The Shasta courier. [volume], June 25, 1853, Image 1

About The Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1852-1872

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THE SHASTA COURIER
VOLUME 11.
THE *.
SHASTA. COURIER
II rUILISHED EVERT SATURDAY MORNING,
■ v MfCll.!.™** * DO«H.
lAM. H. DOSH, ARCHIBALD SKILLMAN.
Editor* and Proprietor*.
Publication Office in Post Office Building, Main
Street where all orders for Advertising and Job
Work should be left.
TEBJIB— •■■variably’ In Adraace t
for One Year SIO,OO
•• Si* Months . 5,00
Terms ef Adrrrliaiog!
For One Square of 10 lines or less, one insertion,
Four Dollars; for each Subsequent insertion. Two
Dollar*.
A liberal discount made to Monthly and Yearly
Advertisers.
Jsb Printing
Of every description promptly executed in a su
perior manner.
CBA.II, BOUEKS A tO’S
Wcarcrrillc Express.
Connecting at Shasta with Adams 4 - Co.
LEAVES THE OFFICE
•it Adams it Co. at Shu.",
la every Wednesday an,
biuuiuj) moi mugs. Returning, leaves uur ol-
JmSsattat
fice iu \Veuverville on Mondays aud Thursday*.
Treasure, valuable packages, letters, etc. lor
warded by our regular messenger with ’-he ut
most dispatch.
Adam* .Ik Co’s drafts for sale on all their
offices iu the Atlantic States am. Europe.
Sight Checks drawn
A I Par
on any of Adams & Co’s offices in this State.
Highest price paid tor Gold Dust.
Collections made, and all business iu the Ex
press line attended to promptly. up'JUlf
BHODEN Ac ElJftK’N BIIAHTA
KXPBKND,
LEAVES THE
office ol Well’* Far- «*■■?
go & Co., Sacramento, daily, for
Shasta, Yreka, and all towns and points through
out Northern California, connectingat Sacramen
to with Wells, Fargo «t Co’s Daily Express to
Ran Francisco, and by regular Mail Steamer on
the Ist, 9th, 16th and 25th of each month to the
Atlantic States and Europe.
Treasure, letter* and other package*conveyed
to and from the points above de*ignated, with
the utmost dispatch.
Gold Dust lot-warded to the D. S. Mints at
Philadelphia and New Orleans, under policies
from the most responsible Insurance Companies
in the Eastern Cities.
Drafts drawn by John M. Rhodes, of the
Sacramento City Rank, on New York, New
Orleans, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh ; State Dank
of Ohio.
B. Davidson’s drafts for sale on Messrs. N.
M. Rothschild i Sons, Loudon; Messrs. De
Rothschild & Bros., Paris; Messrs. M. A. Roths
child & Runs, Frankfort; Messrs. L. Behrens «fc
Rous, Agents, Hamburg; Messrs. Hath, Grim
ing it Co., Lima and Valparaiso; A Belmont,
Esq., New York.
Collections made and all business appertain
ing to an Express Company executed promptly
and with especial regard to safety.
JAMES M. RHODES,
HIRAM LUSK,
WELLS. FARGO &. CO.
Orncis. —Shasta, in Post Office Building;
Sacramento, J stieet, between Front and Sec
ond streets; San Francisco, 114 Montgomery
street; Weaverville, Messrs. Church & Mix’s
building; Yreka, fire-proof building opposite
Yreka Motel. inarlS tl
fROI. ROGERS A €o*B
fslifsraia and Oregon Express.
VIA YREKA, JACK
souville, O. T., Oregon
City, Winchester, Salem,
Marysville and Portland. Alsu brunches run-
Scott’s Bar,
Althouse Creek,
Klamath and
Humbug Creek,
Hamburgh,
Sailors Diggings,
Salmon Rivers.
Treasure, valuable packages, letters, Sec. for
warded by our regular messengers to any of the
above named places.
Drafts drawn on any of Adams &, Co’s offices
in the Atlantic States and Europe.
