Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-01-06
&aily 4irsiaiau.


Near he saw mill on the banks Of the river 10
the lower port Of the city was moored TO the snore
On SnndAy evening last, . wretched raft about ten
By twenty esss in area, coustruceed OF
apasoef of old plank, the surface Of which rose
nos more than two inches above the surface OF the
wstsr. On this frail structure the occupants had
raised ridge pole about FIVE feet high. and piae-
;ng against Il small pieces Of board. apparently
picked up from the drift in the river. had formed
a roof with kind Of dog kennel beneath "t ABOUT
SIX BY ten feet On the floor OF the raft Into TINS
hoyei on Q little straw and heap OF Old rags
were crowded in q most forlorn and wretched con.
dit;op, q man, woman and four children, one at
the breast, and the eldest perhaps ten years old.
The only household goods were an iron skillet, n
not and two old barrels; not seat, table, or n
dish was visible. On the bow of the raft, on a
piece of old boiler irou raised few inches above
the plank, was blasing fire OF drift wood which,
fortunately, is abundant and without price
Around this the wretched group were huddlcd,
presenting scene of squalid poverty and desti,u-
ton seldom seen in this country and sufficient to
move the compassion OF the most selfish and penu-
rious. How they endured the pitiless rain storm
that followed in the night, with no shelter but
roof of few boards leaning against pole, the
reader can conjecture. They have nayigated tho
Ohio on their frail structure, from the mouth of
tho Kanawha to this point. in voyage of about
six weeks, during which there has been an un-
interrupted succession VI cold and cherries
storms. Every wave washed over the wreched
raf, and the rain must have penetrated every part
of the miserable roof. They have passed towns and
cities, the abodes of luxury and protested Chris
tisn beneyolence, and no aid has been rendered
them save few crumbs from tables that were COW
cred with abundance, which have kept them from
starving.
In spite Of all this wretchedncss and suffering,
the woman was well and robust, aud the children
were hearty and cheerful, and Us full of sport us
in the midst of plenty and comfort. The father
was a cripple, and told short and simple story OF
misfortune. lie was teamster in n saw mill III
the upper part of Kentucky, and had his leg
crushed BY q log rolling over it. rnskillul
gerry had left an incurabe sore. His sickness had
reduced them nearly to restitution. when their CA
lamiues we're made complete by "A fire that consul
med their dwelling aud all its contents. Without
a cent in the world he had gathered a few refuse
planks from the river, and constructed n raft, and
on it placed his family for voyage down 10 Ar
kansas, where he inteuied to squat on public lands
raise small cornpatch, and rely his gun for
tor the other means Of living. This wife and chill
dren were tired Of the voyage, and begged TO 90
on shore or back Ia their former home. The hearts
and purses Of few generous persons who visited
them supplied their Immediate wants. Clothing
for the woman and children saw going on board
with a good supply of bread and meat. If any
can be discontinued with his lot III life, aud IL
disposed to grumhle at the dispensations of Pro-
violence. let him visit the wretched tumily upon
the raft below the city, and lac will return
contened and grateful man. kraasr'ae ind) jour
nal
CHINAMAN's 0ArH.-Grcat trouble has been ex-
perienced in California to make Cinnamon under
stand the soleinnitv of an oath They will take it
readily bsIt they are net afraid Of breaking ia,
least when prescribed in tho ordinary way. Know
ing the kerror that the Chinese have Of dying or
being barred anywhere but in their own dear ma
tive land. sbrewd California Justice Of the peace
has hit T.ssse the following oath TO bring John
Gilman an se to ''taw'': You d. solemn swear
that yos will tcii the truth in the case
hearing. aid if yOc don't you hope to be drowned
on your wsy t. China and 90 to hell afterwards"