The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-06-02
Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.
TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF PIXIES
PEAK EMIGRANTS-THE MINES A
HUMRIIG
ST.. JOSEPH. Mo. Mn 5. Is

ST. JOSEPH, Mo-, May ., 1859.
MR. EDITOR: The steamers Iatan and Will
liam Campbell arrived to-day from Omaha, with
over hundred discontinued Pixies Peak emf
grants. They bring deplorable accounts of
mining prospects, and report terrible suffering
and privation on the Plains. 1t is estimated
that twenty thousand men have their backs
turned upon the mines between here and Fort
Kearney, who will reach the Missouri river
towns within fortnight. Most of them are
destitute Of money and the necessaries of life,
and are made reckless and desperate, by rea-
sons of their desolate condition. Threats are
made of burning Omaha, st. Joseph, Leaven-
worth, and other river towns, on their arrival ;
and at Plattsmouth fears Of their carrying their
threats into execution are current, and some of
the residents have closed their business and
fed from the place. Two thousand men are
reported al Plum Greek, fifty miles west of
Omaha, in a starving condition, and consider
able excitement exists all along the river, from
here to Omaha. This is without doubt the ad-
vance detachment Of the immense returning
rbrong which has crowded the Missouri river
towns the last two months on their western
weary way, and before the expiration of a week
we shalt be overrun with returning emigrants.
In this city there is no fear of violence, but
some Of the upper smaller towns may suffer in
Jury at the hands of the destitute and hungry
men.
1t will be remembered that these men have
not been to the mines, and some of them not
even 20 Fort kearney. Their information
comes from second parties, and not from
nositive knowledge The last accounts from
the mines, received here from parties known in
St. Joseph, are quite favorable, and miners who
have been at Denver through the winter are
not only returning, but have sent for their
friends to come on and leave their business
here as best they can, but 10 leave it anyhow.
Some of those on the way are determined TO
push on in spite of the panic which seems to
have taken the larger portion of the emigrants
like whirlwind. just the Campbell was
leaving Rulo, Nebraska, a man was reported to
have arrived direct from the mines with the
news that Denver city had been burned. l can
not say whether this is fresh rumor, or the
old one re-tOld.
Horace Greeley went down to Leavenwortl
this morning, on the steamer Platte Valley.
MORE UNAVOIDABLE NEWS FROM PIXIES
PEAK.
From the St. Joseph West, May 18th.
We Yesterday morning had conversation
with Mr.. Stannus of keokuk, Iowa, who was
inst in from the Plains. Mr.. Stannus was one
of large party of Pixies Peak emigrants, some
eighteen or twenty of whom, he says, prospect
ed I'm the mines for about eighteen days. He
was not at the mines himself, having stopped
400 miles this side, to await the result of th'
examinations made by his friends. The Who'll,
party returned, having satisfied themselves tina
they could make nothing in the mines. Tbs
best diggings they found would average only {
fourth of a cent to the pan. The party trie(
the four diggings known as Cherry Creek, Ara
Dahoe. Mexican, and Table Mountain diggings
all of which are about alike. 1t was though
at first that gold would be found higher up il
the mountains, but all who tried we're disap
pointed the higher up they went, the less mp
pearance of gold they found. The whole part.
united in condemning the thing as humbug
gotten up by traders and spectators.
In going out, the party met about one hun
dred einigrants day returning on foot, nearl,
all of whom were in destitute circumstances
They AL gave the same account in regard p
the mines. though the traders along the roaC
still contended that miners were making from
eight to ten dollars day. One of this com
pany, as Mr. Stannus states, bought up all the
eold he could find in Auraria and Denver cities
amounting to $5.43. Ten miles beyond Sal
Creek. the party uncovered the body OF mar
who had evidently been murdered, being sho
with two balls through the head. 1t is sup
rosed TO be the body of man from Nebrask'
city. by the name of Carpenter, who was som'
time ago reported to have been murdered Oh
the plains, with letters on his person giving IN
favorable accounts from the mines. Near b,
was found the body of his mule, which bad al
40 been shot Mr.. Stannus met Immens'
numbers going out-in one day, he thinks, a