Checks drawn at par on all of Adams & Co’s
offices iu the State.
Highest price paid for Gold Dust.
Collections made, and all business entrusted
t« our care attended to promptly, and with dis
patch. CRAM, ROGERS & CO.
mv7 tf
■ TACK LINK FOR SACBAMK.YTO.
Mitring Anrrangement.
BAXTER Sr CO. U. S. MAIL LISE OF
Stages from Shasta to Sacramento.
THE PROPRIE
tors of the above line
being desirous of accommodating the traveling
public, by running their line as soon as the bad
•tale of the road would permit, have placed up
on this route their splendid stock oI American
Horses and elegant Concord Coaches, which
will leave the St. Charie* Hotel, Shasta, every
morning at 6 o’clock. A. M-, for Sacramento,
via—
Reading's Springs,
Milk Rauch.,
Clear Creek,
Dainpcrjield’s Ranch,
American Ranch,
Cottonwood,
Prairie House,
Potter s Ferry,
Red Blvjjfs,
Tehama,
Johnson's Ranch,
Monroeville,
Placer City,
VVUlets' and
Colusa.
Passenger* arriving by this line can be furn
ished with animal* for any part of the Northern
Mines, by Mr. James Loag, at the Shasta Stock
Market. WM. A. NUNNALLY. Agent.
Sl Charles’ Hotel.
Shasta. March, 1853 niarli tf
COFFEE.
SEEN AND GROUND IN ONE POUND
rape Aromatic aud other brands.
Raisins. Figs, Walnuts. Ac.
Just 1 wccivvd aud toe sale by
tf!9U’ TALEuT i SDATON
HALL & CRANDAI.L’B U. 8. MAI I.
LINE FROM SHASTA TO
IliirjiTillc and Sacramento City.
MESSRS. HALL &
Crandall have the
pleasure to announce, that the above line of
stages is again in full and active operation, froni
Shasta through Marysville to Sacramento.
This line is stocked with American horses,
that cannot be surpassed or equaled in Califor
nia, and draw the most superb Concord Coaches
to be tound on any road in the State.
The proprietors of this Line pledge them
selves ty the traveling community, that they
will put them through with more expedition,
more ease, cheaper, and in belter Style, than
any other line on this route. They have the
utmost confidence in offering this pledge, from
tlie fact that the drivers employed on this line
are all experienced in their business, and are
temperate and responsible men. Passengers
patronizing this line may rely upon every al
tion being shown them.
The stages, until further arrangements, will
leave Shasta every morning at 6 o’clock, and
arrive at Marysville the following morning at 3
o’clock ; leave Marysville at 7 o’clock and
arrive at Sacramento City at 12 M., (the run
ning time 25 hours) in time to take the steamers
for San Francisco.
This being the Daily United Slates Mail Line,
the stages stop at the following intermediate
places:
Middletown,
Briggsville.
Tehama, Marysville,
Bid well's, Eliza,
Neal’s Rauch, Plumas,
Hamilton, Nicolaus,
Oak Grove, Lawson’s,
One Hursetown,
Cottonwood,
Red Bluffs",
Charley’s Ranch,
ty" Office at the El Dorado Hotel, Shasta.
THOMAS J. FLYNN, Agent.
Shasta, May 7,1852. my7tf
CITY BATH HOUSE,
Rear of the California Exchange,
Mhasta.
THE UNDERSIGNED, PROPRIETOR
of the above establishment begs leave
to cull the attention of the public at
large, to his new and commodious
BATHING ROOMS,
situated in the rear of the California Ex
change—and takes this method of in
forming them, that nothing shall be wanting on
his part, that will conduce to the comfort ol
those who may favor him with a call.
He is also prepared to give SHOWER
BATHS.
Single Tickets, - - - $1 00
Fifteen “ • - • 10 00
Thirty “ ... Id 00
jy Hot and cold Baths at all hours.
marl 2 tf S. LEAN.
850,000 REWARD.
