Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-23
LETTER FROM NEBRASKA.
Correspondence Of the ssRatfsman's Journal" 3"
ARCHER, Richardson Co., n. T.,
Sth Sent. 1851.


Sth Sept, 1857. {
FRIEND Row Nebraska. in all of its glory
and beauty, is as prosperous as when wrote
you before The earth has yielded to its mon
archs its Iuxuriant summer fruits, and is now
exchanging its 'smantle of green" for the gold
en- one of autumn. All nature seems gay and
in merry mood. The trees and shrubs, the
weeds and grass, are all robing themselves in
the richest garb. The fickering rays of the
sun are dancing upon the waving corn, and
'sSol'' is doing well the fall work. The corn,
(and very bountifu yield it ISL is fast matu-
ring and Will soon ripen and be gathered into
the garner, and the husbandman will then rest
from his laborS.
We have some exciting times here, occa-
sionally, but peace and quiet and harmony are
soon restored. The people, generally, are very
enteTpriSing, wide awake, and, withal, are
never forGetful of their own interest.
There was considerable interest manifested
in the late election for delegate to Congress
The general desire was to defeat Mr. Chapman,
the late delegate, for reason of his official mis-
deeds. He, however, came out second best,
notwithstanding the powerful influences bro't
to bear against him. Hon. f. Ferguson, chief
Justice of Nebraska, was the successful candi-
date. The board of canyasseIs, consisting of
Gov. lizard, Hon. Samuel ". Black, and one
other, is in session, for the purpose of receiv-
ing and counting the votes. Judge Ferguson
will probably receive the certificate of cleo
tion, apd hold his seat in Congress. Chapman,
you will recollect, had majority of the votes
pollcd in Nebraska two years ago, cast against
him. He contested his opponents claim with
success, on the ground that number of voters
in the precinct where his antagonist had a ma
jority, resided on the Indian Reserve, and was
| admitted TO a seat in congress accordingly.
He now threatens Uioleafly to contest the claim
of his more fortunate rival, not for the same
cause that he did before, but for some tri1ing
| informality in the manner of voting.
The Indians are very numerous here, but
| they are generally peaceable. The fear of
punishment, probably, makes them good, and
necessity makes them yirtuous. But some OF
them will occasionally so far forget themselves
when they get hard up for money, as to take
the best horses they can find, and s:fslonious-
| iy' appropriate them to their own use. 4 few
| days ago, saw number of Pawnee Indians
who had stolen eight or ten horses, aud bro't
! them to Nebraska City. where they sold sever
al of them to the whites. The owners were
| soon upon the scent of the Indians, armed and
| equipped as the law directs on such occasions
! They were soon oyertaken, and all were made
to ''bite the dust, " so that not single one o.
them was left to tell the fate of his comrades
In Pennsylvania, we would call that infictins
summary vengeance on an offender, and that i!
what they call it here.
Last Saturday three slaves escaped from
their masters in Missouri, and endeavored tC
gain their freedom by crossing the Missouri
River into Nebraska. They succeeded il
crossing the river safely, and had concealed
themselves very snugly in the high grass anC
weeds. Their pursuers were not far behind
them. Whilst searching for the ssdarkies. ,
they came suddenly upon them where they LAY
concealed. The slaves, terrified on being dis
covered, commenced firing at their pursuers
They were well armed, and done some execu
tion. They shot one man dead on the spot
fred five or six times at another, without eff
feet, and then fled. Two of them, as they rar
through the town, mounted horse each anC
made their escape. The other one, less for
tunate, finding himself hotly pursued, jumped
into the river and attempted to swim it. Bu
he soon received shot in the arm which shat
tered it in fragments, and the contents of al
old shotgun about his ears, which compelIe,
him to 'sheave to'' and sue for quarters. II
was then captured and taken to the calaboos
to be dealt with as the infuriated crowd tho
, advisable. This occurred at Brownsville.
ours, &c, D..
- = be sure TO read the new advertisements