The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-22

sitting at a rude table engaged in reducing to pa
per some meteorological observations But my
surprise was increased on looking aronnd al the
rude walls of the hut, which We're lined with books
Professor Bar, the person alluded to, rose and
welcomed US in good English, when informed
him who we we're. He then told us that ne and
the several gentleman who had just entered, be-
lopged to colany Of Germans, who had settled
there two years before that they owned tract
of hand league square, and had several hundred
acres under cultivation. He had been professor
Of natural history in Germany. His library EN-
braced some 1000 volumes, all of the best class,
including natural history, Chemistry, mineralogy,
voyages and travels, history, &c. They were in
various languages, but chiefly in German,
have been in many Libraries, but this presented
the strangest medley ever saw, The furniture
ofthis primitive library consisted OF broad table,
a few chairs covered with undressed skins, and
bedstead of the rudest kind, on which lay a bed
made Of husks but no clothes on il. Floor there
was none; the hard, dry earth answered instead.
Windows there were, but no glass IN them. Sew
era deers antlers were fastened to one side of the
room, on which were suspended sundry garments,
and the remaining space not flled with books, was
occupied with rifles and fowling pieces, Of which
counted ten. ~ ,...- .aus. We tg-a.e...ats
The other gentlemen we saw seemed intelligent,
and of higher order than we usually see at the
North among the German emigrants. They
seemed very happy, had all they desired, and
were perfectly independent of the world. In an
adjoining house was quite family OF women and
children belonging to the same company. In this
were a piano and some fine old oil paintings. In
the yard adjoining were a number OF imported
Sheep in which our friends seemed to take much
pride and what was a curiosity TO me, tame.
peccari, or wild hog of Mexico. This little AMI
NAL is about the size of pig four or FIVE weeks
old, and is considered the most ferocious animal
in the country, attacking men when ne meets
49,. A GERMAN SETTLEMENT.
On the opposite side of the Guadalupe we came
to another cluster of Lighthouses, at which we
stopped. These were also occupied by Germans.
The principal gave me his card, which bore the
name DIR. Ernst Copp, Professor. There were
more comforts in this house than any had ever
seen. The ladies' and children were neatly dressed,
and the appearance of the whole establishment re-
sembled country house in New England more
than in an Indian country two thousand five hun
dred miles off. . ..g,.a.. r..-.-..
After leaving this place, we ascended a noun
tain, and leaving the train we all assembled to the
top, where we had the finest view we have had in
Texas. 1t extended in one direction about forty
miles. This mountain is but spur Of the high
table land we had been ascending for several days,
and the invigorating air we breathed showed that
we were in a much higher elevation than we had
been travelling in. From this we descended into
a magnificent valley, which lay stretched out be-
fore us at least twenty miles. 1t was hicky stud
ded with live oaks, which were the only trees
noticed. The wild grass resembled our richest
meadows, and could not divest myself of the
idea that was in New England, or some long
settled country.
/. MORMON SETTLEMENT.
While overlooking the beautiful valley before
us, we discovered some white specks in the deep
green foliage, which my spy-glass revealed as hu-
man habitations. After travelling on some five or
six miles, we came to we-built rail fences and
enclosures, and soon afterward to cultivated fields.
After fording the Perdinalis river, we came sud
denly upon village, the very aspect of which
showed us that It was neither mexican or Ter
man settlement.
Driving up to the best looking house in the
place, we were met at the gate by porty looking
man of about so, from whom we learned that we
were in a Mormon settlement, bearing the re-
markable and unique name of Zodiac l compli-
mented Mr.. Wright, the leader, in whose house
we then were, on the originality Of the name, and
as being infinitely superior to those universally
common names of the statesmen of the Revolu-
ton of which every State in the Union thinks she
must have few dozens. .''".
| Mr. Wright told us he came to this country two
years ago, with little colony Of one hundred and
ffty persons, men, women and children. lie
planted himself in a wilderness, and had no neigh
bors within miles. HIS people hold every thing
in common. The village consisted OF a single
broad avenue, with wel-but house on either side.
There are various trades among them, and the on
lv saw mill for many miles. There is a respecta-
BE looking place Of worship, painted white, the
lower story of which is a store, where goods are
| furnished to the brethren as they require them
without charge. Mr.. Wright told me his crop Of
corn this year would be 900 bushels, which is
worth to him 81 25a bushel. There were mum,
Der Of small children running about, from 10 to
I3 years of age, which Mr.. w. said earned IS u
day in working in his corn field
You may be surprised that in this far distant
region corn should command such price, but
when you know that this region is very thinly
populated, and very little disposition to labor
among the people, this may be accounted for.
Then there is military post here, with one or
two companies Of Dragons, which requires ABOUT
1000 bushels month-there are emigrants pass-
ing through to Californa-and city Of 5000 in
habtans to be supplied with corn and meal. All
these tend to make demand beyond what is pro-
duced-and hence the high price. 1t is a wonder
that with such luxuriant soil, delightful climate,
facility Of cultivation and extraordinary cheapness
of land, people should struggle as they do at the
North for a bare subsistence. The best land near
the settlements and on the banks of streams may
be had at from 81 to 81 IS an acre. and at a little
distance for rs cents the latter is equally good
but not so accessible. For raising stock or crops
on a large scale, it is quite as good. have met
no one here from New England. The settlers are
either Germans or from the Western States.
Our Mormon friends gave us capital dinner,
say for twelve persons, gave our twelve animals
as much corn as they could eat--and gave US on
our arrival several pitchers of excellent milk, for
all OF which they charged US but S3. This pre-.
scented a striking contrast to the usual prices
which our party have been compelled to pay in
Texas. For instance, in stepping at farmer s
house and asking for milk to drink, the usual
charge was twenty cents quart. In one instance,
man who owned a league square Of land, and
had 1900 head of cattle charged at this price, and
fifty cents for meal without butter, vegetables, or
milk for our coffee. Emigrants and parties at
tached to the U. S. Government are considered
fair game here, and if one gets off without having
his last cent absracted from him, he does well.
The people make great mistake in so doing, as
they will drive off the emigrants to other routes.
SALT WATER VERsus THE FAcuLTY.-Accord-
ing to the New York Medical Gazette, Beniot and
Taignot two French " regulars, have discovered
simple remedy for inflammation and liberation of
the cornea ofthe eye. In the case of a boy, with
both eyes liberated, general bleeding, caiomel,
frictions with mercury and belladonna, and eau
FORMATIONS with nitrate Of silver proved Of no
avail (which means made him worse. After
trying this for twelve days, wash Of salt and
water was used. In ten days, the boy was well.
Another case of woman, who was bled, burnt
with caustic and colomeliZed for three months,