SUCH HAS MET OUR EYES
on many occasions lately, but
and
%
our wish is to let our friends 1
the public know that we are now ready to
furnish specifications and plans on all kirtds of
buildings. All kinds of job work done with
neatness and dispatch. Furniture of all kinds
such us Bedsteads, Cols, Lounges, Sofas, Chairs.
Dining, Breakfast. Stand and Centre Tables, al
ways on hand. All kinds of Sash made to or
der. Turning of all kinds done to order.
All oederstor work in our line will be prompt
ly attended to.
Shop at the head of Main street. Shasta,
mar 12 tf CURTISS & HUGHES.
BARTOW & SJfAVELV,
CARPENTERS AND BUILDERS.
Estimates and specifications made on all kinds
of buildings. Jobbing done at the shortest no
tice. Also, Rockers. Toms and Sluices always
on hand and made to order.
N. B. Seasoned lumber always on hand"
Livixosto.s Barton. Uriah B. Snavki.y.
marl2tf Shasta City.
LOOK HERE!!
I HEREBY RESPECTFULLY INFORM MY
friends and tho public generally, that I am
now prepared to execute with promptness and
dispatch, any work in my line with which I may
he favored, \ iz:
Plans and specifications made for buildings of
every kind, also for bridges, water wheels, &c.
Rockers, Toms. Sluices and Mining imple
ments of every kind, kept constantly on hand,
and furnished upon the most liberal terms for
cash.
Lumber of every kind furnished and deliver
ed at any point designated’.
Apply to the manufacturing establishment of
the undersigned, now in full operation on Main
street opposite the St. Charles Hotel.
mar2C 3m BENJ. CARMAN.
TO THE PUBLIC.
I HAVE THIS DAY APPOINTED WM. P.
Daingerfield, Esq., my agent and attorney,
to attend to all business for me in my absence.
JOHN E. WILKINSON.
Shasta, April 23, 1853. ap3otf
ADMINISTRATOR’* NOTICE.
ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS against
tin estate of Charles Beckhart, deceased,
arc required to exhibit them with the necessary
vouchers, within ten monihs after date of this
notice, to the undersigned, Administrator, at
the lute residence of Charles Beckhart, lower
ferry. Trinity River, or they will be forever
barred. JOHN ELLIOTT, Jr.,
Administrator.
Trinity Co., Cal., June 4. 1853. jel I 4t
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
COUNTY OF SHASTA ss.—l, MARY ANN
Stackpole, wife of Charles Stackpole, of
the County and Slate aforesaid, hereby publish
and declare that I intend to carry on and con
duct the business of establishing and keeping a
public eating house in my own name and in my
own account.
Witness my hand and seal this third day ot
May, A. D. 1853.
MARY A. STACKPOLE, [L. S.]
Itate of California, Couity of Shasta, ss. On
i 27th day of May, 1853, comes the above
led Mary A. Slack fade, who signed the fore
ng instrument of writing, and declares to me
t the exeentioa and making of the above
led declaration is her act and deed for the
poses therein specified.
Fitness ray hand and private seal, there be
no official seal yet provided at thia office,
i 27th dav of May, 1853.
JUO. W. DAWSON, n
iy2B 3i* Recorder of Shasta eo. *•
JL C. HINCKLEY,
Aflvracr mmd Counsellor at Law,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Shasta. California. *
SHASTA, CAL., SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 1853.
THE SHASTA COURIER.
Weaver CerreapemOemce,
West Weave*, June 15,1853.
Messrs Editors: —Monday evening last, 1
noticed, for the first time, an article in your pa
per concerning a meeting held by the miners of
Sidney and McKenzie’s Gokhe* in Weaverville,
in relation to the “ water difficulties,” as they
are called.
From the resolutions purporting to have been
passed at said meeting, and published by you,
it would appear that it was a meeting of all the
miners having any claim upon the water iu dis
pute, and that the resolutions were passed by
the deliberate votes of pH. Bat such is not the
case.
