Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-04-19
A New Town in Egypt.

The Sheffield Journal, speaking OF the lnllu'
ence of railroads in building up towns, says:
One of the newest towns on the Central road
is De Soto, in Jackson County, 63 miles north
of Cairo. 1t is we'll situated near the Big Mud
dy River, in the midst of tract OF the best
timber in the State, and promises 10 become a
very important place. The location is beauti-
full. and the ground in the neghborhood being
undulating, the surface is we'll drained, and no
pools OF standing water being found, the place
is very healthy. The first sale of lots was held
in June lat, and De Soto now contains over
four hundred inhabitants, seven stores, one
steam Touring mill, and two steam saw mills.
Preparations are being made for the erection
early IN the coming season OF a large first
class hotel, grain warehouses, and large num-
Der of stores and private dwellings, $4,000
bushels of wheat were shipped from this point
last season, and over 5000 hogs packed. The
packing. however, did not commence until late
in the season, and after large quantities of hogs
had been shipped in the bulk.
The town experienced severe drawback
last season from scarcity of building materials,
and its growth consequently seriously impeded.
This impeachment, however, is likely to be re-
moved, as, in addition to the two steam saw
mills mentioned in the place, there are three
others in the Immediate vicinity, all Of them in
active operation.
At De Solo, some time since, the Railroad
Company commenced boring for water, and at
the depth of ll6 feet struck vein of bitumi-
nous coal nine feet IN thickness, lying upon a
bed of soapstone fifteen feet thick. The coal
is covered with strata of slate eight feet
thick, under layer of limestone nine feet
thick. The coal is pronounced to be of supe-
rior quality, and the indications are that it ex-
lists in unlimited qualities. Should this prove
to be the case, it will be Of incalcuabe benefit
to the interests of the whole Mississippi Val
ley, as its contiguity to Cairo will enable it to
be furnished to boats at that landing and at all
points below at much less rates than it possibly
can be brought from Pittsburgh for.
A HEROIC MUsIcIAN.-A Berlin musical
Journal relates the following anecdote. 1t is
tod with all apparent sincerity, but sounds
very much like coinard. Nero amused him
self by fiddling while Rome was burning, as it
is said here we have an account of mans
fiddling while his leg was being cut off. Read
and believe if you can:
Among the wounded at the storming of Sc
IN the knee, and was under the necessity of
having his leg amPutated in consequence. AS
usual, preparations were made for binding him
down. in order that he might not be able to
move.
What are you doing, doctor I! inquired the
wounded man.
Il must take off your leg, and it is therefore
necessary that you should be bound down. re-
piled the DOCTOR
Il will never consent to such proceedings,
exclaimed the musician. You may tear my
heart from out my breast, but will never con-
sent to be bound down. Ii you have violin
bring it to me-
A violin was brought. After tuning it, the
wounded man said:
Now doctor, you may begin
The operation, which lasted about thirty
minutes, now commenced. and the patient
played his violin the whole time without SIM
gle false note or the slightest change in his
features!