The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-26
Our 81. Louis Correspondence.


ST. Lows, Mo-, June 49, 1919.
Emsgramts RetwrAing Suffering on the Plains
Fsce Pacnees KiHed-C Cholera obberies--Df~-
der ofa Negro" Disoyalty'' to Thomas Ii. Ben-
to,-Psogress of Frse-Soihsm.
Every arrival from the Plains-and, now that SO
many emigrants are returning, they are frequent
brings us additional intelligence of the suffering,
yr,vation, and distress of those who are vending
their way by the overland route to Ell Dorado The
trip is always one fraught with danger and diff
culty but thus far the present year, it has been Pc
culiarly so. Sickness has been unusually rife
among the parties that have attempted the journey
The spring was very backward, and thousands con-
gregated on the frontier weeks before 1t was posi-
bic for them to start on the Plains vast majority
of these untitled, by previous habits and occu-
patton, for the mode of life they had assumed.
The prvations and dscomforts of the camp were
new and annoying, to a degree that begot discon-
tent a spirit of recklessness, and disregard OF
discipline and of the means, always necessary IN
enterprises such they had undertaken, to the
preservation of health. Under this aspect of at-
fairs, cholera, small pox, and measles made their
appearance, and hundreds who had left their COM
Portable homes with the bright hope of soon reach
ing the land OF promise, speedily found their dest
nation changed, and the nameless grave the goal
where their life g Journey must terminate.
The number of emlgrans who have become dis
satisfied with the trip 10 California and have turn
ed their faces towards home, is estimated, by IL
gentleman who writes me from st. Joseph, at two
thousand Many others have died and many who
are sill journeyipg westward, must either fall by
the way, Ietrace their steps to the frontier.
Much of the suffering and disappointment which
has been experienced by emigrants, has arisen
from a too hasty estimate of the difficulties OF the
journey, and the fitness for of those who have
dertaken it, An overland trip to California requires
the ability OF great physical endurance, courage,
forutude, and well disciplined mind When be-
yOnd the precincts of civilization, the whole out
ward character is apt TO become changed and it
has often struck me as matter OF surprise that
under such circumstances, Eaen who had ever be-
fore appeared most alnlabe and worthy OF esteem,
had become suddenly transformed into the very
oppOsltes OF what they had previously appeared
A moderate share of self ESTEEM may then become
lnsoent presumption, with ITS concomltants-a dis
regard of discipline, arrogant defiance OF order, and
fool hardy relIance--whlch frequently lead
TO the separation of parties, and consequences the
most disastrous. The finer senslbilties are apt TO
become bunted, and even common humanity
name. And these changes are wrought, not among
the men OF iron nerve accustomed wandering,
but among the refined and unrehned, alike, of civil
lZed society. This, your readers may think strange;
but it is the less true, and may furnish clue
10 The frequent quarrengs and separations which
take place among emgratng parties on the great
plains of The West.
| informed you, some time since, of rumor that
SEINE Pennsy lvanians had encountered a party of
Klckapoos, and killed five. Various rumors of this
affair have gained pnblicty-some strangely erro
neous. Learned to-day the particulars, from gen
tleman from Fort Childs 1t seems that the party of
white men were from Ohio and Virginia, and hail
ed from Wheeling. The Indians were Pawnees
and not Kickapoos. They had stolen some horses
from the whites, and were pursued, overtaken, and
severely thrashed Five Indians were killed, and
a large number wounded. Of the emgrants, one
was wounded severely, and a horse OF the party
killed The story, published in a ST. Louis paper
about military arrest OF emlgrants for killing
kanZas Indians, was untrue; but probably was
based on the occurrences above related.
Much gloom overspreads our city at present,
owing to the ravages of the cholera. The anthem
ticated reports Of interments furnish but an in
adequate IDEA OF the prevalence of the disease At
the present writing entertain not doubt but that
the mortality is over one hundred per day. Bust
ness, IN consequence, is seriously affected. Ar
rivals OF produce from the upper rivers continue
large; but owing TO the sickness here, and the IN
undated condition of New Orleans, little is done
hey ond sending into store. The work of rebuild
ing the burnt district has also received serious
check. Neither mechanics nor laborers can be
procured in sufficient numbers to prosecute the
work with vlgor.
While affairs are thus discouraglng enough from
unavoidable causes, crime Is becoming fearfully
prevalent. Scarcely night passes over, without
the record OF murder, or dozen robberes. Or
the cold-booded assassination of Collin Jones, a
negro, on Friday night last | briefly informed
you by telegraph. The particulars are these:--
There are few rowdy characters in this city, men
occasionally band together for the preparation of
acts Of violence These fellows are mere DULLES,
and dangerous only when thus combined and un-
der the influence of liquor. On Friday night last
some four sr five of this fraternity started out on
q spree, and is their wont on such occasions
visited house Of Ill fame in the lower part of the
city-on this occasion negro house. Three of the
party entered, while the others stood guard at the
street. door. moment after, the cry of murder
was heard, and Jones rushed from the house. NOR
tally stabbed In several parts of his body His
dying declaration was taken next morning, when
he stated that the murderous deed was perpetrated
by two OF the men, and was entirely without pro-
vocation. The assasslns state, however, that on
entering the house they found Jones and woman
engaged at cards, and seized the former to arrest
him. Jones struggled and resisted, and for this
resistance he was murdered No arrest has as yet
been made, nor will there probably be-
AS have before informed you, political excite
ment runs exceedingly highIn Missouri at this time
Benton and free soil stock is decidedly in the ascen-
dan; yet the anti ilmot men seem determined
to die hard, and would rather give up the State to
whggery than 10 the advocates of the "Buffalo
platform" Benton has written another letter for
the press, nsanely -Calhounish in every line
HIS cry OF "disunion" is growing stale, even to
his worshppers-and the man, firmly believe has
many-even those who seldom think of generating
Of "disloyalty to Thomas ii. Benton "enmity to
Mr.. Benton" and such stuff. The man is well
enough in his way; but why this Robbery about
him! 1t is true, many think him demagogue
But what is there surprising in that, which hOuld
ruffe the equanImlty of the soverelgns! This
"ashing the ocean INTO a tempest" all to "waft a
feather to drown" senator, partakes something
OF the ridiculous.