As near as I can learn, the truth of the ease is
this; lu ’SO, when there were but few miners,
comparatively, either iu Sidney or Mc’Kenzie’s
Gulches, or West Weaver, and the water of
West Weaver was more than sufficient for both
districts. Dr. Ware dug a race, turning the wa
ter, or a por.ion of the water of West Weaver
into McKenzie’s Gulch, and until last summer,
the water still running in West Weaver was
sufficient to supply the miners working there.
But last summer the number of miners bad so
much increased that the miners of McKenzie's
and Sidney Gulches foresaw that there would
not be sufficient water for themselves and those
of West Weaver, and being the stronger party,
resolved, by a politic stroke, to appropriate
enough for themselves, though they should rob
those working on the stream. Accordingly, as
suming to themselves the right of making mi
ning laws for West Weaver, (which is a distinct
and separate district,) they assembled in a con
vention at which not one miner from West
Weaver was present, and by resolutions unani
mously adopted, declared that all the water of
West Weaver creek belonged to themselves—
bat that out of pure generosity they would give
their friends upon that creek four tom beads of
water —which four tom heads, when they had
got down to the diggings, were scarce sufficient
for two, and at times not enough for one. After
many earnest but vain remonstrances upon the
part of the West Weaver miners—being the
weaker party, they were obliged to submit.
The result was, that nearly all the miners on the
creek were thrown out of employment, many of
them losing their claims, which they had been
at great expense in opening.
About two weeks since there was a great
scarcity of water in the diggings of West Wea
ver. A meeting of the miners of the district
was held, at which, after a true statement of the
cause of the scarcity of the water hod been
made, it was resolved to call upon Dr. Ware
and request him to permit enough water to run
down the creek to supply the wants of those
working upon it. Accordingly a committee was
appointed, who called upon the Doctor, and re
respectfully requested him to let down one-half
the water belonging to the creek, but were re
fused. They pointed him to some ten or twelve,
toms of water running to waste, and wore called
God dammed liars for their pains. Finding that
nothing but abuse and curses could be obtained,
they returned and made a report of proceedings.
That evening the dam and reservoir of Dr.
Ware’s was destroyed, and a portion of the race
sluiced. The next day water was plenty in
West Weaver.
Upon the 7th inst. there was a general meet
ing of the Sidney and McKenzie miners, the
which, by especial request, the miners of West
W eaver attended. Before any proceedings were
had, they explained their position to the miners
of Sidney and McKenzie, staling that they as
sumed the right of making their own regula
tions, and did not wish to meddle with those of
others, and would take no part in the proceed
ings of the meeting. They further stated that
the water of \\ est Weaver by law and by mi
ner’s right and usage belonged to them, and
that they should have it by peaceable means if
possible, but have it they would ; and if there
was more water than they needed, they were
perfectly willing that the miners of Sidney and
McKenzie should have it. The meeting was
then addressed by Mr. Ware, who, to get a cause,
pettifogged for Dr. Ware very admirably indeed.
His expose of th* law upon the subject was a
miserable misconstruction of it.
The West Weaver miners, after some little
discussion, withdrew from the meeting, and all
that was afterwards done was done by the mi
miners of Sidney and McKenzie, and those in
terested with them.
The preamble to their resolutions saying that
it was “ a few malicious persons” who had dam
aged the reservoir and race of Dr. Ware, was
purposely intended to mislead those unacquaint
ed with the case. Now 1 pretend to say that
the miners of West Weaver are as <{uiet and
well disposed as any to be found in California;
they have tried a 1 reasonable means to have
their rights respected, and without any avail—
their remonstrances were sneered at and tfiem
selves insulted ; they were told that, that which
of right belonged to them they should not have,
and were further told that their diggings were
worthless, and that as the diggings of Sidney
were rich, that Sidney of coarse should have the
water. Not only insulting onr poverty, but rob
bing ns because we were poor. I think that if
men would quietly submit to all these things
they would justly d. serve them, bat the miners
on this creek are of a better metal—'they fally
appreciate their just rights, they also know how
to appreciate the insults they have received.
