Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-10-10
Clippings and Comments.

In letter from our friend John Harris, tanner, cnrrier and fnisher," who resides near Carksville, Johnson county, John says:
 "I have large lot of leather, and am making more, all of which want to make up into boots and shoes for our soldiers. l will furnish ten thousand dollars worth, if lean get the workmen to make the shoes. Send me some good workmen, and will give them employment and fair wages !"
 Travelling jours will please make note of this; but we may add that the aforesaid John is strict son of temperance, and will not permit violation of article two of the constitution of that society by any person on his premises.
 The following extract is from the Richmond Enquirer of late date. We have seen other notices of the occurrence in different papers. As piece of boldness and daring, it rivals Jackson's shooting Ellsworth. To attack a Yankee colonel in the midst of his regiment, then the soldier on guard, and rush through the lines of the enemy with no weapon but knife is piece of heroism almost unparalleled:
 "We are informed that on the l4th of September, MT. G. M. Emack, of Prince George county, Maryland, was arrested by party of Sickes bri- gade. and Carried before General Walker, com. malding the brigade, during the sickness of Sickles Seizing an opportunity, he suddenly drew his knife and stabbed Walker twice, mortally woundng him. He was then fired upon by the soldier who was guarding him, who fortunately missed him. He then struck at the soldier, cut ting of three of his fingers. Mir. Emaek rushed by the rest of the guard, and continuing his flight succeeded, after toisOm journey, in reaching the Potomac and crossing into Virginia, and is now at Ashland near this city. It is said that Gen. Walker has died of his wounds" E
 The following is paragraph from an article in the Richmond Examiner, and applies to cer- tain parties in this locality. The farmers in for here they hold their produce up to the high est prices Cur shopkeepers have doubled and trebled the prices of some articles, especially those required by soldiers ana their families. Goods they sold for one dollar they now ask two for; articles which last winter they asked ten cents yard for they now hold at thirty cents, not that the cost is greater but because goods are scarce in this market. But we are glad to state that this only applies to portion of our merchants:
 "But this is not the only form in which a large class of the community are manifesting disposi- tion to speculate upon the condition of the coun- try. There is general tendency among all classes of dealers, in all classes of articles, to demand exorbitant prices for their commodities And this tendency is not confined to the dealers in those articles that are not produced in the South, and would naturally become scarce during the suspen- sion of external trade It is the case as to every article that is bought and sold, except those pro- duced by the farmer and the husbandman. He alone, of ali the people who have commodities to sell. is forced to take half price for his farm pro- duce while he is compelled to pay double price for the supplies for which he goes into market"
 It is singular that dealers are so intent upon making money as to lose all considera- tions of patriotism and to forget that we live in revolutionary times. Speculations and extor- tions that would be borne in ordinary times will not be submitted to now. At one place, specu- lator who had bought up all of certain kind of goods needed for the army, and held it at an exborbitant price, was surprised to find his warehouse taken possession of and his goods valued at fair price, which he was obliged to take or take nothing. At other places, where merchants put an extra price on their goods, they were taken, their invoices inspected and they paid ten or fifteen per cent on cost and carriage, and relieved from the further trouble of selling their wares. We eshoud regret to see anything of the kind in our State, and hope that our merchants and dealers are too patriotic and liberal to carry things so far as to force the government or any local authority to take such a step. Indeed we are very sorry to record that such spirit of speculation and disposition to take advantage of the necessities of others exist anywhere in the South. l