The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-05-04
Of the Times.

Correspondence Of the Times.
We have great pleasure in giving to our
readers the following letter from gentleman
formerly Of Grant Co., Wis:
ELwooD, KANSAS, April 18th, 1859.
Col. Richardson
DEAR STR.-Iwrite you for the purpose
that you may send me the Times to St.
Joseph, Mo. I came here about the first
Of the month, and have been stopping here
and at St. Joe, and by this time feel like
reading something Northern that l may
know Of certainty that your country is
not desolatcd. The emigration passing
through here has tendency to make one
apprchcnsive of such consequence to the
country east.
For the last month am told that from
200 to 500 men have crossed the river here
daily, cnroute for Pixies Peak, with now and
then an exception, which is called for the
sake of distinction, kansas Settler" the
difference consists in this: the latter party
will be made up of a woman, some children,
household goods and farming implements !;
the former, Of parties entirely of robust
men, with provender for six months; no
women 60 by this route land hope by no
other this season. to Pixies Peak.
st. Joe is one Of the best fitting out
places on the Missouri river or perhaps in
the west; everything necdful to the gold
hunter can be obtained here at as reasona-
bic rates as at St. Louis or Chicago; per-
sons fitting out in the latter places find on
arriving at ST Joe, that dizzy have suffered
loss about equal to the transportation
charges on their Quitting goods; the fact
being that the retail prices Of goods are
nearly the same wherever they may be
bought. Horses, mules, oxen and wagons
are cheaper than the same could be bought
in Wisconsin one month ago. Corn is SELL
ing at the present time at IS cents per
bushel; hay $40, per ton, there is no grass
yet. The country roads west of here as
far as Marysvillc, ll2 miles, are throngcd.
Corn is selling at that place ESQ says man
just returned from thcrc,) for $3.50 per
bushcl, and is the only article of food for
man or beast, except it may be little bacon
and whiskey ESQ called at 81 a gallon, al
though between this point and Marysville
corn and hay are plenty and can be bought
at a fair price. The road is lined with
men: men with mule teams, horse teams,
OK teams and with hand carts, men with
wheelbarrows and men with nothing save
their carpet sacks, containing the balance Of
their wardrobe. There are many of the
last described. How they are to get to the
mines or subsist when they get there is a
problem solved only by the supposition that
they will force more wealthy trains to con-
tribute, per force of arms and clubs, of their
provisions and money. Reports are current
already that trains have been robbed and of
men dying from hunger and exposure
Yet this insane, strapped and destitute class
of persons, are daily passing out upon this
long unfinished road. l do not think a
prudent man will 60 to Pixies Peak
without provisions sufficient for his stay
there; if he does he will have this with
other sins to repent of at his leisure.
st. Joe is on the east side of the Missouri
river, just now town of some importance.
1t is said to contain population of 10000
citizens; it polled between and 900 votes
at the late Missouri election; it is the ter
minus Of the Hannibal and st. Joseph Rail
Road, and is connected directly by II. X.
and river with st. Louis. The Missouri
-Niver Steamers (asking pardon of the G. D.
and NJ. Packet Co, are much superior to
the Mississippi Boats, have more capacity
for freight and more comfort for passengers
and seem much more staunch and river
worthy. Such is my impression received
in looking over the arrivals the past week,
about dozen or more.
ELLwooD, Kansas, is an infant town d.
rectly opposite St. Joe; it is said to con-
tain 1000 inhabitants. know but little of
it except it has one of the best steam saw,
and single mills ever saw. 1t also has a
good hotel, spacious, comfortable and well
kept, by Messrs. Franklin & Webster, gen
tleman who seem to know how to make their
guests comfortable, and feel at ease, as one
feels at home. Stores, Groceries, Saloons
and other shops and Offices, sufficient for
the demands of trade, are, l should Judge,
all receiving a share Of the public patronage.
This too is the starting point of the st. Joe
and Topeka Rail Road, which is to be CON-
menced Immediately and finished without
delay, the surveys having already been
made; were this road now finished and in
running order, l believe there would be no
lack of freight or passengers; this road be-
speaks prosperous future for Elwood, and
will be the first one finished, running west
into Kansas. 1t is my intention ere long to
have more extended view of this territory
proposing to go through on the line of this
road, which should do, will write you
again. Respectfully,
" WANDERER.
On the Route.
The following letter was handed to us for