The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-04-20
Nens mliisi.t'::ellanp, SC:
C-ORREsPONDENCR.
"saint Joe" ,tMO9 Wide Awake.
BY NETTY FENwooD.

AS we hear of Saints, and Madonnas, who
wink miraculously. bless holy water, and the
like, l have conclude to let you know, dear
friends in old Portage that this Saint, on the
sunset side of the Father of Waters, and on
the sunrise side of the Majestic Muddy is
wide, staring wide awake!
1t keeps the old chap busy, from morning
till night, trudgel trudgel to receive his many
guests, who, every day, come by steamboat
by car, shanks mare and mule back, the most
of them bound for the gold fields of Kansas
and Nebraska. Their white tents and wagon
covers geam from the willow copse below the
city, like an army of Pnilistines; shovels and
pick axes are at every corner of the street. and
the markets are crowded with gold seekers
buying their outfit, chafering in every language
under heaven, for the lowest prices.
ST Joseph is, no doubt, the best point from
which to start for the siiines on the border
being the termination of the most western rail-
way; in direct communication, also, by river
with the South; well cultivated district back
of the city to sustain the markets, and the
nearest point to the Fort Laramie road, that
having the advantage over the Smoky Hill
Fork, (via Leavenworth J that there are the
best stopping places for the emigrant, with a
bridge road the whole distance.
If people ,0iH leave home for gold hunting.
let them find the most comfort possible. Wo-
men, too. with pale, delicate children clinging
to them, if they will sacrifice SO much to
mammon, what must be the impelling force to
break the tender ties of childloods home and
early friends. 10 go through this dangerous
exposure; SO pity may be thrown away upon
the stout aud able bodied men, who intend
going there. desist, then upon that subject
with penning single report that is rife this
morning upon the street: $50 aa-
There is great suffering upon Little Blue
tJreek, for there were people who lost their
senses some time ago, and started for the new
EIderado with hand-carts. scarcely provisions
enough to get half way, and without tent or
cover of any kind, expected to go six hundred
miles through the keen air of March, without
feeling even cold in the head or q atoothache.
The mild, firm voice of Prudence is lost 10
the general camor of auriferous,' shot gold
No. enthusiasm.
No man ought to think of going to Pixies
Peak, or any other gold bearing Nose of the
Rocky Mountains, unless he takes q six months
provision along with him, as corn fields and
wheat deposites are not mapped down in the
new Paradise. l, -
I ST. Joseph is city Of ten thousand inhao-
litants, twelve churches, two theatres. six
newspapers (two dailiesl and hotels. saloons
I and restaurants without number. It has q
beautiful location. being perched upon an EN-
inence that overlooks the Missouri, washing
the base with its siluery waters fas poets sayl;
apd. westward. the green prairies Of Kansas
dotted here and there with farm houses; while,
on the same side with the city, is a succession
of knolls, crowned with cottonwoods and ellns,
whence many white cottage peers down up
on the busy railway and wharves below.
i Perhaps some of the buildings, as ia ai'
Western towns would not ornament Chestnut
= or Broadway; yet, there are others'hat mgat
do credit to those FAR famed dpromenades. Odd
Fsllows' Hall, Patee's IIotel. the Court House,