Just recovering from some ice cold milk and home made chocolate chip cookies . . . By the way, I hope you can tolerate my somewhat fanatic interest in the flavor of what went on in Amador County in these times. Twain must have had a heyday in these times. July 8, 1893 (34:48) Died --- Near Lancha Plana, July 2, 1893, Reuben Summerfield Pardoe, native of Tennessee, aged about 65. In the County hospital, July 6, 1893, Phillip Crannis, a native of England, aged about 74 years. A Finger Blow Off --- A young man named Eugene Schwartzman, who has been employed on D. Mattly's farm for some time past, met with a very painful accident last Saturday afternoon while out hunting doves, by which he has lost the fore finger of his right hand. It seems that by some means he had got a double charge in his gun, and when he fired it off the barrel bursted near the breech and shattered his hand in such a frightful manner that it was found necessary to amputate the whole finger. Dr. Schacht was called upon to perform the operation which he did successfully, and the patient is now getting along nicely. Another Pioneer Gone --- In another column, under the proper heading will be found a notice of the death of Mr. Reuben Summerfield Pardoe, an old and highly respected citizen of our county, who died at his home in the Julian School district, near Lanch Plana on the 2nd. Mr. Pardoe was born in McMinn County, Tennessee, Oct. 4th, 1827, and came to California in 1852. During his residence in our county he he has formed quite a large circle of friends by all of whom he was highly esteemed as an honest upright citizen. He was buried in the Ione cemetery on Tuesday, July 4th, under the auspices of Ione Lodge No. 80 f. & A.M., of which order he was a prominent and much esteemed member. A Balloon Accident Prof. W. Nelson who made the grand balloon ascension here about 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the 5th, in the presence of quite a large crowd of our citizens and came near being killed on making his descent in his parachute. The balloon went up all right to a considerable height, when he cut loose from the air-ship and started down with his parachute. He came down at a very lively rate and on nearing terra firma the parachute struck the flagpole on the Ginocchio mine hoisting works near the county hospital, breaking the pole and letting the aeronaut down through a tree but fortunately he was not dangerously hurt. July 15, 1893 (34:49) Married --- At the Globe Hotel, Jackson, July 13, 1893 by Rev. H. Copeland, Mr. Wm. G. Newsome of Stanislaus county to Miss Villie Shealor, of Volcano. Died --- In Amador City, July 11, 1893, Thomas Wearn, a native of England, aged about 45 years. Arrest of the Supposed Murderer of Michael Tovey Sheriff Thorn, of Calaveras county, arrested a man named Evans near Valley Spring in that county last Wednesday, who he says is undoubtedly the man who killed Miss Rodesino, near San Andreas, about six months ago, and is supposed to be the man who shot Messenger Tovey near this place about four weeks ago, and also wounded the stage driver, Clint Radcliffe. It is said that Evans told some lady near Valley Springs a short time ago, that he shot Miss Rodesino, but was sorry for it, as he did not intend to kill her, but that it was Tovey he was after. It will be remembered that Tovey was messenger on the stage at the time Miss Rodesino was killed, and that both he and the driver were also wounded. It has also been ascertained that Evans has made false statements as to his whereabouts at the time Tovey was killed on the Ione stage, which fact is considered as a very damaging circumstance against him. Sheriff Thorn, we understand, says he has no doubt that he is the guilty man. The matter, however, has not been judicially investigated, and therefore we are unable to say whether sufficient evidence can be produced to insure his conviction. We hope to be able to give more particulars in regard to the matter next week. Tried To Break Jail --- A prisoner named Masterson, who is charged with being implicated in the robbery of the Weiland store, several months ago, was detected by Sheriff Gregory last Wednesday in trying to break jaiol, and was promptly locked up in one of the iron cased cells in the centre of the jail. He had succeeded in breaking a small hole through the perforated sheet iron covering to one of the windows on the north side of the jail nearly large enough to get a man's hand through, and would undoubtedly have succeeded in making his escape in the course of a couple of days more if he had not been interfered with. He is also said to be an expert at picking locks, he having made an exhibition of his ability in that line since he has been in jail. A Bad Practice --- We are informed by Sheriff Gregory that a number of boys around town are in the habit of congregating about the windows on the north side of the jail and holding conversations with the prisoners inside. This is not only against the rules of the jail, but it is a bad practice for the boys, as they are not very likely to get any valuable lessons in morality from the class of criminals who are usually kept in such places. As it is impossible for the Sheriff to keep constant watch over the boys, we think it would be a good idea if parents would forbid their children from visiting the place. It is not probable that they will learn anything to their advantage by conversing with that class of men, and may learn much that will be to their injury. July 22, 1893 (34:50) Married --- In Jackson, July 18, 1893 by Rev. Father Vanschie, John Spinetti of San Luis Obispo to Miss C. Natalina of Clinton. Plead Guilty --- Robert Masterson, who was arrested for being implicated in the robbery of the Wieland store several months ago, was taken before the appelate court last Monday, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary, and was sentenced to two years and six months (How does this compare with the sentence for a similar crime in 1999?) in the State prison. He was taken to San Quentin last Wednesday by Sheriff Gregory. (Sheriff Gregory has the most colorful career.) Painful Accident --- Last Tuesday there happened near Valley Spring a painful and perhaps serious accident to a 12 year-old son of I. Holman, the former principal of the San Andreas school. It appears that the boy was taking down a shotgun loaded with bird shot when it fell and exploded, the charge taking effect on the interior of the thighs, making an ugly looking wound. (Close?) Dr. Simmons was summoned and fixed up the wound. The unfortunate boy was brought to town Wednesday so the doctor could give him better attention. July 29, 1893 (34:51) Died --- In the County hospital, July 27, 1893, Cicero Summers, a native of California, age 33. Married --- At the residence of the birde's uncle near Mountain Springs, July 23, 1893, Mr. C.D. Peek to Miss Ida Green. (to be continued) Steve