San Mateo County Gazette Redwood City, San Mateo County, California Saturday Morning, May 21, 1859, Vol. 1 No.7. SUDDEN DEATH. - Wm. McNEIL, an old resident of the Redwoods, in this county, died suddenly on Tuesday night last. He had retired to bed in the evening, complaining of pain in the back and left side, with which he had often been afflicted. About midnight, his wife was awakened by his struggling and difficulty of breathing. Other occupants of the house were immediately aroused, and a messenger dispatched for a physician, but the sufferer died in a few moments, without speaking a work. Corner McCLURE held an inquest on the body, and also made a post mortem examination, when it was ascertained that death was caused by disease of the heart. The jury rendered a verdict in accordance with those facts. HOME SUMMARY The Sacramento papers mention several recent attempts to fire the city. The citizens are urged to be on the alert. By the arrival, on the 16th of the Senator, we have received Los Angeles papers to the 14th instant. A company of men had left Los Angeles prepared to thoroughly explore the San Gabriel mines. The news heretofore received from there is encouraging. At the Colorado mines, fourteen miles above Fort Yuma, about the 14th instant, a Mexican struck and knocked down an American by the name of ROSS, and then robbed him of $375 in dust. There are only about five Americans now engaged in the mines on the Colorado, and some seven or eight on the Gila. Of Mexicans, there are about 350 on the two rivers engaged in mining. They are making about $1.50 per day. About two week since some two hundred Mexicans arrived at the mines, and reported many more on the way. Their Royal high-nesses Victoria and Albert, so long expected, arrived in San Francisco on Monday last, after a prolonged passage on one hundred and fifteen days, and are now stopping at the Blackhawk stables. They a____ to be "some elephant." The great meteor seen in many portions of this State, in April, is said to have fallen near Van Dusen's Fork Humbolt county, with such force as to heavily shock the earth, producing a sound like that of the discharge of a heavy gun or distant thunder. The rates of fare upon the John L. Stephens were: first cabin $175 and $150; second cabin, $100; steerage, $50. A collision took place at Benicia, 17th inst., between the steamer Princess and the barge towed by the steamer Martin White. Very little damage was done, but quite a row ensured, during which several shots were fired by persons on board the Princess. No one was injured, however. Two men who left Butte Creek, near Yreka, on a hunt, are supposed to have been killed by the Indians, as their pack-mule returned a few days after, with his pack on, and alone. The party of five who were killed several days previously, near the same place, were attacked while lying in bed, as was evident from their wounds. Two men were shot through the heart; one cut in the head with an axe, and one shot and also stabbed in the head. The fifth was burned, either alive or after have been killed along with the others. The proprietors of the Evening Bulletin have been prosecuted under the late act of the Legislature relative to obscene publications for publishing in their paper the confession of Mrs. SICKELES. They were convicted, and sentences to pay of fine of $100 each. The ceremony of formally opening the House of Refuge, San Francisco was performed on Tuesday last. An address was delivered by J.B. Crockett, Esq. The trial of Capt. Pendleton is progressing in the U.S. Court, at San Francisco. A telegraphic dispatch from Genoa, May 18th, to the S.F. Herald, giving news from Salt Lake City says: Great excitement exists in this city, and a collision is anticipated. The Mormons have been drilling for weeks, and have got bodies of armed men out in various directions throughout the country. The mountain hights (sic) are prepared with signal fires, to telegraph at any moment. The Governor has issued a proclamation for them to disperse; and, in case they should not do it, the troops will doubtless have work to do. This is the only news; in fact, it is the all-absorbing topic. On the night of the 11th May, the house of Col. E. A. Stevenson, about three miles from Red Bluff on the opposite side of the river, was burned to the ground, consuming Mrs. Stevenson and three children and Mrs. Krouk, with her two children. Mr. Krouk, Col. Stevenson's oversee, was in the house, but by some means managed to escape, thongh (sic) so badly burned it is doubtful about his recovery. Col. Stevenson was formerly Indian Agent at Nome Lackee, and was absent at Tehama at the time of the fire. Mrs. Stevenson had two brothers sleeping in a granary some distrance from the dwelling-house that was burned; but they escaped, although not till after the women and children were burned. It is generally supposed the fire was the work of Indians. Fears are entertained that, if it is the work of Indians, other places in that section may have shared the same fate. Mr. Myers, who lives opposite Col. Stevenson's, and who conveyed Mr. Krouk to his place, thinks if it is the work of Indians, they murdered the women and children before the house was fired. On