369
Kelly, Patrick 402
Kephart, H. 336
King, John .
359
Lampson, Dr. R. M. 339
Latimer, J. B. 359
Levy, David
381
Levy, Louis 336
Lombardo, C. 328
Long, Hon. W. G. 375
394
Lopez, T.
371
Lyons, E. G. (Appendix) 3
Macomber Brothers 414
Major, J. W. 318
Mansfield, William 349
Marshall,Hon. E. C. (Appendix) 36
McCarthy, J. W.
418
McDonald, C. B.
399
McNeil, Judge H. B. 412
McPherson, G. W.
.(Appendix)
8
McGarvey, Judge R.
398
McPherson, Forbes
352
Mills, James 402
Miller, Sol. (Appendix)
4
Minor, S. B.
(Appendix) 7
Mulford, Prentice .(Appendix) 19
4
Parsons, Edmond 347
Pease, H. M. 384
Pease, C. S. 330
Perrin, Otis
406
Palmer, H. (Appendix) .
Potter, I. J. 351
Long, Rev. Mr
CONTENTS.
Pownall, Dr. Joseph 342
Preston, A. B. 416
Quint, Leander 377
Randall, C. H 418
Raymond, R. S
359
Robinson, R. A. 413
Rodgers, Hon. E. A.
394
Rooney, Hon. J. F.
387 417
Rosekrans, H. M.
Rudorff, W. G.
401
Rutherford, C. B. (Appendix)
15
Rutherford, C. B. 383
Sampson, J. A. 413
Sedgwick, John 378
Sevening, H. 395
Sewell, Daniel. (Appendix) 17
Smith, W. J.
340
Smith, J. H.
341
Solinsky, C. W. H
315
Solomon, P. L
400
Soulsby, Ben
324
Stetson, J B. (Appendix)
14
Stoddart, T. R
389
Stone, W. S
323
Street, H. L.
333
Street, C. L.
372
Stuart, J. W.
357
Tannahill, James 321
Tibbitts, Dr. J. P 415
Thompson, H.
396
Trask, P. M. 344
Twist, E. N. 319
Van Harlingen, John 376
Walker, Dr. John 351
Stair, Alexander 412
xi
CONTENTS.
Wells, Thomas 374
Wheeler, C. C. 386
Williams, H. W 320
Wilson, Wm 320
Wing, Gideon. 313
Wing, Hon. Stephen (Appendix) 45
Witt, T. J. 402
Wright, George 354
Yancey, T. N. 371
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
The history of Tuolumne County properly commences with the date of its discovery by civilized men; a date which a careful comparison of accounts would show to have been in the early part of the summer of 1848, at which time a party of miners-Philadelphians, as is re- corded-came to Woods' Creek. This very significant fact may, then, be regarded as the starting point of these records. It was at this time that the western slope had begun to resound with the blows of the hardy gold- seekers, whom the unprecedented wave of immigration had moved to California, bringing the throngs of adven- turers from many lands to people the heretofore silent cañons and gorges of the auriferous belt, and to do their wonderful works, for which the world stands indebted.
It has been poetically said, that, at the time of the first discovery by Americans, the country was one of the most picturesque in the world. Noble forests existed, through which roamed the Indian and the deer. Streams of crystal clearness flowed, fish playing therein in all the freedom of security. The vast Sierra, bearing a diadem of snow, added grandeur to beauty. Pines and sequoias, the like of which can hardly elsewhere be found, tower heavenward. The oaks grew orchard-like in their regularity. Deer, ante- lope, wild fowl, in short, everything that was useful to man in his wild or unsophisticated state, here grew in pro- fusion, to his hand. This picture, though perhaps some- what exaggerated, was not unfitted to the time and place.
2
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
Even now, after the lapse of a third of a century, and the desecration of land, the defilement of water-courses, and the annihilation of forests, the truth of those pictured lineaments may be seen, and one may lament the work of the pioneers that has destroyed' so much of beauty while building up a great and glorious State-the brightest gem in Columbia's diadem.
