Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-12-06
Pennvillc. Nov. II, 1854.
From the York Republican.
LETTER FROM SALT RIVER.
UEAD OF SALT RIVER. Oct. 2I. L

Elk KUN SAl.
HEAD OF SALT RIVER. Oct 81, 1854
Nessrs Edi oYs :-You will perceive by the
heading of my epistle, that our crew has safe
ly asr.v' in this far-iauled country, aud as we
intend (by the kind permission of the sover-
cirn people) to make this our permanent resi-
dence for the next half century, | have con-
cIud I'd to give you description OF the peculi-
arties OF the country. However, before enter
ing into det liled account, respecting the eli
mate OF the country, sa:ubrity of the soil, and
habits of the people, / shall endeavor to give
you brief history Of our trip sap The Ricer.s
We left good old Pennsylvania, on the NOR
ming of the 10th inst, in the beautiful Steamer
Nebraska, commanded by Capt. Bigler, an cx-
perienced Raftsman from Clearfield. " hiie
the Steamer was put in readiness for her de-
plrture thous lnds and tens OF thouS inds, sWhe
ias.c 20 hing assembled on the shore, TO bid
rs an eternal welfare, and cheer up orr droop-
ing spirits At 4 quarter Of nine the Signaifor
onr departure WAS given.-the cable was cut,
when amid the waving Of handkerchicfs, ana
the shouts of the multitude assem- blcd, we
blde an affec:iOnlte adieu to The greenuclds,
bright skies and fit Offices left behind US
Among the many distinguished personaSes
on board the Steamer was J. Ellis Bouham,
ESD. Chairman of the State Central Commit
tee who so terribly astonised the natives with
his important disk.uer es from the ''iitfie foc6
,rih The gGlLer kirer,'' swearing most Justly az
too overly fond OF ToDD-Y. Nothing worthy
of note transpired on route, through the
rural district Of the State, except an occasional
shout from those on shore greeted eur ears, II
rouse us from our dull stupor, As we crossed
the western border OF the State were Joined
by the Ohio delegation, commanded by Capt.
Odds who is <.juSt now rot GEife in position
to ask for something from the President
And such mournful spectacle hope ncverto
see again; utter despair was depicted on every
coUntenance, as in solemn fIIneral-Hke process
sion they came, column after column, upon
deck, followed by the Cincinnati Know y 9TH
ing md playing the .Rogues 4Nareh,; TO ccm-
fort them in their sorrow and distress. The
meeting of Messrs. Olds and Bonham was tru
ly affecting, both having been political aspi-
rants for Congressional honors, and both resi-
ding in districts ''gerry mandered' by them
selves for their own special benefit and both
so egregiously out-gerrymandered by those
who ''knew Nothng;" you can imagine the
scene when they met. As they shook hands,
their minds wandered back to Washington and
.stearS unbidden, started'' At the sad memory,
that the place that knew them, and was to know
them again, should know them no more forever.
The Steamer, to Use familiar expression, be-
ing now jug full, we hurried rapidly on tow
ards our place OF destination, the only curiOsi-
ty attracting our attention, being the peculiar
course of the stream. An imaginary ''Mason
x Dixon line running along the middle OF the
stream dividing the waters in two separate and
distinct channels, called by the natives North
ern, and the Southern channel that Of the north
running stream ,and that OF the south rum
ming up stream. We of course were in the
southern channel the natives informed MS that
at some seasons the channels change courses.
the northern running up s.geunl, and the south
ern do n S.TeGnl, and vice versa. This strange
phenomena is readily accounted for when NC
reject that this stream is only adapted TO the
use OF the APPS and douns in the world Of politics.
AS we passed along we met three Steamers,
Whig, Anti y ebraska and Know Nothing COM
manded by Captains Pollock, Wilmot and Mott,
ireighted with our ancient enemies on their way
down in the northern channel; as drew near
we heard shouts as the shouts OF those who re-
turn from captivity, and in the sound Of their
pelns of victory, the practiced ear of our COM
m Indcr recognized fJmiliar voices, and Isting
Il momentAry glimpse among them, his eyes
rested upon familiar faces. The surprise of
C:es IT at the conspiracy of' his beloved Brutus,
could not have surpassed that OF our Captain,
when he recognized those, who so often met
with him in secret council, plotting the ami
hilaton of our advers aries, no,r mingling with
the officers. crew and passengers of those who
lead us Into captivity, singing peans OF victo-
ry, and eXulting over our discontinue. And
here | must not forget 10 mention another fact
which | shall leave to older and wiser heads to
eluciddte. Thousands and tens of thousands
who (as we all thought) had taken passage
with us, were found on deck of the Know No
thing and Anti-Nebraska Steamers, with their
thumbs upon their nose, and twirling their di-
eitsat our crew, for all the world if they wish
ed to say, sy0,, couldn't come H.' Fired within
dignation at this insolence, ran into the cab
in, calling upon the .sLaacas,er Hd Horse 10
hurl his thundcr-toned anathemas upon the
heads of this impudent crew, but alas! was
doomed to dis appointment, the Colonel was
not there-I was certain he was cabin passen-
ger, and hoping TO find him on deck, return
ed, when perdition seize the scoundrel,) no.
ticed him (with a wide-a-wakc hat) on deck OF
the Know Nolhing Steamer, arm in arm, with
Pollock. Johnston, Wilmot' Mott, & Steven. sreyens
& Co., in the highest kind OF glee singing,
or rather ro1ring, one of our old s'D", Ddh'1
songs, every now and thea casting a con-
temptunus look upon our motley crew, as II ne
actually felt ashamed of his former company.
The sight was sufficient to raise the spirit OF
dead louse, and our first impulse was, to anct-
or and reclaim our deserters, bu, sweepin g
gale from the Buckeye State soon decided 9TH
erwise, and drove Us swiftly out of each other s
| sight Aswe passed along the couatry slonS