davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06
Letter from the Platte Valley.
DISCOURAGING NEWS FROM TIE
GOLD REGIONS.

The following letter, written almost on the
verge of the reported gold regions, contains
the very latest news from that centre of
attraction-and we may say, also, the most
reliable, as the writer is we'll known here,
and has no other object in making the state
ments than the good of his fcllow-men. lie
corroboratcs our previous suspicious that
Pixies Peak is humbug Ina 2rivate note
to us, he says he honestly believes something
should be done to stop emigration to that
country till it is known that the gold reports
arc true.--Editor Journal
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

SEEKING HoNoRs.-In connection with the
Supreme Judgeship in this State, the DEM
ocraey mention the Hons. J. c. Hall, Edward
Johnstone, Thomas S. Wilson, j. G. Knapp.
P. NJ. Cassidy, W. I. Barker and ID. ". Price
as candidates for nomination. 1t is of yery
little consequence who they nominate, as
certain and overwhelming defeat awaits them.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

ew-The Western Railroad Gazette is
sound on the Sicklcs question. 1t says
''In our opinion, Sickles was guilty of mur-
dering great scoundrel for low-minded
woman, who was not worth making such a
fuss about" True as preaching.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

GREAT SUFFERING AMONG THE Pixies PEAk
EMIGRANTs.-We learn from the Davenport
Gazette that George McCosh writes to his
father in that city, from Florence, N. T.,
under date of April 18th, that the emigrants
who started for the geld regions in February,
with hand-carts, suffered severely for their
temerity. About Is miles beyond Fort
Kcarney they were overtaken by snow storm.
The wind blew so hard that they had to tie
poles to the cart-wheels to keep the carts from
blowing over. The tents were blown down,
and it seemed almost impossible for the suf-
fering men to stand on their feet against the
blast The snow piled upon them in masses,
and for thirty eight hours they were buried
in the drifts. All the company had their
hands and feet frozen, or partially so. The
snow was four or five feet deep. So soon as
they could, the company retraced their steps.
Great fears can we'll be entertained for all
who started out in February and early in
March, from tho Missouri.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

GY7The Washington States grants that,
'.under the most auspicious circumstances,
Pennsylvania would probably support the
Republican candidates. Divided between
two rival and nimical factions, the Democracy
haye no hope of ascendancy in the State"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06
THE NEWS.

A dispatch from New Orleans of the
Goth says the steamboat st. Nicholas, which
exploded on Sunday night, was partially
insured in St. Louis. Loss $25, 900. AL!
the boilers exploded. They were old, but
considered safe. Twenty-six cabin and
twenty-three deck passengers are known to
be lost. Eight of the former were ladies'
Among the killed are Captain Oliver IL.
McMullen, of st. Louis, Mr.. and Mrs. Ben.
V. CLINE, Miss Dunnican, Mrs. Mcknight,
of St. Louis, and Mr.. Falkner, of McGreg-
or's Landing, Iowa. Among the badly
scalded we find the names of o. II. Reynolds,
of Sioux City, Iowa, and D. Copps, of Far
mington, Ill.
The application to the Supreme Court
Of Ohio for the release of Bushnell and
others concerned in the Oberlin rescue case,
from the custody of the U. S. Marshal was
refused, as we learn by dispatch from Co.
lumbus of the 2Sth, The Court expressed
no opinion on the constitutionality of the
Fugitive Slave Law.
FOREIGN. The steamship Africa arrived
at New York on the 2Sth, from Liverpool.
Her news has been anticipated by the Cir
cassian, but she brings some additional par
ticulars. The European Congress will as
semblc April 23d, at Carlstrue, and COM
mence operation by resolving general dis
arming. The statement per the Circassian
that Austria positively refused to join the
Congress unless there is general and sim
u'taneous disarmament, isconfrmed. Paris
dispatches state the progress Of negotiations
is very slow, owing to the great difficulties
to be overcome. The London News says it
is Just possible the Congress may prepare
and embitter war instead of avertingit. 1t
was intended that Parliament should be
dissolved on tho 21st inst, in which case
the borough elections would take place on
the 9th of April, and county elections on
the I'd of May. The missing part of the
crew of the wrecked gun-boat Jasseur had
been saved, and all the survivors had reach
ed England in the steamer La Plata. OF
the whole crew, only 3 were lost. Rumors
were current that the King of Naples was
either dead or in the last exttemities. No
thing authentic, however.
George Washington Doane, D. D. L. L.
D., Protestant Episcopal Bishop of the do
cese of New Jersey, died at Burlington, in
that State, on the 9th ult., aged 60 years.
"A dispatch from Leavenworth of the
goth says a portion of the locating party
dispatched by the overland express had re-
turned, bringing dates to the 9th ult., from
Denver City. They report the route every
wav adapted to the requ irements of travel.
Grass, wood and water are abundant. There
is still great confidence among the miners,
and lattering reports continued from the
mountains. The richest prospects were
found in the vicinity of the South Fork and
Arrappahoe, but the ground was still frozen,
and the snow heavy. Three men were hung
at Denver City on the 9th ult., for murder,
by Vigilance Committee. Great excite
meni prevailed at the time.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06
PLATTE VALLEY, 145 miles abovel

