The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-09-29
For he Ga.ette.
letter from Fossa. No. ,.

For he Gasette.
letter from Eosya, No. =.
Disadvantages Money necessary for tie .tar-
aer emigranf-Hiats oboHf traveiliag-Io
opoid impositioa-Ti Time 10 start TOR the
Wesf-Ihunder and rind storms IN iowa-
Delightful seaSon-Raiay seasoa--.liusqut-
toes-Rdttie Snakes, &C., &c.
Gex Notwithstanding introduced myself il the
first letter, further preliminary remarks
sary. ] will continue the unfinished matter Of the
first letter.
Others again who to this country undergo
new untred difficulties and after a residence of six
months or one year, become accimated and attached
TO the country, and would not leave it.
All things then considered, yon must all agree,
that it IS safest for man who wishes TO pursue a
farmers life {the nobe>t and happest pursuit
earth, and TO which, expect to devote my declining
years., 10 come TO this country with about $500 al
ter defrayins his travelling expenses. Ii friend
has been found, who will render assistance time
need the settler has been fortunate, but il is
better policy not TO depend upon meeting such, but
store your belt with the emnt Drops aud yon will
be independent nfextraneous friendships. You will
find that friends in Iowa. are not friends in Penna.
To those who contemplate moving TO the West
will caution against bringing too many goods. What
you do bring, let II be bedding and clothing. Those
having plenty of money, come when and in what
ever mode they please, but those having families
and moderate means, recommend horses and good
two horse wagoRs-such wagons are used altogether
out here. You will get wagons much cheaper in
Pennsy vanla than here, and horses too. Direct your
course for Muscatine Burlington, both important
towns on the Mississippi River. Those bound tor
Desmoines Valley should land at Burlington and they
will have good roads leading 20 the interior BY
travelling In this way, than one half can be
saved-not only will there be decided saving of
money, but a freedom from those annoying imposi-
tons practlsed every where along the road upon
strangers
In order that you may know, when would be the
proper time to start, thus, flom Penns yvania will
state that the malignant heat of July and August is
succeeded by September thunder storms and lightning
and such terrific storms, such vivid Iightnlng was
never experienced by any Penusy yaniau in his own
State. Then comes t%o or three months stern win
Ter with all IFS reality There never is much frost,
though the soil freezes two ANA three feet deep The
hard and severe dry winds prevail, ami continues TO
blow for weeks, without much change-renderlng
It, OF course, rather unpleasant TO the settler
think however, that II Is not trying to the Con-
stiuton of men, the frequent alterations OF wet
and dry, during the winter in Penua.
Sometimes III March, but usually in April the
rainy season sets in-the roads very bad and so
continue till towards the last of May ANY change
after this time TO make it unpleasant is but an ex-
ception. Aud should high water, any other ac-
cldental element impede your progress be not DIS
mayed, but encamp on the prare. You Will have
nothing fear from foes, while thus encamping uiI-
less you nervous at tie buzz and bite Of the
qato-these you VIII find in abundance, direct
ly after shower come out of the prairie grass, III
numbers, and attack with such formidable fury as 10
lrighen any but stout hearts.
The women say, they don't want to go to the
vest TO be bitten by rattle snakes, and killed by the
Indians. Dlspe your fears, gentle reader, my word
for IT, this is only bug bear. There such
snakes in the eastern part of this Saie-very in
our region, and farther west at all. During all
my travels through the State this summer, | have
seen but two, and they were garter snake.
As for Indians, the most nervous in Penn
sylVanIa-yes, but one woman--With broom stick |
could kill all the Indians resident IN the State |
This once numerous, but scauty and puenle !
race of red men, all dwell beyond the Missouri
River. Their bunting ground reservations, some dis
tance North of this their only inheritance in Iowa,
was, believe, short tine ago, purchased by our
government. Go search in State for those dusky
champions of the forest, and you viii search in vain
They have gone--the Indian whoop no more /
floats upon the breeze--the conncil fire more |
baZes-Ihe youthful Indian more woos his duSky |
maiden, beneath the broad arms of the elm at
twilight calmthe graves OF their fathers have been
trodden down, and the march of Improvement has
turned the course of events. Where once stood the
proud monarch of his patrmony, braGdshing his
and steel met steel, peace and beanfy
regns, and we now behold the graceful penteous
rorn or the golden grain. The Red mcu have gone
10 the West-they pause not, their backs
tS they approach that almost Impenetrabe barrier
the Rocky Mountains. We behold them seeking
homes amid the mountain fastnes>eS-the number
to a mere haudfal. Ere long, when
they hnd themselves upon the verge of want, (ior
dleuess is their nature) will with phrenzy rusk far-
her West TO the only spot Of future repose. Fatigue
md disease thin their ranks, and, by the time the
'road deep blue sea IS reached, but single Indian
nay be seen, standing high upon some cras, 10 pro-
lam that he IS the last OF his race, and himself and
lls voice will sink deep into the Pacific Ocean
Pardon this deviation from the general tenor OF these
etters.
Very truly and respectfully yonrs, &c,
WM. HENRY LEAS.
Fort Desmones, Iowa, Sept II, 1851.