davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1862-03-22
Letter from Slate Creek.
SLATE CREEK. March

SLATE CREEK, March oh, 1862.
NEssRS. FDIToRs As the Express is passing
have few words from this portion of the El-
dorado of the North. The winter here, Gas at
other places) has been cold and severe, hut the
snow along the river and the sides of the mount
aims has not been deep, so that animals that
were not entirely worn out with last seasons work
have come through in fair order Fifteen pack
horses of w. S. Poks sold here few days ago
for 80 23O: the number Of animals fit for packing
here and on the way to Lewiston being about
300 Numbers Of men are coming here every
: dav from the dggingS in search OF provisions.
Some beef is obtained from the Indians but at
high prices, 40 and so cents pound and those
purchasing have to pay coin, as some person from
whom they took gold dust on formei occasions
cheated them. They have not any amount OF fat
cattle now, not enough to supply the miners one
week
Slate creek empties into Salmon river at the
foot of the mountain before crossing into the
dggngs There is one house kept here for the
accommodation of the public, owned by Charley
Silvernan, but now closed the reason, scarcity
of provisions The snow trail hOm this place to
the mines is bad and il is the opinion of those well
acquainted with snow countries that 1t cannot be
travelled by pack trains for nearly six weeks or two
months. There is no provisions here for sale ex-
cept about 1000 pounds of -four, held by some
sDrCulatOr at the small um OF ~ cents pound.
These who wrote to your paper giving reason
for miners coming early into the diggings to be
on the ground to prospect, ought, also, to have
distinctly stated for th m to have their provisions
with them as}no man ought to start to the mines
except he has provisions or is behind a train that
will furnish them. Remember, mo credit is the
motto in the Salmon river dggings. 5ro
| say truly that for six weeks no man need come
TO the diggngs as he can get neither work nor
grub-no matter what others may say to the con-
trary. JQ
have no interest but tie welfare Of the honest
miner in making the above statements, but if you
wish to escape misery and be strong and able to
combat good summers work stay where food is
plenty until the snow begins TO disappear and you
can do something for yourselves. When you do
come bring your rifles with you, and ammunition
as the opinion of great many is, we will have
trouble and perhaps sooner than expected. No
matter how good the Indian may be he cannot
bear close intimacy with the white man, so come
all prepared Beside the benefit YOU will derive
from your rifle in a game ceHptry ahounding with
elk, deer and mountain sheep-Uerbum sap, it is
TOO late to lock the stable after the horse is
stolen.
Great credit is due to Mcbride and Mr.. Miller,
expressmen for their manly and noble conduct
on several occasions assisting persons found on
the Camas prairie and carrying their loads in
some cases. Honest industry is bound to win.
SINE TREMORE
, 1862-03-22

EXPRESS DEPARTURE. - Mcbride &
Rhodes Express will leave this city for the
almon mines this morning.
, 1862-03-22
ll)asbinQtou 5ldtcsman.
From Powder River--New Discoveries.

From Powder River---New Discoveries.
Mr. T. j. Paine, who arrived in this city
on Saturday last, from Powder river, gives
us the following items in relation to the
Powder river mines. Mr.P left here in No
vember last, in company with Messrs. Iba,
Caughran and Gray, to prospect that re-
gion Of country When they arrived there
;hey found the snow so deep in the noun
tains that it was difficult to prospect, They
however, spent considerable time in look
ing about the country, and went as far
south as Burnt river. On this stream they
found indications of the presence of In
dams, and did not deem it expedient to re-
main there. They sunk one hole, (in
which they did not reach the bed rock
and found gold in small quantities. Re-
turning, they prospected the ga ches on
Powder river, and found gold everywhere
they prospected-in many places paying
diggings They went up Powder river
about twenty miles above Grifin's Gulch,
Gn which Mr.. Littefeld and party are min
ing) and found surface diggings on a fiat, or
bench on the mountain, about mile back
from the river. where they obtained pros
poets which they think will pay from SIG
. to $40 per day. This fat is some two
miles in length. and prospects about the
same throughout The gold is coarse. re-
sembing very much that obtained in jack
son county, Oregon, and is supposed to be
worth from $l7 to S1S per ounce. We
were shown specimens of the gold taken
from the grqvel near the surface, and it
may also be classed as coarse gold.
The miners on GriAin's Gulch had done
much better than they expected to do last
fall,=making as high as $50 per day with
rocker,-and had found some very coarse
gold-pieces weighing from $40 to $l8.
Mr.tP. inc. exhibited us one piece worth
$3.50 which he obtained from them. The
gold in the diggings discovered by Mr..
P. and his party is not 50 coarse as that OBJ
tanned here
The party were compelled to do most Of
their prospecting in from three to five feet
of snow; yet they saw sufficient of the
country 70 convince them that it is in ev-
cry respect a gold bearing region.
In the mountains, the snow was from
three to five feet deep when the party left
but in the Po, der river valley there was
very little, and it had not been over six
inches deep at any time during the winter,
and then II did not lie on the ground bat a
few days The horses belonging to the
party ere kept in use most of the winter
and continued in good condition.
The party viii return to Powder river
as soon as the snow leaves the mountains.
SO that they can cross with pack animals
They give it as their opinion that the
mines will prove extensive; yet they leave
Others to act upon their own judgment in
relation to going there
This party came in by way of the Una
Fila, but there is an equally good and much
nearer roate to the Granl Ronde valley
leading direct across the mountains from
this city. Fremont travelled over this route
in 1913. The distance is shortened nearly
one half--being only about 40 miles from
here to the Grand Ronde valley.
In another column, we publish the min
ing laws adopted by this party
, 1862-03-22


