davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24
of the Settlement Of the
Rock River Valley.
BY A PIONEER.

In the month of November lS34--nearly
seventeen years agG-two orihree ox-teams
might have been seen vending their way
across the prairies ami through the groves
from Fox TO Rock river. One Of these
teams the writer of this sketch had the hon
or OF driving. The cold was severe for the
season, and it was no very cheerful task to
drag slowly along. hour after hour, without
seeing human habitation. Our route or
path-for there was no Eeaten road--was
near where the great Dixon and Chicago
thoroughfare now passes. During the long
interval CT seeing human beings and their
houses. there was ample opportunity for re-
fiectIng on the pleasures of imnigratiny TO
a new country--for this at that time was
le.pphatically ne,c.s
At that time Dixon, or as it was then
called, Dixon's Ferry. had no house except
the tavern. This consisted Of double log
house and a single one of hewed logs. Of
ten these were crowded full, so that there
was scarcely puncheon apiece TO sleep
upon. For though this was a new, unset
tied country, Dixon's Ferry was the great
crossing place from the southern part of the
State TO the mines. Numerous ox-teams
passed up every spring from the South,
spent the summer in hauling mineral, and
returned in the fall. Hence it was COM
mon remark, that the suckers ran up in the
spring and down in the fall -at
AT Buffalo Grove two or three families
lived. The tavern was kept by Mr.. Kel-
logg, a brother-in law, ] think of Mr.. Dix
on. He was man Of some abilities, but
not very well calculated to be popular a
mong his neighbors. His wife was gener-
ally considered the better man of the two,
especially in managing the tavern. About
a mile from him lived Mr.. Samuel Reed,
originally from Delaware county, N. "
But he had lived so long in the west, that
nearly all traits of Yankeeism were obliter-
ated. He is one of the most remarkable
men for tellin. stories and relating anec-
dotes that have ever known. Hour after
hour have | sat and heard him tell of events
connected with his residence in New York
in Ohio, and in this State. The year, the
month. and frequently the very day Of the
month aud week, as well rs the names Of
the individuals concerned, would be given
with the most scrupul0us accuracy.
At Elkhorn Grove lived Mr.. John AUX
ney, who was formerly from Pennsylvania; !;
and he had become completely suckerized
or Nh. Aukney's character aud abilities
need not speak, for he lives in our midst
and is well known.
i'll am not mistaken, Dxon's Ferry was
the only place on Rork River that was set
tied, unless il may hav e cen near its mouth.
MIR. Kent came from what is now Rock
ford, think the next season. He was a
man of considerable enterprise, but rather
visionary in his schemes. He was broth.
er of the Rev. Mr.. Kent, Presbyterian
minister in Galena, and now lives in Ten
uessee.--[ Mount Morris Gaz.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

SECRETARY CoRwIN-The Dayton Ga
zette relates the following story Of Secre,a-
ry Corwin. Its humor is characteristic
To friend Of ours who saw him the
other day at Lebanon, he gave a most anu
sing, and we doubt not, truthful account Of
the condition Of things in the Treasury De-
partment, when he entered upon the duties
Of Secretary. The Clerks, he estimates,
were sick, on an average, about half the
time-but it struck him as somewhat re.
markabls that, much as they were sick.
none Of them died. The fact was apparent
at a glance. that they did very little work
for the public, and the ipferen was ire.
sistble, that something must..u done for
Them. Accordingly, the Secre.sfy turned
physician, and began to prescribe for The in
vaIi,ls. He issued an order that all Clerks
who were ahsen, from their desks certain
number Of days, say two, on account Of
sickness, should submit to propoftionate
deduction from. their respective salaries !;
and that all who were absent longer, say
one week. would be required either to de
or resign! - b 81. s., -,
The prescription worked like charm,
and in a short time thers was not a sick
clerk 10 the whole Department. A heather
set OF men than they are now, Mr.. Corwin
declares cannot be found anywhere.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

PosTAGE IN ADyANCE.-It is desirable on
many accounts that postage should he paid
IN advance under the new law. The pos
iage is cheaper in advance, and lie new
system will work better and less EXPENSIVE
ly to the government if the postage is gen.
orally prepaid. This will prepare the way
for still further reduction, and give us in
good time selfsupporting postoffice estab-
i'shment, with letter postage at two cents,
and newspapers free all over the country.
The proper and most convenient way to
pay the postage is by the stamps which are
sold 10y the postInasters. The stamps may
he carried in the pocket book or kept with
the writing materials, so as TO be always on
hand. fyou write on your own business,
you will, of course, pay the postage, and if
the letter requires an answer, enclose a
stamp for your correspondent to use in send
ing his reply. Let this be done generally,
snd it will soon become the rule of courte-
sy, of postofice morality, for every man to
pay postage in ance.-[Providence Jour.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

