A Watch Snatched on Howard Street, and a Call for a Real Jail

One of the consequences of the great increase of population is the danger of having some very bad characters mixed in with the desirable class of inhabitants. It is evident that the hallucination of gold gathering has just as great a hold on the adventurer as the honest man, if not more so, and our city is not escaping a visitation from that specimen of the human biped known as 'tough citizens.' It is true that the number now here is not large, but considering the rapid accumulation of people it is only natural to expect that time will produce more of the same breed. We have heard of no depredation beyond an effort made one night this week to rob a man named Barney. This individual was passing along Howard street at a late hour, when a man jumped out of the alley between Rima's store and Union Block and grabbed for his watch. The would-be robber caught the chain, tore it from the vest and jerked the watch from the vest pocket. The watch was detached from the chain by the violence of the exertion, and fell to the sidewalk. Barney struck the highwayman a violent blow in the face, and not enjoying the reception the thug fled up the alley and has not since been arrested. It is the duty of the city council to make some arrangements for the protection of the city at this time when we can look for an influx of people, good, bad and indifferent. In the first place it would be well to build at once a good jail. Heretofore this unpleasant appendage has been almost unnecessary, but as the place becomes more of a metropolis the want of a calaboose will be felt. After a building is constructed capable of retaining a sober prisoner for twenty-four hours, an assistant should be appointed to aid the Marshal in the performance of his duties. Everything is peaceful enough now, and the labors of the officer are not oppressive, yet it would be well to prepare for all emergencies.