agT The snow has almost entirely dis
appeared from the valley and the resident:
are now busily discussing which is prefera-
bic, snow or mud: If the mud is as de :
in the roads throughout the valley as it /,
on some Of our cross-streets - take it that
this questiongi is more easily propounded
than dec ded
SEEDING.--Tke farmers in the vicinity Of
the foothills have commenced sowing theil
spring crops.
CANDIDATES. Es.-Read the announcements
of candidates for ty officers in another
column of tO-dey's paper
, 1862-03-22

A CoNTRABAND at Beaufort thus des-
cribes the flight of the rebels: ." Fust the
A abamians run, den de Georgia cavalry
went after them, and they didn't come back,
de de Souf Caroiinians run, and lef the
Dutch to be killed. The Germans manned
the guns erI-
EMERSON REMARKS " The action of the soul
is otiener that winch teit and lett unSaid than
in that whichls saiG in any conyersatiOn.3 lE
, 1862-03-22
A. GRAY, Secretary.

RREer.-Persons lately up from the
that lace that there are no provisions or
goods for sale in this market This is in
correct, though our supply Of provisions
mo in Portland, for a considerable length
of time there is yet enough and to spare.
Many articles of miners supplies are be-
coming scarce, yet most of our merchants
have large supplies lying at the Dalles and
Des Chute which will3be brought up on
the first trips of the boat after which min
ers may come through with the assurance
that they can obtain supplies and outfits in
this city.
, 1862-03-22

s-Y Persons have been in the habit of
calling at this Office for papers for their
neig hbors and not delivering them. They
ill oblige both our patrons and ourselves
by disseminating this practice.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