The CHINA BoYsIN CALiFoRNIA.-Quit
a large number of CelestiaIs have arrived
among as Of late, enticed hither by the gol-
den romance which has filled the world
Scarcely a ship arrives that does not bring
an increase to this worthy portion of our
population. And we hear by China papers
and private advices from the empire, that
the feeling is spreading all through the sea-
boar,l, and as consequence, nearly all the
vessels that are up for this country are SO
for the prospect Of passengers. A few China
men have returned, taking with them some
thousands Of dollars in California gold, and
have thus given an impetus to the feeling Of
emigration from their fatherland, which is
not likely to abate for some time to come.
Through their chief here, and their agent,
Mr.. Woodwork. they have got possession
OF large tract OF land onthe Moqvuelumne,
which they have commenced cultivating,
and are fast settling il. They are among
the patient, quiet, industrious people among
us.. They seem to live under our laws As if
born and bred under them, and already have
commenced an expression Of their, prefer
ence BY applying for citizenship. by filing
their attentions in our courts. What will
be the extent Of the movement now going
on in China and here is easily forseen. We
shall undoubtedly have very large asidi-
tion to our population, and it may not be
many years before the Halls of Congress ire
graced by the presence Of a long queued
Mandarin. sitting. voting, speaking
a Don from Santa Fes anil Kanakka from
Pawaii.-[ Alta Californian.
.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

LATER FROM UrAH TERRIroRY.-By the
western mail yesterday, we received sever
al numbers of the Deseret News, published
at Great Salt Lake city. They come down
TO the 3lst May. They contain very little
news.
The March and April mails from Inde.
pcndence arrived OH the Oath May, in charge
of Mr.. X. S. Phelps. The mail Of the lst
of May, was then due and expected.
Presidents Young and Kimball returned
on the Oath May, from visit to Utah, San
Pete and Iron counties. They brought a
highly encouraging account of affairs IN the
new setilements--every thing was prosper
Gus, and the health good se
Very heavy rains fell in the valley from
Thursday, tie 9th May, to the 10th, and as
few houses in the city were Waterproof,
beds, bed-bugs, and wardrobes shared one
fate, and were completely saturated. Some
hail fell, bur il did very Iiltle damage,
The first arrival from the States this
spring took place on the 7th May, and con-
sisted of four or FIVE wagons loaded with
hams, sugar, coffee, &c. i, ,G .-as
The first ground was broken for the Great
Salt Lake and Mountain Railway, on the
LIST May. Contracts had been made for the
sleepers and rails, and labor was wanted to
bring u into use. The whole track is to be
constructed Of wood, and as soon as it can
be completed, preparations will commence
for the building Of the Temple.
The Indians were committing some dep
relations, by stealing properly; and on the
22d April, Mr. Custer was shot by an In
dian. Pursuit was made, but nothing is
said of the RESULT Sunday Repub.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24
TWO DOLLARS A YEAR.
From The AN. c.liaornls.f IL

