Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-11-18

been irresistible. But in less than half year an
entire change in public opinion succeeding. The
non-separatists became ardent advocates for dlvi-
sion, end the Du Buque candidate was compelled
to declare himself OH tho same side! Thus muta-
bility is stamped upon all things-upon mind as
we'll as matter-alfd We may as well look Tor hui
man consistency as far human infallibihty. 4
From Du Buque wished to proceed to CassshIe,
also OH the Mississippi, about 30 miles Distant
The usual communication is BY steamboat, but as
none was excepted for day or two, an Immediate
journey could only be made by land. This, was
aware, was for the most part over an Indian trail,
though ravines. sloos and marshes. Remembered
also an adventure which .ss. se!:!!es judge l,
oil Du Buque, on the route, in which ne had missed
the trail, spent night on the prairie, and was
without food for 36 hours. remembered also that
one of the government ofice,s of the territory had
me that il had cost him 36 dollars to per-
form the Journey having hired ahorse at Du Buque,
and been obliged to keep it two or three weeks at
livery rates before he had opportunity of return
ing 1.-THE latter story determined me not to get
a horse, and supposed the country sufficiently i'm
proved to render any app,ehesions from the former
quite groundlcss. This tho event realized.
The first statement we would correct, is that
there have been but few houses erected in this
place since June, 1886. We don't know how
many houses the editor would call .fs,c, but
we do know that the number has been such as
to give its citizens the fullest confidence that
this place is to stand second to none on the
Upper Mississippi. The editor hit upon the
truth once---there have been three fine and ele-
giant brick houses put up. And more---we can
tell him that large stone Catholic Church,
has just been finished, in style Of which the
best houses of Peoria cannot boast; and there
is also the walls Of a Presbyterian Church, Of
stone, two stories high, and will be covered
this fall, which would be an ornament TO ma
ny of the places which that editor would place
above Du Buque. So far from its citizens ha-
wing been disappointed in the rapid growth
which they anticipated, in consequence Of the
great eastern pressure, it has moved steadily
on, to an extent that surprised many. Butt
can be easily accounted for. Tie wild specu-
iations in town properly, which pervaded the
whole country year or two ago, left Du
Buque untouched, and almost all the town pro-
perry is owned by citizens, and they not be-
ing timid and faint hearted souls, like the edi-
tor Of the Register, afraid of shadow, and
ready to believe any story, they have adopted
the motto of the renowned Davy Crockett, ':go
a-head," and continued to invest their money
in building, but little regarding the pressure,
as all they held in their possession was their
own.
AS REGARDS the story that the mines around
this place are failing, it is totally unfounded.
In consequence of the pressure in the eastern
m oney market having entirely stopped the sale
of lead, there has been relaxation in the mi.
ming business, but no fears are entertained by
the oldest miners, Of the mineral being ex'
hausted for century. The great discoveries
of mineral on Blue river and Snake Diggings
as induced the owners of lots on this side tc
go there, because the country was then with.
out claims to mineral land; and we are glad
to find that they are doing well.
Durango is cited as an evidence of the ulti
mate downfall Of places depending on the mi.
ming business, for their prosperity. So far as
we can learn the history of Durango, it is this
lin 1885, discoveries Of mineral likely to
prove very extensive, attracted the attention
of the miners, and large numbers focked there
for the accommodation of which, cabins were
erected, goods and groceries taken there and
sold, giving their proprietors fair profit
The miners were Industrious, every thing in
deed looked thriving, and all making mo
ney fast. The mineral was soon exhausted
and fairer ''prospects" presenting themselves
they left the place. The town was never laic
out, nor sale of lots, but the temporary ca
bins were erected in such places as might sui
builders, without any regard to streets; an,
we challenge the editor to prove that any in
dustrious and prudent man suffered the loss O
one cent by going to Durango.
"All the families but OF left the place. an,
these have turned farmers.'' Four or FIVE ia
miles turned farmers! from village which
perhaps never contained more. is great evi
dence Of the downfall Of country. ITO TAX
out an immense amount Of mineral and the
farm on the land, and raise 40 bushels Of cor
to the acre, which can be sold at $3.50 pc
bushel, looks much like desolate country!
He says that much interest is felt abroad i
whatever relates to the mining country, an
that men come into his Office on their way fror
the east, to obtain information respecting il
and regrets that his time did not permit hir
to gather such statistics as would enable hin
to speak more confidently. Ofcourse he lose
! no opportunity to warn them against Du Buqut
/ We regret that regard for truth and justic
did not induce him TO speak Of our country a
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