fORr NEARNEf, ApTlt U, 1ooc.
Mr.. EDIroR Being in possession of the
latest news from the mines, hasten to lay it
before your readers. For the last week,
have seen upwards of fifty men direct from
the mines, and some of them say there is no
gold of any consequence-others say the
country has not been explored enough to tell
anything about the matter. Some speak very
favoraby. To sum the whole matter up,
think there has not been prospecting enough
dono to tell whether the digsings will pay or
not. would advise all that are at home to
stay until this is ascertained. There are
thousands of men on their way to the mines
that are we'll prepared to test the whole
matter, and know there are some among the
lot who will give true report. There are
hundreds of men going through on foot no
provisions-going through on excitement,
their eyes sticking out far enough to hang
your hat on. What will become of them, if
the mines should prove to be humbug?
There is no game of any consequence on
the road. We saw few buffalocs on the
north side Of the Platte river. The country
all along the Platte valley is not worth a
continental darn" Thousands of acres now
uncultivated in Iowa are far better than any
land along this river. Here, there is not
timber enough for fire-wood. Poor land and
no timber makes rather bad country.
would say once more, all who are well
fixed at home had better not come out here
until they know the gold reports arc true.
This will not be settled before the first of july
We will reach the mines "a distance Of two
hundred and forty milcs-in two weeks.
Il. l., SUMNER,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06
VOL. X---NO. "A.

DEMOCRACY AGAIN "a UNIT" Reports
from Washington coincide in the statement
that Buchanan and Douglas are about to
become rcconclcd. A new platform is to be
framed, on the foundation of the Drcd Scott
doctrine for the territories, and Buchanan and
Douglas, with their respective followers, by
mutual concessions and compromises, are to
agree on basis Of preliminaries for the
Charleston Convention, with view of 'union
and harmony" The Washington Union has
been changed into the Constitution for the
very purpose Of consummating this new pro-
gramme, and has already officially announced
that "therc is no longer any intestine disscn-
sion of the least Importance in the Democratic
party on the slavery question:" Ienceforth,
Lecompton and anti Lecompton are to be
joined in brothcrly love, and 1.-THE Union is
SAFE" though popular sovereignty" is dead,
and Douglas "pl,yed out"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

Posr OFFICE DRArrs.-A ''form of indebt-
edness" has been prepared by the Postmaster
General, that those who contracted to carry
the United States mails for this specie paying
government may have their demands dis
counted.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

w The Gate City, Of Keokuk, is opposed
to the appointment of delegates to the
National Convention by the Republican State
Convention to be held next June, for the
reason that it thinks there will be ample time
to appoint them at the State Convention next
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

.W- James B. Clay is re-nominated for
Congress in Kentucky, notwithstanding his
declination OF another trial.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

PREACHING IN TaEArREs A FAlLurE.-The
New York correspondent Of the Boston
Journal writes in late letter:
Sunday preaching in theatres has been
fully tested in New York. think it will
not be repeated another year. As general
thing the pastors of the city do not approve
of it. And the wisdom OF l.iring a theatre
at the cost Of from $l00 to $3.50 p night,
calling people from other churches, thinning
those churches that are kept open, aud
shutting up many that would be open but
for this, is not appaI eut. The great crowds
that attend come not from the masses that
do not atteud anywhere, but from the mass
who are the elite Of our churches. On last
Sunday the Academy of Music held large
audience, but it was not Gro vded as of old.
The National Theatre is closed as house of
preaching. Niblo's Saloon will be closed
with the last sabbath in April, and thos 0
who have led in the experiment are satisfied
that churches are the places to hold services
ON the Sabbath.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