l
The New jenny LIND rHEArRE AT SAN
FRAsclsco.-Th psoprietors of the Par
ker House are pushing forward and up
ward the walls for their new theatre; which
is to occupy nearly two thirds of the front
breadth Of the old Parker House, with q
depth Of $50 feet. Il is to be 6ra-proof.-
The theatre will probably be ready in six
or eight weeks. Ii is Intended TO make il
worthy of California, beautiful, airy, COM
modious and safe. The stage will be IS
feet deep, and the theatre Of capacity to
seat 5000 people. a5.rA
GREAr HEar DURIKG THE FIRE.-An
idea OF the intensity of the heat in some To-
cali,ies, during the recent fire may be gam
ed from one fact. A building on Mont
go,nery street, which was built Of brick and
succeed upon the inside, was completely
ytrifed within, as high as the second story.
The interior plastering WAS changed to
glazing, like that which is seen upon the M
side Of eartheDware. When il is renlein-
bered how great Il degree Of heat is neces-
sary to melt slick, the power Of the raging
element on the 9th, which thus changed the
bard finished plasteriog to glass, will ap-
pear evident enough.
CELESTIAL Nearly hun
dred CelestiaIs, whose long tails were flap-
ping in the breeze. left the city yesterday
on board the steamer Benicia, bound for
arysville-taking with them large guam
tity of neat little China made rockers, about
the size Of peck measure, with which
they intend riddling the banks Of the Yuba.
Among the party were number Of the fair
sex Of the nation, and the probabil is that
young Chinese community will grow up
in our mountains, SO il is possible that in
few years Hon. Tchang Whang, Senator
from Yuba county, will introduce resolu-
ton into the State Legislature, providing
for The building Of bridge connecting the
Sierra Nevada with the Chinese Wall.
A Rror, which threatened serious re-
suits, occurred at Nevada city, on the 25th
of May. 1t had its origin in long stand
ing dispute, concerning a land ciaim.-
Stones and pistols were freely used, but il
does not appear that any person was killed.
The nominations for State officers and
members of Congress made by the Demo-
cratic and Wing Conventions, respectively,
are Us follows trs
DEMocRAr.-For John Bigler.
Lieut. Gov. Samuel Purdy. sa=
Justice Sup. Courts. Heydenfelt.
Treasurer-Richard Roman.
Con,ptroller-H. S. Winsiow.
Attorney Generals. C Hastings.
WHIs.-For Governor-P. b. Redding.
Lieut.. Gov.-Benj. F. Moore.
Justice Sup. Court--rodd Robinson.
Treasurer--J. NJ. Burt
nptroller-Alexan,ier Gabriel.
Attorney General-Wm. S. Thsyel.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24
A Case of Conscience.

DIR. B., Of Franklin county. Vermont,
tells good story of case of conscience
that occurred in the course of his practice
several years ago. The wife of Baptist
deacon (whon, for the purpose Of the anec-
dote, we shall call Mr.. Cushman,) dislo-
Gated her arm by fall, and the doctor was
sent for, and came, with all CONVENIENT dis
patch, aud put the matter tsto rights
Presently, after the operation was over, the
lady was seized with faint turn, and beck
oned to her husband for assistance. The
deacon was a man slow of motion, slow of
speech, and rather slow in point of intel
lect. He was strict Temperance man, %
and Conscientious in this and every thing
else TO the last degree. Being ne, er quite
sure that he was ''right," he naturally fear
ed to "go-ahead." 10 the present e,nergen-
cy, he went into the room where the doctor
was sitting, and addressed him in slow and
measured tone, as follows:
doctor b., you are doubtless aware OF
the principles which Mrs. Cusbnan AMI
myself profess in regard to the use Of ntox-
lcating drinks in any form whatever. Now,
doctor, wish to put it to your conscience
as Christian physician, whether it would
be culpable, in case Mrs. Cushrnan were af-
fiicied with faintness. If | should SO far de-.
viate from our habituai rule as to hold a
bottle Of camphor 10 Mrs. Cushnan's $
nose p, .9aa Hl
The doctor rushed into the lady's apart
Inent, and found his patient had not waited
the issue OF the deacon's casuistry, but had
fairly "gone off in fit
81 he devil take your conscience !" said
the doctor, hale inclined to ego off, him
self in a fit Of laughter. "Ihe devil take
your doubts, sir. Ina case like this, one
scrupie of camphor is worth twenty scru-
pies OF conscience. "-[ Boston Post.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

NEW YoRK TRIsurE.-Mr., Charles
Evans, writing to a Dubuque ,.aper, siyes
the annexed account of the profits of the
profits of the New York Tribune, and the
manner in which the profits are divided.--
We are inclined to believe that The account
should be received with litt.s caution,
The protrietors Of that, establishment
will divide. this year, about $50. 900, clear
profits. or this sum MIR. McE.lrath will re-
ceive. as bis share. about ga, 600; Mr..
Greely sci 600; Col. Snow, the CONNER
cial Reporter. $4,000 Mr.. Suebeigh, head
book-keeper, $500; Mr.. Rocker, Fore
man of the composition room, 1900; Bay
asd Taylor. the "City Item'' man, $4,000;
Mr. Cleveland, sona Of the Editors, Mr..
Greely's broshers;n-law, and ons Of the hest
fellows in the world. 81 900; /; Mr.. Dana.
an accomplished scholar and writer, and ed.
during Mr. Greely's absence. /
S2,A0o and the remaining 90, 900 is taken
up by some lucky chaps whom don I know
In addition 10 these ssshares," each Of the
above named persons recesves a good SAL
ary. Mr.. sGrseiy's salary is 50, 500 year;
MIR. Shows 81, 500, and so Oh. ssA4eua e
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

