San Mateo County Gazette Redwood City, San Mateo County, California Saturday Morning, June 30, 1860, Vol. 2 No. 13 GONE! - It is our painful duty to chronicle the departure from the scene of his very useful and erudite labors, Dr. Lambert, coroner of San Mateo county. The information of his departure was given us by an appreciative friend of the distinguished departed, with tearful eyes and mournful deportment. The Dr. will long be remembered as one who "knew a thing or two," and could make a political speech. Just previous to his departure, deeming himself ex officio Justice of the Peace, he tried a case wherein a man was acused of cutting another severely with an axe, and acquitted him. DEPUTY ASSESSOR. - W.L. Millard has been appointed Deputy Assessor, for San Mateo county. COL. FREMONT'S EARLY DAYS IN CALIFORNIA John C. Fremont was sworn as a witness in the case of the claim of Andres Castillero to New Almaden, before U.S. Commissioner Chevers, on the 26th. He said: The character of the survey made by me across the continent in 1845 was that of a topographical exploration, with the immediate object of ascertaining the most direct route across the continent. It was made under the orders of the Topographical Bureau. I was at that time a Captain in the Topographical Engineers. I arrived at Sutter's Fort on or about December 10th, 1845. I remained there about four days. On the 14th, I traveled from the Fort towards the head waters of King's River, with the object of meeting the main body of my part, which I had left at Walker's Lake. Returning, I reached Sutter's Fort, on January 15th, 1846. I remained four days, and on the 19th left the embarcadero in Captain Sutter's launch, accompanied by eight of my party, for Yerba Buena, where we arrived in the course of a day or two. If my memory serves me, we reached there on the 20th. As the river was high at that time, we had the advantage of the current, and so made a quick passage. Captain William A. Leidesdoroff and Captain William Hinckley were the principal acquaintances I made. I was there but a short time, but became well acquainted with them. I visited the pueblo of San Jose with Captain Hinckley. I had arranged with Captain Leidesdorff to go with him to Monterey, and having a day or two of leisure before he could be ready, Captain Hinckley offered to go with me to the quicksilver mines, near San Jose, which Captains Leidesdorff and Hinckley had mentioned to me as an object of interest, and as having been recently discovered. I left Yerba Buena on or about January 21st, 1846, at 1 o'clock, P.M., in a whale boat. We reached the embarcadero, now Alviso, about day break the next morning. There we procured horses, and passing through San Jose, reached the mine on the same day. I think no one went with me to the mine but Hinckley. We arrived there about noon. At the mine, Captain Hinckley introduced me to Mr. Castillerro, the owner of the mine, who showed me about - showed me the excavation from whence he had taken the ore; showed me two or three heaps of the ore, and gave me some specimens, some of which I brought away. Before visiting the mine, Captain Leidesdorff and myself had some conversation together with regard to purchasing the mine. When there, I spoke slightly with Castillero on the subject, and Mr. Hinckley, also, said something to him at greater length, tending to the same end; but Castillero was not at all disposed to converse about selling. At this time, I think, Castillero was engaged in building a house, below, in the valley, to be used for the occupation of himself or his workmen. He also went through the process, roughly, of extracting the silver from the ore, by putting some on red hot iron, and collecting the fumes in a cup. We remained there, perhaps two hours. I learned from Castillero that he held the mine by denouncement. I then, for the first time, became acquainted with the Spanish system of acquiring mines by denouncement. Whether I learned this in answer to questions propounded by me to Castillero, or whether he volunteered the statement I do not remember. The impression distinctly and strongly remained upon my mind as a piece of knowledge acquired at that time, and which I afterwards made use of in this State during my operations in 1849. The discovery of gold in the rock was first made in 1849, on my Mariposa tract. It was considered that that discovery was the first of the kind in California. In the uncertainty respecting titles in California, which then existed, I denounced the mine before Judge Geary, in San Francisco, before Alcalde May, in San Jose, and before the Alcalde in Stockton, whose name I do not remember. That vein is now known as the Old Mariposa or Fremont vein, near the town of Mariposa. I made these denouncements entirely upon the information which I derived at the time spoken of from Castillero. When I left California in 1847, the gold pacers had not been discovered. I heard of it as I was leaving the western frontier of the United States in 1848, to return to California, where I arrived in the spring of 1849. I returned directly from the mine to Yerba Buena, which place I left about sundown on January 24th, 1846, in company with captains Leidesdorff and Hinckley, and remained that night at Sanchez' ranch. In the morning Captain Hinckley returned to Yerba