The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-16
LETTER FROM COLORADO.
Murder of tho Jewett Family..Min.
ing and Agricultural Prospects.

Murder of tho Jewett Family..Min.
ing and Agricultural Prospects.
DENVER. Colorado Territory, May 26, 1865.
To the Editor Of the Pioneer:
We are sorry to learn from an article In the
Missouri Republican,, taken from your valuable
paper. that our friend A. ]. Jewett and his
whole family have been brutally murdered by
the Indians. When will these dusky devils lex.
suse this term as it is the only one Of required
strength) be dealt with according to their jus
deserts.
Every sp ing some one of our friends must
would seem at least. The time, thank God,
Is not far distant when I" friendly Indians will
know their place and be obliged to keep it.
1t may seem light thing to some of the high
officials to hear of such an outrage; but to
those losing such friends as the Jewetts
no punishment of the murderers can be too
summary. Occasionally an article cut from
your columns appears in some OF our noun
tain issues, turning our thoughts, even in this
far of wild, back to our old friend the PIONEER.
We often ask ourselves how he stands the ups
and downs of these troublOus changes in mat
tiers of business. The avidity with which we
Ainnes0tians devour any article from one OF
our old home papers has led me to send you
this letter, thinking perhaps some OF your many
readers who have left their trials over these
peaks would like to know how we are getting
along with our prospecting, patching, cap-rock
war, &C., &C.
The present season thus far has been very
dull, owing to the unsettled state of affairs
(Which effects all parts of the country, high
prices of provisions and labor during last fall
and winter, the mines generally are going into
the hands Of eastern capitalists, some of whom
are receiving good dividends from their agents
here. Other companies having sent out agents
who looked more to their ease and their toilet
than to the titles, attitudes, development and
6nal gold exhibit Of the thousand claims offer.
ed them, have DIT last found themselves owners
of numberless wild cat claims upon imaginary
lodes; the very result they might with COM
mon instinct, have anticipated. Where is the
printer, the merchant, artist or the physician
who would pick up miner, an engineer, or .
stone mason, (though he be the best in his pro.
fession) and send him east to buy in a stock of
twenty to fifty thousand dollars; and at the
same time expect stock of goods fitted to his
Office, the market, or his practice. Some of
these companies do not exhibit the sagacity of
the common boot-black. And then because
they do not from the start get their regular
quarterly dividend, they at once set
about traducing the character of our
mines. when in Iact they have not the
most dis taut idea Of their richness. Even now
there are at the Missouri river millions of cap
ital in machinery for these mines, that agents
have bought, thinking they must bring some
thing to impress their employers with. This
heavy outlay of capital and delay of operation
Is the cause of much dissatisfaction. One-fifth
of the outlay for machinery, (and twenty five
cents per pound for freight), if expended in
opening one or two of their wild cat claims,
would have made them worth q subsequent
outlay for machinery. Those practical men
who have ever with common sagacity exam
ined those gold fields with an eye to investing,
are we'll satisfied that there is no better invest.
ment than mining property in Colorado. Even
now, men from California and Nevada are here
examining our mines, who are highly pleased
with their assays
Provisions are coming down somewhat, re-
ducing the price Of living; consequently labor
can come down, which will induce owners of
mines to resume their works. Some are al
ready about starting up again.
The farming interest is now more largely
represented than ever before New farms are
opened and old ones enlarged. But still there
Is lack of agricultural products in the terrific.
~. Corn and wheat Ito feed) at ten to eighteen
cents per pound, is too high. States corn is
selling at eighteen cent per pound by the load.
Wheat for government forage, is worth ten
ten cents per pound. States -four, eighteen
dollars per one hundred pounds. Colorado
-four trife lower. BY the by, we have three
Touring mills in the territory. that turn out an
article of -four that, for family use is preferred
to states -four, as 1t is more sure of being new.
But for pastry the bakers prefer the st. Louis
brands as it is fine article. It seems as if
this town must overflow ere long from an over
stock of provisions which has reduced the
Wholesale prices even below raging rates of
freight. But the consumer says he fails to see
ral, IN, h 70 To viva
idea how provisions are accumulating mere, |
have eXamird one ware house in which found
by careful estimate, five thousand and forty
three sacks of states -four. This is probably the
largest flour and forage dealer We have in the
city.
But there are many Others. There are many
things that merit our attention; but our letter
has already exceeded its prescribed limits. The
pas winter has been one OF great length and
severity. But in the valley the spring was
early. Small grain of all kinds looks well and
forward. Corn is up finely and looks well. |
Were it not for this Colorado pest, the grass
hopper, we should anticipate great harvest;
but he is doing vast amount OF damage. |
Though he cannot fly yet, he crawls up to the |
plant and destroys it. 1t is hoped they will |
soon be able TO fly, when The farmers think |
they will leave, which is their practice. They |
are earlier than common. The weather is |
very warm and dry; but as the farmers irrigate |
their crops, the drought does not affect them. |
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, accompanied by Sen. |
ator Nesmith of Oregon and other gentlemen !
belonging 10 the Committee on Indian Affairs, |
will be here next week, on their great over |
land tour of the continent We Coloradaus |
look upon this visit as one of great importance |
to us, as Mr.. Co!fax has always shown himself |
0 warm friend to Colorado. This visit will |
effect our interests in more ways than one. |
Our mineral wealth is undoubtedly 10 be eX- |
lmined and our railroad capacities investigated. |
Yours, &C., Z. S. DUNN.
An exchange has the following appro-