ceeded within q short distance Of the light
vessel on the off side Of Fort Casswell. The
two officers, boatswain, mate and quar-
ter-master climbed on board by rope which
was hanging at the side. The light boat
was quite deserted Carpenters had been
at work. The vessel was being pierced for
eight guns. No attempt was made to modest
thesexpedition until they had kindled the
fire, which effectually destroyed the light
ship. The fort did not open upon our boats
until they were clearly out of harms way.
Firing down the Potomac was heard last
night between II and II o'clock. It has
been since ascertained that the rebel bate.
rles had opened on Gen. Hooker's command
on the Maryland shore, but without damage.
Secretary of War Stanton will enter upon
the duties Monday. Mr. Cameron will re-.
main in Washington some days, and visit
his home before departing for Russia
WI .t. rs WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.
The following is Gen. Lanes full staff, all
appointed on the staff by Gen. Mcclellan, and
detailed by him to Gen. Lane. This is nee.
essary in the case of Brigadier with Maj.
Generals command: It. Col. VIM. H. Mer-
rift, of Iowa who commanded the Iowa LIST
at Springfield; 1t. Col. Judson Fitzpatrick, Of
New York, now of the Harris Cavalry Maj.
John Richie, of Kansas; Bevon Antworth, Of
Iowa; F. j. Weed, of Kansas; Champion
Vaughan, of Kansas j. R. Mcclure, Kan,
sas; VIM. Kyle, of Illinois; w. A. Phillips,
of Kansas, correspondent of the New York
Tribune
Gen. Lane lett this afternoon for Chicago.
Gov. Curtin has asked permission from
the War Department to send eight full regi.
ments of infantry and one of cavalry from
Penn sylvania to the Southern coast. These
are additional to the State quota. .- -. .
All the arms purchased by Col. Schuyler
in Europe have been delivered
Secretary Stanton will be sworn in to
morrow. His first act will be to order the
removal ofthe bars which have blockaded &C
cess to the War Department and the Adju
tant General. Yesterday Cameron gave Stan.
ton breakfast at which Senators Wade and
| Chandler and others Of that ilk were present
! Secretary Stanton said yesterday the army
must burn powder in the face of the enemy
l can't make them fight, but they must
either fight or surrender.
The Attorney General has directed all Of
| fcers on this side of the Potomac to pay
| their respects to the new Secretary of War on
| TO morrow.
Tom. Corwin renewedly writes his inten.
ton to come home. He says the Mexicans
are making great preparation to resist the
allied invaders.
CAIRO, JAM 10
Gen. Grant and staff accompanied by Capt
Osband's company of 4th cavalry as body
guard, made a reconnaissance to-day over 9
circuit of 40 miles, taking in that country ir
the vicinity Of Lovelace and Blandvlle.-
This has been one OF the heaviest rect nnois
sances Of the war, no General ever making SC
extensive reconnaissance. 1t has resulted
in obtaining information concerning roads
routes, etc. No enemy was discovered.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

The LEcTURE.-Mr. Campbell's lecture
before the students of Greenwood Academy
last Friday evening, was we'll attended-in
fact the room was crowded.
1t is needless to say that Mr.. G. handled
his subject in an able and mastery STYLE
The lack Of time and press of other matter
forbids our giving this lecture an extended
review, which, under. other circumstances,
we should certainly do. .......-
Since tho above was in type, we learn that
Mr.. Campbell will be requested to read this
same lecture in fremont Hall. We hope he
will do so, as it will certainly afford our citi-
zens much pleasure, .i...
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

A CoNrEMPr1BLE Acr.-The Muscatire
JOURNAL of Tuesday contained the Governors
message which was not delivered until the
afternoon of that day. We received the mes
sage Monday evening" but did not publish it
as it would have been palpab'e breach OF
faith. An awful mean man is that JOURNAL
edito,.-Ddr. Dem
That is about the smallest hole we ever
saw an editor attempt to crawl through to
get ont of tight place, and no one but the
man who tries to edit the Democrat would
ever have attempted it. That miserable ap-
ology of paper failed to publish the mes
sage when we did, merely from the laziness
or its proprietors and employees. Talk about
"a contemplate act" We would like to see
the mean thing the editor Of that sheet
would not do.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

SOME SLEIGH-Since the sleighing season
has opened we have seen many stylish "rigs''
and some that were not SO stylish. We
have described the merits Of the respective
establishment" in the possession Of oul
livery keepers, but these "blue and gold
turn-outs must yield to the cutter We saw in
front of the Post Office, yesterday noon. Il
was composed of two hickory saplings, four
pieces of stove-wood, and one stick of cord
wood. The two saplings composed the run.
ners and shafts-the four pieces of stove.
wood formed the upright supporters of the
body. which consisted Of the stick of cord
wood; straddle of which set the driver
We are free to confess that this novel and
primitive vehicle rather astonished us
a. We had no idea before of the results
that could be attained by human ingenuity
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

Coon FOR COMPANY "G"-Capt. Lundy's
company, from this county, RENTED on Fri
day Of last week SLIPS to their friends in
Muscatine.
Considering the fact that the boys have
only received two months pay, they have
done nobly, This company is composed OF
strictly temperate men, mostly farmers.
We learn that this squadron of the I'd Cav
airy has not yet been armed, and it is proba-
BILE that it will remain at Benton Barracks for
the remainder of the winter.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

SCHOOL No. I've paid short visit, last
Friday afternoon, to the grammar depart
ment of School No. 2 It was speaking
day"-the day of all days dreaded by the
bashful urchins who are compelled to ''staro
upon the public STAGE and ''address the au-
dience." The little fellows performed their
parts very well, however, and some of the
pieces were recited with more than ordinary
success. -
This schoo' is now under the charge Of
Miss Louise Brainard, who is assisted by
Miss Henrietta Mikesell and Miss Abbie F.
Meader
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24
Sheen knisiuC in Iowa.

