Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-05-27
peplor.ble Condition of the Pixies Peak migrants
-Cannihalirm

ST. Louis, May 2+.-Thc regular corrcspon-
dent of the democrat" writing from Denver
CITY on the 9th instant, r%econntS the most de
plorahle condition of affairs on the Plains
MANY of the cmigrants are dying from starva-
lion. while the others are Subsistlng on prlchly
nrars and wild onions, found along the road.
The stage agent reports picking ups man
named Blue, who was reduced TO a skeleton
from starvation. On recovering he gave n most
lamentahlc account Of his adventures. He
started in company with two Of his brothers
Cnr the mines. One of them died on the road,
and the remaining two were SO far bordering on
a state of starvation, that they ate his body.-
ANOTHER died, and he in turn was nearly de-
vourcd by the survivor.
4 man named Gibbs had reached the mines
in u starving condition, and expressed the
opinion that his party. nine in number, had all
persisted. Many graves were seen along the
route. Much property has been destroyed or
abandoned on the road.
The writer of the letter before referred to
saws the number of departures from the mines
is ahont equal to the arrivals. About i've nun
ilrcd of the returning emigrantS reached -.
Joseph oil Saturday, all of whom confirm the
previous accounts of the sutIrrings and prl-
vations on the Plains.
We add the following extract from 4 letter
dated ST. Joseph, Mo-, May.
The steamers Iatan and William Campbell
arrived to-day from Omaha. with over 4 hun
drel disconnected Pixies Peak cmigrants.-
They bring dcplorable accounts of mining
prospects, and report terrible suficrines and
~priyation on the plains. 1t is estimated that
twenty thousand men have their backs turned
upon the mines, between here and Fort kcar-
new. who will reach the Missouri river towns
within a fortnight. Most of them are destitute
Of money and the necessaries Of life, and are
made reckless and desperate by reason OF
their ,~lcsolatc condition. Threats are made
Of burning Omaha, ST. Joseph, LeavcnwOrth,
and other river towns, OH their arrival, and
at Portsmouth fears Of their carrying their
threats into execution are current, ana
some Of the residents have closed their
business and fled the place. Two thousand
men are reported at Plum Creek, tiity miles
West of Omaha, in u starving condition, and
considerable excitement exists all along the river
from here 10 Omaha. This is. without doubt,
the advance detachment of the immense re-
turning throng which has crowded the Missouri
river towns the last two months on their West
ern weary way, and before the expiration OF 4
week we shall be ovcrrun with returning emf
grants. In this city there is no fear OF violence,
but some of the upper smaller towns may Suf-
fer injury at the hands Of the destitute and
hungry men.
At Fort Kcarncy, May sth, the corrc>pon-
dent of the st. Joseph Journal says that not
less than 800 wagons belonging TO returning
Pixies Pcakcrs passed the Fort during the week
previous. The disappointed gold seekers are
selling their outfits for almost 4 song
They sell their flour at from 50 to 50: bacon
at 10 cents; horse, and cattle they are selling
for almost nothing, and wagons and handcart>
they give away. There are some returning
who have not 4 cent t" take them back, while
those who have anything are hurrying back
as fast az they can to keep from being robbed
L.. a., r..t