The New York Tribune uses SIS reams of
paper per week-average weekly expense
$1,000. 1t pays editors and correspondents
$4,000 per year-printers for type setting
$62, ,0O0- mailing clerks SIS, ,OOQ7. for tele-
graphing $4,000. II uses in one gear Co.,
900 Tbs. Of ink. The Tribune circqlates 35,-
75O Dailies, $4,000 Semi Weekfes, Ii, 900
Weeklics, for California 4 900 Total 2ll,,
$50. OF all the editions New York takes
45, lSs, Ohio 1870, P nnsylvanfs. 1922,
Illinois l2,769, Indiana 1O,O9S, Michigan
9,964, Connecticut S,63s, Vermont S,249.
Massachusetts 1854, Wisconsin 8,O43y Ne.
1867, Iowa 1873. &c. There is no. papes.
printed in the StateDf Ioxa that has 'hal&
the circulation of the Tribune -yithin tho
State. ...- rtEs
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

TIE FRAUD GRowING.-The deeper the
committee of investigation penetrate into the
operations of the Illinois Locofocos for years
past, the more stupendous grows the fraud
1t has now been ascertained that 10000
mere than was suspected have been stolen by
them. Before the committee closes its exam.
ination, there is no knowing what may turn
up. 1t will take full 100000, in all proba
bility, to cover the deficiency, and perhaps
more.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

It is alleged, ,hS the St. Louis Repsblieaa
that secret Hovement is on foot among the
cmirrants atPike's Peak for the organize
ton of aDexpedition against che Mexican
states otSonora and Chihuahua. ProsDi.
nent pfties in New York are stated to be
coeplSaat Of the movement.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

W 1t is stated by Washington letter
writer that ex-senator Jones, of Iowa, has
received his final instructions, and will pro-
ceed forthwith to Bogota. 10 enforce the
ratification of the Cass- Herran treaty, and
the specific performance by New Granada Of
her engagements under it, will be the first
and most important object of his mission.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

There are some extensive farmers in
Missouri, as well as Illinois. Maj. W. O.
Connect, living ia Buchanan county, thir-
teen miles from st. Joseph, Mo-, raised last
year sixty tons Of hemp, 10000 bushels of
corn, 5000 bushels of oats, and 100 tons of
lay and in addition to this he put up SO,-
600 pounds polk and sold $500 worth Of
butter, eggs, fruit &c. His net profits were
$4,000. Maj. Connect is Virginian.
When he first bought his present farm his
taxes amounted to only $3.50.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

The ladies of Cincinnati ars'ihtfodksiag
anew and bcauti ul ornament for tte.p9'
lor, mantle or centre table. T1ey take
large pine burrs, sprinkle grassAseds Of any
kind in them, and pl' ee then mSpe! Of
water. When the burrs are soaked few
days, they close up to tbs form OF solid
cones ; ihsn the little spsIrs Of green grass
begin to emerge from amongst the lamln.,
florainsal1namepsof rare and singular
beauty.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

How. GEO. W. JONES, OF IowA.-We had
the qualification of meeting, on yesterday, our
new Minister to Bogota, the Hon. George W,
Jones, of Iowa. Mr.. J. is staying at Wizards.
and has visited the seat of government with
the view of making arrangements preparatory
to entering upon his duties. We understand
it is his purpose to sail from New York on
the 9Th Of May Washington Con.titution.
Here is our old friend Jones again. lie is
the gentleman who proposed to make an
annoying display of political virtue, and
decline the mission rendered him. The ruling
passion was, however, too strong in him he
could not afford to decline His heart did not
fail him, it overcame him. Let him depart
in peace. Let him be happy in office while
he may. Never more will his constituency
drag him from his retirement, when he has
performed his part at Bogota.- Gin. Com.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