Editor Muscatine Journal: Sir-After ex
aiming an article in your daily, entitled car
Example," we come to the conclusion tina
there is some mistake in the number of pound:
of wool taken from each of the one hundred
and eighteen ewes owned by Mr.. Ten Eycl
shorn in the spring of 1861, they having
been brought in in 1860. Now, sir, when il
comes to taking off six pounds per head as ar
average of ewes, either in Iowa CT any Other
State, numbering / Is, itmakcs heavy draught
upon the credulity Of one who has tried the
experiment.
So as not to mislead the unwary, let me
say that the French, Saxony and Spanish
sheep are of the same common family, to wit
Spanish. Climate and judicious crossing
may have had something to do with size and
produce. d& ~ r.
Yet at the same time we have tried the ex-
pertinent of wool growing in Iowa, and that
with improved breeds, and that with the
many incidental expenses consequent upon
the handling of this kind Of stock, found it
very hazardous, not only that it was less pro-
fitable than some other kinds of stock, ,,{,
And, after handling sheep with great care
for three years, and with the experience of
MANY others with the same kind of sheep, |
am not prepared to credit the large yield Civ
en- on Mr. Ten Eyck's one hundred and eigh-
teen ewes. ,gC1 -L'.- no ;aA
Ny experience of flock of from 200 to
900 head produces we'll even in Iowa, il
they average three pounds each, and think
that is the experience ofjudicious wool-grow-
ers everywhere. 49,. . ~ 81
know that several years since. sheep were
run into Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, as some
thing superior, and sold at exorbitant prices,
being represented to shear Is or 20 pounds Of
wool; and so they would, with two or three
years, and the necessary amount Of oil found
and dirt accumulated thereby. So it may be
with the 1IS ewes of Mr.. Ten Eyck, which
am much inclined to believe.
Another and great desideratum in the pro.
fits of wool-growing is the increase of the
flock, which discover is numerically moth
ing in the flock Of Mr.. Ten Eyck-only six
lambs. Even admit they are worth the price
reported, $3.50 per head, (Which I will ven.
ture to say no one in his senses in Iowa will
ever invest at such prices) will not keep up Q
flock with the consequent losses that mus
be sustained.
That safe business Of that kind should bt
carried on in Iowa, would invoke our legis
lature to pass law taxing dogs one dolla,
per head, and raise revenue in each county
sufficient to pay all losses that may be sus
tanned by the depredations of such animals
; Tiptep, Jan. 10, 81. ]. DIP.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

A NE1GHBoRLY TRANsAcnoN.-A sharp
chap in this vicinity recently made contract
to furnish neighbor with certain number
of fence posts. He fulfilled his contract 10
the letter and received his pay in hard cash.
A few days afterwards the gentleman who
bad bought the posts went to his wood land
to haul home lot of the same articles he had
cut himself Imagine his establishment when
he discovered his posts were all gone. When
he returned home and found that he had
been paying his neighbor at the rate Of screen
cents piece for his oscn posts, it is said that
he exhibited the most astonished and chop-fal
len countenance that it has ever befallen the
lot of man to witness.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

PERsoNAL.-We were happy to see our old
friend Thomas j. Palmer in town again last
week. 1t will be remembered that Mr.. P.
recently lost the use of both his arms by the
premature discharge Of cannon at Camp
Mcclellan. He hopes to recover the use Of
his left arm in month or two; the other has
been amputSted.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

SOME ON OYSTERS. A chap evidently lit
tie vinuous, came into iSchmidt's oyster sa-
loon the other night, and after eating three
plates Of oysters, bought can of the same
eatables, and proceeded to devour them, juice
and all. Schmidt, fearing an eruption Of the
fellows supper, requested him to 60 out
doors. He did so, and establishing himself
on the sidewalk outside, actually "cleaned
out the can" The unruly bivalves immedi-
ately kicked up muss, however, in his oys-
ter trap, and in less than ten minutes lay
steaming in the gutter. Getting upon al
tours he told the crowd of admiring bystand-
ers that he was "very sick, and didn't like
oysters at aU.'
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

