The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-10


rally are invited
From the ell-known character and pub
lie spirit of the gentlemen who have the
matter in hand, it is confidently antici-
pated that the exhibition will be large and
of unusual interest.
Emigration to California across the Prairie.
A correspondent of the st. Louis Republican,
writing from Fort Laramie letters dated in July
and August, states that this post of the American
Fur Company has been turned over To the United
States army. After a careful reconnaissance of the
surrounding country by the proper officers, it was
found that the site the only suitable point for
military post, and it was therefore purchased, or
rather the fort itself was, for $4,000 The old fort
is now used for store-h houses, stables, &C.; and a
ter the completion of the new one, which is TO be
erected in the immediate vicinity, will doubtless
be used for stables solely. Ii is serious undertake
ing to construct buildings in this part of the
try, owing the scarcity of wood, which only
be found in the Black Hills ten fifteen miles
distant. The difficulty also of procuring labor adds
materially to the cost of such works. and postpones
the date of their completion.
The Government has already done much on the
line between the frontiers of Missouri and the base
of the Rocky mountains. One post has been es-
tablished, or rather commenced, at the head OF
Grand Island, and another the Laramie river,
one mile from Its mouth. The former is garrisoned
by two companies Of infantry and one of dragons;
the latter by two companies of rifles and of in
fantry. Each post Is supplied with eight heavy
twelve pound howitzers and ample supply Of
ammunition. The officers in charge Of the works
are doing, and have done, all that men could do;
but some years must elapse before the works can
be completed.
The letter contains the following description of
the ravages Of the cholera among the Indians and
It's effects:
''The cholera has been committing great rayages
amongst the Indians and IL still carrying them of
daily. The Chcyennes say that over three hundred
Of their number have already died Of II. The Sioux
have also suffered greatly They attribute 1t 10 the
whites, and say they brought Il amongst them.
This conviction the part OF the Indians was the
cause few days since, of quite trag1ca event IN
the vicinity of SCOTS Bluff. young Indian bad
lust seen his father, mother, brother, and wife,
breathe their last, which produced IN him sort OF
monomania, and, rushing from his lodge, he de
termined 10 kill the first white man he should
meet-for which act he said he should suffer death,
and would then join his friends in the happy hunt
ing grounds Of their tribe. The first person he met
was Young man from st. Joseph, by the name OF
Nc Dowell, formerly sergeant major IN the Oregon
battalion, whom he nrcd at and shOt oeao. line
Indians Immediately took charge Of him and exc
cuted him on the spot. Major Sandorson called the
chiefs together and, upon investigating the matter
found the facts above stated"
On the 26th Of June, a company Of the Mounted
Rifles, under the command Of Brevet Lieutenant
Colonel Roberts, arrived at Fort Laramie. Colonel
Macksy quarterInsster, and Captain Van Welt,
quartermaser, T. =. A., also reached here the same
day; the former tour Of inspection, and the lat
ter under orders for the post.
Several hundred Mormon wagons were short
distance below this point. bound for the happy val
ley Of the Salt Lake.
A gentleman at Fort Laramie has kepta register
Of emigration statistics 40 far he able, and
has furnished the following facts:
Five thousand five hundred wagons have passed
averaging three and half souls per wagon; and the
number Of deaths from the Missouri river 10 this
point, about one and n half per mile, which is be-
low the mark. The greatest fatality has been among
the Missourians, and the western people generally
while among the people Of the eastern States il has
been scarcely felt at all The Of this IL at
tributed TO the fact that the eastern people came
well provided with every necessary comfort for the
trip, and with medicines 10 suit every class Of die.
eases incident 10 the plains, while the western pco-
pie, in too many cases, lacked this foresight
The correspondent Of the Republican represents
this as being far the best route 10 California