Their rights will he strictly maintained aad the
insults fully repaid.
The men of Sidney and McKenzie are divided
upon the question. All of the reasonable ones
are disposed to do injustice, and boldly say that
we are justly entitled to all the water of the
creek if we need it; but I am sorry to see that
many of them are swayed so much by their
pocket interests, that their perceptions of right
and wrong are entirely overpowered, and they
think nothing just which does not put money in
their pockets. 1 will venture to «i.y, that out of
all the miners in Sidney and McKenzie, not one
would buy one tom of water from Dr. Ware if
they could by paying even one third more for it
obtain it of any one else.
We wish no ill will to the miners of Sidney,
but are opposed to the spirit of aggraudizemeut
and tone of superiority some of them have as
sumed. We would, however, say to all persons
interested, and particularly to Dr. Ware, that
we are resolved that so long as West Weaver
affords any water, that no miner shall be obliged
to leave for the want of it; end that if we can
not get quiet possession of our rights, we shall
must assuredly try such other means as we have
and as will be most expeditious.
With respect,
West Weaver.
DISASTROUS FIRE IN SONORA.
Lota sf Property Estimated at $3,000,000.
We take from the S. F. Herald the auuexed
account of a terrible fire in Sonora:
The fire broke out at half past 1 o’clock last
night, Thursday, June 17, and still continued to
rage when our informant left. The fire origin
ated in a French hotel on the square, below
Theall & Perkins’ auction store, and spread with
frightful rapidity among the highly combustible
tenements over the greater portion of the city,
sweeping all the buildings on Main street, up
to Washington, at the old adobe house, known
commonly us the Globe. We are informed that
all the Express Offices, Banking Houses, and
the principal business houses of the city are de
stroyed, including the drug store ofour old friend
Dr. Gunn. We could not learn that our friends
of the Sonora He-a/d shared in the same general
calamity, but presume they did not, as their of
fice is somewhat apart from the mass of build
ings.
Mr. Raphael states that the citizens were
blowing up buildings, to stop the progress of the
conflagration, but at 4 o’clock this morning,
when our informant left, no success had attended
their exertions.
Six squares were already in ashes when our
informant left.
It is estimated that Tiro Million* of Dollars
would not cover the loss that had already been
sustained; and how much further the fire has
extended cannot be conjectured at present.
P. S.—The stages that have just arrived con
firm the above, as they left only a short time af
ter Mr. Raphael.
“ One hour and a quarter,” in the language of
a passenger, “ has thus sufficed to blot out a town,
and leave hundreds houseless, homeless, penni
less !”
No clue has keen obtained to show that the
fire was the work of an incendiary.
Awfnl Tragedy—Double murder and Su
icide.
It becomes our duty to record one of the most
horrible tragedies that ever occurred in any
city.
1 About half-past two this morning, Joseph Stri
ble was found with his throat cut from ear to ear,
near the rear of the Marion House. The alarm
was given, and on entering the frame house in
the rear of the Marion, Henry E. Strible was dis
covered weltering in his blood with a horrible
gash reaching from the centre of his forehead to
the left ear; and Mrs. Strible, wife of Henry E.
Strible with her head split open, dead, and lying
on the floor, which was literally swimming in
blood. The husband was thought to be dicing,
but may possibly recover.
John Strible and Henry E. Strible are bro
thers. At a quarter-past three, the former was
still in his senses, but unable to articulate on ac
count of the wound in his throat. He wrote on
a slip of paper that his brother had ill treated
him ; that he went to the house to kill him ;
struck him a blow, (probably with an axe, as
one was found on the floor in the middle of the
room) which aroused the wife, who screamed
for assistance, whereupon he killed her to screen
his crime until he could deprive himself of ex
istence. He then deliberately walked out of the
house and cut his own throat.
The husband and the murderer were both in
the hands of physicians, but it will be hardly
possible for either to recover.