Buena and Captain Leidesdorff and myself continued our journey to San Jose, where we stopped at Sunol's house. The next night, we reached Mr. Larkin's house, at Monterey. I then called on General Castro, and the Prefect, named Castro. On the journey to the town of Monterey, I talked the subject of purchasing the Almaden mine over with Captain Leidesdorff, but the amount required was larger than my means. At that time, the mine was exceptional to any other kind of property; everything else, such as land, cattle, etc.; being very low, and of little exchangeable value; while the mine was considered as something of immense value, compared with other property. Thirty thousand dollars, which was the sum fro which Leidesdorff supposed the mine might be purchased was considered an immense sum of money in California in those days. This circumstance gave great prominence to the mine. I think I have not been at the mine since January, 1847, I do not remember that I heard it designated other than as the quicksilver mine. I never, at that time hear it called the Almaden so far as I can recollect; this latter designation stands in my mind as one subsequently given. At the end of February - I crossed the mountains called the Sierra de los Gatos, part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, early in March, encamped on the Gavilon peak, Salinas range, thence around by Sutter's Fort north. I had some difficulties with the California authorities; those covered the space of five days, and occurred in the early part of March. I remember to have received a Spanish grammar and some letters from Mr. Larkin about the time, while I was in camp. Mr. Larkin sent information to Mazatlan, in relation to my difficulties, and I have always supposed that the sloop of war Portsmouth came up in consequence of the receipt of the information. FINE FRUIT. - Mr. M.L. Brittan's large orchard at the present time presents a splendid array of fine fruits of all kinds, as yet immature, but promising an immense quantity of the choicest apples, pears, peaches, apricots, quinces, cherries, grapes, etc., etc. If the promised product of this fine orchard may be taken as an indication, the crop of fruit in this valley the coming fall will be very large. INCREASE. - We are of opinion that the population of this county will be reported by the census marshal to be about five thousand. THE MINT'S OPERATION. - Into the Branch Mint last week came $435,000 worth of gold bullion and refined gold, 2,909 ounces of silver bullion. The coinage was $150,000 in double eagles. SHERIFF'S SALE By virtue of an execution issued out of the District Court of the 12th Judicial District in and for the County of San Mateo, State of California in the suit of J. Alexander YOELL against John GREER, and to me duly directed and delivered duly attested under the Seal of said Court on the 21st day of June A.D. 1860, by which I am commanded to make the sum of three hundred and nine dollars and fifty cents ($309.50) with interest and all accruing costs, I have levied on all the right, title and interest of the above named defendant John Greet in and to - All that piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of San Mateo State of California, known as the Rancho Canada de Raimundo, being the same tract of land granted by the Mexican Government to one Juan Coppinger and finally patented by the Government of the United State of America to Maria Louisa Greer and Manuella Coppinger: Together will all and singular the tenements hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belong or in any wise appertaining. Notice is hereby given that on Wednesday the 18th day of July A.D. 1860, at 2 o'clock P.M., in front of the Court House doors of San Mateo County at Redwood City, I will sell all the right, title and interest of the above named defendant John Greer in and to the above described tract of land, with the tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging at Public Auction, for cash in hand, to the highest and best bidder to satisfy said execution and all costs. Redwood City, June 27th, 1860 Silas Hovious Sheriff of San Mateo County By John Ames, Under Sheriff $10 Reward. - Lost or stolen From Phelp's Ranch, near Belmont on Monday, 18th inst., a small, mouse-colored mare MULE, branded on the left hip AD joined together, right ear cropped. The mule is very gentle, and will work kind in harness or under the saddle. Any information concerning the animal will be gratefully received by the undersigned if left with A.T. Castor, Belmont, and the above reward will be paid for the recovery of the property. V. YNGUANZO Belmont, June 20, 1860 NOTICE Proposals will be received up to the first day of July next for repairing the School House at Redwood City, according to the following Specification: The house is twenty-four feet wide and thirty feet long; twelve feet high to the eaves, with about a quarter pitch of roof; to be clapboarded all around; base or water-table, 8 inches wide; corner-boards, 4 and 5 inches wide; cornice projection, about 12 inches wide; frieze, 8 inches deep; face-board, 6 inches wide. All the materials will be furnished on the ground. For further particulars inquire of J.W. TURNER, Trustee Redwood City, June 20, 1860 To see other old newspapers, visit http://www.newspaperabstracts.com