A FINANCIAL OPERATIONS 1Wo honest
Dufchman-- Would that there reYe more
such men.--We lately heard story Illus
trative Of the early days of York county,
Penn. Those good old times when every
body was "honest as the days were long -
The parties were two of the early settlers
in the western part Of York (now Adams)
couuty-both were Of the honest old Ger
man stock-and as one of them is still liy-
ing, we suppress the name. Peter, it ap.
pears, had increased the size Of his farm by
annexing thereto small tract adjoining
and lacked about a hundred dollars Of The
sum necessary to pay for the new acquisi-
ton. He called upon his neighbor, George,
to borrow the amount. George brought out
an old bread basket, and counted down the
desired number Of ssthalers'''-and then, of
course, the two sat down to two large earth
en- mugs Of slider and as many pipes of to-
bacco. After smoking over the matter for
u while, il occurred TO Peter, that in sirni-
lar transactions he had seen or heard of
something like note passing between the
borrower and lender, and he suggested as
much to George. The lender assented to
the propriety of the thing-paper, pen aud
ink were produced-and between the two
Il document was concocted, stating that
George had loaned Peter 500, which Peter
would pay to George in "dree monts''
(three month>.) This Peter signed, and
thus our two financiers had made the thing
all regular and hD-shape But at this
point difficulty presented itself. They
both knew that notes were made in the op-
erations Of borrowing and lending which
they had wltnessed-but neither of them had
observed what disposition was made Of the
document-neither could tell whether il was
en- regie for the borrower or lender to take
charge Of the paper! Here was a dilem-
ma! AT length, bright idea struck George
you haf de money TO pay, Peter; so be
sure you must take dis paper, so as you can
see as you haf to pay itp' This was con-
clusive--the common sense Of the thing was
unanswerable, and Peter pocketed The mo-
ney and has 0,cn note, $50 as he could see
as he haf to pay it," Three months passed
over; and punctualiy to the day appeared
our friend Peter, and paid over the promis-
ed sum to George. This being done the
pipes and mugs were again para,ied. Af-
ter putting while, Peter produced the note,
and handed it to George, with the remark !:
"No,c you must take de note so as you can
see as de money haf been paid" We York
ers must he trusted!-[York Herald. ar
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

.another Band of Outia,cs in Hiinoi,.--
The Shawneetown Ui.) Advocate of the
9th inst, contaius an account uf the break.
ing up OF gang of freebooters, and the ar
rest Of several, whose combination wns lit
tie less than that one which lately created
so much excitement in Michigan. Their
headquarters was on WOlfs Island, XIV.
near the corner of the States of Kentucky.
tennessee, Illinois and Missouri. Tho
band was discovered, not long since, thro'
the failure of an attempt by one Of the ring.
leaders TO murder DR.. Swayne, who had
recovered a judgment for some $4,000
against Newton +. Wright, another pro,ni.
nent member Of the gang. In May, 1850,
Wright gave Abe Thomas, a man Of des-
perate character, $3.50 to kill DR.. s. Ac.
cordingly, Thomas, pretending to wish the
DIR. 10 visit bis sick father, enticed him from
home, and attempted to murder him; hut
The Dr., after being shot in the arm, gave
the alarm, and the desperate escaped.-
Notwithstanding every exeriion was made
to ferret out the villain, so deeply was the
plot laid, that he was only accidentally dis
covered short time ago !; and this discoy-
cry led to the disclosure Of the whole af.
fairs OF the company. They seem TO bave
made regular business of stealing slaves
IN one State, running them off to another,
and there selling them. Another of their
methods Of speculating in negroes seems TO
have been as follows: Some of their em-
isaries would make tour through some
OF the neighboTing States, enticing slaves to
run away, and providing their victims with
means to get into southern Illinois. .--- Ar.
rived there, the fngitiyes were arrested bv
others of the gang on the lookout for the
runaways fictitious claims TO them were
then set up, and maintained by false testi.
mony nnd perjury. The slaves were then
taken into one Of the slave States and sold.
They carried on another species Of swind-
lung upon an extensive scale, by means Of
fictitious claims against estates of deceased
persons. Having forged notes for large
amounts against such esiatcs, they would
prove the validity Of the claim by some
member Of the gang. In some cases they
bad gone so far rs tn take Iepositions, and
were provided with county seals aud every
thing requisite TO give their proofs tho sem,
blance ot legality. s a. ):
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