The parlies are Americans, from Baltimore.
The brothers were tin-smiths.— Sac. Californian.
l.«te from Oregon.
The Election. —From ihe return* which have
already been received, says the Portland Com
mercial, and the rumored majority which Gen.
Lane will receive through the various counties
in ‘he Territory, his majority over Skinner will
not tall far short of two thousand votes T
From all parts of Oregon the most cheering
reports respecting the state of crops are re
ceived.
The steamboatson the Upper Willamette have
been unable to reach Salem, for the last week,
on account of the low water. — P. Times.
There are at present a large supply of goods
of all kinds in Portland therefore our merchants
are prepared to furnish the country at good bar
gains,—lb.
New Goli> Discoveries.-— We have reliable
information from the upper Willamette Valley,
that the inhabitants have been recently taken
with a perfect stampede, and are leaving night
and day for the new placers. It is said men are
making from sls to SIOO per day. The mines
are said to be within forty miles of Salem, on
the head waters of the Santiams. In our next
we hope to be able to give our readers the plain
and unvarnished facts. Until we know more
about it. we shall withhold any expression of
opinion in relation to the thousand rumors now
afloat.— Oregonian.
A Duel.—Another duel came off at a place
near Yuba City on Saturday last, about 6 o’clock
A. M., between Col. Rust, editor of the Califor
nia Express, and Mr. Stidger of the Marysville
Herald. The cause was some newspaper diffi
culty. The weapons were rifles; distance 50
paces. At the Rest fire Mr. Stidger had the tail
of his coat shot off; second fire, no injury to
either party, CoL Rust then, as we are in
formed, insisted on shooting at thirty paces.
This was objected to by the seconds of both
parties, whereupon the matter was amicably <
settled. —O ahfortaam
NUMBER 16.
From the Atlantic State*.
The Rhode Island Assembly adjourned after a
session of only four days. What a happy people!
They passed an act calling a convention to frame
a saw constitution.
The New York Medical Gazette states that
twenty-nine suicides, five murders and two hun
dred and nine cases of insanity are directly
traceable to spiritual manifestations.
The Ayuntamiento of Tampico bad arrived at
the city of Mexico, and were imprisoned for re
fusing to acknowledge Santa Anna as President.
Iron Ships.— lt is stated that of one hundred
vessels in course of construction in the Clyde,
only six are timber built—the rest iron.
We learn from the St. Louis papers that the
Pacific Railroad was opened to Kirkwood, thir
teen miles and a half, on the 11th of May.
Dr. Kane, of the Arctic Expedition, is quite ill
with the inflammatory rheumatism.
Gen. Arista, Ex-president of Mexico has reach
ed New York, cu route f«r Europe.
The small pox and cholera were both raging
at Vera Cruz at last accounts.
J. C. Cripps, of California, is annoucced as
Secretary of Legation to Mexico
Col. Mansfield, and not Capt. Scott the son of
Gen. Scott, as heretofore reported, has been ap
pointed Inspector General of the U. S. Army.
The competition was between Col. Bliss, Col.
Smith and Col. Mansfield. The President sub
mitted the two latter names to the Cabinet, and
Col. Mansfield was selected.
The Secretary of the Treasury is about send
ing a commission to California to investigate the
contracts already entered into by the Govern
ment for the purchase of land for a Naval Depot,
Custom House for bonded goods, a Mint and
other buildings.
The Chevalier Hulseman, Austrian Charge to
the United Slates—the same who left the coun
try in high dudgeon in consequence of the di
plomatic castigation he received from Mr. Web
ster —has returned to Washington.
The amount cf fees paid to the Corporation
Attorney and Counsel of New York city for lha
year 1852 reached the enormous sum of $71,296,
exceeding the aggregate salaries of the Gover
nors of all the States in the Union.
Eighty-four Italian exiles have arrived at New
York in the Sardinian frigate San Giovanni.
They have held public meetings to protest
against the cruelties theyreceived w hile on board
the vessel.
