Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-07-08

/ : l
cluding a certain amount of provis-
ions to each individual. As fast as
companies could be formed and got
ten ready they started out, and when
all preparations were completed,
about the middle of May, 1850, the
wagon train started over the plains.
The passage of emigrants in such
numbers was not only a great event
but a great benefit to the country
through which they passed, for they
left good deal Of money along the
way.
In the spring of 1852 the Dubu-
que western stage route was estab-
lished and contracted for by j.
Gould & Sons. The two-horse hacks
were superseded by coaches drawn
by two spans of horses. The coaches
were fine, and attracted more atten-
tion than did afterward the steam
engine, with its train of cars. Most
OF them We're painted a brilliant YER
million red and profusely decorated
with bronze and gilt. These were
of large dimensions, three-seated
and capable of carrying nine
grown persons and several
children on the inside. One man
might occupy the seat with the dri-
yer, and four men could ride on top.
of the coach. The leather covered
boot, as it was called, at the rear end
of the coach, would hold an astomsh-
ing amount of baggage. Morning
and evenings coach left Dubuque
going west, and morning and even
ing coach went to Dubuque from
the west and an extra passed from
the east, and from the west forenoon
and afternoon daily. Beside these,
there were from two to four night
extras. Usually all were crowded
during the busy season, which lasted
about six weeks in the spring and
fall. We had morning and evening
mail from the east and from the west.
at that time the western distributing
post Office was located at Dubuque,
and for some months for convenience
the postoffice at Cofin's Grove was
made a distributing office for Mt.
Hope, Forestville, and Strawberry
Point on the north, and Quasqueton
and Marion on the south. Usually
we looked over two four-bushel bags
crowded full at each mail. When, as
was sometimes the case, the mails
had been delayed, we had ten four
bnshel bags full to look over. We re-
tanned those addressed to our office
and forwarded or distributed the re-
mainder. AT that time there swasS a
lad, much in favor hut long since
gone out Of date and forgotte il
was quite shelfashio, to seal enxes
iopes with a paper motto. II ne faVol-
lite colorsgw were pale blue, pink, and
green, and Sentiment chosen was in
accord with the feelings ofthe writer.
Some in frequent use were: sAb-
sent, but not forgotten My heart
is thyme Hope on, hope ever, = =
etc. We sent them on their different
ways. Many Of them aoated out on
the Pacific ocean, rounded Cape
Horn in sailing vessel, and entered
the Golden Gate at San Francisco,
from which place they were sent to
their destination, and many miner
stood in line and waited patiently
four long hours and felt amply re-.
paid when he received the prec-
ious missive from the states, telling
him at glance that though absent
he was not forgotten.
In 1851 the gold seekers began
returning from California, and for
| the next two years every vessel that
put out from the Pacific slope des-
tined for the states was crowded
with passengers. Many who went
from the east came Immediately
west, either to become settlers or to
invest their riches in land for specu-
lation. They were uniformly well
dressed, having discarded their old
attire and purchased a new outfit in
New York City. The Californian
was readily known by his broad
brimmed, white Panama hat and
large gold ring. The young en-
gagged Californian usually brought
his sweetheart gold ring and a
China Grape shawl. The latter was
Of soft silken texture, heavily silk
embroidered, and beautiful. The
Californians told marvellous stories
/ about the gold deposits, and talked
complacently Of the readiness with
which a man could dig from the
4 gulches in lump or pan out from
the. placers in gold dust a few
I, thousand dollars in a few months
time. Often a man would refer te
my friend here as having got his
J! share sufficient to make him inde-
/, pendent for life. " But soon it was
noticed that the modest Californians
Il were very ,.aticant ratrardinu the