NHws FROM TIE CAPIrAL-As our readers
will observe, we have made arrangements by
which we daily receive special dispatches
from the Capital, containing synopsis Of the
proceedings Of the Legislature. But one
other paper in the State (the Burlington
Harkeys) receives kilograms from Desmoines
regularly.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

To STAY.-Sergeant M. T. Williams, ia
miliarly known as "Ole Dad" is not going
to leave for Cairo, Tuesday, as was reported.
He has been detailed to serve as Recruiting
Sergeant for the period of six months. This
sas too bad, as Dad was very anxious to join
his regiment so as to be in time for that lit
lie spree at Columbus. We are right sorry
for you, Dad-so we are.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

TIE LUMBER TRApE.-The lumber trade Of
this city, is again becoming what it was in
the days of "Auld Lang Syne." Yesterday
while riding in the country we counted fif
teen sleighs returning home, all loaded with
lumber. The whole number were met within
a mile and half Of town and all on the same
read. e7ei! L~i 3 s.@.;'.i.e e'
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

A Box FROM WILToN.-The patriotic ladies
Of Wilton have forwarded box of hospita
supplies to the soldiers from that place now
IN Missouri. The contents of the case are
valued at sixty-three dollars. Good for the
Wilton ladies' We are proud to claim them
as belonging to Muscatine county. May the
boys remember their fair friends when they re-
turn home.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

O. The Davenport Democrat, of last
week, says that sit has not transpired who
the new editor of the Muscatine JOURNAL
is. The old one has gone to Mt. Pleasant y
If we should be obliged to resort to that
s'favored locality" we would never be
troubled with the editor of the Democrat.-
Idiots are not admitted into the Asylum for
the Insane.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24
WASHINGTON. Jan. II.

WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
The relics of Gen. Washington, found a
Arlington House, the late residence of Gen
Lee, and which have been heir-looms in tn
family, will be deposited at the Smith
sonian for safe keeping. They comprise tn
china set presented to Gen.. Washington BY
the Cincinnati Society and French officers
Washington tea-tablc, tent and other furni
ture besides valuable papers.
Accompanying Secretary Welles' reply t.
the Senate is letter from leading New Yorl
merchants, saying they believe Morgan's pur
chases to have been made with integrity, econ
omy and ability, and with great advantage te
the Government His commission was &C.
cording to mercantile custom, and resulted ii
his obtaining good vessels at lower prices
than the Government usually pays.
1t is said that CassiNs NJ. Clay will not
leave st. Petersburg until Cameron arrives
who will leave within month after his con
firmation.
Cameron's nomination as Minister to Rus
STA was opposed by Trumbull, chiefly; also
by Grimes and by Kennedy. He was de-
Tended by Sumner, Fessenden and the Penn
syIvania Senator's. It is said that he gained
by the debate, all the charges against him
being triumphantly answered. He will be
confirmed to-day.
Important news has been received from
Mexico. A new Cabinet had been formed,
with Gen. DeGolado at its head. Congress,
before adjourning, vested full power in Jua-
req. The regular army has been increased
to $4,000 men, and volunteers enough to
raise the army to $780, 900. Vera Cruz has
been declared no longer port of entry.
'Tampico, situated on shallow river and ca
sy of defense,is to be held against the French
The Juarez government, with popular sat
isfaction has levied two direct taxes on the
people, and has issued proclamation ordering
the civil authorities to respect foreign citizens
Comoniort has come forward to the support
of the government Full amnesty is offered
to the Church party. The Spaniards find no
allies. The few Re-actionists were subdued,
or were voluntarily coming back.
Cameron was confirmed to-day by the Sen
ate by % to IA. The Republicans voting nay
were Trumbull, Harlan, Grimes, Wilkinson,
Foster and Hale.
Senator Wilson introduced bill to-day
providing for the discharge of all soldiers be-
yond the number authorized by Congress and
forbidding the enlistment of volunteers for
service within their States, unless it shall
have filed its quota and discharged all such
now enlisted. a9F i7s
Gen. Lane, to-day, had, an interview with
the President Secretary Stanton and Gen.
McClellan, at which all three united in author
izing him to prosecute the war with his ex-
petition according to his own principles.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-01-24

H-By private dispatch received in this
city last week, we learn of the death
at St. Louis OF Leslie Moore, of Mercer coun-
ty, III. The deceased was member Of Capt.
Hatch's cavalry company, from this city. He
was % years Of age.