An UFJusr SENrENcE.--A man named
John Perry, who had been sentenced TO in,-
prisonment for life in the Massachusetts
PenlteDtiary, on n conviction Of house,
breaking ut Dartmouth, has been pardoned,
on il being confessed by twp thieves, who
were incarcerHted at different times suI,se-
quentIy, that they committed the robbery,
and that Perry was innocent. He had been
in prison on the charge for four years.
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

South Carolina swears thar she Is about.
TO seeede from The union, but the members.
uf the great Presbyterian conference at ST.
ss.,IiS dun't heliesr q word it. They so.
It'd fo have their next conferences at Cbaries-
ton, without the slightest idea in the World
Of having il in foreign country. Loujss1
Jour, -s{ess -
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

eCoNUxpRuM.- What heavenly thing and
what earthly thing does a rainy day. exercise the
same influence over' The sun and your boots
for il takes the shine out Of both. -
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24

The name of Bridegroom was formerly given
to the new married man. because it was custom-
ary for him to ioait at the table on has bride and
friends on his wedding day. ~
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24
?. cHouTEau, IN. JAS. HARRISON. FELIX VALE
IRON MOUNTAIN IRON AND NAILS.
.ChOteau, Harrison & Vale.

DR0PRIETOR5o Of the So. LOUIS ROLLING MILLS,
il q will keep on hand full supply OF merchant bar
iron, boiler pnte sheet iron and nails manufactured at
their establishment from the Of the Iron Mountain
and will also Keep all ether Articles usually kept in an
iron store which they invite the attention of country
merchants. irl H seT aet1fiefi0diA -
pwasehouse, Ne lao, Second street, 81. Louis, No.
=. 4, - 80. CHAS. w. BORUP, "a
Nay &, 1851. s-ff 1
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24
nlillomriper.

ID. ALIEN ,r VIII. sEMMEs.
ALLEN & SEMMES,
.4lorneys at Law, Wiiio,v Riuer, ST.
Croir Co., Wisconsin
JOSEPH BOWRON,
Notary Public and Land Agent,
Wilio,c Riuer, st. Cro,r CO., Wisconsin.
Prescription claims secured and entries made by
Military Land Warrants. Blank Deeds an
Mortgages constantly on hand, and conveyan.
ces carefully and promptly attended to.
p- REFERENCEs:
Hon. Caleb Cushing, Mass.
!" ]. p. Walker, Wisconsin
as Charles Dunn,
III. L. Dousman, Esq, 8"
Gov'r Nelson Dewey,
Oct IS XVI If
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24
Rail Road Matters.

The probability thar we, living near Sun
down-dom will be, after little time, in
close communication by rail way, with the
great Eastern cities, is day by day assuming
more the characteristic of certainty
Were it not for the tardiness aud apparent
want Of knowledge on the part of the ac-
tive officers of tho Chicago aud Galena road,
one important link in that great line of COIN
inuncation, that is 10 wed by indsoluble
bonds, the east to the west, would have
been completed, and the neigh of the iron
horse would to-day have been heard in ilis
city. As it is, we mus, wait the snail's pafe
with which this road a,l-assuredly the mLst
popular aud best paying route in the State
-drags It's slow length along, confident that
without the most gross and paipuble viola
ton Of good faith, we shall attain our wish
es at last. In the meantime another p, oject
OF greater magnitude, and to us, of hardly
less Importance, is being pushed along with
a celeriiy that betokens speedy completion
ara Falls. This road is 288 miles in length
connecting the two points above named, and
IS properly continuation of the Buffalo
and Albany road westward or the Michigan
Central eastward. The citizens of the
country through which it passes, as well as
those capitalists largely Interested in rail
road enterprises IN the Eastern cities, are
strongly excited in its favor. The circular
of the directors. calls for subscription in
this country of 81 100000, the sum Of $4,-
500, ,o0p having been subscribed in Canada
10y individuals and the government. This
will undoubtedly be speedily
filled, and in two years from this date, the
road will be in running order.
When this event happens, the whole chain
makes one of the most magnificent rail road
in the world. The following
table of distances will show the truth Of
this assertion
The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-07-24
MINNESOTA HOUSE

Saltwater, Min.--By w. E. HARrsHoRN.
No exertion will be spared to ensure the COM
fort Of Travellers. Porters will be in attendance
at the boats, free Of charge. l7tf
-.l at ABRAM VAN WORRIES,
Attorney and Counsellor at La,U and Solicitor in
Chancery.
Will attend all professional business entrusted to his
care. saltwater, Minnesota Ter 62-u