the night of the 14th, the people of Red Bluff were alarmed by seeing a fire on the opposite side of the river. A number of citizens started immediately for the fire, and discovered it to be caused by the burning of Mr. Seth HOOKER's house, situated about five miles from the town. When the citizens arrived, the building was entirely destroyed. It is believed to have been the work of Indians, as a Mr. Marshall, who was sleeping in the house, and who is an old mountaineer, says positively that he heard Indians immediately before the house was fired. The parties who remained at the ruins till morning discovered bare feet and moccasin tracks in the adjacent fields. FIRE - On Thursday night of last week, the dwelling house of Messrs. COURTER and MARVIN situated in the San Andres valley, in this county, was entirely consumed by fire. The fire broke out between twelve and one o'clock, in the kitchen, and is supposed to have originated from the stove-pipe (the almost universal California chimney) where it ran through the roof. The house was made of redwood boards, cloth lined and papered, in which the fire worked along so quietly, that it had almost reached the inmates, all of whom were asleep, before they were aware of its existence; and when made aware of it, they had barely time to escape with their lives, without saving even the clothing which they had taken off on retiring. There were five persons in the house, all grown, and so rapid was the progress of the fire, that, we believe, but two of them succeeded in saving sufficient to cover their nakedness, and these only saved parts of suits. Mr. COURTER was driven out in his shirt and drawers, and at once found it impossible to get more of his clothing; he hoped, however to save some valuable articles of furniture standing near the door, but in the attempt was severely burned and driven back. Mrs. COURTER, driven out in the cold wind with her night-dress only, made a desperate effort to seize some clothing through a window, and literally cut her right hands to pieces, from which the blood flowed freely for several hours, until at length she fainted from loss of blood. The house itself, into which the family had but recently moved, was comparatively valueless, but it was crammed full of furniture and property of various kinds, all of which, with the exception of a part of a set of harnesses, was a total loss. Mr. C. had just laid in a good stock of provisions, and this, with his library and three watches, constituted a part of the loss, the whole of which is estimated to be about twelve hundred dollars. This loss falls very heavily on Messrs C. and M. who had but recently commenced on a new place, and had in this house all their worldly goods. The only thing recovered from the smoldering ruins on the following morning was a small amount of money, which had been placed between two beds, and came out as good as new. LUMBER - This staple article of our local commerce is now coming in rapidly from the hills, but it is nearly as rapidly shipped away again, very little being left to accumulate upon the wharves. HAYING - We notice that our farmers have now commenced their "haying" in earnest. On every hand, the busy hum of the "machines" is heard, and rapidly acre after acre of wild oats, and other material used for hay, is falling and withering in the sun. The bright, moon-light nights of last week, we observed, were also taken advantage of by some energetic harvester, who extended their labors far into the late hours - thus changing the adage, and in two senses, "making hay while the moon shines." The crop will not be a heavy as was anticipated, nevertheless a goodly supply will be gathered, not only for home consumption, but also for shipment. **** PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP CO.'s LINE, TO PANAMA Connecting, via Panama Railroad, with steamers of the U.S. Mail Steamship Co., at Aspinwall, FOR NEW YORK AND NEW ORLEANS The only Safe and Reliable Route ! DEPARTURE FROM FOLSOME STREET WHARF The splendid Steamship GOLDEN AGE J.T. WATKINS …….. Commander, Will leave Folsom Street Warf, with the United States Mails, Passengers and Treasure, for PANAMA, ON MONDAY ……. June 6th 1859, At 9 o'clock, A.M. Punctually. Passengers by the P.M.S.S. Co.'s Line are landed on Their arrival at Panama, upon the Wharf, at the Railroad Terminus, by the Company's Steam Ferry Boar, and are Transported By the Panama Railroad Company Immediately across the Isthmus to ASPINWALL, where The steamers of the U.S.M.S. Company are expected to Be in readiness to convey them to New York or New Orleans. The Panama Railroad Company and the U.S. Mail Steamship Company have authorized Agents to sell their Tickets, if desired by holders of Pacific Tickers. Treasure for shipment will be received on board the Steamer until 12 o'clock midnight, previous to the day of sailing. No merchandise freight will be received on board after 3 O'clock, P.M. of the day previous to sailing, and a written Order must be procured at the Company's office for its shipment. For Freight of Passage, apply to FORBES & BABCOCK, Agents Corner, Sacramento and Leidesdorff streets San Francisco To see other old newspapers, visit http://www.newspaperabstracts.com