A Wasnington letter writer, referring to the
Japan Expedition, saysl shall not be surpris
ed if those who are looking to grand results in
the way of the opening of a new commerce with
Japan, that is, from the expedition of Commo
dore Perry, are grievously disappointed. The
probability is, that he will very shortly be or
dered to Honolulu with his entire squadron. I
shall not be surprised if this is done within forty
eight hours.
The proprietors of the Metropolitan Hotel,
New Yoik, have recently put in operation a
telegraph connecting with House's and others
in Wall street, for the convenience of such of
th£ir guests as desire to use that mode of com
munication. A person stopping at that house
may now communicate with half the civilized
world (ir this hemisphere) without leaving his
room.
Paper money was first made in Massachusetts,
in 169(L; emitted by Rhode Island, 1744; by
Pennsylvania, 1777; first issued by Congress,
May 15, 1775; made a legal tender, 1777, ceased
to circulate after a gradual depreciation, 1781.
The introduction of paper money caused more
misery and distress during the Revolution, than
all tho cut throat-soldiery that Great Britain
could pour our shores.
Col. Jack Hays, who returned on the Pacific,
from a visit of some months to the Atlantic
States, has resigned his office of sheriff, with the
intention of entering upon the duties of Sur
veyor General of the State. The Court of Ses
sions have appointed the popular Deputy of the
office, Thomas P. Johnson, to fill tho uttexpired
portion of his term.
The Minnesota Legislature has incerporated a
railroad company to build a road from the Falls
of St. Anthony to Puget’s Sound on the Pacific.
The distance between Chicago and the Pacific on
this route is estimated at 1,765 miles. A prac
tical geologist, who has devoted much attention
to this subject, is of opinion that a railroad may
be built, to connect Chicago with the Pacific,
and without exceeding a distance of 1600 miles.
A Valuable Gem or a Tough Stort.— Tho
Goshen (N. Y.) Whig states that Rev, Robert
Armstrong, of Newburgh, New York, purchased
among other minerals what he supposed was a
topaz, but which turned out to be a diamond,
for one of which he was offered $500,000, which
he declined. Its weight is two and a half oun
ces, and if a real diamond, its value will be more
than $2,000,000. The Rev. gentleman, in de
clining the magnificent offer, repudiated the old
adage, that “a bird in the hand is worth two in
the bush.”
The Caloric Engine,— The caleric engine
which Capt. Ericcson has just completed for'the
New York Evening Post, is to be forwarded to
France in the Humboldt, in order to save a for
feiture of the patent: the law of that country re
quiring that a working model of machinery pa
tented shall be in operation within a given time.
The limit not allowing a sufficient time to build
another engine, renders the forwarding of this
one imperative. The proprietors of the Post
consent to this arrangement, hoping to be sup
plied with another engine of the same kind m
the course of a few weeks,
lc#' A terrible calamity occurred in Buffalo on
the 13th May, The building on Main street oc
curred as a banking house by Messrs. Robinson
& Co., and Robert Codd, while undergoing re
pairs suddenly caved in, the roof and every story
being carried through to the ground. The build
ing was five stories high, and the entire inside
inside and back wall fell into the cellar, carrying
the men who were at work on each story down
with it. Six men were killed and others injnred.
California Mint Contract, —A Washington
letter writer says;
“ We are again filled with rumors relative to
the character of the California Mint contract.
The law appropriating $300,000 for the con
struction of a mint and proper machinery there
for in that quarter, is very explicit in the prohi.
bition of the expenditure of anjyiortion of it for
the purchase of the old assay office, or any por
tion of its machinery. Yet it is insisted that,
under the terms made with Curtia, Perry Sc
Ward, the old assay building, raised two stories
higher, is to be received. I have not the least
confidence in the story, as the Secretary of tne
Treasury and bis talented assistant had the lew
before them, and as, whatever one may think
of their politica,-tbey areneilherof them men
who would willfully violate the kw with epee
eyes.