The party of Philadelphians may, then, be regarded as the pioneers of Tuolumne County, for aught we know to the contrary. As mentioned above, they discovered Woods' Creek, naming it after their leader, the Rev. James Woods. Those other members of the party whose names have been perpetuated, were James Savage, J. H. Rider, and Charles Bassett. The prime object of their search, gold, being. found in quantity on the banks of the newly discovered stream, it proved a sufficient incentive to stay their pro- gress, and at Woods' Crossing, the first mining settlement within the present bounds of the county was formed. Their work in extracting the precious metal proved ex- tremely successful ; so much so that, the news spreading, an increasing number of immigrants turned their steps towards this as to a promising field.
The next settlement was that of a party of Mexican miners, who, pushing up Woods' Creek beyond the Cross- ing, located Sonorian Camp-a name afterwards changed to Sonora-all the inhabitants of which were of Spanish extraction, until the arrival of the first Americans, who came most probably in the spring of 1849. As to the exact time of their arrival, that is, and must ever remain, in doubt. However, the weight of evidence inclines to the time above given. Again, there is doubt as to the names of the first American settlers of Sonora, but to - Keeler and R. S. Ham may provisionally be given that honor. The former, it is said, was the first to enter upon agricul-
3
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
tural pursuits, he occupying land which was later included in the ranches of Messrs. Turner, Clark, Johnson, Harrison and others.
In August, 1848, Colonel James, a lawyer of San Fran- cisco, located on Woods' Creek, and entered into mining speculations, in the course of which Jamestown was found- ed; but as this perhaps too enterprising gentleman as- sumed liabilities which he could not meet, thereby distin- guishing himself as the very first of the long line of unsuccessful speculators in mines, he incurred the ill-will of his neighbors to such an extent that, on his departure, the name of the town was changed, out of revenge; but, after a period of existence as American Camp, the old name was revived, probably never to be again dropped.
At nearly the time of Colonel James' advent, Judge Tuttle, arriving on Mormon Gulch, built the first log cabin in the county, the previous structures having been cloth tents or Mexican remadas or brush houses. This cabin be- came the nucleus of a village, which, in compliance with the custom of the times, was named Tuttletown.
Exceedingly rich placers were now discovered at Pep- permint Gulch, and Mountain Brow boasted quite a set- tlement of men dwelling in tents.
Among the more notable discoveries made during the latter part of the summer of 1848, was that of Jackass Gulch, for which name the accidental loss of a long-eared animal contributed, but which posterity will doubtless agree to have been quite as characteristic of a man who could give such a designation.
Jackass Gulch, despite its name, immediately took rank as among the very richest of the diggings yet struck. Its gold was of a very coarse description, lumps of several ounces weight being of common occurrence; and it is stated that two of the earlier prospectors, Major Means and his
4
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
brother Julius, took out from a claim of 100 square feet $10,000 worth of gold ! Nor was the gulch limited to placer diggings. The same gentlemen. discovered upon their claim a quartz vein which yielded two-thirds of its weight in gold ! Mr. Carrington's vein paid from $100 to $300 per day for years, by simply pounding the rock in a mortar. Numerous discoveries of rich placers took place during the latter part of 1848, and the country rapidly filled up with seekers of hidden treasure, most of them, unfortunately, illy provided with means for comfortably existing through the ensuing winter. Exorbitant prices and much suffering were the consequence. From the
annexed quotation of prices, it may be learned how scarce the comforts and necessities of life were. Flour during that time was $3 per pound. Hard bread, beans, coffee, sugar, saleratus, and indeed all the indispensable articles of culinary consumption, sold for the uniform price of $3 per pound. Salt pork, however, is quoted at the higher figure of $8. If so, it would seem that it was regarded in the light of a luxury. Merchants, it is said, no doubt truthfully, made speedy fortunes, both by reason of the high prices of their goods and the low price of gold dust, which was paid for at the rate of $8 per ounce, in coin, or $16 in trade. Merchandising, liquor-selling, and gam- bling stood nearly upon the same plane, if what has been written may be believed, and all three callings were un- doubtedly immensely remunerative. Gambling was freely practiced by all classes; and the miner, after his day's work, betook himself to the monte or faro table, there to be relieved of his easily gotten ounces. Spirituous liquors found an abundant sale at the price of $1 per drink, and the consumption, then as now, seemed one of the great objects of human existence.