DEEPLY AFFECTING. The Washington
telegraph reporter-Sickles' pet dog--scpds
the following vastly important dispatch to the
press all over the country, to be set up at
midnight from bad manuscript as late news !:
A painful scene occurred at the time of the
adjournment Of the Court. Mr.. Hart, who
has been unremitting in acts of kindness to
Mr.. Sicklcs, since the occurrence, and who
has been constantly by his side, comforting
and sustaining him, was forced to leave for
New York this afternoon. On leavetaking,
both exhibited deep emotion. Mr.. Sicklcs
almost tainted in the dock.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

IMPORTANT TO DEALERS IN LAND WARRANTS.
The General Land Office at Washington
has recently decided that bounty land war
rants are personal property. That warrant
cannot be sold by an administrator of the
soldier receiving the same, for debt contracted
by said soldier. That such warrant, if issued
during lifetime, and not disposed of by the
soldier while living, or by will. becomes the
property of his heirs at law, and cannot be
sod for the payment of his debts. That, if
the warrant is issued after the death of the
soldier, it becomes the property of his widow,
Or if there be no widow, then the property Of
his heirs at law, without regard to age. That
the proceeds Of a warrant sold by an admins.
traitor are the absolute property o. the widow
or heirs, without regard to any debts of the
deceased soldier. That, however, assignments
properly made by an administrator for dis.
tribution of the proceeds among the heirs at
law, after payment of the funeral and court
expenses, are void, but that attorneys and
administrators fees are not proper court
expenses. That, when a warrant is sold BY
an executor, duly certified copy of the will
must be attached to the warrant, and in cases
where a sale is made by an administrator Or
guardian, that certified copies of the letters
shall be attached, and that the sale must be
shown to have been made for the use of the
heirs.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06
=" Fight dog. fight bear,
There is no dog of mine there

,B-The Washington States, the organ of
the Douglas wing Of the Democratic party, is
dealing its claws thick and fast upon tho
Administration. 1t is very severe in its
structures in regard to the late sale and trans.
fer of the government organ, and it is obvious
that the States expects the Democracy is
destined to most disastrous defeat. 1t saws:
The organ is amenablc to a penal prose-
cution for, if not without the letter, it is
certainly obnoxious to the spirit of the statute
against clandestinc change in the name of
steamboats,, whereby, with little paint and
a new cognomen, some rickety craft il
imposed upon the public as A No. l, to the
i'm imminent hazard Of the credulous voyager's
life and limb. In this manner, the George
Law, decrepit hulk, re-appeared as the
Central America, and carried the gallant
Herndon to the bottom of the ocean.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

BURIAL At SEA.-The Rev. J, q. HOlbroOk,
of Dubuque, has gone with his family to
California, on trip for the benefit OF his
health. He is writing a very interesting
series of letters to the Dubuque Times, from
which we clip the following account of a
''5urial at seas"
We had taken on board a passenger at
Acapulco, who had been down from Stock
ton to Tehuantepec for his health, being far
gone with consumption. On Saturday night
he died, alone ir his state room, and imne-
diately after breakfast the next morning VIC
were summoned upon the upper deck to at
tend his funeral. Being the only Protestant
clergyman on board, was called on to Off
ciate. The body wrapped in canvass, with
weights attached, and covered with the
American flag, was laid upon plank pro-
iecting over the stern, a sailor standing or
each side. took my station near it, ant
all the passengers, steerage and cabin, tt
the number OF several hundred, gathered or
the hurricane deck. By the request of tht
captain read the Episcopal service, ant
when came to the words, eve commit this
body to the deep" at signal from him, the
corpse was launched forth and plunged int
the fatEomless depth below, to take its pl c.
| IN 'ClC VAST CoiHoVeiy J "lLAOuo q AohuAou0
in which so many thousands of human be-
ings have found their last resting-place.
The scene was solemn and impressiv 9 a'
we thus performed the last sad offices TO
one who had died far from friends and home
and with not even an acquaintance to min
lister to him in his last hour. There i
something very affecting in funeral at sea
had read descriptions cf it, but never full!
realized what it was until witnessed it. l
was sad to look back upon the track owe
Which we had passed, and to think that ther
he rested who would never meet again thos
friends who were perhaps anxiously await
ing his return, bu; who would see his fac
no more.
"Look how man is lowered to tho grave
A yearning hollow in the green ear this lap;
So he is sunk into the yawning wave,
The plunging sea fills up the watsry gap;
Anon he is all gone, and nothing seen.
But likeness of green turf and hillocks green
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

