Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-06-02

LETTER FROM GEORGE HOGE-ONE
OF THE ." MILL MPANY."-Through the
kindness of our friend, Robt. Christie, ESQ,
we are permitted to take some extracts
from an interesting letter from Geo. Hoge,
who lett this city with the CHERRY Creek
Lumber Co., last spring:
FRANKLIN, n. T., May IA, SO.
II have not written for some time, being
undecided whether to 90 on or turn back,
and did not like to write until could tell
you something positive respecting our fu-
tnre movements.
At Omaha, we heard many rumors to the
effect that the Cherry Creek mines we're
not likely to prove as productive as had
been expected; however, as We had come
so far, we determined not to turn back on
the strength Of mere rumor, and so push
ed on to Fremont. where we spent week.
loading on our Mill. Bad news from the
mines kept pouring in daily. From fifty
to a hundred teams passed daily. homeward
bound, the emigrants pronouncing the
whole thing as CLAP trap" and swearing
vengeance On sam Curtis and others, who,
by their newspaper stories, had misled
them. Still. as we had heard nothing un-
favorable from Hopes and Marshall. we
determined to start on, and last Friday,
drove as far as this place, little cne-borse
place on the Platte. about 10 miles above
Fremont. where We found letter from
Hopes and Marshall, telling us to stop, as
they were coming back.
Since We camped here, hundreds of teams
have passed going back, and there have
been about two thousand men camped at
Shinn's Ferry. about 90 miles above here,
waiting for Curtis and Cartwright, who are
on the road between Omaha and this place.
swearing that they would kill them.
Two or three days ago, men from the
upper country told us that man by the
name civilians had been shot at Salt Creek
charged with forging letters. The !emi-
grants have dug several graves along the
route to be filled by Curtis, Cartwright,
Shinn, DR.. Henry, and other spectators, as
soon as they can catch them; in fact, a
more exasperated body of men than the
great portion of the returned miners are,
never saw. Curtis passed our camp day
bofore yesterday on his way to Auraria,
but he had large company all armed to
the teeth to protect him.
Hopes and Marshal got back day before
yesterday. They had been as far as O'Fal-
Ions Bluffs about l25 miles above Fl.
Kearney. They report Pixies Peak stu
peudous and unmitigated humbug; there is
no gold there worth digging, and the
miners are all coming back empty handed.
One of the boys nearly died on the
road, and they themselves had hard time
getting back. For the last two or three
days, but few teams have passed up the
river. and they are mostly bound to Oregon
and Californls-not Pixies Peak.
We had quite an exciting time Yesterday
and day before. One of our men named
A., from Wapsie, stole five Of our cattle
and made Off As soon a. they were missed,
We all started after him. Churchill and
Hopes were ON horseback, and overlook
him. He threatened to shoot them if they
did not stand of, and pointed his rifle at
Worthy, whersupon Hoopes fred at him
with his revolver On one side. and Church.
i'll did the same on the other, which, though
they did not intend to hit him, frightened
him so badly that he threw down his rifle
and gave himself up. Just then the other
boys came up, and he was taken back to
camp. A jury was empannelled. and he
was tried before Fullsm; was convicted and
sentenced to receive fifteen lashes on his
bare back; to have one-hslf Of his hair and
vhisksrs cut off, and to be expelled from
the company. The sentence was not fully
executed, as he was allowed to keep his
clothes on, snd only got nine laeheA A.
there has been some little fuss about the
matter. will just cay, in our justification.
that our taking the law into our own hands
was At the prisoners requsst-he prefering
that the company should punish him rather
than send him back to Omaha.
The company have dstsrminsd 70 return
70 Dsvsnpert. bat % Wilson 10 going
through T. CAlifesnis, have dstseuinsd
to % With htn. wssthy chsssAill has
beaehs sst WlAan1 Shass = ~ ssns
apsslaa. - \ 80 thseeoh, ~ ~
oenn1ab - ~ iseel t1no no6ola
49, pG1laos SAilIss1A