It has been often stated that the first women who arrived
5
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
in Sonora were two sisters, Mariana and Jesus Ramirez; but the latter of the two, who is now the wife of J. M. Cabesut, Esq. of Sonora, disclaims the truth of the story, and says that the distinction belongs to other Mexican women, of the family of Leon, who arrived several months previous. Less unassuming was Ah Chi, a Chinese im- migrant, who was the forerunner of the great and disas- trous wave of his fellow-countrymen. This Celestial kept an eating house in Sonora, near the spot now occupied by O'Brien's store, and which was well patronized by the miners, being looked upon as the best kept restaurant of the town.
/Within the short space of half a year from the discov- ery of gold in California, extensive prospecting had been done, and the gold-bearing territory had been examined for hundreds of miles along the Sierras, and many ex- tremely rich finds had been reported. Notably this was the case in Tuolumne County. News of this sort traveled fast, and this region, then called the Southern Mines, be- came the cynosure of all eyes looking for the fabled El Dorado. The reports sent by the earlier prospectors were probably not in excess of the truth; but there came an era of exaggeration, of wild misrepresentation, whose effects re- coiled injuriously upon the new communities. One of the earlier writers said : "The main bulk of the immigration
centered here. * * But so many gold seekers brought along with them some great drawbacks to the prosperity of the country. Hordes of gamblers kept in the wake of the industrious miners, accompanied by rum-sellers and aban- doned females; and no sooner was a camp laid out by the miners, than a large rough tent was erected by the out- casts; a plank, resting on two empty barrels, served for a counter; and in lieu of the " fixins " of a regular bar, a barrel of whisky, with a tin cup or two, and we had a first-
6
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
class hotel and gambling saloon, from which issued the din of cracked fiddles and the chink of money, from early morn until late at night; and not infrequently would the sun find the gambling tables crowded and the game and the dance as lively as ever. We are even yet reaping the fruit of these drones of society. It was the result, in a great measure, of the vast influx of Spanish population, and has been one of the chief hindrances to a better under- standing between the American and Spanish peoples."
The latter part of this writer's words are included to show the prevailing feeling which existed even as late as 1860 (date of his writing) among Americans, against the Mexicans. Time has partly removed these injurious and unjust feelings, but they are not yet fully eradicated from the American breast. The author continues: "Hostility to everything American was originally engendered against us by the Mexicans during the war of 1846, and had not died out in 1849. Nor is it to be wondered that the Chi- lians, Peruvians, and other Spanish immigrants who spoke the same language, had habits and religion identical, and who were daily regaled with stories of the brutality and in- justice they had received at the hands of the American people. * From the Spanish, the disaffection spread first to the French, then to the German and Italian por- tion, and lastly to the Australian immigrants, extensively known by the euphonious cognomen of " Sydney Ducks," a name very soon to become synonymous with all kinds of fraud and rascality. Accordingly, collisions became of daily occurrence. * Murders soon followed, and be- came so frequent that at one time it was seriously mooted whether foreigners should not be expelled from the mines. It eventuated in bringing down upon them the heavy min- ing tax tantamount to expulsion from California."
Thus far the venerable writer has been quoted, in order
7
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
that his words might assist to a proper understanding of some of the events which took place at a somewhat later period in the county's history; events which, it would seem, had their starting point in that most unjust and reprehen- sible war against Mexico, which had ended but shortly be- fore this history commences.
Among the earlier of the arrivals in Tuolumne County are enumerated the names of Col. B. F. Moore, Florida; Emanuel Linoberg, Poland; James Lane and Peter Mehen, Ireland; Josh. Holden, Texas; James Frazier, Scotland; R. C. Barry, Texas; Alonzo Green and Terence Clark, New York; Dr. Bell and "A. Elkins, Texas; N. F. Mur- phey, M. D., Ireland; H. W. Theall, Pennsylvania; A. W. Luckett, Texas; C. F. and Theophilus Dodge, New York; Dr. Wm. Shepherd, Ohio; Dr. W. Norlinn, Germany; Casimir Labetoure, France; B. F. Butterfield, New York; Dr. Clarke, Louisiana; C. M. Radcliffe, Scotland; W. H. Ford and Wm. Pusick, New York; Theodore Saunders; Charles Heffernan, Thomas Hill, Theodore Lopez, Lieut. Wm. Smith and George R. Searle, New York (the eight preceding were soldiers in Stevenson's Regiment); Jacob Green, Texas, one of the Yucatan Volunteers; William Bowman, Texas, one of the Mier prisoners, who escaped death by drawing a white bean at the famous drawing of lots; Dr. Lewis C. Gunn, Philadelphia.