E The Hon. Dan. E. Sickles was not
only acquitted of murder, yesterday; he was
the hero of a triumphal procession, the recip-
lent Of an ovation, such as persons who enjoy
a peculiar species of notorety are too apt to
receive in this country. His counsel were
serenaded, and his clerical and other friends
received similar distinction. The jurors,
also, who, not content with acquitting the
accused, came one by one to his counsel and
made clean breast Of their feelings, were,
like the jurors in Baton Rouge, whose Comet
ary splendor We celebrated the other day,
chccred with strains of music.--New York
| Tribune, eth.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

New Yrnx DsY-GooDs Market. = The
Dry Goods ade, says the New York Even
ing Post, 10th, is dull, althoug h more i'm
proyement has been noticed since the fair
weather has made its appearance: Domes
tic goods generally have maintained their
firmness, owing to the limited stocks on
hand and the tendency Of the cotton market.
The stock of goods on hand, as compared
with last year, is very small, and it the con-
sumption corresponds with last year, no i'm :
portaut stock will exist at the end OF the
season. Heavy brown sheetings are held
firmly at "a, six months, for the most
popular styles; although some irregular
markets are selling at a less price. Bleach
ed cottons are in demand, at about previous
prices. Printing cloths are firm, and many
Of the mills are engaged on orders yet to ma
ture. Wooleus are dull, tho season being
too much advanced to admit OF large de-
mand. The trade from the south and south
est, as we'll as the nearby business, has
been quite satifactory, but that of the west
has disappointed many, but with good crops
she may in the fall require great many
goods.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06
Annual Receipts of Religious So
CietieS.


The various national religious associations
of this country, which are about to hold
their anniversary meetings, report their
receipts for the past year as follows:
1887 1858
American Bible Society, $s9o,759 $400 0GO
American Tract Society, 3sS,I6S 1888 ,373
American Home Missionary So
ciety, 1891 $4,000
American Board of Foreign Mis-
sion, l3s,25l *ljl,9}
Missions, 20. S. s,se7 100000
American Foreign and Christian
Union, 7G.60; s 80, 900
American Missionary Associan 10000 + 27.c00
American Seaman Friend So, 23,S13 26,"0O
N. y. Colonization Society, 81 ,624 $4,000
Estimatcd.
t Six months Of $50.
he receipts of one or two Societies have
fallen off, but as q rule there is great in
crease over the previous year, which WAS the
period of the financial revulsion. The total
receipts of the societies for 1866, amounts
ed to 81, LOG, ,443 f-r 1876, $3,0Sl, ,sO7;
So the crisis had no particular effect upon
the religious societies. This years receipts
will probably exceed those of the flush times
of 1854 very encouraging circumstance.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

sY Hon. Fayette McMullen has Withdrawn
from the canvass as an Independent candidate
for Congress in Virginia.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

THR Mr.. VERNON FUND.--The Secretary of
the Mt. Vernon Ladies' Association has pub
lished a report, showing that up to the 2sd
ult. the Regent had paid to John A. Wash
ington $l5s, 1882, being the entire balance
due up to February 22d, 1861. There yet
remains unpaid only $il, ,666.6S, and that
will not be due until 1862.
The amount thus far contributed by Iowa
to this fund is a little less than $1,000. The
points from which contributions have been
sent are - Dubuque, Davenport, Keokuk,
Council Bluffs, Dcs Moines, Bloomfield, Fair
field, Cedar Rapids, Mount Pleasant, Musca-
tine, Indianola, Washington and Fort Mad
ison. This small sum, compared with what
the whole State should furnish, yet it speaks
well for the several places above named.
Every well-settled county should add some
thing to the fund.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-06

The Washington States, which has all
along opposed the re opening Of the African
slave-trade, now says:
We are not surprised at the persistent
defiance of the laws against the slave-trade,
which is now attracting the attention Of the
country towards the remoter Southern States.
Nay, ,os believe the traffic uilbere established
despite fsderal resistance.