Among the more prominent individuals of the foreign element were: Miguel Lesqui, France; L. Rondina and Francisco Pavia, Italy; Luis G. Elordi, Francisco Escobar, Baltazeo Estaben, P. Rojas, J. M. Vallenzuela, Remijo Riveras, Jose M. Bosa, M. Neguro, G. Aguazo, Ramon Enriquez, Luis Ordas and V. Davilla, all of Mexican or South American nationality, and of whom the last named is said to have been the first jeweler of Sonora. The above named are known to have come before January 1, 1850.
8
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
The following named came in either during the last part of 1849 or very early in 1850: T. M. Van Benschoten, Louisiana; J. D. Patterson, Texas; R. M. Heath, Charles M. Creaner, J. S. Ogier, James C. Morehead, Isaac A. Stevens, and James W. Coffroth, Ohio; Leander Quint, Maine; A. W. Richardson and H. P. Barber, England; L. A. Besancon, Louisiana; R. F. Sullivan, Texas; George Work, New York (last from Mexico); Major A. Elkins, Texas; Major Henry Charbonelle, France; John Bannister, Texas; David S. McDowell, Mississippi; Jose Maria Ca- besut, Mexico; John E. Stokes, Ohio.
The foregoing list comprises but a small portion of the whole number who had arrived in what is now Tuolumne County previous to the beginning of the year 1850; but they were representative men, the most of whom took a prominent part in the affairs of their time, and some of whom yet live to remember the exciting times and great achievements of the pioneer days.
Much has been written concerning the habits, mode of life and pursuits of the golden age of the State. Volumes of most interesting matter could be compiled on these and kindred subjects, but the themes have so often been touched upon by writers that every one, at this later time, may be considered to have accurate ideas thereon.
The designation " Golden Age " is not inapplicable to a time in which the search for the metal was attended with such abundant success. The records of the time prove the truth of the oft-repeated assertions of the " Old '49-ers," that gold could be gathered almost in any required quantity by the exercise of their primitive means of extraction. The pick, the pan and the shovel constituted the sole apparatus by which fortunes were made. Finds, amounting to hun- dreds and even thousands of dollars, were too common to excite comment, and the labor of a single week often pro-
.
9
HISTORY OF TUOLUMNE COUNTY.
duced enough to carry the fortunate miner to his home in the East, there to live his remaining years in comfort. Not all, however, who were favored by the sight of the goddess Fortune, were minded to return. Some there were from whom her face was averted, and after many years of painful seeking, they have found their rest, or, perchance, they still live among the hills that once echoed a livelier strain, and are awaiting that round of Time's cycle that shall lay their bones beside those of others gone before. The old Cali- fornian is a being whose present life is but a retrospection of the early days. He lives but as one awakened from an entrancing dream, to tell the glories of the days of '49; to describe the opportunities of accumulating wealth, when gold was so plenty that any man could sally out with his pan and shovel and make enough in a day to set at rest all thought of present need. These things, and many more, have for years formed the great staple of conversation throughout the Western Slope, and the statements conned and repeated have taken on, like the tales of the other Argo- nauts, a tinge of exaggeration, however unrefined and un- poetical. The oft repeated accounts of the phenomenal honesty of men in those days excite wonder and admiration in the later generation, who can not understand how a miscellaneous aggregation of men of all nationalities could have escaped contamination by a few to whom such noble traits were strangers. The state of society which admitted of miners leaving in their cabins, with unlocked doors, large amounts of gold dust and other valuables could not have been of long continuance; hence the papers of an early date in 1850 teem with accounts of robberies, murders, and all descriptions of outrages, which have not suffered any cessa- tion thus far. It is, notwithstanding this fact, not proper to doubt the truth of the assertions of such highminded morality, but to ascribe it to the agency of fear.
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